First the good news, there are still hitmakers in the age of digital music. Lady Gaga's Poker Face was the top-selling track of 2009 - it moved 9.8 million units according to the IFPI which represents the global music industry. That's a gain on the best selling single of 2008.
Overall, digital music sales were up once again, in the neighbourhood of 12 percent. However, a total drop in global music sales of up to 10 percent presents the flipside of this picture.
"As we look back on 2009, yet another year of new services coming to the market, great innovation, growth in our digital music but at the same time problems that we're facing with piracy have certainly not gone away and we are facing a decline in our physical business and we always hoped the day would come when the increase in our digital business will make up for the fall in our physical business and that's certainly not happening on a global basis yet," says John Kennedy, chief executive of the IFPI.
The music streaming service Spotify is highlighted in the report as one of the promising new offerings.
"In regards to Spotify, I've been staggered by the success of that particular business," said Rob Wells, Senior Vice President of Digital, Universal Music Group International.
"Spotify is now Universal's fourth largest digital partner by revenue, for Universal Music Group International. In 12 months. When you consider that we have 14 hundred business partners around the world, that's a pretty good achievement," says Mr Wells.
Wells says the IFPI report remains a useful gauge of the vibrancy of the music industry, despite emphasising music sales in a market where music streaming is gathering momentum.
Reuters