Sometimes I want to listen to my music library. Other times I want to find free online music streaming. Rather than take time to compile a playlist of music I like, I'd rather just pick a playlist of songs from the free web version of Spotify or MOG, or create a station based on a song I like in Pandora. It's rarely satisfying. I hear the same stale oldies, raucous rock, or rap. AARP radio was launched in July 2011 to make it easier for adults to reconnect with the music we like—both classic and modern music.
Streaming Music for the Over-50 crowd "Radio for Grownups"
Intelligently designed for the over-50 crowd, you don't have to be an AARP member (you don't even have to be a mid-lifer) to listen. While it calls itself "Radio for Grownups," the "radio stations" are actually playlists of songs. The people at AARP who created these lists did a brilliant job of putting together songs that mid-lifers can enjoy to match any mood—from quiet classical, smooth jazz, to nostalgic movie music, to rockin' classics, to being open to something new. I really feel like they know me. As long as I choose the playlist that fits my mood, I am happy to hear almost every song.
Listening to "Baby Elephant Walk" or "The Entertainer" takes me back to going to the movies with my parents. And, while I might like "smooth jazz" more often than I did 20 years ago, I still want to hear Nirvana, R.E.M, or the B-52s. And if I'm feeling adventurous, the Fresh Sounds playlist mixes songs I know with new music.
How to get free online music streaming using AARP Radio
AARP estimates that there are an average of 35,000 to 50,000 listening sessions each month. Unlike other services, it's straightforward and easy to use. There are no complicated logins, or players to download. You don't have to click through pages or navigation bars to find playlists.
To play AARP radio, simply visit the AARP website, and click on "music" in the navigation bar at the top of the page. The radio player will appear in a new window. (you might have to allow the pop up if it gets blocked). You can also navigate to AARP radio directly.
The player works on any web browser including those found on Google TV, the Boxee Box, and presumably web browsers included on new smart TVs, media players and Blu-ray players. However, it does not work on iPads, iPhones or Android phones or tablets. An AARP spokesperson assured me that in the near future, AARP will make the music player available via an AARP mobile app for portable devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Tips on how to use AARP radio's free online music streaming
Once the AARP radio opens, you'll see a window with a row of available stations. Use the horizontal scroll bar to find a station you like. Click on the album cover to play the station. The station window changes to "now playing."
If you don't like the song, you can skip up to six songs in an hour by clicking on the fast forward (double arrow) icon. A small number indicates how many skips you have left for the hour. Note that the number is reset when you change stations. To change a station from "now playing," click on the "stations" tab and scroll to another station. Learn more about the song or artist by choosing the Artist Bios tab. You can pause a song for as long as you like.
While AARP radio is provided by Slacker radio, you cannot get to these playlists from the Slacker radio website or app. In fact, if you are logged into a slacker account, it will tell you to log out before you can start playing AARP radio.
The AARP Radio Stations.
With 18 dynamic stations, you should be able to find something you want to hear. With so many stations, you don't get stuck hearing the same song over and over as is often the case with other online free music streaming services. While there are supposed to be commercials, I have listened for hours, hearing only a couple of breaks for ten-second station-identifications telling you that you are listening to AARP radio.
The music goes beyond those stale popular oldies I always hear on my car radio or on oldies streaming playlists. The last time I heard "Ghost Town" by The Specials, I was wearing shoulder pads, ratting my hair to make it impossibly big, and wearing too much makeup.
There is a variety of music stations including Gospel, Country, Classical, Classic Rock, Classic R&B, Latin, and Vocal Standards. Coffeehouse includes a mix of obscure alternative music and a sampling of acoustics from Eric Clapton and other artists. Another station is dedicated to Paul McCartney music. Whether you like U2 or Doris Day, you'll get to hear your favorites.
Comparing AARP Radio to Other Free Music Online Streaming
While you will probably enjoy listening to radio for grownups, there are drawbacks to the service. Unlike Pandora, you cannot click on a link to immediately buy the song that is playing. There is a link to Amazon music, but it doesn't take you directly to the album or song that is playing. Instead, if you use the link, you'll have to note the album and song name, then search for it in the Amazon music store.
There is no way to mark a song as a favorite, or to create a library of your favorite songs. Unfortunately, when you hear a song you love, you cannot go back to play it again. Also, you can't see any of the upcoming songs except a hint of the cover of the next song in the list and you can't jump around a list of songs.
Still, "radio for grownups" is simply great music that will play as long as you like. We can wax nostalgic, or enjoy a mix of new and old. Best of all, it's free and it's easy.
What is your favorite music to stream online?
