After striking deals with record labels large and small, Apple offered consumers an easy and legitimate way to buy digital versions of songs to play on their Macs and iPods. (Apple launched the digital music player in October 2001.)
The iTunes Music Store sold tracks for 99 cents each. Consumers could be sure they were getting a legit track — and that they wouldn’t be breaking the law. As a result, Apple’s store became an instant hit with users and panicky record execs alike.
iTunes’ 10 millionth song was actually downloaded at 11:34 p.m. Pacific on September 3, 2003. However, it took Apple a few days to release the news. With the iTunes Music Store operating for little more than four months, the astonishing stat showcased the massive success of Apple’s new digital music marketplace.
“Legally selling ten million songs online in just four months is a historic milestone for the music industry, musicians and music lovers everywhere,” Apple CEO Steve Jobs said in a statement. “Apple offers the only complete solution for digital music with iTunes and the amazing iPod, which now holds 10,000 songs in your pocket.”
More iTunes milestones ahead
There’s no doubt that 10 million downloads sounds impressive. However, what seems more amazing, when viewed historically, is just how comparatively paltry that number is.
The following July, Apple revealed that the iTunes Music Store had sold its 100 millionth song — Zero 7’s “Somersault (Dangermouse remix).” Even more amazing, by February 2010, iTunes sold its 10 billionth song: Johnny Cash’s “Guess Things Happen That Way.” Today, Apple sits north of 40 billion songs sold, despite the iTunes Store giving way to streaming via Apple Music.
What was your first iTunes Music Store download?
Do you remember the early days of iTunes? What was the first song you downloaded from Apple’s groundbreaking online music store? Leave your comments and recollections below.
