Live from Clear Channel Stripped 2008 | ||||
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Live album by | ||||
Released | April 24, 2020 | |||
Recorded | June 8, 2008 | |||
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Length | 27:55 | |||
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Taylor Swift chronology | ||||
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Live from Clear Channel Stripped 2008 is the second live album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was released on April 24, 2020, by Big Machine Records, without Swift's approval. It was recorded in 2008 but only released after the masters to her older music had changed ownership in a 2019 purchase of Big Machine by American media proprietor Scooter Braun. [1] Swift denounced Live from Clear Channel on her social media accounts, calling it "shameless greed in the time of coronavirus" and asked fans not to buy or stream the album. Earning only 33 units in its first week in the United States, the live album was unsuccessful, and did not enter any domestic charts. [2]
This release is not approved by me. It looks to me like Scooter Braun and his financial backers, 23 Capital, Alex Soros and the Soros family and the Carlyle Group have seen the latest balance sheets and realized that paying $330 million wasn't exactly a wise choice and they need money. In my opinion … Just another case of shameless greed in the time of coronavirus. So tasteless, but very transparent.
— Swift on her Instagram story, "Taylor Swift disowns new live album, calling it 'shameless greed'", The Guardian [3]
The album was recorded shortly after the beginning of Swift's professional career, while she was promoting her second studio album, Fearless (2008). The album is composed of songs from her first two studio albums and her second EP, Beautiful Eyes (2008). It was released on streaming platforms without any prior announcement on April 24, 2020. [4] According to Swift, the recording was made during a 2008 Clear Channel affiliates' Internet-only performance when she was 18 years old. In a social media post, Swift stated that she did not authorize the release, [5] calling it "just another case of shameless greed in the time of coronavirus. So tasteless, but very transparent." [3] Swift's statement also mentioned Braun's financial backers: 23 Capital, The Carlyle Group, and Alexander Soros and the Soros family, the last of which drew allegations in The Jerusalem Post that she was "reproducing antisemitic conspiracy theories" by associating Soros and Braun, who are both Jewish, with "greed and profiting off the pandemic". [6] Big Machine Records initially listed the record with a 2017 release date, but it was later adjusted to 2008 to reflect the fact that the recordings were available on Clear Channel websites in 2008. [7]
Music critic Quinn Moreland from Pitchfork wrote that Live from Clear Channel is predictable, failing to match the standards of Swift's past work, and dubbed it a "cheap bootleg" and "a shameless cash-grab". Moreland commented that the unapproved release looks "eerily similar" to occasions when fake or leaked music appears on streaming services without the concerned artists' authorization—releases where "scammers hold the reins and the real creator never sees a dime". [8]
Live from Clear Channel Stripped 2008 sold 33 copies in the United States and the YouTube audio videos of its eight tracks accumulated 6,000 views combined in its first three days. [9] [ unreliable source? ] The commercial failure was attributed to Swift's denouncement of the album on her social media; the album did not enter any Billboard chart. [2]
Big Machine Records is an American record label, distributed by Universal Music Group. Big Machine is based on Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee. The label was founded in September 2005 by former DreamWorks Records executive Scott Borchetta and became a joint venture between Borchetta and country singer Toby Keith. The purchase of Big Machine Records by Scooter Braun's company, Ithaca Holdings, in 2019 resulted in a highly-publicized dispute and controversy with American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift regarding the ownership of the masters to her albums for the label.
Fearless is the second studio album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. She wrote the majority of the album while touring in 2007–2008 and produced it with Nathan Chapman.
"Fearless" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the title track of her second studio album, Fearless (2008). She wrote the track with Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey, and produced it with Nathan Chapman. A country pop and pop rock song, "Fearless" is instrumented by booming drums and chiming guitars. Lyrically, it sees Swift's narrator embracing the romantic drive of a thrilling first date, allowing herself to live true to her heart.
"You're Not Sorry" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her second studio album, Fearless (2008). In its lyrics, Swift's narrator calls out an ex-boyfriend for his betrayal. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "You're Not Sorry" is a rock power ballad with a sound that critics describe as mournful or dramatic: its verses are driven by piano and fiddle, while its refrains incorporate dynamic, crescendoing electric guitars.
"The Best Day" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her second studio album, Fearless (2008). Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "The Best Day" is an understated folk rock song with a country rock arrangement, with lyrics dedicated to Swift's parents, most of the verses being to her mother. A music video containing home footage edited by Swift was released on May 1, 2009, as part of a special Mother's Day promotion through Big Machine Records.
Scott Samuel "Scooter" Braun is an American talent manager, entrepreneur, record executive, and the CEO of Hybe America, the North American subsidiary of South Korean entertainment company Hybe Corporation. He is credited with having discovered Canadian singer Justin Bieber in 2008, whose success foresaw the establishment of Braun's record label RBMG Records, a joint venture with R&B singer Usher. Braun has also served in career management for artists including Ariana Grande, Kanye West, Demi Lovato, J Balvin, Ozuna, Dan + Shay, and the Kid Laroi, among others.
