HITS 5/24: Taylor #1 350k ; Billie #2 300k+

[👑 Eloquent ™]

May 24, 2024 14:03:10 GMT -5 dbhmr said:

I don't think this is a unique take, I think it's exactly what most people are railing against. They just don't include the asterisk of what they mean by "variant" but it's explained about once a page that people are referring to this specific tactic of releasing multiple variants with slightly different track lists or one song that you can't get access to anywhere else but through that variant.

My interpretation was most people were upset Taylor was utilizing variants in a way to manipulate chart placement (particulary to upset Billie's debut), not that they were upset with the content of each variant (merely using a few live performances stretched across several releases to maximize performance), but maybe I have it wrong. Those are two seperate things, at least to me. Did the other artist's variants include much more than an extra song or different packaging by comparison?

[Rose "Payola" Nylund]

I think a lot of the issue with variants (to me anyway) just comes with the intent of them. With making multiple versions of a vinyl available with different covers, I mean, yeah, there's giving option to which ones someone might want to get. No problem with that really. When adding the variable of having a different bonus track for each one - that to me is kind of the line because in order to get the song, you'd have to buy all four -- unless the multiple songs are available to stream or something. Okay, then that's fine. An artist releasing multiple versions of an album with different covers virtually (I forget who did that a few years ago) - that's cheap and is clearly to game the charts because there's literally no gain for someone to own a digital album twice with different covers. So that's a no from me. Offering multiple versions of an album already made available in different variants before, but having a dull-ass live recording of an album track, but each new variant has a different album track that's only available by re-purchasing the whole album again. Yeah, that's pretty shitty too. Not interested in that, nor do I like the intention behind it, which is, again, to game the charts.

But, it's also an individual opinion that's mine. People can feel differently about each case. That's cool. I also know it's a game and an artist/label's intent is profit and money and success. Whether it's Taylor as the decision maker, her team, or her label - the result is the same, but the fault will always fall on the artist. I find that a bit annoying because then it adds a certain implication of, oh, she's doing this to be petty, or she's doing this to get back at someone else. And that's where the fan wars and all that bullshit comes in. And maybe it's works to the advantage of the artists. idk. To me, it cheapens the work. We expect it from Taylor. I'll be honest, Billie jumping on board the cheap remix/variant boat is a really bad look to me, as others have already said. I just find it hard for someone to defend their work when they're so willing to cheapen it with things like this. I know it's a business and that we're in late stage capitalism but I miss when artists had integrity.

Beyond that, I’d say 95% of any issue I have with any of these stunts and gimmicks is how stans react to them and make them personal. It doesn’t super bother me when Taylor or Gaga or whoever makes multiple versions of whatever available. As a chart-watcher, it’s a bit annoying, but it doesn’t really change how I listen to the music and I can tune the rest out. Whoever winds up at #1 or #2 each week is the result of it all. Whatever. I root for whoever one week and then move on when it’s over. But stan culture is the worst part of pop culture and that’s probably why I get so riled up when the trolls come in here lmao because they’re actually so out of touch it’s hilarious and sad and I get pulled in every time. 😭

[👑 Eloquent ™]

I don't particularly like or agree with misusing variants at all and never participate in purchasing them (as I said before, I think each artist should be allowed one single variant/deluxe edition and one singular remix per single) but they don't irritate me enough to have an emotional response to their utilization nor do I personally feel like they cheapen the art (as I judge the material for itself, independently of anything else). I can understand from an artist and label's perspective why they're a thing (to maximize profits and performance clearly), but I do agree their implementation gives exploitation and greed. Still, these are grown folks buying these variants and they're not held at gunpoint, so, what can ya do? I feel like the problem is only going to get worse and worse as since sales generally are dwindling these people are going to do anything within their ability to further empty the wallets of actual buyers. When it comes to discussions like the ones in this thread, I find the hysterics on either end annoying. Those who are blind to people's issues regarding the variants and seek to justify everything Taylor does, as well as those who are utilizing the topic of variants to overly condemn Taylor hypocritically when they don't share the same reaction when any other artist does the same. The sweet spot is a middle ground IMO.

