January, 2022: "I want you to let Spotify know immediately today that I want all my music off their platform. They can have (Joe) Rogan or Young. Not both."

So that happened.

It would be easy to needle Neil Young over his decision to return to Spotify after a two year hiatus— a boycott that was ridiculous from day one when he started a futile effort to cancel Joe Rogan and his podcast.

“My decision comes as music services Apple and Amazon have started serving the same disinformation podcast features I opposed at Spotify. I cannot just leave Apple and Amazon, like I did with Spotify, because my music would have very little streaming outlet to music lovers at all.”

A two-year holdout that amounted to nothing - just making it difficult for fans to hear his music on the most popular music streaming platform in the world.

He could keep up the fight and continue the standoff. But now that Rogan’s super popular show, The Joe Rogan Experience, is unchained and available on other streaming services, somehow Young has decided he’s made his point, and now we can stream “Heart of Gold” again.

I knew he’d be back sooner or later. His reasoning about wider distribution of Rogan’s podcast is sketchy — especially if you bought into why he pulled his music off Spotify in the first place.

Had he just complained loudly and left it at that, his supporters would have been happy, and those who disagreed would have smirked and gone about streaming their favorite Neil Young tunes.

He thought he knew best with a ‘he goes, or I go’ ultimatum. Daniel Ek addressed the issue rather well, and most importantly, didn’t bow down to pressure.

Joni Mitchell got dragged into the mess. Hopefully her catalog will return soon.

I always enjoy hearing Young’s opinions about various issues.

But the minute he decided his views of the universe were more important than the next person, and attempted to obstruct the freedom of speech, the freedom of ideas— he was always going to be the loser in this saga.

★ SPOTlight★

⭐️ Neil Young Says He’s Returning to Spotify, Two Years After Pulling Music in Protest Over Joe Rogan’s Podcast

“I hope all you millions of Spotify users enjoy my songs!”

⭐️ Spotify adds music videos in some countries

Spotify is adding music videos to its mobile and desktop apps in some markets. They are tightly integrated with the company’s music library as the streaming giant lets you seamlessly switch between audio and music videos in its mobile and desktop apps.

However, music videos are only available in beta in 11 select markets for now — and the U.S. isn’t part of this initial rollout. Here’s the full list of countries where you’ll find music videos starting today: Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Netherlands, Poland, Philippines, Sweden and UK.

⭐️ Publicis wins Spotify's global media account

Publicis has won Spotify’s media account after a global pitch.

Publicis Media’s creation of a specialised team, Publicis OneVibe will serve Spotify’s needs and shows their commitment to delivering tailored solutions.

The ‘Power of One’ model, leverages talent from across Publicis Media’s agencies to handle Spotify’s media requirements.

⭐️ Spotify’s audiobooks expansion has grown the overall US market

Spotify’s new audiobooks features have been a prominent weapon in its battle against Apple, with the company arguing that its initially-awkward purchasing system was the fault of overbearing App Store policies.

⭐️ Shared Spotify Accounts Are Wreaking Havoc Among Couples and Families

Heavy metal blasting into yoga class, meowing-cat audio crashing your dinner party and lots of unexpected Taylor Swift. Chaos can ensue when users share a Spotify login.

🗣 Podcasts 🗣

• Spotify’s $10bn advertising ambition — with UK sales chief Ed Couchman

▶️ Playlists ▶️

• Spotify launches new alt/rock playlist MARROW

• Spotify brings real-time listening parties 'Jam' to its desktop app

🎧 Streams 🎧

• Report explores how Spotify algorithms affect music listening

• Black Sabbath’s ‘Paranoid’ Joins Spotify’s Billions Club

🎼 Spotify 4 Artists 🎼

• An Inside Look At Spotify’s Radar Program For Up-And-Coming Artists

• Study reveals how Spotify algorithms affect listening and discovery

• Tracks with a Spotify Canvas video are 145% more likely to be shared

💡 Tips & Tricks 💡

• How To Change Video Quality On Spotify (And Why You Might Want To)

• How to Start a Jam on Spotify with Your Friends

⚡️ Ek Notes ⚡️

• Daniel Ek's new bet on longevity

🔥 News 🔥

• WGA East Members at Spotify and The Ringer Ratify New Contracts

• Spotify and 100 Percenters to Offer Grants for Songwriters, Producers

• Searches for 'rock music' are up 600% on Spotify

• Spotify says its streams of Indian music grew 85% in 2023

• New campaign uses Spotify to relay speeches by Black leaders

🎵 New Adventures 🎵

Love Ain't For Keeping The Who

Close to the Borderline Billy Joel

Funky Music (Is A Part Of Me) Luther Vandross, Luther

Suspicious Minds Fine Young Cannibals

Baton Rouge Lou Reed

Miss Amanda Jones The Rolling Stones

I Met A Girl Wheat

Eric Carmen, singer-songwriter of 'All By Myself' and 'Hungry Eyes,' dies at 74

Eric Carmen, the Cleveland-born lead singer and songwriter who penned and performed multiple hits for the Raspberries and as a solo artist, has died at the age of 74.

It was with the Raspberries that Carmen had his first big hit, “Go All the Way,” which reached No. 5 on the Billboard singles charts. Critics hailed the band’s unique twist on Beatlesque power-pop, citing Carmen as a pop visionary. Bruce Springsteen and Courtney Love both are fans of the band’s music. Kiss, Cheap Trick, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Guns N’ Roses cite them as an influence.

But it could be argued his more enduring hits came as a solo artist. “All by Myself” and “Almost Paradise (Love Theme From Footloose)” are among the most-played songs in U.S. pop history.

Come Around And See Me Raspberries

Desperate Fools Eric Carmen

Take It or Leave It Eric Carmen

If You Change Your Mind Raspberries

Never Gonna Fall in Love Again Eric Carmen

📧 Get in touch 📧

If you have a question, idea, request, or simply a desire to chat about Spotify, please email me at jeff.spotifynewsletter@gmail.com.

😀 Have a Nice Weekend! 😀