CD single
Encyclopedia
A CD single is a music single
in the form of a standard size Compact Disc
, not to be confused with the 3-inch CD single
, which uses a smaller form factor. The format was introduced in the mid-1980s, but did not gain its place in the market until the early 1990s. With the rise in digital downloads in the 2000s, sales of CD singles have decreased.
Commercially released CD singles can vary in length from two songs (an A side and B side, in the tradition of 7" 45rpm records) up to six songs like an EP
. Some contain multiple mixes of one or more songs, in the tradition of 12" vinyl singles
. Depending on the nation, there may be limits on the number of songs and total length for sales to count in singles charts.
' "Brothers in Arms
" (1985) is reported to be the world's first CD single, issued in the UK in two separate singles as a promotional item, one distinguished with a logo for the tour, Live in '85, and a second to commemorate the Australian leg of the tour marked Live in '86. Containing just four tracks, it had a very limited print run. CD singles were first made eligible for the UK Singles Chart
in 1987.
The 8 cm (3 in) CD single
format was originally created for use for singles in the late 1980s, but met with limited success, particularly in the U.S. The smaller CDs were more successful in Japan, and have recently become more common in Europe, marketed as "Pock it" CDs. By 1989 the CD3 was in decline in the US (replaced by the 5-inch CD single, called CD-5).
It was common in the 1990s for U.S. record companies to release both a two-track CD and a multi-track (usually "remix") maxi CD. In the UK, record companies would also release two CDs, but usually these consisted of three tracks or more each.
During the 1990s, CD single releases became less common, and often released in smaller editions, as the major record labels feared they were cannibalizing the sales of higher-profit-margin CD albums. Due to pressure from record labels, singles charts in some countries became song charts, allowing album cuts to chart based only on airplay, without a single ever being released. In the USA, the Billboard Hot 100
made this change in December 1998, after which very few songs were released in the CD single format in the US, while they remained relatively popular in the UK and other countries, where charts are still based solely on single sales and not radio airplay. With the advent of digital music sales, the CD single has largely been replaced as a distribution format in most countries, and most charts now include digital download counts as well as physical single sales.
In the UK, Woolworths Group
, who previously accounted for one third of all CD sales in the country, stopped selling CD singles in August 2008, citing the "terminal decline" of the format as customers moved to digital downloads as their preferred method of purchasing single tracks.
In Australia, the Herald Sun
has reported the CD single is "set to become extinct". In July 2009, music store JB Hi-Fi
ceased stocking CD singles because of declining sales, with copies of the week's No. 1 single often only selling as few as 350 copies across all their stores nationwide. The ARIA Singles Charts
are now "predominantly compiled from legal downloads". "On a Mission
" by Gabriella Cilmi
will be the last CD single to be stocked in Kmart
, Target and Big W
, therefore no longer stocking new singles. Sanity Entertainment
, having resisted the decline for longer than the other major outlets, has also ceased selling CD Singles.
In China, singles are seldom released physically, and most are digital downloads or radio-only singles. This is due to the amount of pirating and illegal file sharing over the internet.
In Greece and Cyprus, the term "CD single" is used to describe an extended play
(EP) in which there may be anywhere from three to six different tracks. These releases charted on the Greek Singles Chart
(before it ceased tracking altogether) alongside songs released as singles
.
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in the form of a standard size Compact Disc
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
, not to be confused with the 3-inch CD single
3-inch CD single
The mini CD single is a mini Compact Disc that measures in diameter, rather than the standard . They are manufactured using the same methods as standard full-size CDs, and can be played in most standard audio CD players and CD-ROM disc drives...
, which uses a smaller form factor. The format was introduced in the mid-1980s, but did not gain its place in the market until the early 1990s. With the rise in digital downloads in the 2000s, sales of CD singles have decreased.
Commercially released CD singles can vary in length from two songs (an A side and B side, in the tradition of 7" 45rpm records) up to six songs like an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
. Some contain multiple mixes of one or more songs, in the tradition of 12" vinyl singles
12-inch single
The 12-inch single is a type of gramophone record that has wider groove spacing compared to other types of records. This allows for louder levels to be cut on the disc by the cutting engineer, which in turn gives a wider dynamic range, and thus better sound quality...
. Depending on the nation, there may be limits on the number of songs and total length for sales to count in singles charts.
History
Dire StraitsDire Straits
Dire Straits were a British rock band active from 1977 to 1995, composed of Mark Knopfler , his younger brother David Knopfler , John Illsley , and Pick Withers .Dire Straits' sound drew from a variety of musical influences, including jazz, folk, blues, and came closest...
' "Brothers in Arms
Brothers in Arms (song)
"Brothers in Arms" is a 1985 song by Dire Straits, appearing as the closing track on the album of the same name. It is in G# minor.-History:There are two studio recorded versions of this song: the album version which is 6:55 seconds, and the shorter version which is 6:05 seconds and features...
" (1985) is reported to be the world's first CD single, issued in the UK in two separate singles as a promotional item, one distinguished with a logo for the tour, Live in '85, and a second to commemorate the Australian leg of the tour marked Live in '86. Containing just four tracks, it had a very limited print run. CD singles were first made eligible for the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in 1987.