[sayhey]

Going through a couple more responses in this thread, I feel like one of the main takeaways from this whole discussion is that exploiting fanbases through multiple releases is problematic from an ethical standpoint. Yes, this practice is widespread unfortunately, but when an artist as prominent as Taylor Swift employs it, and to such an extent, it will sadly not only perpetuate the practice but intensify it. Also, this case is unique in that Taylor released 10 (now 13? I've honestly lost track) versions with tracks that are purchasable only through buying each and every new edition. I honestly feel sorry for her die-hard fans who will undoubtedly spend so much money to purchase so many different editions of an album. It saddens me to think that an artist would put their fans through this, it seems manipulative and frankly wrong. I'm not trying to single out Taylor, I'm just saying this whole practice needs to be eliminated because it is highly exploitative and obscures the accuracy of the charts. I hope Billboard in cooperation with Luminate find a way to address this eventually, just like they discarded the sales of bundled albums from consideration towards the charts.

[👑 Eloquent ™]

May 24, 2024 15:05:22 GMT -5 sayhey said:

I honestly feel sorry for her die-hard fans who will undoubtedly spend so much money to purchase so many different editions of an album. It saddens me to think that an artist would put their fans through this, it seems manipulative and frankly wrong.

See and this is what I find interesting as I don't necessarily see the fans as "victims" at all, but as willing participants. These are grown people who have every ability not to spend a dime on what she's throwing at them, yet they still do. They're certainly not obligated. Even those who want to hear the extra material, such as myself, can easily do so by other means with a bit of patience and they're not owed any artist's additional art just because. I find this whole topic very interesting because it is applicable in so many situations. Do we feel sorry for Apple users who buy a new phone every year if it only has 1 or 2 minor upgrades?

[Taylor.]

hitsdailydouble.com/sales_plus_streaming

[Music Fan]

May 24, 2024 15:21:15 GMT -5 👑 Eloquent ™ said:

May 24, 2024 15:05:22 GMT -5 sayhey said:

I honestly feel sorry for her die-hard fans who will undoubtedly spend so much money to purchase so many different editions of an album. It saddens me to think that an artist would put their fans through this, it seems manipulative and frankly wrong.

See and this is what I find interesting as I don't necessarily see the fans as "victims" at all, but as willing participants. These are grown people who have every ability not to spend a dime on what she's throwing at them, yet they still do. They're certainly not obligated. Even those who want to hear the extra material, such as myself, can easily do so by other means with a bit of patience and they're not owed any artist's additional art just because. I find this whole topic very interesting because it is applicable in so many situations. Do we feel sorry for Apple users who buy a new phone every year if it only has 1 or 2 minor upgrades?

There's a lot of psychology that goes into marketing and things of this nature. So, while you're correct that people have the volition to buy or not buy, Taylor and her team have conditioned her stans (I won't say all her followers, because surely it's mainly a subsect) to want to purchase each and every version she releases. It's a marketing ploy that surely is well thought out and great from a marketing perspective, but shitty from an "idol" and psyche perspective of taking advantage of her fans.

I'm not against the releasing a few regular / deluxe versions because it's a business and additional tracks make sense. But, the extent that Taylor and her team have taken it is unfortunate.

[imbuemyblue]

Ignoring the drama for a second because it pains me so, but JESUS those numbers. Taylor at 375K in a 5th week, Billie doing (best ever?) crazy numbers and M*rg*n slaying the top ten with two albums that are both old AF. Choosing peace/to be happy with high numbers for my sanity.