"Ours" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for the deluxe edition of her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). It was released to US country radio as the album's last single on December 5, 2011, by Big Machine Records. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Ours" is an understated country pop ballad with a folk-influenced production. The lyrics depict a young couple's resilience to protect their relationship despite others' scrutiny.
"Sparks Fly" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). Swift had written the track in 2006 and occasionally performed it live, and she recorded it for Speak Now after receiving fan requests to release it. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Sparks Fly" is a track combining pop rock, arena rock, and country; its production incorporates dynamic electric guitars and subtle fiddles. The lyrics are about temptations and reluctance caused by a dangerous love affair.
"The Story of Us" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). The international mix was released to radio in Europe on April 7, 2011 and the original version was sent to US pop radio on April 19, 2011, as the fourth single from the album. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, the track combines pop-punk, dance-pop, new wave, and power pop, with a production consisting of fast-paced drums and dynamic electric guitars. For the lyrics, which are about the awkwardness between two parted lovers, Swift was inspired by her encounter with an ex-boyfriend at an awards show.
"Eyes Open" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for the soundtrack to the 2012 film The Hunger Games. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Eyes Open" is an alternative rock song with chiming guitars. Its lyrics are about staying strong during hardships, told from the perspective of the film's protagonist, Katniss Everdeen. The track was released as a single from the soundtrack on March 27, 2012.
"Long Live" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Long Live" is a heartland rock song featuring girl group harmonies and chiming rock guitars. The lyrics are about Swift's gratitude for her fans and bandmates, using high-school and royalty imagery to describe the accomplishments in the narrator's life.
"Begin Again" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her fourth studio album, Red (2012). It was released as the second single from Red on October 1, 2012, by Big Machine Records. Produced by Swift, Dann Huff, and Nathan Chapman, "Begin Again" is a gentle country, soft rock, and folk-pop ballad with arpeggiated acoustic guitar, steel guitar, and percussion. Its lyrics detail falling in love again after going through heartbreak.
"State of Grace" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her fourth studio album, Red. To promote the album before its release, Big Machine Records released "State of Grace" for download on October 16, 2012. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, it is an arena rock song that uses chiming, feedback-drenched guitars and pounding drums. An acoustic version features as a deluxe-edition bonus track. The lyrics are about the tumultuous feelings evoked by the first signs of love.
"Forever & Always" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her second studio album, Fearless (2008). Inspired by her relationship with Joe Jonas in 2008, the lyrics are about an abrupt breakup that leaves the narrator angered and confused. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Forever & Always" is a country pop and pop rock song instrumented by guitars and fiddles. It was the last track recorded for Fearless, being added to the album shortly before it was mastered and published. A "Piano Version" was released as part of the Fearless:Platinum Edition reissue.
"Babe" is a song by the American country music duo Sugarland featuring the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was released by Big Machine Records on April 20, 2018, as the second single from Sugarland's sixth studio album, Bigger (2018). Written by Swift and Pat Monahan, "Babe" was intended for Swift's 2012 studio album Red but it did not make the final track list.
"The Lakes" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, taken from the deluxe edition of her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). Written and produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff, "The Lakes" is a midtempo indie ballad, set to acoustic guitar and strings, with themes of introspection and escapism that reflect on Swift's semi-retirement in Windermere, the largest natural lake in England.
On June 30, 2019, the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift entered into a dispute with her former record label, Big Machine Records, its founder Scott Borchetta, and its new owner Scooter Braun, over the ownership of the masters of her first six studio albums. Ultimately, Swift re-recorded several of the albums and released them between 2021 and 2023 as Fearless , Red , Speak Now , and 1989 . The dispute drew widespread media coverage and provoked debate and discussion in the entertainment industry.
"You All Over Me" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift featuring harmony vocals from the American singer Maren Morris. Swift wrote the track with Scooter Carusoe in 2005 for her second studio album, Fearless (2008), but excluded it from the track-listing. She produced the song with Aaron Dessner for the album's 2021 re-recording, Fearless . "You All Over Me" was released for download via Swift's website on March 26, 2021.
Fearless (Taylor's Version) is the first re-recorded album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was released on April 9, 2021, by Republic Records. A re-recording of Swift’s second studio album, Fearless (2008), it is part of her re-recording project following the 2019 dispute over the master recordings of her back catalog.
"Vigilante Shit" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her tenth studio album Midnights (2022). Produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff, the track is a dark pop and trip hop tune with elements of industrial and hip hop. Its minimalistic production is driven by trap beats composed of pulsing snare drums and light bass and electronic tones. The lyrics are about a noirish vengeance declaration, taking aim at an enemy and encouraging other women to do the same.