Online music download services have exploded onto the Internet scene as a result of copyright violations and legal issues surrounding online music sharing.  It seems everyone wants to sell you legal music these days, and they have developed some really good online programs and resources to help you along.  Keep in mind, that THESE resources are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and they are NEVER out-of-stock!!

If you are new to playing music on your PC, you may want to take a look at the The MP3 and Internet Audio Handbook.  Although this handbook was published in March 2000, it has a lot of useful information about digital music in general, including how to connect your PC to your home stereo or home entertainment system.

Online music players include Windows Media Player (free if you own Microsoft's operating system) which provides access to various online stores directly from within the program.  This really simplifies accessing sites and purchasing songs, as well as automatically adding purchased songs to your play list or music library.   You can download this program from the Microsoft Download Center.

Another great music player is iTunes. They have arguably the largest and most popular music program possibly because of it's close relationship with iPod.  Also, the software is fully compatible with both the Microsoft Windows and MAC operating systems!  iTunes advertises as "the world’s best digital jukebox with the #1 music download store inside".  As well as "Seamless integration with iPod". They offer the "Largest and Most Diverse Legal Music Download Catalog: Over 1 million tracks from all 5 major labels and more than 600 independents", as well as "More than 8,000 audiobooks and popular public radio programs".  And don't forget, the jukebox software is FREE!! 

Check out our iTunes Affiliate Newsletter

Subscription Music Sites offer online music purchase as well as the ability to access and play "millions" of songs.  These sites require subscription (at a reasonable cost), and for the most part you must be online in order to access the subscription music.  However, if you purchase songs they are usually downloaded to your PC and then can be played whenever you want.  

Subscription music sites definitely have their value if you don't mind the monthly expense and you are a heavy music listener.  However, when the monthly subscription cost was added to the monthly Internet access cost the dollars start to add up.  I found the subscription costs associated with most web sites to be an unnecessary expense for ONE reason alone... WINAMP! 

If you run the WINAMP program, it provides access to the vast majority of current hit songs for free!  It also provides access to music services provided by various third party companies like AOL and XM RADIO.  Using WINAMP, you can listen to songs, watch music videos, and access streaming music channels all for FREE.  If you are looking for older songs, this may not be the best route for you though as most of the music is current.  They do NOT maintain a substantial archive of older songs. Download Winamp, The #1 Free Media Player. Play your MP3, AAC, MPEG, AVI files, and more. Get free MP3 songs, videos, skins and plug-ins. Synch your iPod or Creative Zen, and get mobile music with Winamp Remote. All Free...

If you wish to search through music archives, one of the subscription services may be best.  Most music services offer a trial period to evaluate the service, and I suggest that you use this TRIAL membership period to FULLY evaluate the service.  One music service I discovered only offered "NEW" music from upcoming artists.  A search of that site for CURRENT popular releases yielded dreadfully few results.

For individual music purchases, my current recommendation goes to Music at the new Walmart.com   They have an EXCELLENT selection of songs and artists, and they only charge 88 cents per song for the most part.  The average cost at most other sites is 99 cents per song for purchase, so Walmart.com is most definitely discounted.  You can also purchase entire albums for download (or have a CD shipped to your house if you prefer the old school method).  You can also open the Wal-Mart music store directly within Windows Media Player, so it doesn't get much easier to purchase, download, and keep your songs organized. 

Be sure to read all the fine print at their web site.  The files you download are in WMA format, not MP3 which was previously an industry standard.  The web site states their downloads are NOT compatible with IPOD, and they don't provide an online music listening service as of last check.  Even without the music listening service, you can still preview all music stored at the web site before purchase. 

Bottom Line:  THE PRICE PER SONG IS RIGHT!

Good luck with your online music purchases!  This definitely beats driving to a store, buying a CD, then finding that you only really like one or two songs!!