[👑 Eloquent ™]

I might feel bad for them if they're children or if Taylor guilted them into purchasing the variations or something to that affect, but as it stands I just can't help but feel at the end of the day they're fully grown adults who are perfectly capable of knowing what the situation at hand is unless they're really dense. I personally don't know if I belive most super fans are purchasing all the variants as helpless people who've been Jedi mind tricked into buying everything she drops. I feel like most either fall into a few categories: they're buying them because they actually want the extras and don't have the patience to wait, they just want to support and see Taylor succeed/sell more, or a combination of the two. I mean a lot of people buy all variations of whatever they're super passionate about as collectors and I don't feel sorry for any of them. It's just what they choose to do with their money. I may think it's absurd tho. lol

[HEADOFTHEPACK]

May 24, 2024 15:40:50 GMT -5 imbuemyblue said:

Ignoring the drama for a second because it pains me so, but JESUS those numbers. Taylor at 375K in a 5th week, Billie doing (best ever?) crazy numbers and M*rg*n slaying the top ten with two albums that are both old AF. Choosing peace/to be happy with high numbers for my sanity.

Yeah I mean great result all round. It does feel like artists keep beating estimates the past few months... is this just performance trending up over the course of the week? Wondering why the initial predictions seem to be more off than usual.

[ificanthaveyou]

Congrats to Taylor for another week at #1! Week 6 promo has already begun, would love to see her do a round of talk shows or something but alas she’s on tour.

[strongerq]

