From the invention of the phonograph to long-playing records, eight-track tapes, compact discs, and MP3s, weve experienced music by owning it. We bought it, organized it, and chose what to play. While a playlist on an iPod was more convenient than flipping over a vinyl LP, you still needed to invest time into managing your personal music experience.
In recent years, however, many of us have shifted to streaming our music. We use Spotify, Pandora, and Google Music, typically paying a monthly fee to listen to any music we choose. Were still paying, but were freed from the issues of ownership while expanding our options.