People that say “we live in a digital age” piss me off. I’ll be the first person to say, I don’t download stuff. I don’t trust computers or phones enough to just have a download of a song I love. One iPhone upgrade and you lose all your stuff, unless you’re hooked up to the iCloud thingie, and I’ll buy you a pint if you can actually explain to me how that works.

I bought ONE download this year (and even that caused me a considerable amount of guilt and aggro) and that was a Doctor Who ringtone, which is set as my alarm and ringtone, and which I’ll probably use for the next five years.

I buy CDs. I even buy those delicious, old fashioned cassettes and records. I collect them by the bucketload, and I trust them completely. The only way a CD will let you down is if it gets nicked, and they’ll last forever if you look after them properly.

Still need a reason to love CDs? I’ll give you ten:

1. I can copy that CD completely conscience free onto anything I like and transport it around with me.
2. You’re supporting the artist when you buy their music, obvs. Long live rock ‘n’ roll!
3. They’ll probably be worth a lot one day, if not already. Not that I’d sell any of my collection but, you know. It’s just nice to know. Any way you look at it, CDs retain their value, whereas you can’t resell digital music. A download is more like a rental. I can go on eBay right now and sell my CDs, but I couldn’t sell my downloads.
4. You get a lovely booklet which usually contains lyrics, artwork, and details of who wrote the songs, etc. Now isn’t that a gift all on its own? Sure you can Google the lyrics online, but it’s just not the same.
5. You can get them signed!
6. You can hold a CD. I get such a rush when I get a CD in the post or when I buy one at a music store. Doesn’t really compare to downloads when you can’t hold it in your grubby little mitts.
7. I don’t know if it’s been proven, but I really think CDs sound better than digital music. The sound is more real, and you’ll notice the difference when you compare listening to a CD and the download.
8. They look cool, man! You’re not going to show off your digital collection to someone, but your CD collection is there, and visible. And the music you’re into speaks volumes about you, pardon the pun. Instant coolness points. An iPod full of digital music isn’t nearly as impressive as 300 CDs.
9. You’re technically getting a digital version of the music anyway, all you have to do is rip the CD onto your laptop or PC. Bingo.
10. Having a CD collection, especially to a music lover, is very satisfying. I see my collection as soon as I wake up in the morning. I’d have to log into my laptop to see all my downloads, though, and they ain’t so cuddly.

Don’t get me wrong, I also love Spotify and Youtube. Spotify is great when I want to just flit around new bands or tracks, maybe find something new, or listen to a band I like the sound of, and you can’t beat YouTube for music videos. Chances are, I’ll probably be listening to stuff I already have on CD, or that I’ll go and buy said album if I like the sound of it. Spotify is also great for when I’m waiting for an album to turn up in the post and I just can’t wait to listen to it!

Will CDs still be around in 10 years? I bloody hope so. I worry about Kindles taking over the world just as much, and yet, people still buy books and visit the library (I certainly do, as you may have guessed). So I think CDs still have a chance. I’m sure I’m not the only old fashioned girl.

Go out and buy a CD! Heck, get it signed at the next gig you go to, too.

Rock on!

Amanda