hitsdailydouble.com/sales_plus_streaming

LW	TW	Artist	Title	Label	Total	Change	Albums	TEA	SEA
1	1	TAYLOR SWIFT	THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT	REPUBLIC (UMG)	375,021	44%	206,699	1,391	166,931
--	2	BILLIE EILISH	HIT ME HARD AND SOFT	DARKROOM/INTERSCOPE (UMG)	329,036	--	186,463	1,190	141,383
3	3	MORGAN WALLEN	ONE THING AT A TIME	BIG LOUD/MERCURY/REPUBLIC (UMG)	73,834	-1%	1,357	725	71,752
2	4	GUNNA	ONE OF WUN	YOUNG STONER LIFE (WMG)	56,901	-32%	144	87	56,671
4	5	FUTURE & METRO BOOMIN	WE DON'T TRUST YOU	BOOMINATI/FREEBANDZ/REPUBLIC/EPIC (UMG/SME)	47,671	-9%	138	241	47,292
5	6	MORGAN WALLEN	DANGEROUS: THE DOUBLE ALBUM	BIG LOUD/MERCURY/REPUBLIC (UMG)	44,443	1%	413	281	43,749
6	7	NOAH KAHAN	STICK SEASON	MERCURY/REPUBLIC (UMG)	38,510	-7%	3,094	357	35,060
7	8	ZACH BRYAN	ZACH BRYAN	WARNER (WMG)	37,797	0%	2,263	248	35,286
8	9	SZA	SOS	TDE/RCA (SME)	37,300	0%	1,779	107	35,414
9	10	BENSON BOONE	FIREWORKS & ROLLERBLADES	NIGHT STREET/WARNER (WMG)	33,756	-6%	760	991	32,006
11	11	ZACH BRYAN	AMERICAN HEARTBREAK	WARNER (WMG)	31,358	0%	858	234	30,267
12	12	POST MALONE	THE DIAMOND COLLECTION	MERCURY/REPUBLIC (UMG)	30,679	-1%	274	340	30,065
10	13	BEYONCE	COWBOY CARTER	PARKWOOD/COLUMBIA (SME)	29,847	-17%	2,744	376	26,727
13	14	TAYLOR SWIFT	LOVER	REPUBLIC (UMG)	29,386	-2%	6,598	413	22,376
--	15	ZAYN	ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS	MERCURY (UMG)	29,311	--	23,616	124	5,571
14	16	ARIANA GRANDE	ETERNAL SUNSHINE	REPUBLIC (UMG)	26,875	-9%	3,039	162	23,674
--	17	A BOOGIE WIT DA HOODIE	BETTER OFF ALONE	HIGHBRIDGE/ATLANTIC (WMG)	26,394	--	1,194	91	25,109
16	18	OLIVIA RODRIGO	GUTS	GEFFEN (UMG)	26,027	-3%	2,926	158	22,943
17	19	TAYLOR SWIFT	1989 (TAYLOR'S VERSION)	REPUBLIC (UMG)	24,411	-7%	6,360	250	17,801
15	20	KENDRICK LAMAR	DAMN.	TDE/AFTERMATH/INTERSCOPE (UMG)	24,406	-10%	1,716	64	22,626
18	21	TEDDY SWIMS	I'VE TRIED EVERYTHING BUT THERAPY (PART 1)	WARNER (WMG)	24,103	-6%	1,965	1,042	21,097
23	22	TRAVIS SCOTT	UTOPIA	CACTUS JACK/EPIC (SME)	23,826	-1%	567	64	23,194
22	23	TAYLOR SWIFT	MIDNIGHTS	REPUBLIC (UMG)	23,405	-3%	5,173	272	17,960
27	24	LUKE COMBS	THIS ONE'S FOR YOU	RIVER HOUSE/COLUMBIA NASHVILLE (SME)	22,930	-1%	397	169	22,365
26	25	LUKE COMBS	GETTIN' OLD	RIVER HOUSE/COLUMBIA NASHVILLE (SME)	22,743	-3%	586	364	21,793
25	26	DRAKE	FOR ALL THE DOGS	OVO/REPUBLIC (UMG)	22,447	-5%	20	47	22,380
30	27	BAD BUNNY	UN VERANO SIN TI	RIMAS (THE ORCHARD)	22,286	2%	161	44	22,080
24	28	CHAPPELL ROAN	THE RISE AND FALL OF A MIDWEST PRINCESS	ISLAND (UMG)	21,873	-8%	2,511	105	19,257
20	29	KENDRICK LAMAR	GOOD KID M.A.A.D CITY	TDE/AFTERMATH/INTERSCOPE (UMG)	21,595	-11%	2,226	53	19,317
29	30	FUTURE & METRO BOOMIN	WE STILL DON'T TRUST YOU	BOOMINATI/FREEBANDZ/REPUBLIC/EPIC (UMG/SME)	20,745	-9%	473	31	20,242
33	31	PESO PLUMA	GENESIS	DOUBLE P/PRAJIN PARLAY (THE ORCHARD)	20,083	-4%	34	42	20,007
34	32	FUERZA REGIDA	PA LAS BABY'S Y BELIKEADA	RANCHO HUMILDE/STREET MOB (SME)	19,234	-5%	13	27	19,194
35	33	LINKIN PARK	PAPERCUTS	WARNER (WMG)	19,136	-3%	2,360	192	16,584
36	34	TAYLOR SWIFT	FOLKLORE	REPUBLIC (UMG)	18,753	-3%	4,541	155	14,057
42	35	FRANK OCEAN	BLONDE	BOYS DON'T CRY (BLONDED)	18,344	0%	144	25	18,176
19	36	DUA LIPA	RADICAL OPTIMISM	WARNER (WMG)	18,289	-28%	3,850	331	14,109
39	37	ELTON JOHN	DIAMONDS	ISLAND (UMG)	18,063	-3%	490	350	17,224
37	38	BAILEY ZIMMERMAN	RELIGIOUSLY. THE ALBUM.	WARNER NASHVILLE (WMG)	18,053	-5%	161	185	17,708
38	39	FLEETWOOD MAC	RUMOURS	WARNER (WMG)	17,992	-5%	3,249	232	14,511
43	40	CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL	CHRONICLE: THE 20 GREATEST HITS	FANTASY (UMG)	17,891	-2%	1,567	205	16,120
45	41	OLIVIA RODRIGO	SOUR	GEFFEN (UMG)	17,762	1%	2,073	68	15,621
41	42	21 SAVAGE	AMERICAN DREAM	SLAUGHTER GANG/EPIC (SME)	17,610	-4%	183	67	17,360
47	43	MORGAN WALLEN	IF I KNOW ME	BIG LOUD (STEM)	17,456	1%	336	139	16,981
--	44	LIL BABY	MY TURN	QUALITY CONTROL/MOTOWN (UMG)	17,415	--	13	13	17,389
40	45	HOZIER	UNHEARD	COLUMBIA (SME)	17,267	-7%	300	623	16,344
50	46	BOSSMAN DLOW	MR BEAT THE ROAD	ALAMO (SME)	17,259	2%	28	65	17,166
44	47	BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS	LEGEND	TUFF GONG/ISLAND (UMG)	16,827	-6%	2,543	180	14,104
--	48	EMINEM	CURTAIN CALL	SHADY/AFTERMATH/INTERSCOPE (UMG)	16,662	--	459	228	15,975
--	49	IAN	VALEDICTORIAN	DOGDOG (INDIE)	16,625	--	29	5	16,591
46	50	EAGLES	TO THE LIMIT: THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION	ELEKTRA/RHINO (WMG)	16,624	-5%	1,409	260	14,954

