Joni Mitchell’s music has returned to Spotify after two years.
The Grammy winner hit the headlines in 2022 after she joined Neil Young’s boycott of the music streaming giant in protest of their deal with the controversial comedian Joe Rogan to exclusively distribute his podcast, ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ – reportedly worth an estimated $200 million – after he came under fire for his comments regarding COVID-19 and vaccines.
That deal has now ended, and Young was the first to return his back catalogue to Spotify two weeks ago, and now the ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ hitmaker has followed suit.
Young commented about his return to the platform on his website: “Spotify, the #1 streaming of low-res music in the world – Spotify where you get less quality than we made, will now be home of my music again.
“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.”
Mitchell said at the time: “Irresponsible people are spreading lies that are costing people their lives. I stand in solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical communities on this issue.”
‘Heart of Gold’ hitmaker Young issued an ultimatum to the music service, saying: “They can have Rogan or Young. Not both.”
‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ is now on Apple and Amazon.