Ever since I was interested in music, I have been a fan of Taylor Swift. I’ll never forget hearing “Our Song” at an elementary school talent show and thinking “What song is this?!” Or trying (and failing) to learn “I Knew You Were Trouble” on my mother’s green acoustic guitar from 1972. Or staying up the night Lover dropped and crying to “Soon You’ll Get Better” while hoping my sleeping roommate wouldn’t hear me.
Which is why I find the recent events surrounding Swift’s ownership of her music deeply upsetting.
If you haven’t heard, Taylor Swift’s former record label Big Machine, was purchased by Scooter Braun, a record executive famous for representing big name celebrities such as Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande. He is now currently the owner of all of Swift’s masters from her previous six albums. Which means that Braun, a man who had nothing to do with the production or writing of any of these records, will profit from the sale and use of Swift’s extensive catalog, something Swift called her “worst case scenario.”
Most recently, Swift has released another statement alleging that Big Machine is attempting to prevent her from using her old music during her AMAs Artist of the Decade performance or for a Netflix documentary she has been working on over the past few years.
Now, is Taylor Swift a talented musician? Yes. A talented singer? Of course. But the thing that makes her extraordinary, the thing that has made millions of people all over the world fall in love with her, are her words. Her ability to take her real life experiences and translate the nuances of intimacy and personal truths into something that feels universal. Swift is an undeniable force, and to attempt to strip her of her power, her own personal history, is absolutely vile.
Taylor has never shied away from using her voice. She has told the world time and time again when she feels that there is an injustice afoot. Be it in her own life (songs like “Dear John”) or in the public (Her petition for the Equality Act). However, Taylor has ALWAYS fought for the rights of musicians (Remember her attempts to help artists mediate better terms with streaming services, or the money she donated to Kesha’s lawsuit against Dr. Luke?). Which is why it is reprehensible that her request for help from other people in her industry has gone largely unanswered, especially from those who she has previously supported herself.
Touring with Taylor Swift is practically a ticket to superstardom. Her popularity means that anyone in her sphere is instantly exposed to a greater audience than most musicians. This is just another power of Taylor Swift. Yet so few “friends” of hers have been willing to publicly support her. Including two of her most notable collaborators, Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes, who both have not made any public comments in her support (despite her collaboration with Mendes being released shortly before her public statement).
What Swift is fighting for here is for changes in the music industry that would result in more support for the creators, not the managers and suit-wearers who never touch the art that they reap all the benefits from. This sort of thing has happened time and time again, and will continue to until people finally sit up and pay attention. The situation also exposes the sexism rampant in the music industry, as these two men had no problem repeatedly attempting to manipulate Swift into doing what they want. In her willingness to speak publicly about this situation we get an insight into the music industry’s dirty secrets. And everyone knows the first step to solving a problem is acknowledging that there is one.
Changing the music industry to be more supportive of artists rights and women is something that ALL songwriters, ALL creators, and ALL fans should want.
Which is why as a writer, a fan, and a person, I will always stand with Swift on this issue.