[seak05]

I think Billy’s team screwed this one up. In retrospect they clearly cared about getting to #1. Given that, they should have closed a different date (Taylor, who has made no bones about caring about #1, moved Red TV for that reason, when Adele decided to drop). If she’d waited till June to drop, she gets the #1.

Alternatively, she could have actually not cared about #1, and held some of her variants for a later week looking to re-peak, or just hold steadier in sales.

On the other hand, the competition pushed her to the best week of her career, which her and her fans should celebrate.

[fridayteenage]

I have exactly one copy of poets
Until anthology gets physicals
If ever

[Marooned@Midnight]

I absolutely love how everyone collectively loses their minds over the “variants.” I hope she releases more and that they continue selling like hotcakes just for the dramatics of it all. I have yet to purchase ONE variant (maybe I should start just to continue to encourage the practice) but did make my first purchase of the album this week.

[ificanthaveyou]

May 24, 2024 16:43:58 GMT -5 Marooned@Midnight said:

I absolutely love how everyone collectively loses their minds over the “variants.” I hope she releases more and that they continue selling like hotcakes just for the dramatics of it all. I have yet to purchase ONE variant (maybe I should start just to continue to encourage the practice) but did make my first purchase of the album this week.

This is leading very nicely into Reputation (TV) if I might say so myself ;)

[jenglisbe]

May 24, 2024 14:03:10 GMT -5 dbhmr said:

I don't think this is a unique take, I think it's exactly what most people are railing against. They just don't include the asterisk of what they mean by "variant" but it's explained about once a page that people are referring to this specific tactic of releasing multiple variants with slightly different track lists or one song that you can't get access to anywhere else but through that variant. It's just a lot to say every time you type "variant" re: Taylor Swift but gives stans (not you) the room the constantly point to other artists who "do the same thing," when it...isn't really the same thing. It's either bad faith or stupidity.

Yup. So, to get the 3 new live tracks, her stans literally had to buy the album 3 different times. That's on top of however many other times they had to buy the album for something else. There is literally no other way to view it than as greedy for money and/or chart position and taking advantage of stans. Why weren't those live tracks sold as individual songs, or as a 'Complete My Album' or something? This is for its sixth week of charting, too, not to get a #1 debut or something. It's just really wild.

May 24, 2024 15:21:15 GMT -5 👑 Eloquent ™ said:

May 24, 2024 15:05:22 GMT -5 sayhey said:

I honestly feel sorry for her die-hard fans who will undoubtedly spend so much money to purchase so many different editions of an album. It saddens me to think that an artist would put their fans through this, it seems manipulative and frankly wrong.

