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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                 [GRAY CARY WARE & FREIDENRICH LLP LETTERHEAD]



August 9, 1999

Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549

     Re:    EMusic.com Inc.
            Registration Statement on Form S-1

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        As counsel to EMusic.com Inc. (the "Company"), we are rendering this
opinion in connection with a proposed sale of those certain shares of the
Company's newly-issued Common Stock and those certain additional shares of the
Company's Common Stock held by certain stockholders as set forth in the
Registration Statement on Form S-1 to which this opinion is being filed as
Exhibit 5.1 (the "Shares"). We have examined all instruments, documents and
records which we deemed relevant and necessary for the basis of our opinion
hereinafter expressed. In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of
all signatures and the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals and the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us
as copies.

        We express no opinion with respect to (i) the availability of equitable
remedies, including specific performance, or (ii) the effect of bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or equitable principles relating to or
limiting creditors' rights generally.

        Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that the Shares
identified in the above-referenced Registration Statement will be, upon
effectiveness of the Registration Statement and receipt by the Company of
payment therefor, validly authorized, legally issued, fully paid, and
nonassessable.

        We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
above-referenced Registration Statement and to the use of our name wherever it
appears in said Registration Statement, including the Prospectus constituting a
part thereof, as originally filed or as subsequently amended.

                            Respectfully submitted,

                            /s/  Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP

                           GRAY CARY WARE & FREIDENRICH LLP
