On This Day In Music: Taylor Swift Gave Apple Music A Piece Of Her Mind In Open Letter

It might be hard for Taylor Swift's fanbase of 'Swifties' who have clocked in some serious minutes streaming and screaming the lyrics to "All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version) since its release in the fall of 2021, but the 33-year-0ld "Long Live" singer's extensive catalog was once absent from streaming services.

Swift has wracked up some serious streaming service revenue in the last year, but, going by the history of the "Delicate" singer's relationship with and perspective on streaming services and artist revenue, it's likely she does not devote a lot of thought to these accolades.

Back in 2015, Swift had just succeeded in achieving a career milestone many artists' careers don't survive: she made a slick transition to pop music from her country roots.

The 1980s-inspired synthesizer-laden "1989" helped propel her to pop radio stardom with the aid of its bouncy first single, "Shake It Off," a year before.

However, radio airplay was far from Swift's mind as streaming services began to have as much of an impact on a single's success. There would soon be a rising factor in the music industry that Swift would have trouble 'shaking off': artist compensation.

It might be hard to believe, considering Apple Music's place in the industry, especially in the last year and a half, but its reputation with artists wasn't as positive as it is today.

Like many companies in their first year of operation, Apple Music had major kinks to work out. The streaming service initially planned not to compensate artists or their record labels after users signed up, according to Stereogum.

Swift, understandably as one of the biggest artists on the planet, disapproved of the move, and she let Apple Music know. Her open letter would soon inspire and open conversations that are still going on today almost a decade later.

The "Style" singer would take to her frequently active Tumblr, where she would express her feelings about Apple's plan, advocating for newer artists and drawing attention to the difference that the absence of royalties could have on struggling musicians versus those with Swift's level of success.

Swift's letter began "To Apple, Love Taylor" and would be six paragraphs.

"I write this to explain why I'll be holding back my album '1989,' from the new streaming service, Apple Music. I feel this deserves an explanation because Apple has been and will continue to be one of my best partners in selling my music and creating ways for me to connect with my fans. I respect the company and the truly ingenious minds that have created a legacy based on innovation and pushing the right boundaries," she explained.

"I'm sure that you are aware that Apple Music will be offering a free three-month trial to anyone who signs up for the service. I'm not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months," Swift continued. "I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company..."

"This is not about me," she went on to explain. "Thankfully I am on my fifth album and can support myself, my band, crew, and entire management team by playing live shows. This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first single and will not be paid for its success. This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that would get them out of debt. This is about the producer who works tirelessly to innovate and create, just like the innovators and creators at Apple are pioneering in their field…but will not get paid for a quarter of a year’s worth of plays on his or her songs," Swift went on to say.

"These are not the complaints of a spoiled, petulant child. These are the echoed sentiments of every artist, writer and producer in my social circles who are afraid to speak up publicly because we admire and respect Apple so much. We simply do not respect this particular call.

"I realize that Apple is working towards a goal of paid streaming. I think that is beautiful progress. We know how astronomically successful Apple has been and we know that this incredible company has the money to pay artists, writers and producers for the 3-month trial period… even if it is free for the fans trying it out.

Three months is a long time to go unpaid, and it is unfair to ask anyone to work for nothing. I say this with love, reverence, and admiration for everything else Apple has done. I hope that soon I can join them in the progression towards a streaming model that seems fair to those who create this music. I think this could be the platform that gets it right." (via Stereogum)

Swift's letter would later go on to influence Apple to do the right thing and reverse its decision.