👑 Eloquent ™
Diamond Member
TSC: Certified Member
Joined: September 2007
Posts: 22,024 
|
Post by 👑 Eloquent ™ on May 19, 2024 11:18:01 GMT -5
The intensely passionate posts over the top spot this week are humorous to me. People are so invested. Personally speaking, neither artist hitting the top spot does anything for me so I don't particularly care either way. If Taylor gets it, I'm not about to be shouting "F**k you TAYLOR SWIFT!!-#+#&" (even if I weren't a Taylor fan). If Billie gets it, awesome, a #1 debut and well-deserved.
|
|
Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ
Diamond Member
Joined: August 2017
Posts: 11,069
|
Post by Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ on May 19, 2024 11:27:56 GMT -5
The narrative isn’t Taylor should “let” other people be #1, but rather if she clearly is going to no longer be #1 then just not resort to a bunch of random tactics to falsely inflate her numbers back up and keep at her at #1? Making the same group of fans purchase an album they already own for the 7th time isn’t popularity at that point, it’s just mass buying, exploiting, and using loopholes to maintain charting. We can all feel as we do about it, I just think it's too bad that so many perceive things like this as Taylor coming for another specific artist by wanting to remain at #1. I don't think it has anything to do with Billie, specifically, and I stand by that. under 'normal' circumstances I'd agree, but Billie isn't some no-name, she's literally one of the biggest artists in the last 5 years, and she announced the album a month and a half before its release, so it wasn't a surprise drop. I think there's something more than 'she just wants to remain at #1', because what's the point? 5 weeks at #1 sounds much better than 4? Week 1 is understandable, you should do everything you can for a bigger opening/peak, but this is just disrespectful imo. |
|
magik
Gold Member
Joined: November 2015
Posts: 555
|
Post by magik on May 19, 2024 11:32:51 GMT -5
I find it tacky that Taylor keeps releasing these variants to inflate the popularity of her albums. When artists were doing it with the whole bundles thing for the singles chart, people had an issue with that. Nothing is wrong with people calling out the obvious. It is rather convenient Billie made her statements, then when she releases, here comes Taylor with these ridiculous tactics to stay at #1. I don't find it tactical. It's tacky.
|
|
|
|
Post by thegreatdivine on May 19, 2024 12:22:12 GMT -5
That's good. Fight back, Billie!
|
|
fridayteenage
5x Platinum Member
Shake it Off
Joined: April 2008
Posts: 5,493
|
Post by fridayteenage on May 19, 2024 12:43:53 GMT -5
two capitalist queens getting richer, good for them
|
|
👑 Eloquent ™
Diamond Member
TSC: Certified Member
Joined: September 2007
Posts: 22,024
|
Post by 👑 Eloquent ™ on May 19, 2024 12:58:37 GMT -5
The draaaaaaamaa of it all! I love close weeks like this with bigger names! Makes the chart fun to watch! Taylor, are you countering? 🤭
|
|
|
|
Post by areyoureadytojump on May 19, 2024 13:03:15 GMT -5
"First Taylor Swift roundhouse-kicked Celine Dion off the stage at the Grammys, now she just pushed Billie Eilish and her entire family directly in front of an on-coming train, one by one. Who’s next?"
|
|
musiclife
Platinum Member
Joined: November 2022
Posts: 1,811
|
Post by musiclife on May 19, 2024 13:12:49 GMT -5
Billie dropped another variant anyone gonna comment on her for releasing variants too?? Lol can't wait for the TTPD Peter voice note album. ♥️
|
|
iHype.
