Neil Young has announced that his music will return to the music streaming service Spotify, two years after his songs were removed as a form of protest against podcasts that were spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Neil Young demands Spotify remove his music over Joe Rogan COVID-19 misinformation

Late Monday, Canadian singer and songwriter Neil Young posted an open letter to his personal website, demanding that music streamer Spotify remove his music from its service. 

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Outspoken singer-songwriter Neil Young has given Spotify an ultimatum between streaming his music or continuing to distribute the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, known for featuring COVID-19 contrarians with confusing and dangerous views.

Neil Young gives Spotify an ultimatum: my music or Joe Rogan

Why Spotify chose Joe Rogan over Neil Young

Neil Young’s music is being pulled from Spotify — after he made the streaming giant choose between him or Joe Rogan over the podcaster's statements about the pandemic and vaccines.

'I'm not trying to be controversial': Joe Rogan responds to Spotify protests, COVID advisories

Following protests of Spotify kicked off by Neil Young over the spread of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation, the music streaming service said that it will add content advisories before podcasts that discuss the virus.

This combination photo shows Neil Young in Calabasas, Calif., on May 18, 2016, left, and UFC announcer and podcaster Joe Rogan before a UFC on FOX 5 event in Seattle, Dec. 7, 2012. Spotify said Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, that it will add content advisories before podcasts discussing the coronavirus. The move follows protests of the music streaming service that were kicked off by Young over the spread of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation. On Wednesday, Young had his music removed from Spotify after the tech giant declined to remove episodes of â€œThe Joe Rogan Experience,â€ which has been criticized for spreading virus misinformation.

Music Spotify

Canadian musician Neil Young had his music removed from Spotify after the tech giant declined to get rid of episodes of The Joe Rogan Experience, which has been criticized for spreading virus misinformation. Spotify said Sunday it will add content advisories before podcasts discussing the virus.

 website titled "My Return to Low Res Spotify," the Canadian singer-songwriter explained his choice to put his music back on the platform. "My decision comes as music services Apple and Amazon have started serving the same disinformation podcast features I had opposed at Spotify," he wrote.&nbsp;

"I cannot just leave Apple and Amazon, like I did Spotify, because my music would have very little streaming outlet to music lovers at all, so I have returned to Spotify, in sincere hopes that Spotify sound quality will improve and people will be able to hear and feel all the music as we made it. Qobuz and Tidal, where my music is presented, are all high res as well."&nbsp;

Young's focus on audio quality extends back to 2012 when he founded the music player Pono, a device that promised to present songs "as they first sound during studio recording sessions," as a&nbsp;

 article at the time stated. Pono discontinued in 2017, with plans of transitioning to a streaming service that never came to fruition.&nbsp;

"Hopefully Spotify will turn to hi res as the answer and serve all the music to everyone," Young continued in his Tuesday post. "Spotify, you can do it! Really be #1 in all the ways. You have the music and the listeners!!!! Start with a limited hi res tier and build from there!"&nbsp;

Neil Young urges Spotify employees to quit their jobs

Singer-songwriter Neil Young has asked employees of Spotify Technology SA to quit their jobs while urging people to withdraw their money from big American banks, in protests over coronavirus misinformation and climate change.

Musician Neil Young performs onstage wearing a black hat and a plaid flannel shirt.

Musician Neil Young performs onstage at the 4th Annual Light Up The Blues at the Pantages Theatre on May 21, 2016 in Hollywood, Calif.

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Musician Neil Young performs onstage at the 4th Annual Light Up The Blues at the Pantages Theatre on May 21, 2016 in Hollywood, Calif. Young has asked employees of Spotify Technology SA to quit their jobs while urging people to withdraw their money from big American banks, in protests over coronavirus misinformation and climate change.

On Jan.&nbsp;24, 2022, Young publicly demanded that his music be taken off&nbsp;Spotify, writing to his manager and record label, Warner Music Group: "I want you to let Spotify know immediately today that I want all my music off their platform. They can have Rogan or Young. Not both."

After the decision was finalized, Spotify released a statement that read, "We regret Neil's decision to remove his music from Spotify, but hope to welcome him back soon."

At the time of this publication, Young's music had&nbsp;not been fully reinstated on Spotify yet.&nbsp;

Neil Young announces new tour and album with Crazy Horse

Two years after saying he would no longer tour, Young and his band will perform in the U.S. and Canada.

Neil plays guitar wearing a dark cap and black tee with a denim shirt.

Neil Young performs during the Farm Aid Music Festival at the Ruoff Music Center on Sept. 23, 2023 in Noblesville, Ind.

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Young will add to his discography next month with a new Neil Young and Crazy Horse album called 

Neil Young returns his music to Spotify, 2 years after Joe Rogan boycott

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