The music world was stirred when Neil Young decided to part ways with Spotify due to its podcast content controversies. However, the iconic singer has recently returned to the platform after a long absence, making his diverse catalog once again available for users to listen to.
Known for his unique blend of folk and rock, Young’s return to streaming services like Spotify has been a significant event for both the artist and his fans. His music, encompassing decades of influential tracks, speaks to the hearts of many.
As a long-time follower of Young’s career, this comeback feels like a reunion of an old friend with his admirers. His absence was felt deeply in the music community. Still, his return is a reminder of the dynamic nature of the music industry, where changes are constant, but the love for art remains eternal.
Instant Answer
The contentious comments made by Neil Young during the COVID-19 timeframe led to his departure from Spotify. Yet, fans can now rejoice as they find his hits back on the platform. With 3,856,985 monthly listeners eager to give his music another chance, Young’s songs are accessible for free and premium subscription users to listen to. His return signifies a notable shift in the artist-platform relationship in today’s digital music landscape.
Who is Neil Young?
Neil Young’s musical career began in the 1960s, when he was a member of The Squires, after being born in Toronto, Canada, on November 12, 1945. His journey led him to join the band Buffalo Springfield, marking the beginning of a highly successful solo artist career.
Young is renowned for his distinctive music, a compelling mix of folk, rock, and country. Many of his songs have become famous, including “Heart of Gold,” “Old Man,” and “Rockin’ in the Free World.”
Beyond music, Young is an active activist, passionately addressing political and social topics, primarily environmental concerns. His musical career is not just about entertainment but also a platform for change.
Why Spotify Removed Neil Young?
The decision by Spotify to remove Neil Young’s music was a culmination of a complex situation. Young, a revered singer, demanded sternly that the platform had to choose between retaining his music or continuing its support for Joe Rogan, the comedian and actor turned popular podcast host.
Rogan, who joined Spotify in a lucrative deal, was accused by scientists and public health professionals of spreading misinformation about coronavirus vaccines. On “The Joe Rogan Experience,” he interviewed controversial figures including Dr. Robert Malone, an authority on infectious diseases.
An episode on December 31, which included many misconceptions about COVID-19 vaccinations, triggered a public letter dated January 10, 2022, calling for its removal. However, Spotify declined the request by hundreds of educators and public health professionals to remove it.
“They can have Rogan or Young,” Young said, delivering his ultimatum in kind. “None of the two.” He criticized the platform for allowing what he termed “life-threatening Covid disinformation” and “lies peddled for money.”
In a recent announcement, Spotify articulated its mission to offer “every piece of music and audio content in the world” to its subscribers, underscoring the delicate equilibrium between protecting listener welfare and fostering artistic expression.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the platform has adopted rigorous content monitoring practices, leading to the removal of more than 20,000 podcast episodes.
This led to Neil’s choice to remove his music from Spotify, a move that was disappointing for many fans and the platform itself. Yet, there remains a hope expressed by Spotify and its users to look forward to seeing Young back on the platform in the future.
Also check: Why is Garth Brooks Not on Spotify & Apple Music?
Is Neil Young’s Music Still on Spotify?
Despite the global media spotlight and a temporary increase in streaming following Neil Young’s high-profile request to have his music removed from Spotify, his exit from the platform at the end of January 2022 had a notable effect.
According to Luminate, there was a swift drop in his average streaming rate that has yet to recover. This decline reflects the complex relationship between artists and streaming platforms, where decisions can have lasting effects on accessibility and popularity.
Why Does Spotify Like Neil Young More Than Joe Rogan?
Spotify’s decision to prioritize Joe Rogan over Neil Young underscores the evolving dynamics in the streaming world. The choice is theirs: Rogan or Young, Young said bluntly. By a wide margin.
This comment came in light of Spotify having obtained exclusive rights to “The Joe Rogan Experience,” a prominent podcast, back in 2020. The platform, recognizing Rogan’s vast audience reach and influence, made a strategic choice.
On January 26, 2022, it was announced that Spotify would begin removing Neil Young’s music, implying that for Spotify, the value brought by Rogan’s diverse and controversial content was more in alignment with their future goals, effectively making Joe Rogan the winner in this standoff.