4x Platinum Member
Joined: October 2014
Posts: 4,714
|
Post by iHype. on May 19, 2024 13:13:22 GMT -5
"First Taylor Swift roundhouse-kicked Celine Dion off the stage at the Grammys, now she just pushed Billie Eilish and her entire family directly in front of an on-coming train, one by one. Who’s next?" This is my thing also. We can play the “Taylor wasn’t specifically targeting Billie teehee” card, but Swifties in general the past month after Billie’s interview have had a notable vendetta against Billie and many of them are partaking in purchasing TTPD & hoping she blocks Billie for the sake of their own stan beefs. Again, this is why Taylor playing into these versions and trying to go #1 understandably leaves a sour taste in people’s mouth. Even if you have convinced yourself she has no issue with Billie, she is playing into her fan’s issues with her this week. |
|
musiclife
Platinum Member
Joined: November 2022
Posts: 1,811
|
Post by musiclife on May 19, 2024 13:14:48 GMT -5
The draaaaaaamaa of it all! I love close weeks like this with bigger names! Makes the chart fun to watch! Taylor, are you countering? 🤭 Peter and Chloe Or Sam Or Sophia Or Marcus voice note albums please. 🙏 ♥️ |
|
musiclife
Platinum Member
Joined: November 2022
Posts: 1,811
|
Post by musiclife on May 19, 2024 13:16:05 GMT -5
"First Taylor Swift roundhouse-kicked Celine Dion off the stage at the Grammys, now she just pushed Billie Eilish and her entire family directly in front of an on-coming train, one by one. Who’s next?" This is my thing also. We can play the “Taylor wasn’t specifically targeting Billie teehee” card, but Swifties in general the past month after Billie’s interview have had a notable vendetta against Billie and many of them are partaking in purchasing TTPD & hoping she blocks Billie for the sake of their own stan beefs. Again, this is why Taylor playing into these versions and trying to go #1 understandably leaves a sour taste in people’s mouth. Even if you have convinced yourself she has no issue with Billie, she is playing into her fan’s issues with her this week. She ain't playing nothing. Lol Billie tried talking like a big girl, she's gonna be treated like a big girl. She's gonna have to fight for that #1. |
|
Glove Slap
Administrator
Sweetheart
Downloading ༺༒༻ Possibilities
Joined: January 2007
Posts: 29,516
Staff
|
Post by Glove Slap on May 19, 2024 13:35:10 GMT -5
The intensely passionate posts over the top spot this week are humorous to me. People are so invested. Personally speaking, neither artist hitting the top spot does anything for me so I don't particularly care either way. If Taylor gets it, I'm not about to be shouting "F**k you TAYLOR SWIFT!!-#+#&" (even if I weren't a Taylor fan). If Billie gets it, awesome, a #1 debut and well-deserved. This. It's all giving the modern version of this |
|
iHype.
4x Platinum Member
Joined: October 2014
Posts: 4,714
|
Post by iHype. on May 19, 2024 13:37:40 GMT -5
This is my thing also. We can play the “Taylor wasn’t specifically targeting Billie teehee” card, but Swifties in general the past month after Billie’s interview have had a notable vendetta against Billie and many of them are partaking in purchasing TTPD & hoping she blocks Billie for the sake of their own stan beefs. Again, this is why Taylor playing into these versions and trying to go #1 understandably leaves a sour taste in people’s mouth. Even if you have convinced yourself she has no issue with Billie, she is playing into her fan’s issues with her this week. She ain't playing nothing. Lol Billie tried talking like a big girl, she's gonna be treated like a big girl. She's gonna have to fight for that #1. Let’s just say, it’s important if Taylor wants to push herself as pro-feminist and in favor of the ultimate good for young female artists in the industry she shouldn’t encourage and fuel behavior from people like you. ❤️ |
|
👑 Eloquent ™
Diamond Member
TSC: Certified Member
Joined: September 2007
Posts: 22,024
|
Post by 👑 Eloquent ™ on May 19, 2024 13:38:37 GMT -5
The intensely passionate posts over the top spot this week are humorous to me. People are so invested. Personally speaking, neither artist hitting the top spot does anything for me so I don't particularly care either way. If Taylor gets it, I'm not about to be shouting "F**k you TAYLOR SWIFT!!-#+#&" (even if I weren't a Taylor fan). If Billie gets it, awesome, a #1 debut and well-deserved. This. It's all giving the modern version of this I lol'd yeeeesss |
|
musiclife
Platinum Member
Joined: November 2022
Posts: 1,811
|
Post by musiclife on May 19, 2024 13:38:40 GMT -5
It is mind boggling to me where people are saying to "let" someone have a week at #1. That is so bizarre in such a competitive arena. If you have a sports team winning the super bowl, you don't "Let" the other team win just because you may have won 3 in a row. If you want to win, you play hard, you practice, you do what it takes. If you lose, you try again next year. Billie can play the game as well. She can drop remixes, variants, do promo, the list goes on and on. Right I find it so ridiculous. If you want the number 1 come for it.. Just because you release an album doesn't mean you should have #1. I hate that in this world today everyone gets participation awards. |
