r/Music • u/ebradio • 10h ago

article Taylor Swift sparks chart-blocking accusations with new “Patient Zero” alternate versions

https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/taylor-swift/taylor-swift-sparks-chart-blocking-accusations-with-new-patient-zero-alternate-versions
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u/Physicist_Gamer 10h ago

Genuine question — do charts even matter in present day?

Never in my life have I made a decision about listening to a song or not based on its position in any chart.

Is Olivia Rodrigo is going to have meaningfully less exposure?

I honestly dont get why any of this matters in a world of streaming platforms and social media. The whims of the algorithms probably have more impact on exposure.

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u/Maccai3 9h ago

Charts absolutely matters for lesser known artists. I'd agree I don't look at a songs chart position but some people would only know about certain songs because of radio play and they play charted music mostly. A song thats top of the charts will get more airplay, the knock on effect of the charts will be pretty big.

I think the problem people have with Taylor Swift doing it is the amount she does it and how little she needs to do it, she's a billionaire blocking younger artists from potential success. Her last album has roughly 30 versions.

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u/Justboy__ 8h ago

Yea so it’s radio play that matters, no one pays any attention to the charts anymore. Would you even know what was currently number 1?

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u/ramengangster 7h ago

I think charts are mainly for music industry people. Music labels would use a singer’s charting music (and also their streaming numbers) as a metric of their popularity and commercial success. This pushes them for bigger promotion by their label.

Also, it opens doors to accolades like Grammys etc