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

[clsvltn]

It is foolish to compare different times to now because we can never really know what would have transpired in a "what if" world. Back in the 80s, 90s, etc. yeah artists weren't releasing voice memos but that doesn't mean they wouldn't have if it was the "norm" - the closest to compare would be artists would who release individual versions of CDs to Target, Best Buy, Walmart, etc and you would have to go to each retailer to often just get a single different track. The ways artists release have evolved now. I also do think it is silly to release so many versions and I would NEVER buy that from any artist, even my favorite (also, Taylor is not even one of my all time 10 favorite artists anyway lol I have not even purchased anything she released since 1989). I just think it is also foolish when people say Taylor should let Billie (or whomever) have a week at #1. Taylor (or NO artist) should willing give up anything just to let someone else get it. It seems there are many posters here that are all focusing on different elements on my post and others posts and choosing to comment on just certain parts or elements. Again, I am fully on the side that Taylor is doing way too much personally BUT it is her right to do it and it's not going to make me think less or her or anything like that. And some one was calling it borderline illegal??? What?? LOL I don't think I have issues with some people do and some are lumping me in with issues that I am personally agreeing with.

Ultimately, Taylor is doing nothing wrong, anyone can do what she does, she doesn't need to stop, Billie doesn't need to be #1, and multiple releases - from any artist - is silly.

[musiclife]

All this is gonna do is create more streams for Ms Swift. Congrats on 5 weeks at #1. ♥️

[thatpolishboy]

May 19, 2024 15:09:08 GMT -5 Choco said:

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).

Are you insinuating that Billies voice isn't unique that would sound good isolated especially for her fans? That's a bit deluded

[jenglisbe]

May 19, 2024 15:54:29 GMT -5 clsvltn said:

It is foolish to compare different times to now because we can never really know what would have transpired in a "what if" world. Back in the 80s, 90s, etc. yeah artists weren't releasing voice memos but that doesn't mean they wouldn't have if it was the "norm" - the closest to compare would be artists would who release individual versions of CDs to Target, Best Buy, Walmart, etc and you would have to go to each retailer to often just get a single different track. The ways artists release have evolved now. I also do think it is silly to release so many versions and I would NEVER buy that from any artist, even my favorite (also, Taylor is not even one of my all time 10 favorite artists anyway lol I have not even purchased anything she released since 1989). I just think it is also foolish when people say Taylor should let Billie (or whomever) have a week at #1. Taylor (or NO artist) should willing give up anything just to let someone else get it. It seems there are many posters here that are all focusing on different elements on my post and others posts and choosing to comment on just certain parts or elements. Again, I am fully on the side that Taylor is doing way too much personally BUT it is her right to do it and it's not going to make me think less or her or anything like that. And some one was calling it borderline illegal??? What?? LOL I don't think I have issues with some people do and some are lumping me in with issues that I am personally agreeing with.

Ultimately, Taylor is doing nothing wrong, anyone can do what she does, she doesn't need to stop, Billie doesn't need to be #1, and multiple releases - from any artist - is silly.

Would you rather have 10 different versions to buy to get all of the songs, or would you rather just have a version from the start that contains everything?

[👑 Eloquent ™]

Imagine, a billionaire, capitalistic and greedy in her practices? 😲

[Ling-Ling]

May 19, 2024 16:24:12 GMT -5 👑 Eloquent ™ said:

Imagine, a billionaire, capitalistic and greedy in her practices? 😲

Imagine people being disgusted with the greedy capitalistic practices of billionaires! 😲

[suburbandreams]

TTPd is already out streaming Hit Me Hard and Slow on USA Spotify. If Billie doesn't the #1, it will because of that not a freaking voice memo that twenty swifties bought.

so many essays of both girls just doing a little promo for their albums.

