Back when everyone listened to the radio, what did they get out of listening to the radio? They got to hear the songs they liked. They got connection and inclusion because they knew their friends were listening too. They got cool kid points because they listened to the station that had their finger on the pulse. They got the talking points from the DJ’s. Concert announcements which informed them where they could find other people like them. They got to hear the premier of the new track. It was a portal to be informed of what’s popular around here…and the list goes on.
All that just from listening to the radio? An amazing bargain. The deal of a lifetime.
Cut to today where it’s streaming select songs and playlists.
You get everything you want when you want it.
Except I’m not sure that’s true. Yes, you get to hear any song whenever you want to hear it…but all that other good stuff listed above, you don’t get that whenever you want it.
Music consumption has been through a lot in the last twenty years but I think it still has a ways to go.
And I don’t mean that everyone should go back to listening to radio. I don’t remember the last time I have. You probably don’t either. Music streaming/listening is a modern miracle…but it has room to build in even stronger upside.
