How do you organize yours? Here’s what I do: First off, there are separate spaces for CDs, 12″ vinyl, 7″ vinyl, cassettes, picture discs, items bought but not listened to yet (I know, I know), and of course various extra-cool items are stood up on shelves for display. But within the types, what do you do? People have wrested with this dilemma throughout the ages.
For me, it has to be alphabetically. Except for compilations, sondtracks, tributes, etc. Those are just, well, there. But most of the music is alphabetical and then, within that, chronological. What year it was released. You gotta have a system when you have a lot of music.
Of course, there are other systems. I’m not saying mine is right, though it probably is. But many people using the “totally random” system are living perfectly normal lives. Ignorance is bliss?
A big up massive shout out to the great Pops And Clicks blog for giving me the idea for this post and pointing out this helpful scene from High Fidelity, the movie, with yet another suggestion on how to organize your music.
Remember that funny scene in Annie Hall where Alvy won’t go into a movie if the previews have already started (“in the middle of the movie”)? That also applies to arranging your music:
Alvy: I can’t help it, I’m anal.
Annie: Anal is a polite word for what you are.
Oh well. La-di-da. How do you organize YOURS??? Leave me a comment below.
Subscribe to stevenology – get the news first!
Follow me on Twitter – get the news second
How do I organize my music? You’re joking, right?
Yow! I almost forgot about box sets and 8-Track tapes!
My CD’s are organized alphabetically by artist and chronologically within artist, using the original release date even for reissues. Compilations and soundtracks are stored at the end alphabetically. Artists whose name starts with a number are stored before the A’s. Christmas titles are segregated. Boxed Sets are also segregated and stored alphabetically by artist, unless the box is small enough to sit with normal CD’s. Vinyl is organized the same as the CD’s though they are tucked away in a closet (never played) slowly being replaced by CD’s or downloads (yes, legal downloads).
All CD’s and downloads are loaded into iTunes and that is the only method I use to play my library. I either play through the computer or iPod (160 GB classic version that holds everything. I also have an iPod docking station hooked to the audio system. I mention this because iTunes is the best way for me to see what I have at a glance.
You are very organized. It’s a similar system to mine but I don’t use the MP3 player to play at home, the stereo receiver is old with no jack for it. I usually play a CD or occasionally a record, or else put five CDs in the tray and hit “random” or “shuffle” or whatever it is. I like being able to look through and touch the actual CD or record or whatever. Thanks for the info!