I've never tried Spotify because I found a converter for YouTube videos to MP3s online (http://www.clipconverter.cc/)
Now, if I hear a song I like, I find it on YouTube, copy the URL of the video into the clipconverter field and download. In seconds its an MP3 I can play on iTunes or my iPod. Yes, it is subject to quality issues sometimes (depending on the quality of the YouTube video) but, it IS free.
Haven't paid for music in years.
I don't deny that this is pirating (SOPA anyone?) but , well, I'm poor.