Do you have a musical soundtrack for your life? Perhaps a playlist for every situation? If you can't imagine your life without music then you're going to want to get these apps all music lovers should download. While there is nothing more nostalgic (or romantic) than a mixed tape, carrying around a box of cassettes — or sleeve of CDs — is not practical. I mean, really, it never was. But, in the '90s, we didn't know any better.
The digital revolution has made it possible for us all to store our old mix-tape favorites on your phone, without using all of our storage. If you had told me in the '90s that one day in the future I could replace my giant shoe box of cassette tapes in my car with a mobile phone that stores all of my music, I would have said, "Yeah, and my Back to the Future hoverboard is getting delivered tomorrow by a drone." I don't think I even knew what a drone was in the '90s!
I have never been so happy to be so wrong about anything in my life. Thankfully, these must-have apps for music lovers mean I can still listen to all of my favorite '90s — and more — songs. If you want 24/7 access to all of your favorite music, download the best apps all music lovers should have so you can can avoid musical FOMO. Because, the struggle is real.
1Spotify
You likely already have this one, because everyone knows about Spotify, right? If you're late to the party, it's OK. I didn't get a cellphone until 2003, so no judgment. You can start enjoying Spotify right now.
This app has changed how I listen to music entirely. You can use the free version, which lets you make your own playlists, listen to other people's playlists, search for any artist on Spotify, and even sync with your iTunes library so you can access your iTunes right from the Spotify app.
Even better: If you listen to music 24/7, and hate commercials, you can get a free trial of Spotify premium. After that, it's $9.99 a month. This is what I have, and it's totally worth it. The premium version of the app lets you listen to all of your music while you're offline, without using any of your data. It's a lifesaver on a long road trip, and the best part is that having access to all of your favorite music doesn't hog all of the storage on your phone.
2Songkick
If you never miss a live show of your favorite band, or of any band for that matter, Songkick is like having your own concert tracking personal assistant. This free apps asks you your preferences, and then organizes all of your favorite bands' upcoming shows in a concert calendar personalized just for you.
You also get alerts about tickets before they go on sale. One user said Songkick is like getting a gift from Santa. "Waking up to a notification feels like Christmas! Gone are the days of hearing about a concert only to discover that tickets are sold out and scalpers are charging three times the price!"
3SoundHound
When I was a kid, I thought the lyrics to the Madonna classic "Papa Don't Preach" were "dominos peach." I'll wait while you stop laughing. This has happened to everyone, but with the SoundHound app you can not only learn what song is playing around you, but you can also get the lyrics so you'll never get caught singing the wrong words to a song again.
And, if that weren't enough, SoundHound can even detect the origins of the songs you sing or hum. Think of it like your own little musical Siri.
4Daytrotter
If discovering new, indie music stokes your inner Empire Records fantasies, then you need to download Daytrotter ASAP. Daytrotter is like browsing through your own virtual, indie record store. You can find your old faves, discover new bands, and even download or stream live sessions. It's like being the deejay for your own college radio station.
5Qello Concerts
This app is a must-download for any music connoisseur. With Qello Concerts you can access legendary performances, watch documentaries (you haven't really lived until you've seen Gimme Shelter by the Maysles brothers, which follows the Rolling Stone through the last few weeks of their 1969 tour that ended with the tragic death of fan Meredith Hunter at the notorious Altamont Free Concert), and get access to new music, live streaming, and original programing.
It's basically the Netflix for music lovers. If you want to check it out, Qello offers a one-week free trial. Once you're hooked they offer plans starting at just $7.99 a month.
6Dubsmash
Make sure you have hours and hours to waste before downloading Dubsmash. This app lets you lip synch videos with your favorite quotes to make your own original and hilarious overdubs. It's fun, and super addicting. Kind of like Snapchat for music and movie lovers.
7 Smule Sing!
If you've ever had FOMO because you didn't audition for American Idol, or The Voice, this app can make it all better by letting you finally record that duet with Taylor Swift. Smule Sing! lets you be the star you are by allowing you to record your favorite songs solo, with singers and friends from around the world, or duet with major artists.
With all of these amazing music apps in the palm of your hand, you're never going to be bored again. And, when the song "Here I go Again On My Own" by Whitesnake comes on you won't accidentally sing "Like a drifter I was born to wear cologne" instead of "Like a drifter I was born to walk alone." Plus, you can even duet with Whitesnake, if '80s hair bands are your guilty pleasure. Your secret is safe with me.
