iTunes Pricing Rises to $1.29 For Popular Songs

Oh Yes They Did: iTunes Prices Go Up For Popular Songs

April 8, 2009

Say goodbye to the 99 cent song: Apple has raised prices on iTunes' popular songs to $1.29. While it's merely a 30 cent rise, I still have to think the same thing I did about Netflix's price increase for Blu-ray rentals: not the best time to do this, guys.

Of course, it's not all bad news — the $1.29 pricing reflects the new three-tier pricing scale, meaning there are now 69 cent songs, the old faithful 99 cent songs, and the $1.29 songs. The 69 cent songs are for "older catalog" songs, though I have yet to come across one.

What do you think of the new three-tier system?

30 Comments

2 years

I just purchased "Rebel Yell" for .69, I do not think that is a bad song.

3 years

I just found a $.69 song on iTunes. I guess I know why. It SUCKED. I think the really really really bad songs were given a lower price because no one was buying them in the first place. Uh, look up "Pop Glocker" by Uffie- so bad. Even the music video is priced down.

3 years

USE LIMEWIRE!!! but definitely get some serious virus protection lol. And there is always other options. Ive used itunes for three years now, and they have rocked, but this sucks lol.

dqueen888 3 years

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.

4 years

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

4 years

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.

4 years

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!

Elfyn 4 years

@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. :p

macgirl 4 years

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

Elfyn 4 years

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

4 years

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

4 years

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.

4 years

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

4 years

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!!!

4 years

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

4 years

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

4 years

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!!

Lyv 4 years

'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.

laka 4 years

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

SB Marilyn 4 years

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.

Elfyn 4 years

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!

4 years

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

mochick 4 years

**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.

mochick 4 years

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.

EvilDorkGirl 4 years

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.

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