[👑 Eloquent ™]

May 19, 2024 16:38:37 GMT -5 Ling-Ling said:

May 19, 2024 16:24:12 GMT -5 👑 Eloquent ™ said:

Imagine, a billionaire, capitalistic and greedy in her practices? 😲

Imagine people being disgusted with the greedy capitalistic practices of billionaires! 😲

I don't think anyone is surprised at all by the reaction to variants as this is only the 55th outrage about it since the practice started on Pulse. lol

Meanwhile with the reaction to Taylor releasing a variant, one would think she never had done so before (unlike this being like the 5th album cycle of such practices). In actuality I don't think people are as upset about the variants themselves (a bit of disingenuouness going on), as much as they are about the potential to upset another artist's debut. Because had Taylor released this particular variant on any other regular week, there wouldn't be this level outrage. :) It would have gotten a groan out of maybe a few of the usual suspects and that's it. lol I personally think people not only resent Taylor for utilizing tactics well-within her right to use, but for having the ability to succeed and exceed at her aim, even at the expense of others. And Taylor's fans don't have to jump in line with the rage fest and shake their fist cursing out Taylor to not be "delulu". They have every right to sensibly disagree (or agree) with the practice without hysterics and still be of completely sound mind/judgement. The passive-aggressive, hyperbolic shade to Taylor fans (hell fans in general) is so played out.

[HEADOFTHEPACK]

May 19, 2024 16:52:35 GMT -5 👑 Eloquent ™ said:

May 19, 2024 16:38:37 GMT -5 Ling-Ling said:

Imagine people being disgusted with the greedy capitalistic practices of billionaires! 😲

I don't think anyone is surprised at all by the reaction to variants as this is only the 55th outrage about it since the practice started on Pulse. lol

Meanwhile with the reaction to Taylor releasing a variant, one would think she never had done so before (unlike this being like the 5th album cycle of such practices). In actuality I don't think people are as upset about the variants themselves (a bit of disingenuouness going on), as much as they are about the potential to upset another artist's debut. Because had Taylor released this particular variant on any other regular week, there wouldn't be this level outrage. :) It would have gotten a groan out of maybe a few of the usual suspects and that's it. lol I personally think people not only resent Taylor for utilizing tactics well-within her right to use, but for having the ability to succeed and exceed at her aim, even at the expense of others. And Taylor's fans don't have to jump in line with the rage fest and shake their fist cursing out Taylor to not be "delulu". They have every right to sensibly disagree (or agree) with the practice without hysterics and still be of completely sound mind/judgement. The passive-aggressive, hyperbolic shade to Taylor fans (hell fans in general) is so played out.

Huge Taylor fan here, this isn't an 'us and them' situation. As you say yourself, this is the '55th outrage' on the subject, so it couldn't possibly just be about the Billie debut, right? You're also admitting she's not just doing it because it's a standard practice that anyone and everyone has done or can do - she has the ability to succeed and exceed, even at the expense of others. So... you're actually agreeing with the point by the sounds of it?

I also don't see any hysterical posts or passive aggression from those critiquing what's happening. The issues raised are very clear.

[👑 Eloquent ™]

Huge Taylor fan here, this isn't an 'us and them' situation. As you say yourself, this is the '55th outrage' on the subject, so it couldn't possibly just be about the Billie debut, right?

Dunno what being a fan has to do with anything as I am perfectly capable of having a rationale conversation with anyone fan or not. Never said it was an "us vs them" thing. As for the "55", I was being hyperbolic. The outrages I've witnessed typically occur mostly within the first month or two of her last many releases (meanwhile as other artists release variants people are suspiciously quiet), with some others peppered throughout. I also didn't say the outrage was just about Billie, I said that I personally think it absolutely has more to do with that than is being said. No one is gonna convince me we'd have 4 pages of outrage about yet another TTPD variant had it been released on any other non-competitive release week.

So... you're actually agreeing with the point by the sounds of it?

Never said I didn't? In fact I've said the opposite multiple times on this forum. I've said many times I am not a fan of dozens of variants. I merely think the reaction is....extreme for the circumstances.

