Appletell

Well it’s about time! Radiohead has finally come to its senses and has agreed to sell tracks on iTunes. Initially, they refused when Apple told them they had to sell them. It was the entire album or nothing.

I never understood the reasons Radiohead was so resistant to selling tracks. They would still get paid for the tracks that people bought. Apple didn’t budge; neither did Radiohead. Each went its separate way.

Now, here is where it gets interesting with their album In Rainbows. Radiohead decided to enter the “pay as you please” model. That’s right, they left it up to the fans to decide the amount they wanted to pay. Although many of the fans took it for free, the band still made millions, and get this—they didn’t have to pay distribution fees or record labels. However, they’ve now moved away from the “pay as you please” model.

Yorke says, however that the move was “… a one-off response to a particular situation,” and won’t happen again. He also added, “I don’t think it would have the same significance now if we chose to give something away again. It was a moment in time.”

Apple iTunes is the number one music retailer in the U.S. Other groups have done well selling their music on iTunes. I imagine it was a combination of things that caused Radiohead to change their minds.

Radiohead, for those who don’t know, is an alternative, English band from Oxfordhsire. Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway make up the band. I first heard them in 1993 when their first album Pablo Honey debuted. I’ve been following them ever since. Radiohead has sold over 23 million records and released 7 albums.

I occasionally purchase albums, but, for the most part, I buy singles from the iTunes music store. I just finished purchasing three of their tracks: “Weird Fishes,” “All I Need” and “Karma Police.” I’ll be back when I have more time to download additional singles. If you are a Radiohead fan, log onto iTunes and pick up your favorite tracks or albums. Enjoy!

Keep up with the latest Apple news! - Subscribe to our feed →