Taylor Swift got good publicity around her 1989 album by confronting Apple about streaming. Good timing too. While it’s still selling well, it’s been out for more than six months, and is certain to start fading. So while she isn’t allowing it to be streamed yet, she’s decided to be graceful and allow it to be streamed on Apple Music starting next week.
But.
Taylor Swift may have made a big deal about streaming the album, but what about songs? At least two songs from the album are available to stream; Bad Blood and Shake it Off They show up in this week’s Billboard Streaming Songs chart. I don’t know where they’re streaming; I don’t see them on Spotify, or on Tidal. As such, I can’t tell if other songs from her 1989 album are available to stream.
It’s not that Ms Swift is against streaming. She clearly is all in favor of streaming her songs, but allowing the entire album to be streamed is a different kettle of fish. I’m not sure why it should be different; maybe I’m misunderstanding her apparent hesitancy about streaming. (She does allow her previous albums to be streamed…)
So where are these songs available to stream? And are there others?
It appears that the Billboard streaming charts take YouTube into account. It does not appear to be a very principled stance, but Ms Swift is certainly not opposed to to have her songs be on YouTube, presumably because even she must acknowledge that it is better to be on YouTube than not.
It appears that the Billboard streaming charts take YouTube into account. It does not appear to be a very principled stance, but Ms Swift is certainly not opposed to to have her songs be on YouTube, presumably because even she must acknowledge that it is better to be on YouTube than not.
Billboard considers Vevo and YouTube “streams”. Swift is huge on YouTube.
That’s interesting, especially because YouTube famously pays very little. Maybe she has a special deal.
Billboard considers Vevo and YouTube “streams”. Swift is huge on YouTube.
That’s interesting, especially because YouTube famously pays very little. Maybe she has a special deal.
Taylor tweeted this morning that 1989 will be available for streaming on Apple Music.
I know, that’s what prompted me to write this. I should have made that clear in the article (which I’ll do now).
Taylor tweeted this morning that 1989 will be available for streaming on Apple Music.
I know, that’s what prompted me to write this. I should have made that clear in the article (which I’ll do now).