It’s not easy being Taylor Swift. She’s just released her song from the “Cats” movie, called “Beautiful Ghosts.” She will be nominated for Best Song for sure. Dammit, it’s really good.
Plus, Taylor re-recorded her great song “Lover” from her current hit album with Shawn Mendes, and it’s number 1 on iTunes. “Lover” is going to sweep the Grammys on January 26th. That’s just how it is. She’s at the top of her game.
But, you can’t have everything. She’s in a fight with her former pal Scott Borchetta and Justin Bieber’s manager, Scooter Braun. They’re holding her songs hostage and not allowing her to perform a medley of past hits on the American Music Awards. This is ridiculous. Guys, let her do it. She’s going to outplay you. Seriously, this isn’t sportsman like. Just say she can’t use the live versions on a recording for one year. Dudes!
Taylor’s big issue is that she needs to do a medley of old hits on the AMAs. She has to save the “Lover” songs for the Grammys. She’s also fighting with the boys because they won’t give rights to Netflix for a documentary. Taylor of course has posted a message to them, which I will post here under the “Beautiful Ghosts” video.
Borchetta and Braun are going to lose this fight in the court of popular appeal. And Braun in particular doesn’t need the wrath of Taylor’s fans just as he’s prepping Bieber’s comeback. This will get ugly. (Braun also reps Ariana Grande, so he has her to think about, too.)
Here’s the “Cats” song. Get ready for Taylor to be big all awards season. She deserves it.
Titled “Don’t Know What Else to Do”
Guys – It’s been announced recently that the American Music Awards will be honoring me with the Artist of the Decade Award at this year’s ceremony. I’ve been planning to perform a medley of my hits throughout the decade on the show. Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun have now said that I’m not allowed to perform my old songs on television because they claim that would be re-recording my music before I’m allowed to next year. Additionally – and this isn’t the way I had planned on telling you this news – Netflix has created a documentary about my life for the past few years. Scott and Scooter have declined the use of my older music or performance footage for this project, even though there is no mention of either of them or Big Machine Records anywhere in the film.
Scott Borchetta told my team that they’ll allow me to use my music only if I do these things: If I agree to not re-record copycat versions of my songs next year (which is something I’m both legally allowed to do and looking forward to) and also told my team that I need to stop talking about him and Scooter Braun.
I feel very strongly that sharing what is happening to me could change the awareness level for other artists and potentially help them avoid a similar fate. The message being sent to me is very clear. Basically, be a good little girl and shut up. Or you’ll be punished.
This is WRONG. Neither of these men had a hand in the writing of those songs. They did nothing to create the relationship I have with my fans. So this is where I’m asking for your help.
Please let Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun know how you feel about this. Scooter also manages several artists who I really believe care about other artists and their work. Please ask them for help with this – I’m hoping that maybe they can talk some sense into the men who are exercising tyrannical control over someone who just wants to play the music she wrote. I’m especially asking for help from The Carlyle Group, who put up money for the sale of my music to these two men.
I just want to be able to perform MY OWN music. That’s it. I’ve tried to work this out privately through my team but have not been able to resolve anything. Right now my performance at the AMA’s, the Netflix documentary and any other recorded events I am planning to play until November of 2020 are a question mark.
I love you guys and I thought you should know what’s been going on.
Taylor
