Free Music Online

May 2025

Accessing Free Music Online

For seniors of any age, listening to music offers significant advantages by sparking memories and maintaining cognitive function. Emotionally, it elevates mood, reduces stress, and combats loneliness. Physically, music can encourage movement, manage pain, and improve sleep. Socially, it facilitates communication and fosters connections with others. Overall, engaging with music enhances well-being and provides a joyful and enriching experience in later life. So how can we include more of it in our lives?

Back in “the day”, we would attend concerts, buy records, or listen to radios. Did you experience the anticipation of waiting for the release of a “Top 50 Hits” list each week by a local radio station? Now we can still attend concerts, if the musicians we listened to are still alive, but you’ll need to take out a loan to pay for the tickets! CDs replaced cassette tapes, which replaced records, though the latter are making a comeback. But for ease of access, online music is where you’ll find the tunes you love as well as something different just waiting for you to discover - and there are lots of free options.

5 Most Popular Free English Language Music Streaming Services in Canada:

• Spotify: Offers a vast library with numerous English language songs and podcasts. While it operates in multiple languages, the majority of its content and curated playlists in Canada are in English. The free tier includes advertisements and limitations on mobile usage.
  Android: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=spotify&c=apps&hl=en
  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/spotify-new-music-and-podcasts/

• YouTube Music: Provides a wide array of English language music content, including official tracks, live versions, and covers found on YouTube. The free version is ad-supported.
  Android: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=youtube%20music&c=apps&hl=en
  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/youtube-music/

• Amazon Music: Prime members in Canada can access a substantial catalogue of English language music and ad-supported radio stations for free.
  Android: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=amazon%20music&c=apps&hl=en
  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/amazon-music-songs-podcasts/id510855668

• Deezer: Features a large library of English language music. The free tier has some limitations, but the English content is readily available.
  Android: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=deezer%20music&c=apps&hl=en
  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/deezer-music-podcast-player/

• SoundCloud: A platform with a significant amount of English language music from both established and emerging artists. The free tier allows streaming with occasional advertisements.
  Android: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=soundcloud&c=apps&hl=en
  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/soundcloud-music-audio/

5 Most Popular Online English Language Radio Apps in Canada:

• Radio Player Canada: Aggregates a large number of Canadian English language radio stations, offering live and on-demand listening.
  Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teccom.radioplayercanada&hl=en
  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/radioplayer-radio-podcast/

• iHeart Radio Canada: Provides access to live English language radio stations across Canada, along with custom music stations and podcasts.
  Android: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=iheart%20radio&c=apps&hl=en
  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/iheart-radio-music-podcasts/

• TuneIn Radio: Offers a wide selection of English language radio stations from Canada and around the world.
  Android: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=tunein%20radio&c=apps&hl=en
  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/tunein-radio-sports-music/

• myTuner Radio Canada: Features numerous English language radio stations in Canada and internationally, as well as a vast selection of podcasts.
  Android: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=mytuner&c=apps&hl=en
  Apple: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/mytuner-radio-canada-live-fm/

• CBC Listen: A free audio streaming service from  Canada's public broadcaster. It serves as a central hub for a wide range of audio content, including:  

  • CBC Music Playlists: Provides access to hundreds of curated music playlists across diverse genres, featuring Canadian artists and international music.

  • Live and On-Demand CBC Radio: Listen to local and national CBC Radio One and CBC Music shows live from anywhere in Canada. You can also access previously aired segments and shows on demand.  

  • CBC Podcasts: Offers a vast library of CBC's award-winning podcasts, covering various genres like true crime, investigative reporting, fiction, and more. Users can stream or download podcasts for offline listening.

    • Android: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=cbc%20listen&c=apps&hl=en

    • Apple: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/cbc-listen/