


No word yet on whether that’ll be enough for Neil, Joni, and Nils.īy signing up, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use, and to receive messages from Mother Jones and our partners. Spotify posted an announcement on its website Sunday afternoon saying that it would add content advisories to podcast episodes discussing Covid. Private companies have the right to choose what they profit from, just as I can choose not to have my music support a platform that disseminates harmful information.” “I have never been in favor of censorship.

Young was also deft in deflecting criticism of his move, in light of the public-health stakes. “I support free speech,” he wrote on his website Friday. If doesn’t immediately remove I will release new music onto the platform. Apple Music moved to leverage the debacle to its advantage, advertising Young’s music with a featured collection labeled “Neil Lives Here.” Whether or not more artists join the boycott, it’s clear that Young’s move has been effective in causing a major stir.Īs an aside, James Blunt, composer of some of the most god-awful adult contemporary music ever to tarnish the airwaves, has joined in the free speech debate with some healthy self-deprecation:

Since Wednesday, Young has been joined by two other musical luminaries: fellow Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, and Crazy Horse and E Street Band member Nils Lofgren.Įven though Rogan, who attracts about 11 million listeners per episode, has nearly two times as many Spotify fans as Young (and nearly three times as many as Mitchell), the company’s market value plummeted last week amid the controversy. Last week, the Canadian rock star pulled his music from the streaming service, citing Spotify’s willingness to let megapopular podcast host Joe Rogan push misinformation on his show about Covid vaccines. The Neil Young–inspired exodus from Spotify continues apace. Fight disinformation: Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters.
