Joni Mitchell's Music Reappears on Spotify Following Boycott of Joe Rogan Podcast

Joni Mitchell Returns to Spotify 359

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Joni Mitchell's iconic music collection is now back on Spotify, signaling a resolution to the artist's two-year dispute with the streaming platform.

Fans were thrilled to discover the return of Joni Mitchell's music on Thursday, March 21. One excited listener tweeted, "JONI MITCHELL MUSIC BACK ON SPOTIFY THIS IS NOT A DRILL," while another user humorously commented, "Joni Mitchell making more waves on the TL than any pop star this year."

All of Mitchell’s classic albums are now available on the platform, but some are in a different spot. Albums released before 1980, like Blue from 1971 and For the Roses from 1972, can be found under the “compilations” tab on a playlist called “The Studio Albums 1968-1979.”

As of Thursday, the 80-year-old Mitchell has not commented on what prompted her to return. She had previously announced in January 2022 that she was removing her songs from Spotify.

Mitchell's sudden actions were a form of protest against the company's decision to keep airing "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast. She believed that Joe Rogan was sharing false information about the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines on his show.

"I've made a decision to take down all my music from Spotify," shared the nine-time Grammy winner on her website. She expressed her concerns about misinformation causing harm and expressed support for Neil Young and the scientific and medical communities worldwide.

Shortly before Mitchell's announcement, Neil Young, who is 78 years old, also left Spotify. His choice to leave was influenced by concerns related to Joe Rogan's podcast.

After Young left, Daniel Ek, the cofounder and CEO of Spotify, penned an open letter addressing the situation. In his statement, Ek emphasized the importance of supporting creator expression while prioritizing user safety. He highlighted the need for a balance between these two factors, stating that Spotify aims to avoid censorship while enforcing rules and consequences for those who break them.

Ek, who is 41 years old, mentioned that podcasts talking about the COVID-19 pandemic will now have a content advisory added to them.

Young, who had a change of heart recently, decided to put his tracks back on Spotify, following in Mitchell's footsteps.

He announced his decision through his website, stating that Spotify, the top platform for low-quality music streaming worldwide, will once again be the home of his music. This announcement was made on March 12. Young expressed his concerns about the sound quality on Spotify, mentioning that it does not match the quality of his music.

He explained that he decided to return to the streaming service with the hope that the sound quality on Spotify will be enhanced, allowing listeners to experience his music as it was intended to be heard and felt.

He added, “I hope all you millions of Spotify users enjoy my songs! They will not all be there for you except for the full sound we created.”

Editor's P/S:

Joni Mitchell's return to Spotify marks a significant shift in the ongoing debate over misinformation on streaming platforms. Mitchell's initial removal of her music in protest against Joe Rogan's podcast sparked discussions about the responsibility of platforms to regulate content. Spotify's efforts to balance creator expression and user safety, as outlined in Daniel Ek's open letter, highlight the complexities of navigating this issue.

The return of both Neil Young and Joni Mitchell to Spotify suggests a willingness to engage with the platform despite concerns about sound quality and misinformation. Young's decision to prioritize sound quality over streaming exclusivity underscores the importance of artistic integrity for musicians. Mitchell's return, while unaccompanied by any public statement, may indicate a belief that Spotify has taken meaningful steps to address concerns. The ongoing dialogue between artists and streaming platforms is crucial for shaping the future of music distribution and ensuring that both creative expression and responsible content dissemination are upheld.