I also don't see any hysterical posts or passive aggression from those critiquing what's happening. The issues raised are very clear.

We'll just agree to disagree. I've seen posts with people saying Taylor is "spitting in the faces of her fans" by giving her fans the option to purchase extras and have also seen her releasing this variant compared to an athelete illegally shooting steroids when variants are well within the rules and guidelines. I absolutely think some of these reactions are exaggerative and that's just my humble opinion. I have also seen passive aggressive remarks thrown around about Taylor fans being "delusional" and this and that. So we'll agree to disagree there too. We all need to get to a place on Pulse where we can give our opinions as well as hearing those of others without being called names and personally attacking. You can't so much as agree or disagree with something (depending on which way the non-fan wants you to swing) while being a fan of an artist without being dismissed and labeled a "stan".

Either way, I'm good on the topic and the drama of the variant, to each their own. If people wanna wanna seethe every time she releases a variant that's on them, but they better get used to staying upset. lol

[Choco]

May 19, 2024 16:14:35 GMT -5 thatpolishboy said:

May 19, 2024 15:09:08 GMT -5 Choco said:

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).

Are you insinuating that Billies voice isn't unique that would sound good isolated especially for her fans? That's a bit deluded

Much like instrumentals I feel like it's something I'd play once on Youtube and go "huh, interesting" before going back to the full songs without it actually impacting my desire to buy an album.

A lot of this album is sparse vocals and sometimes I even feel like Billie gets drowned by the production. It works really well here, but it also means it really isn't an album where I'd be really interested on isolated vocals because that's like half the appeal of the tracks.

[musiclife]

May 19, 2024 16:16:11 GMT -5 jenglisbe said:

May 19, 2024 15:54:29 GMT -5 clsvltn said:

It is foolish to compare different times to now because we can never really know what would have transpired in a "what if" world. Back in the 80s, 90s, etc. yeah artists weren't releasing voice memos but that doesn't mean they wouldn't have if it was the "norm" - the closest to compare would be artists would who release individual versions of CDs to Target, Best Buy, Walmart, etc and you would have to go to each retailer to often just get a single different track. The ways artists release have evolved now. I also do think it is silly to release so many versions and I would NEVER buy that from any artist, even my favorite (also, Taylor is not even one of my all time 10 favorite artists anyway lol I have not even purchased anything she released since 1989). I just think it is also foolish when people say Taylor should let Billie (or whomever) have a week at #1. Taylor (or NO artist) should willing give up anything just to let someone else get it. It seems there are many posters here that are all focusing on different elements on my post and others posts and choosing to comment on just certain parts or elements. Again, I am fully on the side that Taylor is doing way too much personally BUT it is her right to do it and it's not going to make me think less or her or anything like that. And some one was calling it borderline illegal??? What?? LOL I don't think I have issues with some people do and some are lumping me in with issues that I am personally agreeing with.

Ultimately, Taylor is doing nothing wrong, anyone can do what she does, she doesn't need to stop, Billie doesn't need to be #1, and multiple releases - from any artist - is silly.

Would you rather have 10 different versions to buy to get all of the songs, or would you rather just have a version from the start that contains everything?

Multiple because it makes it exciting.

[musiclife]

May 19, 2024 16:40:57 GMT -5 suburbandreams said:

TTPd is already out streaming Hit Me Hard and Slow on USA Spotify. If Billie doesn't the #1, it will because of that not a freaking voice memo that twenty swifties bought.

so many essays of both girls just doing a little promo for their albums.

Exactly. She didn't decrease much from week 3 to 4, and I anticipate without these voice notes it wouldn't have changed much either putting these numbers Billie is doing at even play. All the voice notes did was make it clear from the getgo Taylor would stay #1. I'm sure the haters will say she only stayed #1 cause of the variants.

