Spotify-infused, philosophical musings.

When I moved to Paris, I cancelled my Spotify Premium account. This was a big deal for me – no unlimited music, whenever I want it, wherever I want it. But I figured, until I find a job, it doesn’t make sense to keep paying £10 per month.

Before I go on, here’s what you can’t do with the free version:

1. Listen to music without very irritating adverts every couple of songs.
2.  Listen to music on the go unless your phone is connected to 3G (a great way to drain your battery in a few hours, especially if you have Bluetooth headphones like I do…)
3. Chose which song you want to play on the go. It shuffles. Whether you like it or not.
4.  Replay a song you loved. You only get one listen before it moves on to the next one. Life’s too short, apparently.

Now. All that being said, here’s where it gets interesting. I was walking back from work the other day when it dawned on me : Spotify Free is a spitting image of life itself. Don’t hang up yet, I’m about to get very cheesy philosophical.

Image source here.

Yes, Spotify Free is a spitting image of life and here’s why:

1.  You can’t upgrade to a better lifestyle without paying (i.e. working your fingers to the bone to get what you want).
2. You can’t always chose and get what you want. Stuff just happens to you and more often than not, there’s little you can do about it. Unless you’re up there, at the top of the layer cake where you’re the boss and your every wish is someone else’s command, you are bound to endure. And endure you will, because, what other choice do you have?
3. You can’t re-live a moment. Before you even take notice, the song is over. And you can’t rewind. So frustrating! Yet never before had I really, and I mean really, listened to one song so intently. It sounds silly but once you know you won’t be able to hit the back button and indulge in your favourite song again… once you know you only get this one listen… The experience changes entirely. It becomes mindful listening.
4. You can’t have it all. Do you want music until your phone dies or do you want silence but enough battery to get you home? No, you can’t have both. Not unless you upgrade. So maybe one day you will have both. But what about today? What are your priorities? What are my priorities?

What do I want, more than anything in the world? Hmm. Here’s some food for thought.

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