Legendary musician Neil Young has officially pulled his entire catalog from Amazon Music, announcing the decision Thursday through his Neil Young Archives website as a direct protest against what he describes as Amazon’s harmful corporate practices. The removal represents Young’s latest stand against corporate power, specifically targeting Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’s connections to U.S. government influence.
In his announcement, Young urged consumers to stop purchasing from major corporations like Amazon and Whole Foods, advocating instead for a “Conscience Tax” on billionaires to address growing social inequities. The musician elaborated on his position during the 2025 Farm Aid press conference, where he connected corporate dominance to broader issues including immigration challenges and labor market exploitation.
Young’s statement, co-authored with musical collaborator Phil Baker under the title “To Feel the Music,” draws direct links between Amazon’s power and systemic issues in American agriculture. This decision significantly impacts one of Young’s income streams, potentially sacrificing substantial streaming royalties to maintain his artistic integrity. He specifically highlighted how corporate policies have contributed to farm labor shortages, arguing that immigration restrictions combined with low wages have created dangerous ripple effects throughout food supply chains.
The protest comes amid increasing tensions between artists and digital streaming platforms, potentially inspiring other musicians to weigh similar actions against corporate giants controlling music distribution. This action follows his previous withdrawal from Spotify in 2022, demonstrating his consistent stance against major digital platforms.
Industry analysts note this move will impact Amazon Music’s catalog offerings while symbolizing growing artist pushback against perceived unfair practices in the digital music economy. Young’s decision comes at a time when many artists are recognizing the importance of editorial playlists for streaming success and visibility.
Young’s critique extends beyond Amazon to encompass what he characterizes as capitalist failures contributing to political and social instability. His statement references historical resistance movements, urging public participation in activism against what he views as oppressive corporate systems.
The musician’s withdrawal parallels other frustrations expressed by artists regarding corporate control over music, including recent complaints about vinyl production quality affecting bands like Screaming Trees.
Young’s action represents not just a business decision but a political statement against what he views as the harmful influence of billionaires and corporations on American society, government, and economic systems.
