I've just spent my first 99 cents at the iTunes Music Store. It's taken me awhile, as I'm one of those people that likes to be able to hold the liner notes, etc. when they buy music. Anyhow, the process was so simple, seamless and instantaneous, that it could easily become a dangerous habit. Although I will try my best to avoid that.

The story behind my first purchased song is somewhat of an internet success story. Flash back 6 years ago, when my wife and I are sitting in a London pub (probably Old Speckled Hen on tap) and a fantastic song is being played. I remember only a partial lyric: "shake baby shake", which at the time I remember hoping meant "baby" in a metaphorical sense. But based on the mood of the song (positive and poppy), I'm sure that I was right.

So, I forget about the song for a long while, never knowing who it was. Now, going from that one line I remembered 6 years ago, to having the song on my iPod in about 2 minutes is what's worth celebrating here. Search Google for the partial lyric to find out the song was "500 (Shake Baby Shake)" by the band Lush. A second query for "Lush" on iTMS pulled up the song, one click and it's downloading directly to my iTunes library. I'm sure it's why the system is so successful -- that the downloading and automatic integration with your existing music libarary is so seamless.

Those that have been using the iTMS all along already know how convenient it is. I'm certainly late to the game. For full albums, I'll most likely stick to buying the actual CD -- but for instances like the Lush song, when I just really want to hear a particular song without investing too much, it couldn't be any easier.