Why I've gone back to the Radio
Starting this week I've left my phone disconnected from the car for CarPlay. I still have a bluetooth connection incase someone calls me, but otherwise my car is not "smart". The reason I've done this is I realize there are so many songs out there I've loved and just lost to the ether of streaming, but when I play a radio station through Apple Music I have no was to identify it (Shazam turns off the music to listen) and Apple Music doesn't add any inherent song identifier to it's own radio play.
So when I drive in on the car radio and have the Shazam button placed on the lock screen in the "camera" location I can quickly ID the song and later check the Shazam app and save to my library. This has found me several songs just this morning I had forgotten about and have added to my library like; Duran Duran "A View to a Kill", Mr. Big " To Be with You", and even some new to me songs like; Chet Faker "Gold" and Men I Trust "Husk".
I'm also realizing I spent too much time defaulting to podcasts that distracted me on my commute because my library was to narrow and repetitive. These podcasts don't really bring anything of value like I think they do and fill the space, but leave me feeling empty.
If you feel like the modern radio is to much talk and ads I highly recommend finding your local college radio station. In the Boston area we are very lucky to have 88.9 WERS which is the college station from Emerson University and has a great morning show with lots of great new and memorable music. I've also been listening to WUML 91.5 which is from Umass Lowell and my daughter has been working there so an added bonus to listen to her weekly show this summer.
The radio has gotten a bad rap as it's been consolidated under just a few companies and eliminated choice and selection, but there are still a few independent and college stations out there and they really can be a great listen. Give the radio a try today on your next walk or commute even if you don't try to save all the songs you've enjoyed.