What is the correct YEAR for an MP3 song?

[blackxacto]

What are other iTune users opinions? If there is only one YEAR per iTunes song:

1. Should it be the original song creator's publishing YEAR?

2. Should it be the YEAR as published by the Cover Artist?

3. Should it be the Apple Reissued YEAR version date?

The reason I ask: if I make a playlist by YEAR is the playlist incomplete and inaccurate?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

What are other iTune users opinions? If there is only one YEAR per iTunes song:

1. Should it be the original song creator's publishing YEAR?

2. Should it be the YEAR as published by the Cover Artist?

3. Should it be the Apple Reissued YEAR version date?

The reason I ask: if I make a playlist by YEAR is the playlist incomplete and inaccurate?

Personally, I would never use No 3 on your list. That would make a mockery of musical history.

Usually, I tend to use the year whenever the album (or song) was first released; most of the time, this is under the name of the artist who composed/crafted/created the song in question, and that is what has made the song know, irrespective of who subsequently covered it; occasionally, a cover version will be the better known version.

With classical music, it tends to be whatever year that particular recording of that album occurred.

 

[axiomatic]

The year the song was originally released...

 

[blackxacto]

The year the song was originally released...

So a Beatles tune remastered would not be dated 1965, but 2014? Ain't there something misleading about that?

 

[Nermal]

I tend to use the copyright date from the CD. That means that I'll put the newer year if it's a re-release or "greatest hits" collection. I hadn't even considered setting the year on a per-song basis.

Speaking of years, why are you still using MP3 in 2015?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I tend to use the copyright date from the CD. That means that I'll put the newer year if it's a re-release or "greatest hits" collection. I hadn't even considered setting the year on a per-song basis.

Speaking of years, why are you still using MP3 in 2015?

I'm even looking into finding a way to resurrect my turntable and dust down my (impressive collection of) LPs.

MP3s rock; best invention since the wheel, printing press, and/or internal plumbing.

 

[blackxacto]

I tend to use the copyright date from the CD. That means that I'll put the newer year if it's a re-release or "greatest hits" collection. I hadn't even considered setting the year on a per-song basis.

Speaking of years, why are you still using MP3 in 2015?

I've played the different versions. There are places on the web where one can supposedly hear the differences. Everytime I try these choices, I am astonished how little difference in them. So, big deal, about heavier files and alternatives to mp3. It's a non issue for me.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

So a Beatles tune remastered would not be dated 1965, but 2014? Ain't there something misleading about that?

Even if it's remastered it should still show the original release date of the song. Not the remastered release date.

 

[blackxacto]

Even if it's remastered it should still show the original release date of the song. Not the remastered release date.

I agree, but it doesn't come that way from Apple iTunes download.
I started the thread because I wonder if the ID3 tags need two date boxes. Issue and Re-Mastered

 

[rhett7660]

I personally use the issue date. If I get it from another source and it shows a current date, I leave it. If I am ripping the disc myself, I use the original issue of the song/album that is on THAT album.

I don't really search my catalog using dates thought.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I personally use the issue date. If I get it from another source and it shows a current date, I leave it. If I am ripping the disc myself, I use the original issue of the song/album that is on THAT album.

I don't really search my catalog using dates thought.

Yes. That makes sense.

In general, I use whenever date the version of the song that I am downloading has.