Reading this a few hours after seeing that she has bought back her life's work. I find the online commentary bizarre and also contradictory. Before she bought her work back I was seeing people calling her greedy for the money she was making off her 'Taylor's Version' reproductions, and now I'm seeing them calling her greedy for buying it back and stating that she won't be releasing Reputation (Taylor's Version) as she now owns it herself again.
I also think publications and people arguing that buying her masters back defeats the purpose of her 'Taylor's Version' albums have completely missed the point. The purpose of this whole venture was so that she *could* own her own work again and to shine a spotlight on the way the industry works. I can't see how anyone could reasonably be against an artist owning their own art? Bizarre times.
I agree! I think there a lot of fair criticisms/critiques about how Taylor Swift runs her empire, but buying back her masters isn't one of them. The conversation should begin and end with an artist's right to own their work, and her transparency about this experience has certainly given her peers (and artists in other industries) a lot to think about, and more language and tools to protect themselves with. Bizarre times indeed.
To me it’s kind of a given that any artist offered the opportunity to own their creations would (and should) absolutely take it…right? I mean it’s your work! I am not at all a fan of Taylor (her multiple album versions with one different song are questionable and I wish, wish she’d call out the toxicity her fans can sometimes direct at other women 😭) but absolutely she should own her work. No question. And maybe I’m missing something but I don’t see how that devalues her “versions”.
Here’s hoping that artist ownership across all mediums becomes the norm 💕
Right?! And yes--Taylor's made some interesting choices . . . I certainly wish her tortured poets could have made room for some other tortured poets on the charts, among other things but like you, this is one aspect of her career that is clear to me: she should have her work! And taking it back on every level does not compromise her artistic integrity, it is folded into a larger narrative of her determination to maintain it.
I'm not really a "commenter" (usually a lurker) but felt compelled to comment today because this post is another reason I adore, respect and admire you as a writer and a human. There are so many lessons I've learned from you (you're actually in my acknowledgements section for my upcoming release lol) but the most important one as evidence by this post is how important authenticity to the self is. What you write here speaks to the heart of what it means to be a writer who not only "owns" their material, but "owns" it from their soul. Not in a money grab, not in a farse for attention -- but in an attempt to say -- what I wrote matters and my belief in it matters.
Jade--it means a lot to have your readership and it means a lot to have your participation here and it means even more than I can say to have had any part of your journey. I was totally floored when I reached the acknowledgment line of your comment and while 'thanks' feels like a small thing to offer in return: thank you. So much. It is so heartening to know that there are artists like you out here connecting to and holding true to their vision and belief in it and to know that at the end of the day it matters. It bolsters me and it makes me so happy to know it. And again, that anything I have said or written has made an impression on you--an honor and a privilege. Thank YOU. Thanks for sharing that with me. I appreciate it :)
I recall a time, many years back now, where you shared with me the career path you were on. And while I’m not familiar with the recent challenges with your backlist, it was my belief then, as now, that an author owns what they write. And I know that’s naive, but I hope you’re able to bring your books home.
Reading this a few hours after seeing that she has bought back her life's work. I find the online commentary bizarre and also contradictory. Before she bought her work back I was seeing people calling her greedy for the money she was making off her 'Taylor's Version' reproductions, and now I'm seeing them calling her greedy for buying it back and stating that she won't be releasing Reputation (Taylor's Version) as she now owns it herself again.
I also think publications and people arguing that buying her masters back defeats the purpose of her 'Taylor's Version' albums have completely missed the point. The purpose of this whole venture was so that she *could* own her own work again and to shine a spotlight on the way the industry works. I can't see how anyone could reasonably be against an artist owning their own art? Bizarre times.
I agree! I think there a lot of fair criticisms/critiques about how Taylor Swift runs her empire, but buying back her masters isn't one of them. The conversation should begin and end with an artist's right to own their work, and her transparency about this experience has certainly given her peers (and artists in other industries) a lot to think about, and more language and tools to protect themselves with. Bizarre times indeed.
To me it’s kind of a given that any artist offered the opportunity to own their creations would (and should) absolutely take it…right? I mean it’s your work! I am not at all a fan of Taylor (her multiple album versions with one different song are questionable and I wish, wish she’d call out the toxicity her fans can sometimes direct at other women 😭) but absolutely she should own her work. No question. And maybe I’m missing something but I don’t see how that devalues her “versions”.
Here’s hoping that artist ownership across all mediums becomes the norm 💕
Right?! And yes--Taylor's made some interesting choices . . . I certainly wish her tortured poets could have made room for some other tortured poets on the charts, among other things but like you, this is one aspect of her career that is clear to me: she should have her work! And taking it back on every level does not compromise her artistic integrity, it is folded into a larger narrative of her determination to maintain it.
I'm not really a "commenter" (usually a lurker) but felt compelled to comment today because this post is another reason I adore, respect and admire you as a writer and a human. There are so many lessons I've learned from you (you're actually in my acknowledgements section for my upcoming release lol) but the most important one as evidence by this post is how important authenticity to the self is. What you write here speaks to the heart of what it means to be a writer who not only "owns" their material, but "owns" it from their soul. Not in a money grab, not in a farse for attention -- but in an attempt to say -- what I wrote matters and my belief in it matters.
Thanks for all you do/share!
Jade--it means a lot to have your readership and it means a lot to have your participation here and it means even more than I can say to have had any part of your journey. I was totally floored when I reached the acknowledgment line of your comment and while 'thanks' feels like a small thing to offer in return: thank you. So much. It is so heartening to know that there are artists like you out here connecting to and holding true to their vision and belief in it and to know that at the end of the day it matters. It bolsters me and it makes me so happy to know it. And again, that anything I have said or written has made an impression on you--an honor and a privilege. Thank YOU. Thanks for sharing that with me. I appreciate it :)
As someone who adores Taylor on an artistic level, I loved this post. I can’t wait to hear more about whatever it is you have planned.
🤗🤗🤗 thank you Jade :)
I recall a time, many years back now, where you shared with me the career path you were on. And while I’m not familiar with the recent challenges with your backlist, it was my belief then, as now, that an author owns what they write. And I know that’s naive, but I hope you’re able to bring your books home.
Thanks, Damon. 🤗 💪 5/8 isn't too shabby and hopefully the rest will follow some day.
I like reading your thoughts, Courtney.
thank you & thank you for taking the time to read & comment, Sheena. I really appreciate it :)
Can't wait for the unabridged book of newsletters to be made available💕
my tell all 🥰