In recent months, Taylor Swift has taken a stand against streaming services and has withheld her hit album 1989 from platforms like Spotify and Tidal. Now, the county-singer-turned-pop-star has confirmed that 1989 will not be included in Apple Music when it launches on June 30, and she has penned an open letter condemning Apple's plan not to pay royalties during its three-month trial period.
In the open letter, which Swift posted on Tumblr under the title "To Apple, Love Taylor," she said that she finds Apple's plan regarding royalties to be "shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company." She went on to explain that this protest is not about herself, but rather the struggling musicians and producers who who not be receiving the royalties that they need in order to survive.
She peppered her letter with compliments for Apple, and she even went so far as to say that "this could be the platform that gets it right." But that doesn't excuse Apple's plans for the first three months, and Swift offered a very apt comparison: "We don't ask you for free iPhones. Please don't ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation."
She also pointed out that "it's not too late to change this policy." It remains to be seen whether Apple will address all of the criticism being heaped upon it, but Swift certainly makes a very compelling argument. Read the full letter below:
I write this to explain why I'll be holding back my album, 1989, from the new streaming service, Apple Music. I feel this deserves an explanation because Apple has been and will continue to be one of my best partners in selling music and creating ways for me to connect with my fans. I respect the company and the truly ingenious minds that have created a legacy based on innovation and pushing the right boundaries.
I'm sure you are aware that Apple Music will be offering a free 3 month trial to anyone who signs up for the service. I'm not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months. I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company.
This is not about me. Thankfully I am on my fifth album and can support myself, my band, crew, and entire management team by playing live shows. This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first single and will not be paid for its success. This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that would get them out of debt. This is about the producer who works tirelessly to innovate and create, just like the innovators and creators at Apple are pioneering in their field…but will not get paid for a quarter of a year's worth of plays on his or her songs.
These are not the complaints of a spoiled, petulant child. These are the echoed sentiments of every artist, writer and producer in my social circles who are afraid to speak up publicly because we admire and respect Apple so much. We simply do not respect this particular call.
I realize that Apple is working towards a goal of paid streaming. I think that is beautiful progress. We know how astronomically successful Apple has been and we know that this incredible company has the money to pay artists, writers and producers for the 3 month trial period… even if it is free for the fans trying it out.
Three months is a long time to go unpaid, and it is unfair to ask anyone to work for nothing. I say this with love, reverence, and admiration for everything else Apple has done. I hope that soon I can join them in the progression towards a streaming model that seems fair to those who create this music. I think this could be the platform that gets it right.
But I say to Apple with all due respect, it's not too late to change this policy and change the minds of those in the music industry who will be deeply and gravely affected by this. We don't ask you for free iPhones. Please don't ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation.
Taylor
In the open letter, which Swift posted on Tumblr under the title "To Apple, Love Taylor," she said that she finds Apple's plan regarding royalties to be "shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company." She went on to explain that this protest is not about herself, but rather the struggling musicians and producers who who not be receiving the royalties that they need in order to survive.
She peppered her letter with compliments for Apple, and she even went so far as to say that "this could be the platform that gets it right." But that doesn't excuse Apple's plans for the first three months, and Swift offered a very apt comparison: "We don't ask you for free iPhones. Please don't ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation."
She also pointed out that "it's not too late to change this policy." It remains to be seen whether Apple will address all of the criticism being heaped upon it, but Swift certainly makes a very compelling argument. Read the full letter below:
I write this to explain why I'll be holding back my album, 1989, from the new streaming service, Apple Music. I feel this deserves an explanation because Apple has been and will continue to be one of my best partners in selling music and creating ways for me to connect with my fans. I respect the company and the truly ingenious minds that have created a legacy based on innovation and pushing the right boundaries.
I'm sure you are aware that Apple Music will be offering a free 3 month trial to anyone who signs up for the service. I'm not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months. I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company.
This is not about me. Thankfully I am on my fifth album and can support myself, my band, crew, and entire management team by playing live shows. This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first single and will not be paid for its success. This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that would get them out of debt. This is about the producer who works tirelessly to innovate and create, just like the innovators and creators at Apple are pioneering in their field…but will not get paid for a quarter of a year's worth of plays on his or her songs.
These are not the complaints of a spoiled, petulant child. These are the echoed sentiments of every artist, writer and producer in my social circles who are afraid to speak up publicly because we admire and respect Apple so much. We simply do not respect this particular call.
I realize that Apple is working towards a goal of paid streaming. I think that is beautiful progress. We know how astronomically successful Apple has been and we know that this incredible company has the money to pay artists, writers and producers for the 3 month trial period… even if it is free for the fans trying it out.
Three months is a long time to go unpaid, and it is unfair to ask anyone to work for nothing. I say this with love, reverence, and admiration for everything else Apple has done. I hope that soon I can join them in the progression towards a streaming model that seems fair to those who create this music. I think this could be the platform that gets it right.
But I say to Apple with all due respect, it's not too late to change this policy and change the minds of those in the music industry who will be deeply and gravely affected by this. We don't ask you for free iPhones. Please don't ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation.
Taylor
