Taylor Swift’s shunning UK iTunes for her new single
Ah, Tay Tay. Is there nothing she can’t do? Here’s a woman who can carry a cat around the busiest city in the world one-handed, actually look good in high-waisted shorts, and oh yes, sell more than 26 million albums by the age of 24. There is one thing she won’t do, however, at least for now, and that’s sell her new single on iTunes in the UK.
‘Out of the Woods’, the follow-up to her smash hit ‘Shake it Off’ and the second single from her album 1989, was released yesterday, but isn’t listed on Apple’s music service on this side of the pond. And, as she’s confirmed on her Tumblr, that’s all part of Taylor’s plan. Or rather, her record company’s plan with her blessing.
Addressing the post to ‘all my wonderful UK fans’, she writes:
‘I realize that you are not yet able to get ‘Out Of The Woods’ due to a new strategy my record label is working on in the UK. I’ve never been one to hold my music back from any of you so I will be watching closely to see if this is ultimately a better experience for you, the fans.’
For anyone unclear as to how not being able to download a track might be a better service for fans, she says it worked for her pal Ed Sheeran. As The Guardian explains, he released his single ‘One’ initially only to people who had pre-ordered his album, so it was a reward for his most dedicated followers.
Whether Taylor Swift fans will embrace the idea remains to be seen, and maybe restricting supply will increase demand, but it’s hard to imagine it won’t increase piracy, too. Is it possible she’s just punishing us for that whole John Cleese thing?
Image by Eva Rinaldi via Wikimedia Commons.
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