[Push The Button]

Lol this debate reminds me of 20 years ago when artists would re-release “deluxe” editions of their hit albums in time for the holidays. People whined and whined about Mariah’s Super Diamond Platinum Sparkle Sparkle re-release of The Emancipation of Mimi.

In the end…is it worth my time to debate? Definitely not! Imma sit over here and keep being old.

[musiclife]

Thought of this thread. Light hearted humor before anyone goes off the deep end.

[radio2009]

May 19, 2024 20:19:06 GMT -5 Push The Button said:

Lol this debate reminds me of 20 years ago when artists would re-release “deluxe” editions of their hit albums in time for the holidays. People whined and whined about Mariah’s Super Diamond Platinum Sparkle Sparkle re-release of The Emancipation of Mimi.

In the end…is it worth my time to debate? Definitely not! Imma sit over here and keep being old.

No, but it shows that people are sheep about anything. I remember ribbing my friends in high school about Beyonce putting out a deluxe edition of "B-Day" and she was just trying to take their money. It's only gotten worse since then.

[musiclife]

May 19, 2024 21:39:13 GMT -5 radio2009 said:

May 19, 2024 20:19:06 GMT -5 Push The Button said:

Lol this debate reminds me of 20 years ago when artists would re-release “deluxe” editions of their hit albums in time for the holidays. People whined and whined about Mariah’s Super Diamond Platinum Sparkle Sparkle re-release of The Emancipation of Mimi.

In the end…is it worth my time to debate? Definitely not! Imma sit over here and keep being old.

No, but it shows that people are sheep about anything. I remember ribbing my friends in high school about Beyonce putting out a deluxe edition of "B-Day" and she was just trying to take their money. It's only gotten worse since then.

That deluxe was fire. Hollywood is still one of my favorite Beyonce songs ever. Bad album except Irreplaceable, Get Me Bodied, and Ring The Alarm.

[Rose "Payola" Nylund]

just going to copy/paste this until the end of time

May 19, 2024 15:21:24 GMT -5 Ling-Ling said:

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.

[HEADOFTHEPACK]

^ that.

It's definitely similar to the endless deluxe editions and EPs we were getting a few years ago, but the volume of sales/reach/money/power we're talking about is unprecedented. The tech billionaires analogy is bang on. Not about specific people as such, more about entities (companies, people) who have such a degree of wealth, power and market share that their actions are (and should be) reported on and discussed. You can say it's "business", but business isn't about doing whatever you want because you can. There are rules, fair practices, especially when you're a big player. There's no real regulation of practices in music - so you have Billboard playing catch up with rules and the government getting involved when the Live Nation monopoly fucks everyone over. They'll always find a way to stretch or bend the rules, but imagine if ticket and merch bundles were still in play... can't even imagine the numbers we would have seen across top tier artists. That's why it's interesting imo, stan wars are just useless internet noise.

[wavey.]

I saw 4 pages and my head almost exploded jk.
I'm liking the healthy discussion yall!

[artifexlife]

May 19, 2024 21:28:14 GMT -5 musiclife said:

Thought of this thread. Light hearted humor before anyone goes off the deep end.

I love that every post for the last two weeks is shading Billie Eilish and then its light humor but anyone calling you out or Taylor Swift is deemed hateful by you. 

Taylor and Swifties victimization needs to be studied

[musiclife]

May 20, 2024 3:16:51 GMT -5 artifexlife said:

May 19, 2024 21:28:14 GMT -5 musiclife said:

Thought of this thread. Light hearted humor before anyone goes off the deep end.

I love that every post for the last two weeks is shading Billie Eilish and then its light humor but anyone calling you out or Taylor Swift is deemed hateful by you. 

Taylor and Swifties victimization needs to be studied

Because if Taylor were to do this every Billie fan in here would be coming for her with pitch forks and torches. "Oh look another variant. Chart obsessed!!!"

If Taylor dropped TTPD the splattered version on her site right now would you be okay with it?