|
musiclife
Platinum Member
Joined: November 2022
Posts: 1,811
|
Post by musiclife on May 19, 2024 13:40:20 GMT -5
She ain't playing nothing. Lol Billie tried talking like a big girl, she's gonna be treated like a big girl. She's gonna have to fight for that #1. Let’s just say, it’s important if Taylor wants to push herself as pro-feminist and in favor of the ultimate good for young female artists in the industry she shouldn’t encourage and fuel behavior from people like you. ❤️ Of course she should push herself as pro feminist cause she is, but she shouldn't let people try to throw jabs at her, and it seems like Billie threw the first punches. People just wanna hate cause she's Taylor Swift. And this is work/business Taylor has a goal, she wants something, and she's going for it. If Billie wants it she can fight for it too. Simple.. If Billie gets the #1 congratulations to her. ♥️ |
|
jenglisbe
Diamond Member
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 35,628
|
Post by jenglisbe on May 19, 2024 13:43:57 GMT -5
That's good. Fight back, Billie! Is this a new physical version, or just for streaming? Billie dropped another variant anyone gonna comment on her for releasing variants too?? Lol can't wait for the TTPD Peter voice note album. ♥️ Is hers one that gets her fans to spend more money, or is it just on streaming? |
|
Ryan
6x Platinum Member
Joined: June 2006
Posts: 6,012
|
Post by Ryan on May 19, 2024 13:46:00 GMT -5
That's good. Fight back, Billie! Is this a new physical version, or just for streaming? Billie dropped another variant anyone gonna comment on her for releasing variants too?? Lol can't wait for the TTPD Peter voice note album. ♥️ Is hers one that gets her fans to spend more money, or is it just on streaming? It's a 20-track digital album with 10 original songs + 10 isolated vocal versions, priced at $9.99. It's not available for streaming yet, it seems. |
|
musiclife
Platinum Member
Joined: November 2022
Posts: 1,811
|
Post by musiclife on May 19, 2024 13:46:54 GMT -5
That's good. Fight back, Billie! Is this a new physical version, or just for streaming? Billie dropped another variant anyone gonna comment on her for releasing variants too?? Lol can't wait for the TTPD Peter voice note album. ♥️ Is hers one that gets her fans to spend more money, or is it just on streaming? 9.99 on her website. |
|
iHype.
4x Platinum Member
Joined: October 2014
Posts: 4,714
|
Post by iHype. on May 19, 2024 13:51:37 GMT -5
It is mind boggling to me where people are saying to "let" someone have a week at #1. That is so bizarre in such a competitive arena. If you have a sports team winning the super bowl, you don't "Let" the other team win just because you may have won 3 in a row. If you want to win, you play hard, you practice, you do what it takes. If you lose, you try again next year. Billie can play the game as well. She can drop remixes, variants, do promo, the list goes on and on. Right I find it so ridiculous. If you want the number 1 come for it.. Just because you release an album doesn't mean you should have #1. I hate that in this world today everyone gets participation awards. A participation award isn’t an accurate anology in this instance. Billie was going to naturally have the #1 album this week, then Taylor did a bunch of borderline-fraudulent gimmicks and incentives to make fans who already own the album do repeat purchases to inflate popularity. Taylor is the equivalent of an athlete refusing to accept a loss that would’ve occurred from natural circumstance then resorting to doing performance enhancers to create a win that otherwise would not have been able to naturally happen. |
|
jenglisbe
Diamond Member
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 35,628
|
Post by jenglisbe on May 19, 2024 13:52:15 GMT -5
In that case musiclife and Ryan, I do have an issue with this Billie release. These artists need to stop taking advantage of stans to pad their pockets. The only thing I will give Billie here is that at least it's to help her debut at #1, not to just keep a random week at #1. Regardless, I am tired of this crap. (Can people just 'Complete Album' or something digitally and pay less to get these acapella tracks, or do they have to buy the whole album?) |
|
Ryan
6x Platinum Member
Joined: June 2006
Posts: 6,012
|
Post by Ryan on May 19, 2024 14:09:39 GMT -5
Of course she should push herself as pro feminist cause she is, but she shouldn't let people try to throw jabs at her, and it seems like Billie threw the first punches. People just wanna hate cause she's Taylor Swift. And this is work/business Taylor has a goal, she wants something, and she's going for it. If Billie wants it she can fight for it too. Simple.. If Billie gets the #1 congratulations to her. ♥️ So some people actually believe Billie was being shady towards Tay specifically when she did that interview about variants? It reminds me of what the wise woman name Kelly Clarkson once said... "The fact that I tweeted 'pitchy stripper' and people thought '***** *****' is not my problem."Don't get me wrong - I love Billie and I've been a fan of Taylor since 2007. But it's one thing to discuss the chart games here, and it's whole another story when you put it like that. If you believe Billie threw the first punches, do you also think Tay's targeting Billie with the new variants as a counterattack or something? |
