Swift Reaction

“Boys only want love if it’s torture,

Don’t say I didn’t say I didn’t warn ya..!”

Taken from Taylor Swift’s chart topping ‘Blank Space’ song, these lyrics seem to reflect the tough love that big tech boy Apple recently had to make to get back in the favour of recording artistes.

Not cowed down by the “take-it-or-leave-it” elbowing that Apple practiced in its marketing strategy for its new streaming music service Connect, Ms. Swift almost single-handedly turned the tide around, with just her star power.

Let’s face it – the music industry is not exactly a lucrative or steady one for many artistes, performers, song writers and singers, to be in. Especially so for many indie artists who rely on sheer luck for their songs or musical pieces to be recognised….what more, even paid for.

With Apple announcing there would be ‘no paying of royalties’ of songs, or compensation to artists – for the first three months of free streaming service during which artistes’ songs are played, the cash-rich tech giant showed the world how inconsiderate it was to the plight of indie artistes.

And it took no other than a pretty angered 25-year-old Taylor Swift, winner of several Grammy awards and Billboard Music chart topper, issuing her intent to boycott Connect, that Apple turned lover boy again.

In true Swift style, her note that went viral on social media said: “These are not the complaints of a spoiled, petulant child. These are the echoed sentiments of every artiste, writer and producer in my social circles who are afraid to speak up publicly because we admire and respect Apple so much. We simply do not respect this particular call.”

To cut the story short, her note changed Apple’s decision and scored a high-five in terms of what the music and artistic industry has been fighting for, for the longest time.

She could have well kept silent and not be a dime affected, but giving some ‘torture’ indeed worked out well.

 IT BYTES BACK says: Tech Boys should NEVER try to arm twist… or they will face the wrath of chili-padi artistes