[artifexlife]

May 20, 2024 9:48:18 GMT -5 musiclife said:

May 20, 2024 3:16:51 GMT -5 artifexlife said:

I love that every post for the last two weeks is shading Billie Eilish and then its light humor but anyone calling you out or Taylor Swift is deemed hateful by you. 

Taylor and Swifties victimization needs to be studied

Because if Taylor were to do this every Billie fan in here would be coming for her with pitch forks and torches. "Oh look another variant. Chart obsessed!!!"

If Taylor dropped TTPD the splattered version on her site right now would you be okay with it?

There is a huge difference between doing things in your debut week and doing it in a week when your top spot is up for grabs. That is why people say chart obsessed. 

[musiclife]

My TTPD But Daddy I Love Him variant shipped early. I was just notified like 1 minute ago. I guess they're shipping early can't wait to have it. ♥️

[Choco]

If you don't understand the difference between a splattered cover and multiple different voice notes and designs where you need several copies to complete (hi Midnights clock) there's just no point debating. Signed/splattered/special copies have always existed. It's the recent stan culture of having to buy and collect multiple that's a bit worrying.

Anyways... My 1989 TV CD just shipped to Venezuela. First time I've bought an album since 2009 lol. Very excited to display it with the popcorn thingy from the Eras Tour film. But that's all the coin she's getting from me this year aside from streaming lol

[musiclife]

May 20, 2024 11:01:00 GMT -5 Choco said:

If you don't understand the difference between a splattered cover and multiple different voice notes and designs where you need several copies to complete (hi Midnights clock) there's just no point debating. Signed/splattered/special copies have always existed. It's the recent stan culture of having to buy and collect multiple that's a bit worrying.

Anyways... My 1989 TV CD just shipped to Venezuela. First time I've bought an album since 2009 lol. Very excited to display it with the popcorn thingy from the Eras Tour film. But that's all the coin she's getting from me this year aside from streaming lol

I see the difference. One is quite frankly boring... and the other one is fun, creative, and you get more out of it. I wish I completed the clock to be honest, but I only bought Moonstone and Bloodmoon because it was signed and stopped. Lol Just too much money.

I'm glad you bought it. ♥️♥️ it's gonna look cute.

[iHype.]

I just love the “well it’s a business!! It’s not about being kind and letting Billie get a good ending” defense from Swifties cause then what was the drama and outrage with Scooter buying her masters then lmao?

Suddenly emotions and doing the morally right thing regardless of business came into play then.

The whole “business is business” attitude from this group of people after what y’all have spent the past half decade supporting is just so beyond unserious

[musiclife]

May 20, 2024 12:24:57 GMT -5 iHype. said:

I just love the “well it’s a business!! It’s not about being kind and letting Billie get a good ending” defense from Swifties cause then what was the drama and outrage with Scooter buying her masters lmao?

Suddenly emotions and doing the morally right thing regardless of business came into play then.

Billie opened her mouth first. Again, wanna act like a big girl you're gonna get treated like a big girl. Lol then she wants to bring out Damon Albarn to perform. Please...

[fridayteenage]

May 20, 2024 11:01:00 GMT -5 Choco said:

splattered copies have always existed.

Have they?
I did see at least in some countries ur only allowed to get a signed insert if you buy several copies of the album, haven't seen that before

[jenglisbe]

May 20, 2024 10:37:52 GMT -5 musiclife said:

My TTPD But Daddy I Love Him variant shipped early. I was just notified like 1 minute ago. I guess they're shipping early can't wait to have it. ♥️

Wait, so they are shipping early and it just so happens to be the same week that Billie debuts?

May 20, 2024 12:24:57 GMT -5 iHype. said:

I just love the “well it’s a business!! It’s not about being kind and letting Billie get a good ending” defense from Swifties cause then what was the drama and outrage with Scooter buying her masters then lmao?

Omg clocked!