Ever since Nielsen put out the 2008 SoundScan figures, people have latched onto the fact that unique purchases of recorded music increased 10.5% last year. "Americans bought more music in 2008 than ever before," proclaimed the USA Today. Music purchases are "astronomically high," said Nielsen's president of music. Nielsen tracks only units sold -- not their value -- so I understand why the company has highlighted the 10.5% increase. But I hope people are thinking more about dollars spent rather than units sold.

Of course it's important to know how many units were sold in 2008, but don't bother trying to put lipstick on this pig (didn't think you'd hear that in 2009, did you?). Revenues dropped in 2008. Period. The number of units sold ranks way down the list in importance -- well below the mythical "track equivalent album." If you think a 10.5% increase in the number of units sold is so great, I'll trade you ten one-dollar bills for eight one-dollar bills and three nickles. It's a great deal -- you get 11 units and give up ten units. That's the easiest 10% you'll ever make.