See and this is what I find interesting as I don't necessarily see the fans as "victims" at all, but as willing participants. These are grown people who have every ability not to spend a dime on what she's throwing at them, yet they still do. They're certainly not obligated. Even those who want to hear the extra material, such as myself, can easily do so by other means with a bit of patience and they're not owed any artist's additional art just because. I find this whole topic very interesting because it is applicable in so many situations. Do we feel sorry for Apple users who buy a new phone every year if it only has 1 or 2 minor upgrades?

In a general sense, sure, but that's if you see stan behavior as normal. I personally think there's a psychological aspect to it that isn't normal/healthy and see Swift as taking advantage of it. It's almost like Stockholm syndrome or a cult or whatever. Are there people who view cult leaders as fine because the people following them are willing adults? I ask that as a serious question. (Music Fan gets into this a bit in their reply.)

[pnobelysk]

And with that Taylor’s latest zooms past lover and 1989 Taylor version for pure sales. One more week like that and it will pass folklore as well

[GW]

Is it wild that Republic/Taylor are making these variants available, or that there are enough people interested in buying them/supporting the artist to make a marked difference in sales/chart position?

I fail to see where anyone is being forced to buy these things. Collectors gonna collect. Haters gonna hate. Envy doesn't look good on anybody.

[fridayteenage]

I mean, a concert ticket costs often many times what an album costs. Is it Stockholm syndrome and culting to go to any concert too?

Also buying up a bunch of discounted downloads would still cost less than a single vinyl, so is it Stockholm culting to go for the larger expenditure?

[GW]

May 24, 2024 18:33:56 GMT -5 fridayteenage said:

I mean, a concert ticket costs often many times what an album costs. Is it Stockholm syndrome and culting to go to any concert too?

Also buying up a bunch of discounted downloads would still cost less than a single vinyl, so is it Stockholm culting to go for the larger expenditure?

Haters are going to try it all to demonize every move, even when their fave/fave's label have done the most to achieve certain chart records in their day.  They wouldn't care if she wasn't such a threat to certain chart legacies/records.  It's beyond transparent.  They're VERY publicly invested, and for what?  We get it, they're mad.  I just wish they'd cry in private. Embarrassing. 

[👑 Eloquent ™]

May 24, 2024 18:20:31 GMT -5 jenglisbe said:

In a general sense, sure, but that's if you see stan behavior as normal.

Do you? lol I don't consider "stan behavior" normal, but I also don't place the actions/behaviors of other grown, fully-consenting adults onto Taylor or any other artist for that matter. I don't view variants as inherently wrong, I just don't like them.

Are there people who view cult leaders as fine because the people following them are willing adults? I ask that as a serious question.

Did you dislocate your collarbone with this reach? lol You're comparing a fan purchasing variants of an album to someone being a part of an actual cult? That comparison is absurdly ridiculous, but not surprising somehow. The practice of a cult is dangerous because leaders isolate their victims, routinely ripping participants away from any and everyone in their life only to eventually jeopardize the potential safety and physical/mental well-being of its participants and in a lot of cases after a period of time their participation is no longer a choice. There are literally no victims as it relates to variants: it's a mutually beneficial exchange. If literally *any* of those were issues with the purchase of variants it might be comparable and you might have a valid argument.

[Coco Yu'Kneek- Saint]

May 24, 2024 8:25:27 GMT -5 HEADOFTHEPACK said:

May 24, 2024 5:57:09 GMT -5 musiclife said:

This girl has been through more in this industry than anyone alive today.

While it is 100% not a competition of “who’s been through the most”, I have to call out this ridiculous comment. Go and read the news about Cassie and maybe loop back. A quick skim of what happened to Kesha too while you’re at it. And maybe, er, Britney Spears?

[br
Post of the thread. #perspective

[GW]

May 24, 2024 16:43:58 GMT -5 Marooned@Midnight said:

I absolutely love how everyone collectively loses their minds over the “variants.” I hope she releases more and that they continue selling like hotcakes just for the dramatics of it all. I have yet to purchase ONE variant (maybe I should start just to continue to encourage the practice) but did make my first purchase of the album this week.

