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| Image by Getty Images via @daylife |
I've been frustrated that McCartney's catalog hasn't been available on Spotify, and today, I read in Bob Lefsetz' letter that McCartney had pulled his music from all the streaming services, including Spotify. Well...it hasn't been on Spotify as long as I've been a subscriber.
This content removal coincides with a live stream concert of his "standards" material on iTunes from Capitol Studios.
I understand giving exclusives to different retailers (iTunes being a retailer) for a window in return for marketing, but subscription music is an important monetization innovation that's not going away. If it does, there will likely be even more rampant piracy.
I've wondered if an appropriate response to this move should be, in a very public way, to remove all McCartney compositions and publishing holdings (including his Meredith Wilson, Frank Loesser stuff) off the service.
McCartney used to sit at the vanguard of music, and later, post-Beatles, in business with his MPL Communications mini-empire. NOW, he's releasing an album of standards and thwarting new opportunities to monetize a declining business.
I do love his attempt to try new things (even in recording old tunes), but I hope he'll reconsider this move against streaming and Spotify. This is a mistake worth correcting, even if iTunes gets a couple of week exclusive window on "Kisses on the Bottom."
Get back, Paul!
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