Fans of The 1975 noticed an unexpected change on streaming platforms this week: the song "Human Too" from their 2022 album, Being Funny in a Foreign Language, has been removed. This alteration comes three years after the album's initial release, sparking immediate discussion among listeners.
Matthew Healy, the band's frontman, addressed the song's disappearance directly. He stated that the track was removed to align the album more closely with his current vision for the record. This decision highlights an artist's evolving relationship with their past work.
Key Takeaways
- "Human Too" removed from The 1975's 2022 album on streaming services.
- Matthew Healy cited a desire for the album to be "more how I want it to be."
- Physical copies of the album still include the track.
- Another track, "What Should I Say" from Notes on a Conditional Form, may also be removed.
- Post-release album adjustments are becoming more common, but removal years later is rare.
Artist's Vision and Album Integrity
Matthew Healy's decision to remove "Human Too" from streaming versions of Being Funny in a Foreign Language is a significant move. He clarified his reasoning on Reddit, explaining his desire to present the album in a way that better reflects his artistic intent.
This action underscores the ongoing debate about an artist's control over their work in the digital age. While physical media offers a fixed version, streaming platforms allow for dynamic changes, giving artists unprecedented flexibility.
"Human Too was removed from the album so the album is more how I want it to be," Matthew Healy stated.
Did You Know?
The album Being Funny in a Foreign Language was originally released in October 2022. It features 11 tracks, now reduced to 10 on most streaming platforms.
The Impact on Fans and Physical Media
For fans who purchased physical copies of Being Funny in a Foreign Language, the original tracklist remains intact. CDs, vinyl records, and other physical formats contain "Human Too" as initially released. This distinction highlights the difference between ownership of physical media and access to digital content.
The removal from streaming services means that new listeners will experience a different version of the album. This presents a unique challenge for music archives and the historical record of an artist's work.
A Growing Trend in Music Releases
Modifying albums after their initial release is not entirely new in the music industry. Artists often make tweaks for various reasons, such as sample clearance issues or to refine mixes. However, retroactively removing a song several years post-release is a less common practice.
The flexibility of digital distribution makes these changes possible. In the past, once an album was pressed and distributed, any changes would require a complete re-release, a costly and complex process.
Digital vs. Physical Releases
The digital era has transformed how music is consumed and distributed. Streaming platforms allow for immediate updates, corrections, and even complete overhauls of album content. This contrasts sharply with physical releases, which are immutable once manufactured.
Potential Future Changes for The 1975
Healy also hinted at further potential adjustments to the band's catalog. He mentioned that he is "pretty happy" with most of their existing records, but singled out one track from their 2020 album, Notes on a Conditional Form.
The song "What Should I Say" might also face removal. This suggests a broader trend in Healy's approach to curating The 1975's discography, emphasizing a desire for a definitive version of their albums.
- 2022 Album: Being Funny in a Foreign Language (originally 11 tracks, now 10 on streaming)
- Removed Track: "Human Too"
- 2020 Album: Notes on a Conditional Form (potential future changes)
- Track Under Consideration: "What Should I Say"
The Artist's Right to Re-evaluate
This situation raises questions about the artist's right to control their creative output over time. For many artists, an album is a snapshot of a particular period, but for others, it remains a living work that can be refined and altered.
Matthew Healy's actions reflect a desire to maintain a specific artistic vision. This approach resonates with some fans who appreciate an artist's meticulousness, while others may prefer the original, unaltered releases.
The ongoing evolution of streaming platforms continues to shape how music is consumed and how artists interact with their own body of work. The 1975's recent move is a notable example of this dynamic.