Taylor Swift Explains Why '1989' Won't Be on Apple Music

Taylor Swift has penned an open letter explaining why her newest album, 1989, won't be available on Apple Music when the new streaming service launches on June 30.

The pop star began her note -- titled "To Apple, Love Taylor" -- by first praising Apple as one of her "best partners in selling music" before taking issue with Apple Music's decision not to pay acts during its free three-month trial for users who sign up.

I'm not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months," Swift writes. "I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company."

Swift also wrote in the letter -- which she posted to Tumblr on Sunday, June 21 -- that she was speaking to Apple Music on behalf of her fellow musicians who were hesitant to speak out against the tech giant.

"These are the echoed sentiments of every artist, writer and producer in my social circles who are afraid to speak up publicly because we admire and respect Apple so much," she wrote. "We simply do not respect this particular call."

The singer ended her note by reminding Apple that it's not too late to change its policy on the matter. "We don't ask you for free iPhones," she wrote. "Please don't ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation."

In November 2014, Swift very publicly pulled her entire catalog from Spotify, just days before releasing 1989, citing the services' freemium model as devaluing music. Her old music is available for paid subscription-based streaming services such as Tidal and Rdio, but 1989 is only available for sale online.

The singer's back catalog will reportedly be on Apple Music too, which will operate with a paid subscription model.

Taylor's Letter:

I write this to explain why I'll be holding back my album, 1989, from the new streaming service, Apple Music. I feel this deserves an explanation because Apple has been and will continue to be one of my best partners in selling music and creating ways for me to connect with my fans. I respect the company and the truly ingenious minds that have created a legacy based on innovation and pushing the right boundaries.

I'm sure you are aware that Apple Music will be offering a free 3 month trial to anyone who signs up for the service. I'm not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months. I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company.

This is not about me. Thankfully I am on my fifth album and can support myself, my band, crew, and entire management team by playing live shows. This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first single and will not be paid for its success. This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that would get them out of debt. This is about the producer who works tirelessly to innovate and create, just like the innovators and creators at Apple are pioneering in their field…but will not get paid for a quarter of a year's worth of plays on his or her songs.

These are not the complaints of a spoiled, petulant child. These are the echoed sentiments of every artist, 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.

I realize that Apple is working towards a goal of paid streaming. I think that is beautiful progress. We know how astronomically successful Apple has been and we know that this incredible company has the money to pay artists, writers and producers for the 3 month trial period… even if it is free for the fans trying it out.

Three months is a long time to go unpaid, and it is unfair to ask anyone to work for nothing. I say this with love, reverence, and admiration for everything else Apple has done. I hope that soon I can join them in the progression towards a streaming model that seems fair to those who create this music. I think this could be the platform that gets it right.

But I say to Apple with all due respect, it's not too late to change this policy and change the minds of those in the music industry who will be deeply and gravely affected by this. We don't ask you for free iPhones. Please don't ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation.

Taylor