Why does the version of some songs change in Spotify and can I change it back?

[BeardBro2401]

I just noticed through shuffle play that one of my most favorite songs has been switched to a completely different version that isn't nearly as good.

It used to sound like this on Spotify:

Now it sounds like this:

What the **bleep** happened, and how do I change it back?  I liked the "original" version so very much more than this new one.

[OneByBoo · Accepted solution]

Hey there @BeardBro2401,

thanks for posting !

Artists are uploading their music to Spotify through a variety of services.

They are the only ones responsible for deleting, changing, blocking or any other action when it comes to their presented content.

However, if you feel there's an issue with the content presented you can always report it using this help page.

Hope this helps 🙂

[mysterectomy]

This is unacceptable in so many ways, but I get artistic control, freedoms, and liberties.

HOWEVER, this also means the artists have direct control over Spotify's customers' playlists. We didn't pay for that. I suggest the least you can do is somehow alert the customer if/when the song has been updated. a little new icon. the word (new) beside the title....or maybe even a date or some kinda mouseover so we can know we aren't going crazy when we hear more or less reverb, curse words/no curse words, or beyonce put extra notes where there were none previously....etc. one of the coolest features that spotify customers take advantage of is tayloring playlists to our individual personalities and moods. many times, the songs added to these playlists reflect important times in our lives that we can relive through the feelings of the music we chose to listen to during those particular periods... basically you're ruining our collective glasses of wine, cold beers, and expensive ass 15 year scotch that no longer has the smoky undertones it used to because of this new version of a song recorded 40 years ago. you do know that this same thing kinda happened in history books, right? SPOTIFY PAY ATTENTION...be better than this. do something. i could say more but i think you get it. i will definitely reiterate these sentiments in other forums if i feel that you do not.

[MadmanOnWheels]

Maybe it's the Mandela Effect.

I just had that happen with a song that's on my playlist. It's still available on my playlist. The album cover on the cover art has been changed, but the album cover in the playlist is the same. It's the single version that I have on it. The album cover for the single that's on the band's profile has been changed, but what shows as the album cover on the playlist cover art is actually the album cover for the album version, which doesn't make sense. Also, the single version (without the featured singer), which is labeled "Single Edit", is 29 seconds shorter. Even the one with her singing  is 8 seconds shorter. The album version is just showing a second shorter, which is isn't anything. I just played the one that's still on my playlist; it's now showing that new length and album cover, so it shows it two different ways.

[toristorii]

Spotify, BE BETTER!

I had thought I could replace my CD/iTunes/.mp3 collection with Spotify, but not when old beloved songs change out from under me!  If artists can change the versions of songs on old albums, please keep the old versions too!  I'm so glad I kept my ripped-cd .mp3 collection!    

[toristorii]

This is not the Mandela effect.  I have .mp3's with the proper versions of old songs from the CDs... Spotify is changing and/or allowing artists to change the songs out from under us... frustrating that they're ruining the music!

[Originalleyway]

Seconded. It’s getting terrible.

There’s a Morrissey song “Let the right one slip in”. The original is burned into my brain,  and part of me. Hadn’t listened to it in a bit, and went to do so…

Now, the only version on Spotify is some remastered ‘long’ version - with different vocals, arrangements and some sh*tty chuck-berry-like guitar solo. It’s terrible compared to the original IMHO - and unlistenable for me.

I think the is going to happen more and more, as artists not only try to george-lucas their songs to ‘make them better’, but they also try to replace versions where they get paid less.

easy example is Taylor Swift re-recording her original album so she can own the various revenue streams (verses splitting them under old contractual obligations).

while I want artists to do the best in those scenarios - it’s killing me to suffer the lesser versions. My dead body is then buried when there’s no access to the original.

[jessie31]

i thought i was going crazy!!! 

the songs I noticed that changed were two Spotify hits from TikTok which makes me wonder if artists gaining sudden popularity are changing their version to appeal to the younger audience. For example, both these songs have been sped up and have a higher pitch which is common in TikTok edits, and the originals are now completely gone. scary times guys. 

[mysterectomy]

this was not helpful based on the suggestions for improvement. when you say "...if you feel there's an issue with the content presented..." after reading the issue with the content presented, it makes me feel like you're not really listening. its like when you're just trying to get off the phone with that one friend who has a point about your relationship that you're not trying to hear. and just like that friend, that's why I took this long to even talk to you about this again. i hope they break up with you. 

[Aguy623]

i know right. i Love the Get a Way club remix and it just suddenly got changed, i mean not completly but the main part of the song, and i just though it's just some super strong mandela effect. But i'm glad other people share my problem.

I hope Spotify makes the "old" versions avalable

[lmorrissey1968]

Off the top of my head I can think of at least two 80s hits where they have replaced the original version I am used to with a crappier re-recording (attempting to sound the same as the original but does not):

(1) Toni Basil - MICKY (the new "Spotified" version is actually incorrectly called HEY MICKY)

(2) Irene Cara - What A Feeling.

There are others I have noticed but can't think of them right now.

In any case - WHAT GIVES?

Good thing I have my archive of "Napster-ized" MP3s

🙂

[Ambrosius37]

Some stupid "artist" who uploaded a lostwave song (original songwriter remains undiscovered) just recently added random meme sounds to the middle of the track and now I can't listen to the song anymore... This is unacceptable. It's not even their song. I'd rather it be taken down entirely for copyright (though like I mentioned, the original artist is unknown). Is there a way I can do that?