iTunes Boasts Sales of 5 Billion

Posted by
James W. Coates
Jun 20, 2008

Apple posted a press release this week that music fans have “purchased and downloaded over five billion songs” from the iTunes store, making it “the world’s most popular online movie store”.

Admittedly, I’ve contributed immensely to iTunes’ sales. But one thing startles me as I scan the new releases in the electronic section and look at the top sales chart. I wonder if I am the only one buying dance music from iTunes. It seems the chart has had the same top ten songs since…late 2007.

Let’s run down the top ten for today, June 20, 2008.

1. M.I.A. - Paper Planes

2. Daft Punk – One More Time

3. Imogen Heap – Hide and Seek

4. Daft Punk – Harder, Faster, Better, Stronger

5. The Postal Service – Such Great Heights

6. Technotronic – Pump Up The Jam

7. Daft Punk - Technologic

8. Fatboy Slim – The Rockafeller Skank

9. Moloko – Time is Now

10. Oakenfold – Starry Eyed Surprise

While I can’t find fault with any of these tracks and have embraced each one at different periods of my life, “Such Great Heights” recalls my travels through Vietnam in 2004-2005, “Hide and Seek” my summer romance of 2006, and I still listen to “Paper Planes” regularly.

But I can’t help wondering who is keeping “Pump Up The Jam” alive in the top ten. I bought that album with babysitting money back in 1989. With all the great electronic, dance and techno music available today why is this track still ranking high? And why does Daft Punk, who hasn’t released any new material since 2005, have 3 songs in the top ten?

Isn’t anyone else downloading dance music from iTunes? I have to scan down all the way to number 34 before I find a track released in 2008 - “Vanished” by Crystal Castles.

Just a curious observation

Sep 18, 2008 9:20 PM

Guest :

I would just say that this type of thing is something we can all expect to see into the immediate future. A market where record companies don't completely control the charts - at least whilst they still think of it as a niche market.

Normally, with traditional cd sales, all the major labels have to do is convince stores to buy up the albums or singles, and even if they are returned without sale and refunded, they can be listed as top sellers if they 'sell' enough. So far, I would say that I personally have not observed this on iTunes.

Give it a year, maybe two. It will start to happen all the same as it currently does. Statistics manipulation is pretty high on the agenda for major labels, and especially gives new artists a good kick start. Ever wondered how seemingly average music from some band you'd never previously heard of suddenly lands in the top 100 overnight? Old technique. Make something popular, people will usually buy it.

Personally, I don't have a lot of involvement with Dance projects, but can you honestly say that none of those songs are still selling? Ever wonder how many songs The Beatles still sell, despite having split up 30 years ago? Look it up and be prepared to be amazed.

Whilst it's poor morally that the major labels fudge with the stats, it does do a very important thing. It keeps turning the flower-bed, so as to speak. New bands arrive to our attention, and truly great old songs still sell.

Morally wrong, but pretty important really. The charts are more of a benchmark of good music on iTunes, than a day to day popularity contest.

I really have high hopes for what quality of music digital sales will bring to the market. Maybe music will actually have to be good to get in the charts? :)

All the best.
Anonymous Independent Label CEO