Why can't I search/preview songs in iTunes store? I do NOT want to subscribe to Apple Music.

Nope, that doesn't work.

What you have to do is go into Music, Preferences, enable the iTunes store and -- very important -- DISABLE Apple Music. Then go back to the main Music main menu, and you can search and preview in the iTunes store.

Once only iTunes store is enabled (and Apple Music disabled), all works as before. You can search and preview before you buy.

If you keep Apple Music active in your preferences, the search will ALWAYS default to a subscriber prompt when you try to preview a song before buying. No way to get out of the loop without just outright turning off Apple Music.

Solved it.

On MacOSVentura on an iMac, what you have to do is go into Music, Preferences, enable the iTunes store and -- very important -- DISABLE Apple Music. Then go back to the main Music main menu, and you can search and preview in the iTunes store.

Once only iTunes store is enabled (and Apple Music disabled), all works as before. You can search and preview before you buy.

If you keep Apple Music active in your preferences, the search will ALWAYS default to a subscriber prompt when you try to preview a song before buying. No way to get out of the relentless loop pushing you to subscribe to Apple Music without just outright turning off Apple Music.