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Ghost artists on Spotify

(harpers.org)
586 points greenie_beans | 1 comments | 19 Dec 24 14:12 UTC | HN request time: 0.341s | source
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aggieNick02 ◴[20 Dec 24 17:12 UTC] No.42472830[source]▶
I wonder if the same kind of thing is at play when I ask my Google Home Mini to play a song (on Spotify) and it plays a version by a cover band instead of the real thing, despite my stating the song and band name.

For example, I'll say: "OK Google, Play 'Hey Jude' by 'The Beatles'". Sometimes I'll get that song. But many others I'll get "Hey Jude" by a Beatles tribute band... I wouldn't be surprised if the version by the tribute band is cheaper to play.

replies(2): >>42472880 #>>42476081 #
1. ejj28 ◴[20 Dec 24 23:16 UTC] No.42476081[source]▶
I think this is just Google Assistant being Google Assistant - It's awful at playing music, I've had Google Assistant play remixes, cover versions, or the right song but playing out of a 'Top Hits of x Year' or whatever compilation album instead of the original album.

However, whenever I used Spotify's own voice control via my Spotify Car Thing before they bricked it, it got me the exact song I wanted every single time, so I doubt there's some nefarious scheme on Spotify's part.