why does google play music only work when the internet is connected?

[AC Question]

I pay money for these songs, download them and then I can only listen to them when data is connected and it burns up a crap ton of data? is it me or is google play the stupidest thing on the planet?

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Are you an All Access subscriber, or did you buy these songs individually? Swipe in from the left and turn on Downloaded Only. Does the music show up, and can you play it now while offline?