"Everyone" isn't losing their minds over the variants, they're losing their minds over how incredibly popular Taylor is and how willing her fans are to support her.  Anyone can create/sell variants, but very few can have them be of interest to fans/collectors, or enough to matter.

It's envy, full stop.

[ificanthaveyou]

May 24, 2024 18:20:31 GMT -5 jenglisbe said:

May 24, 2024 14:03:10 GMT -5 dbhmr said:

I don't think this is a unique take, I think it's exactly what most people are railing against. They just don't include the asterisk of what they mean by "variant" but it's explained about once a page that people are referring to this specific tactic of releasing multiple variants with slightly different track lists or one song that you can't get access to anywhere else but through that variant. It's just a lot to say every time you type "variant" re: Taylor Swift but gives stans (not you) the room the constantly point to other artists who "do the same thing," when it...isn't really the same thing. It's either bad faith or stupidity.

Yup. So, to get the 3 new live tracks, her stans literally had to buy the album 3 different times. That's on top of however many other times they had to buy the album for something else. There is literally no other way to view it than as greedy for money and/or chart position and taking advantage of stans. Why weren't those live tracks sold as individual songs, or as a 'Complete My Album' or something? This is for its sixth week of charting, too, not to get a #1 debut or something. It's just really wild.

May 24, 2024 15:21:15 GMT -5 👑 Eloquent ™ said:

See and this is what I find interesting as I don't necessarily see the fans as "victims" at all, but as willing participants. These are grown people who have every ability not to spend a dime on what she's throwing at them, yet they still do. They're certainly not obligated. Even those who want to hear the extra material, such as myself, can easily do so by other means with a bit of patience and they're not owed any artist's additional art just because. I find this whole topic very interesting because it is applicable in so many situations. Do we feel sorry for Apple users who buy a new phone every year if it only has 1 or 2 minor upgrades?

In a general sense, sure, but that's if you see stan behavior as normal. I personally think there's a psychological aspect to it that isn't normal/healthy and see Swift as taking advantage of it. It's almost like Stockholm syndrome or a cult or whatever. Are there people who view cult leaders as fine because the people following them are willing adults? I ask that as a serious question. (Music Fan gets into this a bit in their reply.)

lol you’re comparing Taylor fans buying variants to Stockholm Syndrome and cults? And Taylor to a cult leader? 😂 do you hear yourself? As much as you say we’re blinded by our fandom for Taylor, you are just as much blinded by your distaste/jealousy of her. Cults by nature tend to end badly for people involved or seek to control every aspect of their lives and finances, sometimes forcibly or through coercion. Of course there’s a psychological factor in fans wanting to support someone they look up to and appreciate. lol hell your pets have psychological influence over you for that matter. But unlike a cult, no one is leaving a Taylor Swift concert with PTSD or with any negative impact on their lives or mental health. On the contrary, Taylor brings joy and excitement to her fan’s lives and touches and connect with people.

It’s hyperbolic statements/comparisons like these that make me roll my eyes at the detractors. Even *if* someone chose to buy all the Paris Variants the other day, it was $21 of expendable money that they could have spent on a different hobby. Who are you to tell them what to do with their money or how to burn it. This isn’t a cult, it’s capitalism and it’s in every aspect of our society, deal with it 😂

I’ll end my rebuttal with the fact that ANY AND EVERY hobby is like this, and I think fandoms like Swifties treat her music/career like a hobby rather than just a musical experience. Ever seen how much money people spend on trading cards or collectibles? Ever been to a Sports Event or had to PayPerView a Boxing/UFC fight? Ever met a Disney Adult or better yet a pothead! People get to choose what to do with their money, and how they want to use their expendable income. Normally they use it on something that makes them happy or that entertains them.

