Neil Young Resumes Spotify Streaming After 2-Year Boycott Due to Joe Rogan Podcast
After a 2-year absence, Neil Young has decided to make his music available on Spotify once again following a boycott related to Joe Rogan's podcast. Learn more about his decision and the impact on streaming listeners.
Neil Young Ends 2 Year Boycott With Spotify Over Joe Rogan Podcast Misinformation Claims
Neil Young. Gary Miller/Getty Images
Neil Young’s music catalog is back on Spotify after a two-year dispute with the streaming service.
In a statement on his website on Tuesday, March 12, the 78-year-old musician announced, “Spotify, the top streamer of low-quality music worldwide — where you get less quality than what we created — will now host my music again. This decision comes as Apple and Amazon have also introduced similar misinformation podcast features that I had previously spoken out against on Spotify.”
Young made headlines in January 2022 when he announced his decision to remove his work from Spotify. This move was in protest of the company's decision to continue distributing "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast. Young accused Joe Rogan of spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines on his podcast.
In contrast to his previous stance, Young stated on Tuesday that he is unable to remove his music from other streaming services. He explained that this decision was made because his music would have limited availability to music lovers. Therefore, he has decided to return to Spotify with the hope that the sound quality will improve, allowing listeners to fully experience the music as it was intended.
He continued: "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."
After Young pulled his music in 2022, Spotify cofounder and CEO Daniel Ek wrote an open letter.
"We understand the importance of supporting creators' freedom of expression while also ensuring the safety of our users," Ek stated. "It's crucial for us to maintain a balance by not censoring content, but at the same time, we must have clear rules and consequences for those who break them."
Neil Young Ends 2-Year Boycott With Spotify Over Joe Rogan Podcast Misinformation Claims
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Ek, 41, also revealed that a content advisory would be added to podcasts that discussed the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rogan addressed the controversy in an Instagram video, where he denied that any episodes of his podcast spread “dangerous misinformation.” He mentioned that what was once considered misinformation may now be accepted as fact.
He emphasized that he is not a doctor or scientist, and he cannot confirm the accuracy of his guests' statements. Rogan explained that he values diverse opinions and engaging conversations, rather than speaking with people who only have one perspective.
Rogan made it clear that he harbored no ill feelings towards Young, mentioning, "I'm a big fan of Neil Young."
Following Young's lead, other creators and celebrities such as Joni Mitchell and Sophia Bush also took down their content from Spotify. As of March 2024, almost all of Mitchell's albums are back on Spotify, and Bush, 41, has started airing her podcasts "Work in Progress" and "Drama Queens" again on the app.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who had a partnership with Spotify at the time, also spoke out against the platform for allegedly spreading misinformation.
In a statement released in January 2022, a spokesperson for the couple revealed that since last April, they have been raising concerns about misinformation related to COVID-19 on Spotify. They have been urging Spotify to make changes to their platform to combat this public health crisis. The couple hopes that Spotify will take this issue seriously and is dedicated to working together to address it.
Editor's P/S:
Neil Young's decision to return to Spotify after a two-year hiatus highlights the ongoing debate over misinformation and the responsibility of streaming platforms. Young's initial removal of his music was a powerful protest against Spotify's decision to host "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast, which has been criticized for spreading misinformation about COVID-19. While Young's return suggests a willingness to compromise, it also underscores the need for platforms to prioritize the dissemination of accurate information.
The contrasting responses from Spotify and Joe Rogan to Young's protest reflect the complexities of this issue. Spotify's commitment to free speech while also acknowledging the need for content moderation suggests a desire to strike a balance. Rogan's defense of his podcast as a platform for diverse opinions raises questions about the limits of free speech and the potential consequences of spreading misinformation. The return of other artists, such as Joni Mitchell and Sophia Bush, to Spotify indicates a broader concern about the platform's role in promoting responsible content.