|
👑 Eloquent ™
Diamond Member
TSC: Certified Member
Joined: September 2007
Posts: 22,024
|
Post by 👑 Eloquent ™ on May 19, 2024 14:11:16 GMT -5
Right I find it so ridiculous. If you want the number 1 come for it.. Just because you release an album doesn't mean you should have #1. I hate that in this world today everyone gets participation awards. A participation award isn’t an accurate anology in this instance. Billie was going to naturally have the #1 album this week, then Taylor did a bunch of borderline-fraudulent gimmicks and incentives to make fans who already own the album do repeat purchases to inflate popularity. Taylor is the equivalent of an athlete refusing to accept a loss that would’ve occurred from natural circumstance then resorting to doing performance enhancers to create a win that otherwise would not have been able to naturally happen. Ok, let's not be ridiculous. There is *nothing* even remotely fraudulent or "borderline" fraudulent about offering up an additional variant for fans to purchase at their own discretion. It's all perfectly within the rules and legal. Furthermore it is *nothing* like a performer taking "performance enhancers". That is illegal and would disqualify that performer completely. There is nothing illegal about what Taylor or Billie is doing. If some of y'all have such issues with variants y'all need to take it up with Billboard not the artists. They should be doing all they can to maximize performance. Music is a business in case some of y'all forgot. 😂 |
|
musiclife
Platinum Member
Joined: November 2022
Posts: 1,811
|
Post by musiclife on May 19, 2024 14:27:18 GMT -5
Right I find it so ridiculous. If you want the number 1 come for it.. Just because you release an album doesn't mean you should have #1. I hate that in this world today everyone gets participation awards. A participation award isn’t an accurate anology in this instance. Billie was going to naturally have the #1 album this week, then Taylor did a bunch of borderline-fraudulent gimmicks and incentives to make fans who already own the album do repeat purchases to inflate popularity. Taylor is the equivalent of an athlete refusing to accept a loss that would’ve occurred from natural circumstance then resorting to doing performance enhancers to create a win that otherwise would not have been able to naturally happen. How do we know it would have happened under natural circumstances? Last week Taylor had a tiny drop and still did like 260k? Billie is expected 240-260k Taylor probably still would be at par with her in her 5th week. Lol For all we know Taylor could have had another small drop and beat her naturally. |
|
musiclife
Platinum Member
Joined: November 2022
Posts: 1,811
|
Post by musiclife on May 19, 2024 14:27:54 GMT -5
A participation award isn’t an accurate anology in this instance. Billie was going to naturally have the #1 album this week, then Taylor did a bunch of borderline-fraudulent gimmicks and incentives to make fans who already own the album do repeat purchases to inflate popularity. Taylor is the equivalent of an athlete refusing to accept a loss that would’ve occurred from natural circumstance then resorting to doing performance enhancers to create a win that otherwise would not have been able to naturally happen. Ok, let's not be ridiculous. There is *nothing* even remotely fraudulent or "borderline" fraudulent about offering up an additional variant for fans to purchase at their own discretion. It's all perfectly within the rules and legal. Furthermore it is *nothing* like a performer taking "performance enhancers". That is illegal and would disqualify that performer completely. There is nothing illegal about what Taylor or Billie is doing. If some of y'all have such issues with variants y'all need to take it up with Billboard not the artists. They should be doing all they can to maximize performance. Music is a business in case some of y'all forgot. 😂 Exactly this is a business not a game and Taylor plays it better turn most. |
|
HEADOFTHEPACK
6x Platinum Member
Joined: November 2008
Posts: 6,104
|
Post by HEADOFTHEPACK on May 19, 2024 15:03:12 GMT -5
^ of course it’s a game. “Business” isn’t some lofty concept that’s above it all, especially when you’re dealing with pure numbers, money and overexcited fans. Charts and streaming are pretty much completely gamified.
Also, you people who claim not to care but are in here and adjacent threads/discussions with multiple posts about the topic - of course you care, otherwise why would you engage? We all “care”. We wouldn’t be here discussing it otherwise.
|
|
Choco
Diamond Member
james dean daydream
Joined: February 2009
Posts: 27,985
My Charts
Pronouns: he/him
|
Post by Choco on May 19, 2024 15:09:08 GMT -5
These variants are so lazy!!! Voice memo? I may hear that once and then never again. Isolated vocals? Who wants that (especially since Billie isn't really, say, Adele where the vocals are really what she's known for).