The 8 cm (3 in) CD single
3-inch CD single
The mini CD single is a mini Compact Disc that measures in diameter, rather than the standard . They are manufactured using the same methods as standard full-size CDs, and can be played in most standard audio CD players and CD-ROM disc drives...
format was originally created for use for singles in the late 1980s, but met with limited success, particularly in the U.S. The smaller CDs were more successful in Japan, and have recently become more common in Europe, marketed as "Pock it" CDs. By 1989 the CD3 was in decline in the US (replaced by the 5-inch CD single, called CD-5).
It was common in the 1990s for U.S. record companies to release both a two-track CD and a multi-track (usually "remix") maxi CD. In the UK, record companies would also release two CDs, but usually these consisted of three tracks or more each.
During the 1990s, CD single releases became less common, and often released in smaller editions, as the major record labels feared they were cannibalizing the sales of higher-profit-margin CD albums. Due to pressure from record labels, singles charts in some countries became song charts, allowing album cuts to chart based only on airplay, without a single ever being released. In the USA, the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
made this change in December 1998, after which very few songs were released in the CD single format in the US, while they remained relatively popular in the UK and other countries, where charts are still based solely on single sales and not radio airplay. With the advent of digital music sales, the CD single has largely been replaced as a distribution format in most countries, and most charts now include digital download counts as well as physical single sales.
In the UK, Woolworths Group
Woolworths Group
Woolworths Group plc was a listed British company that owned the high-street retail chain, Woolworths, as well as other brands such as the entertainment distributor Entertainment UK and book and resource distributor Bertram Books...
, who previously accounted for one third of all CD sales in the country, stopped selling CD singles in August 2008, citing the "terminal decline" of the format as customers moved to digital downloads as their preferred method of purchasing single tracks.
In Australia, the Herald Sun
Herald Sun
The Herald Sun is a morning tabloid newspaper based in Melbourne, Australia. It is published by The Herald and Weekly Times, a subsidiary of News Limited, itself a subsidiary of News Corporation. It is available for purchase throughout Melbourne, Regional Victoria, Tasmania, the Australian Capital...
has reported the CD single is "set to become extinct". In July 2009, music store JB Hi-Fi
JB Hi-Fi
JB Hi-Fi is an Australian CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc, video game and consumer electronics chain store.-History:JB Hi-Fi was established in Melbourne suburb of Keilor East by John Barbuto in 1974...
ceased stocking CD singles because of declining sales, with copies of the week's No. 1 single often only selling as few as 350 copies across all their stores nationwide. The ARIA Singles Charts
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
are now "predominantly compiled from legal downloads". "On a Mission
On a Mission (song)
"On a Mission" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Gabriella Cilmi from her second studio album, Ten . The song was released as the album's lead single in Australia on 5 February 2010 and in the United Kingdom on 7 March 2010. The song has been praised by music critics for its...
" by Gabriella Cilmi
Gabriella Cilmi
Gabriella Lucia Cilmi is an Australian singer-songwriter. In 2008, Cilmi was awarded six ARIA awards including Single of the Year and Best Female Artist....
will be the last CD single to be stocked in Kmart
Kmart
Kmart, sometimes styled as "K-Mart," is a chain of discount department stores. The chain acquired Sears in 2005, forming a new corporation under the name Sears Holdings Corporation. The company was founded in 1962 and is the third largest discount store chain in the world, behind Wal-Mart and...
, Target and Big W
Big W
Big W is one of the largest chain of discount department stores in Australia, with over 150 stores. It is a division of Woolworths Limited, the second largest retailer in Australia. Its main competitors are Kmart and Target, both owned by Wesfarmers....
, therefore no longer stocking new singles. Sanity Entertainment
Sanity (music store)
Sanity is an Australian chain of music and entertainment stores, owned by Ray Itaoui, CEO. Sanity has over 155 outlets in Australia. The brand specialises in the sale of CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray video games and related merchandise and accessories.-History:...
, having resisted the decline for longer than the other major outlets, has also ceased selling CD Singles.
In China, singles are seldom released physically, and most are digital downloads or radio-only singles. This is due to the amount of pirating and illegal file sharing over the internet.
In Greece and Cyprus, the term "CD single" is used to describe an extended play
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
(EP) in which there may be anywhere from three to six different tracks. These releases charted on the Greek Singles Chart
IFPI Greece
International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Greece or IFPI Greece is the Greek branch of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and is the official charts provider and recording sales certification body for Greece. Currently two charts are compiled, one for sales of...
(before it ceased tracking altogether) alongside songs released as singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
.
See also
- SingleSingle (music)In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
- Radio singlePromotional recordingA promotional recording, or promo, is an audio or video recording distributed for free, usually in order to promote a recording that is or soon will be commercially available...
- A-side and B-sideA-side and B-sideA-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
- EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
- Maxi singleMaxi singleA maxi single or maxi-single is a music single release with more than the usual two tracks of an a-side song and a b-side song.-The first maxi singles:...
- Digital downloadMusic downloadA music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...