Don’t mess with Taylor Swift (and other lessons we’re learning about her this week).
After it was revealed on Thursday that Taylor’s music wouldn’t be included as part of Apple’s streaming service (Apple Music), questions abounded. First: why? Second: okay, but why?
And on Sunday, we got our answer.
Taking to her Tumblr page, Taylor penned the now-infamous “To Apple, Love Taylor” letter, officially embodying the spirit of “be the change you wish to see in the world.”
“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,” she wrote. “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 three-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.”
Damn.
Swift continued her message by reassuring fans/readers that her response isn’t/wasn’t one of a “spoiled, petulant child” but “the 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.”
“This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first single and will not be paid for its success,” she explained. “This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought 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 the year’s worth of plays on his or her songs.”
Amen. And now? Apple will be paying their artists during the trial period. Eddy Cue (an Apple senior executive) even reached out to her directly, proving that sometimes all you need is a very, very powerful person to speak up.