I just feel bad for the fans wasting money on it.
(I did read that if you already own the digital album you get the isolated version for free? But Idk if that was just stans flat put lying on Twitter).
|
|
musiclife
Platinum Member
Joined: November 2022
Posts: 1,811
|
Post by musiclife on May 19, 2024 15:20:17 GMT -5
^ of course it’s a game. “Business” isn’t some lofty concept that’s above it all, especially when you’re dealing with pure numbers, money and overexcited fans. Charts and streaming are pretty much completely gamified. Also, you people who claim not to care but are in here and adjacent threads/discussions with multiple posts about the topic - of course you care, otherwise why would you engage? We all “care”. We wouldn’t be here discussing it otherwise. No, it's not that we don't care who is #1, we just have a preference and we are stating what we want. |
|
HEADOFTHEPACK
6x Platinum Member
Joined: November 2008
Posts: 6,104
|
Post by HEADOFTHEPACK on May 19, 2024 15:20:20 GMT -5
These variants are so lazy!!! Voice memo? I may hear that once and then never again. Isolated vocals? Who wants that (especially since Billie isn't really, say, Adele where the vocals are really what she's known for). I just feel bad for the fans wasting money on it. (I did read that if you already own the digital album you get the isolated version for free? But Idk if that was just stans flat put lying on Twitter). That's right, if you've downloaded it - it's an add-on. Lord knows why, IDK who would want that as you say. This product has been updated and enhanced to include a special version with Billie’s isolated vocals from the album.
*if you already bought the digital album, you will automatically get the download on Monday, 5/20. |
|
Ling-Ling
Diamond Member
Kill Kill Kill Kill! Die Die Die!
Joined: September 2003
Posts: 14,288
|
Post by Ling-Ling on May 19, 2024 15:21:24 GMT -5
I feel like some of these arguments are deliberately missing the point. Why are we bringing up remixes? That has nothing to do with this convo. For the five millionth time, this is NOT only about color variants, alternate covers or autographed albums. Taylor has served TEN different tracklists for this album within a month, like come on. Why are we comparing music to sports? Those two things are nothing alike. And are we seriously trying to deflect from Taylor's shameless greed and redirect it to fat cats like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk? We complain about men like that every damn day, lol. Y'all keep saying Taylor is an industry, Taylor is a corporation, Taylor is a businesswoman, etc. So the critiques are valid and fair. And she doesn't get a pass because she's a woman, so please drop the sexism and misogyny angle. The only thing less convincing than Taylor playing the victim is when her fans try to do it on her behalf.
This is pop music we're talking about. Yes, it is a business. Every single musical act rides that line between art and commerce. Taylor has very blatantly crossed that line, to a parodic level. She knows there's a large, obsessive segment of her fanbase. The ones that are parasocially attached to her every move and are completists. It is her right (along with every other artist) to bleed these people for every dime if she wants to. But it's also perfectly reasonable for people to take a step back and ask "when is enough enough?" and question her exploitative behavior. The same way we do when it comes to the likes of Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, insert name of billionaire here. Just because Taylor can do something doesn't mean she should and this is no different than calling out any other gross capitalist behavior that rubs us the wrong way. She's the most successful artist on the planet, already #1, selling millions of albums and singles, selling millions in merch, billions of streams, millions in licensing, on tour making billions. This is flat out unnecessary and continues to set a horrible precedent for art's sake, for fan treatment and for physical/digital product. And no, this is not normal and has NEVER been normal. Please show me the long list of musical acts throughout history that were still releasing multiple physical and digital variants, each featuring exclusive content at this point in an album campaign.
The ultimate ass kicker, she still hasn't physically released the full version her fans are actually clamoring for. She'll keep dangling that carrot until she tests every limit and collects every coin. And her more delulu stans will continue circling the wagons to defend her, fetishizing her sleazy sales tactics as some girl boss move, screaming "mama keeps us fed!" all while she spits in their faces. It's all so f**king bizarre tbh. Maybe I'm spoiled because my favs don't do this sh*t. But I guarantee, if they did, I wouldn't be cheering it on from the sidelines or digging every single ditch trying to justify it.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: Even if you don't have a single issue with any of this, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand why so many do. Not sure why posters are in here acting obtuse.
|
|
