I'm a bit surprised by this too. Although it shouldn't affect me since I generally don't care for the "popular" songs.

With all due respect, you're kind of missing half of the argument. The justification for doing this on the part of the music industry is that they take away copy protection, so now users can share the songs they download easier. Purchased songs being shared among a few = price increase for the single download.

I barely download one song from iTunes and only if I run out of all other options. Otherwise, I must say, they do have good prices on albums and I love their free stuff. I refuse to ever pay for an iPhone APP though, no way.

I understand the reasoning for raising the price, although I wish they would broaden the range of $.69 cent songs. I searched for jazz compilation cds, since I figured those would be the first to be lowered, and those were the only songs I can find at that price. Why are they hatin' on jazz?

Eh. I don't buy anything on iTunes unless I get a gift card for it. There are other avenues.

I'll happily pay $.30 more for a song without DRM that is legally obtained. I don't see how this is any different from the record stores selling a new album for $15.99 but selling Vanilla Ice's greatest hits for $5.99.

I rarely download anything from itunes, but really, it's because they charge a tax for it. I don't live in NY, and as far as I know, my state doesn't have a tax for digital downloads. Actually, the last time I paid for an mp3, I believe it came from Amazon, and I wasn't charged additional taxes (though they do warn that they may apply, which means they WILL charge them, but in a way that makes sense: they'll only charge the people the tax applies to).

I use digital download stores as a means to buy singles - for songs from artists whose entire album I wouldn't want. Sometimes they're popular songs, too. But, I guess in those cases, I can still use Amazon. Actually, I most definitely will.

**And I know that TECHNICALLY the itunes downloads have a better sound quality than the Amazon ones, but really, I just listen to the songs in my mp3 player through my non-professional grade headphones. I certainly don't notice any difference.

It seems to be only two-tiered. We've been bamboozled!

I've been getting all my music from Amazon. They only charge $.99 and their music has ALWAYS been DRM free. DRM is the reason I have avoided iTunes like the plague. I finally discovered MediaMonkey so I don't even have to use iTunes to load stuff on my Touch. Thank God!

EvilDorkGirl you already said what I was going to type. Maybe its because I'm a bit older and remember going to Tower Records to actually buy CDs.

I don't think I could ever download music. It just seems... wrong. I like tangibility and I need liner notes!

'Tever... The fact that people actually pay for mp3, with the whole DRM mess and all, still astounds me. If you want to support your music, why not get freaking CDs and Vinyls with actual album art that you can, like, touch and look at.

Ummmm I'm pissed I was just about to buy a song when I see $1.29 I freak out!!! I hope they fix this nonsence!!! Gosh dangit this sucks!!

wow...im so pissed...the only songs i buy are the popular ones...guess im switching to rhapsody.

the new prices suck!!! just leave them alone! .99 cent songs were fine but 1.29 songs are ridiculous!!!!

as long as we all pay for these songs at the increased price they will continue to do this....I wish everyone would find a different way which would force them to lower it.....Dont give them this power!!!

i think that its awful that itunes raised the prices because now when u get gift cards u have like 35 cents left over that u cant do anything with

Problem is they've priced older songs up at the $1.29 aswell for example some The Cure stuff from 2001 but then the have new releases like example Eminem, Miley Syrus and Lada Gaga at $0.99 dont make any sense. and in the top 100 songs theres 1 at $0.69. There pushing people to illegal Downloading especially in the climate were in at the moment. But thats Apple for you.

dude im so pissed. screw itunes. i can download music free if i want to. hell no, im not paying for 1.30 song! they also ripped me off by taking $30 off my gift card that was originally $60. i bet they will loose a lot of money for this. and oh yah, the only .69 cent songs are the crappy ones that no one cares about. i looked on i tunes and even the .99 cent songs suck. ef that. ahhaa i tunes, you just lost a customer and a whole lot more! rip offfff

The above post is a prime example of why anonymous postings should not be allowed!

@Elfyn and now don't we look silly for commenting on the bad comment as it is already gone.

@macgirl Yep! I reported the post and it was gone right away. Kudos to TeamSugar for the speedy response! Too bad I can't edit my post. Now I'm immortalized with egg on my face.

well i am glad that the proces are varied....because old crappy songs that shouldn't be worth 99cents now will be 69. but i am disapointed with the increase. this just means that more and more people will use limewire and stuff. its too bad...becuase now it could be cheaper to just buy the actual cd for 15 dollars rather than like 25 (if there are ten songs- at 1.29)

w/e this world only cares about making money....so lets let it make it!

i will be getting my music from amazon from now on. i dont like to purchase an entire album, until i know that at least two or three songs are good on it.

i always used itunes because i a afraid of virus' my BF sends me music he downloads for free, but i didn't care for the sound quality and i don't mind giving an artist their fair share. i hated buying entire albums for a song or 2 that i liked. from now on that is the route i will take, free downloads... just out of principal. i understand when actual products costs go up... but for downloads? come on...
does apple not know that we are going through difficult times? guess not since they are only catering to a wealthy demographic.
this sucks cause i REALLY liked itunes

itunes doesnt pick the prices, same way they dont pick what you can buy singular and what is album only. its just those leaching record companies that want more money because the get a cut of the profit and want more money from the popular stuff. so stop blaming itunes. its actually very good and easy to use.