Nostalgia Wins: Vinyl Expected to Outsell CDs, First Time Since ’86

Everything that once was always comes back around. Old school becomes new age because people love the nostalgia that surrounds the things we use to do or love. Vinyl records are one perfect example.

The vinyl renaissance shows no signs of slowing down, as old-school platters are poised to start outselling CDs for the first time since 1986.

According to the Recording Industry Association of America, vinyl revenue grew 12.9 percent in the first half of 2019, while CD revenue barely budged during the same time. Meanwhile, vinyl records raked in $224.1 million on 8.6 million units in the first half of 2019, closing in on the $247.9 million generated by the sale of 18.6 million CDs.

Rolling Stone notes that vinyl sales have especially proven to be big for classic rock acts. The Beatles sold more than 300,000 vinyl records in 2018, while Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and Queen all sold more than 100,000 vinyl units apiece.

I have a ton of friends with record players and I've got to admit, it does add a fun vibe to the mix. I'd get one but I can already see my cats jumping on the records and fully scratching them. Ruined immediately.