Comment: Twenty-three-year-old Kate Carniol has amassed an impressive collection of Taylor Swift CDs since the release of “Speak Now” in 2010. However, despite her love for the CDs, she no longer listens to them in favor of streaming platforms. Carniol, like many young collectors, views the CDs as more of a collectible item than a functional music player. She appreciates the designs and included photos, and eagerly awaits the release of a signed copy of “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).”
While CDs only account for about 3 percent of the music industry’s earnings, there remains a dedicated group of young adults who continue to appreciate and collect these relics from the past. These self-proclaimed “CD people” enjoy the tangible nature of CDs and the nostalgia they evoke. They often find themselves involved in fandom communities where purchasing CDs is seen as a way to support their favorite artists more directly. Genres like country and K-pop, in particular, have strong CD fan bases.
Ben Fitchett, a 23-year-old music memorabilia collector, focuses on collecting signed CDs. He participates in Facebook groups dedicated to buying, selling, and verifying the authenticity of signatures. For Fitchett, owning these signed CDs is a way to connect with his favorite artists on a more personal level.
Another reason for the continued appeal of CD collecting is the affordability and ease of storage compared to vinyl records. Veronica Fuentes, a 20-year-old collector, enjoys hunting for albums in thrift stores and using them for decoration. She finds CDs accessible and affordable, especially for young people moving into their own spaces.
While CD sales experienced a slight increase in 2021, there is no data to suggest CDs are making a full-fledged comeback. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) states that if any physical medium is here to stay, it’s vinyl. However, the RIAA’s data only tracks first sales, neglecting secondhand sales that remain consistent for many CD retailers. Young collectors, in particular, appreciate owning physical copies of music to support their favorite artists and listen to albums as intended.
Ultimately, whether CDs will surpass vinyl in sales again remains uncertain. However, the physical medium of CDs continues to hold its appeal due to the sense of ownership, the ritualistic experience of handling music, and the respect it brings to the art. Despite the dominance of digital streaming, CDs continue to carve out a dedicated niche in the music industry.
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