So cry about Taylor taking advantage of her fans, cry about Taylor being a cult leader, cry about Taylor being shady or caring too much about charts… they are such trivial and subjective complaints that in the grand scheme of things the GP could care less. Theres bigger fish to fry and bigger capitalists to complain about than Taylor charging $6 for a digital variant 😂

Swifties will continue to support her until we do feel taken advantage of. It hasn’t happened yet, and it likely wont happen until she shows up at my door and holds me at gunpoint until I buy a second version of her album. Which according to some of you, is very likely because she’s a psycho!

[GW]

May 24, 2024 19:14:08 GMT -5 ificanthaveyou said:

I’ll end my rebuttal with the fact that ANY AND EVERY hobby is like this, and I think fandoms like Swifties treat her music/career like a hobby rather than just a musical experience. Ever seen how much money people spend on trading cards or collectibles? Ever been to a Sports Event or had to PayPerView a Boxing/UFC fight? Ever met a Disney Adult or better yet a pothead! People get to choose what to do with their money, and how they want to use their expendable income. Normally they use it on something that makes them happy or that entertains them.

 It's super easy and convenient for haters to ignore the obvious.  If everyone released variants, nothing would change.  Taylor would still be on top.  THAT is why they're so perpetually mad.

[Rose "Payola" Nylund]

May 24, 2024 18:33:56 GMT -5 fridayteenage said:

I mean, a concert ticket costs often many times what an album costs. Is it Stockholm syndrome and culting to go to any concert too?

Also buying up a bunch of discounted downloads would still cost less than a single vinyl, so is it Stockholm culting to go for the larger expenditure?

I mean, this is a stretch. It’d make more sense if one of the digital copies broke or something.

[GW]

May 24, 2024 19:32:08 GMT -5 Coco Yu'Kneek- Saint said:

Having opinions on a public figure doesn't mean people are jealous of her lol . Nobody here is a aspiring singer or a more appropriate comparison to Taylor herself a aspiring songwriter so no just we have two minutes to discuss music company tactics ain't the end of the world. Save your fangs for the next few years. What GOES UP is always going to come back down . Enjoy the run and stop being so rude, nasty and defensive.

Pointing out the obvious reason for all the "discussion" is what it is, girl.  You're right, what goes up absolutely comes down, but why hate on people and try and undermine them or their fanbase when they're up?  Doing things to TRY and keep things on top only works when there is participation from supporters. There's no guarantee. Plenty of examples where it didn't/doesn't work.

Be mad at Taylor's gaggle of supporters, not the artist and/or the relative few label execs who are catering to their willingness to support her.  It's giving ugly hater behavior.  Just as I've been pointing out.

EDIT: The poster deleted their post.  Not surprised. 

[musiclife]

Yay 5 weeks #1 ♥️

[Coco Yu'Kneek- Saint]

May 24, 2024 19:46:38 GMT -5 GW said:

May 24, 2024 19:32:08 GMT -5 Coco Yu'Kneek- Saint said:

Having opinions on a public figure doesn't mean people are jealous of her lol . Nobody here is a aspiring singer or a more appropriate comparison to Taylor herself a aspiring songwriter so no just we have two minutes to discuss music company tactics ain't the end of the world. Save your fangs for the next few years. What GOES UP is always going to come back down . Enjoy the run and stop being so rude, nasty and defensive.

Pointing out the obvious reason for all the "discussion" is what it is, girl.  You're right, what goes up absolutely comes down, but why hate on people and try and undermine them or their fanbase when they're up?  Doing things to TRY and keep things on top only works when there is participation from supporters. There's no guarantee. Plenty of examples where it didn't/doesn't work.

Be mad at Taylor's gaggle of supporters, not the artist and/or the relative few label execs who are catering to their willingness to support her.  It's giving ugly hater behavior.  Just as I've been pointing out.

EDIT: The poster deleted their post.  Not surprised. 

Yes the poster THE coco deleted to avoid pointless back and forth like this. I however respect your opinion up until the name calling at the end.

My dear Edith.