Joe Rogan vs Neil Young
The clash between Neil Young and Joe Rogan on Spotify highlights a significant cultural and ethical dilemma in the digital age. In his initial letter to Warner Records and his manager, Young voiced his displeasure and emphasized Spotify’s duty to curb the spread of false material.
He demanded the service to immediately remove ALL of his music, stating, “It’s either Rogan or Young, not both.” This stance received widespread coverage in the media and led to a quick removal of his statement from his website.
In 2020, actor and comedian Joe Rogan notably signed a $100 million podcast deal with Spotify. This deal made “The Joe Rogan Experience” a cornerstone of Spotify’s content, even when controversial figures like conspiracy theorist Alex Jones appeared on the show.
Despite the streaming service not confirming the rumor of the deal’s value, Rogan’s show has become a staple for a majority of Spotify users.
“We encourage creators to create,” said Daniel Ek, co-founder and CEO of Spotify, in an interview with The Financial Times. Their true brilliance lies in this area. Our goal is not to sway their opinions. These words underline Spotify’s commitment to creative freedom, even amidst complex challenges.
The most recent financial data show that out of 318 million monthly listeners globally, 172 million have paid for a Spotify Premium subscription, according to Spotify. This large audience underscores the platform’s influence and the impact of its content decisions.
Neil Young’s Return On Spotify
The return of Neil Young to Spotify marks another twist in his relationship with streaming services. Young, who is known for his particular stance on audio quality, had temporarily pulled his music from platforms like Spotify and Apple Music in 2015, voicing his dissatisfaction.
However, these songs were quickly reinstated, hinting at the complex dynamics of the music streaming world. His recent return, for unknown reasons, suggests a reconciliation. It’s possible he came back due to the millions spent on his catalog or Spotify’s sizable user base, making it an ideal platform for his popular music.
If you’re unable to access Young’s music through Spotify, you can still enjoy his tunes on platforms like Qobuz, Amazon Music, or directly from his personal YouTube channel.
However, if you have a Spotify Premium subscription, you’ll have the added benefit of being able to stream and download Young’s music. With Premium, users can download up to 10,000 tracks at a time, giving them access to Young’s extensive and influential musical catalog.
Why Doesn’t Neil Young like Spotify?
Neil Young, the iconic singer-songwriter, has been openly outraged by Spotify’s support for “The Joe Rogan Experience,” a podcast he holds responsible for spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccination.
His dissatisfaction with the streaming platform escalated to the point where he, along with other prominent artists like members of Crosby, Stills & Nash, and Joni Mitchell, decided to pull their catalogs from Spotify.
This collective action in the next few weeks reflected a growing concern among artists about the role of streaming services in content curation and their social responsibilities.
FAQs
Who Left Spotify Because of Joe Rogan?
Neil Young notably parted ways with Spotify citing concerns over COVID-19 misinformation spread on Joe Rogan’s podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience.
His departure highlighted the tension between platform responsibility and content freedom. The Joe Rogan Experience, a show hosted exclusively on the platform, became a focal point for this controversy, influencing Young’s significant decision to withdraw his music.
Can I Still Listen to Neil Young on Spotify?
Yes, Some of Neil Young’s most famous albums, as well as others, are still playable on Spotify. For fans seeking to explore his entire discography, Spotify offers a substantial selection.
However, for an even more comprehensive experience, you might want to check out the Neil Young Archives. This dedicated streaming service provides high-quality audio, access to rare recordings, and exclusive live performances.
It’s a treasure trove for fans and proof of how busy Young was during his career. So, while Spotify caters to a broad audience with its selection, the Neil Young Archives is the go-to place for the ultimate Neil Young experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the saga of “Is Neil Young Back on Spotify?” shows how complicated and sometimes at odds with each other artists, streaming services, and content rules are.
Neil Young’s departure from Spotify, driven by his stance against certain content on the platform, notably “The Joe Rogan Experience,” underscores a broader dialogue about misinformation, artistic integrity, and platform responsibility.
While Young’s music experienced a temporary hiatus and fluctuating stream rates on Spotify, his eventual return highlights the evolving nature of the music industry in the digital age.
This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance streaming services must maintain between upholding creative freedom and ensuring responsible content dissemination, all while catering to both artists and a diverse audience base.
