Inflation adjusted cost of music

[senseless]

I calculated the cost of an average "single" recording through the years, when adjusted for inflation. This would be for a physical record with an "A" and bonus "B" side, about 6 minutes total.

1925: $10
1935: $8.50
1945: n/a
1955: $4.50
1965: $5.50
1975: $4.50
1985: $3.75
1995: $7.50 (CD single)
2015: $1.29 (i-Tunes)

 

[Happybunny]

I calculated the cost of an average "single" recording through the years, when adjusted for inflation. This would be for a physical record with an "A" and bonus "B" side, about 6 minutes total.

1925: $10
1935: $8.50
1945: n/a
1955: $4.50
1965: $5.50
1975: $4.50
1985: $3.75
1995: $7.50 (CD single)
2015: $1.29 (i-Tunes)

And via a pirate site nothing nix noppes nul

 

[Meister]

Many times I look at the 69 cent songs

I love a bargain

 

[noodlemanc]

Forgot 2005

 

[mobilehaathi]

Sources, methods, conclusions?

 

[senseless]

Sources, methods, conclusions?

Sources: old records I have with price labels on them, old internet record catalogs, some anecdotal message searches. I think these are good estimates.

Original estimated selling prices for "singles".
1925: 75¢ (78rpm disc), 1935: 50¢, 1955: 50¢, 1965: 75¢ (45rpm), 1975: $1, 1985: $1.75, 1995: $4 est. avg cd single.
2005 was excluded because I could not find any data for cd single prices for that period.

Method: took selling price from say 1925 (.75¢ for a 78rpm record) and plugged it into this inflation calculator: http://www.westegg.com/inflation/

Conclusion: Records were more expensive than people think. Digital music is a bargain.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Sources: old records I have with price labels on them, old internet record catalogs, some anecdotal message searches. I think these are good estimates.

Original estimated selling prices for "singles".
1925: 75¢ (78rpm disc), 1935: 50¢, 1955: 50¢, 1965: 75¢ (45rpm), 1975: $1, 1985: $1.75, 1995: $4 est. avg cd single.
2005 was excluded because I could not find any data for cd single prices for that period.

Method: took selling price from say 1925 (.75¢ for a 78rpm record) and plugged it into this inflation calculator: http://www.westegg.com/inflation/

Conclusion: Records were more expensive than people think. Digital music is a bargain.

Thank you.

I wonder how the break down of who got paid what was and how it may have changed over time.

 

[Fzang]

Thank you.

I wonder how the break down of who got paid what was and how it may have changed over time.

The labels probably took huge cuts to pay for studios, mastering, renting instruments and stuff. Everyone can afford a synthesizer plugin and a DAW for their laptop today, and the general price of technology has plummeted.

 

[Jessica Lares]

You should include vinyl singles costs today since they still make those.

 

[Tomorrow]

I calculated the cost of an average "single" recording through the years, when adjusted for inflation. This would be for a physical record with an "A" and bonus "B" side, about 6 minutes total.

1925: $10
1935: $8.50
1945: n/a
1955: $4.50
1965: $5.50
1975: $4.50
1985: $3.75
1995: $7.50 (CD single)
2015: $1.29 (i-Tunes)

I don't see how a CD single (which often contained multiple songs and were closer to an EP) or an iTunes download meet your own definition.

 

[senseless]

I don't see how a CD single (which often contained multiple songs and were closer to an EP) or an iTunes download meet your own definition.

The CD single that contained more than 2 tracks was usually priced higher than my $4 example. It might have been $6 to $8. It's hard to find a definitive answer, though.

Vinyl 45s became kind of a niche' product by the 90's, so I excluded those.