Why have three Miranda Lambert songs been removed from streaming platforms?

In a surprising development, three of Miranda Lambert’s songs have recently been removed from major streaming platforms, leaving fans and industry experts seeking answers. The affected tracks are “Only Prettier,” “Ain’t in Kansas Anymore,” and “They’ve Closed Down the Honky Tonks.”

“Only Prettier,” a single co-written by Lambert and released in 2010, has been notably absent from Spotify in the United States. This issue was highlighted as early as July 2018, when fans on the Popjustice Forum noted its unavailability. Despite Lambert’s co-writing credit and the song’s popularity, it remains inaccessible on certain streaming services.

Released on July 12, 2024, “Ain’t in Kansas Anymore” was part of the soundtrack for the film “Twisters.” However, as of July 21, 2024, the track has been excluded from streaming platforms like Spotify, Deezer, and iTunes in specific regions, notably Belarus and Russia. The reasons for these regional restrictions have not been publicly disclosed.

This track was initially available as a single on Apple Music in 2021. However, it has since been removed from the platform. The exact timing and reasons for its removal are unclear, as there has been no official statement from Lambert or her representatives regarding this matter.

While no official explanations have been provided for the removal of these tracks, several factors could be at play:

• Licensing and Distribution Agreements: Changes in licensing deals, especially following Lambert’s departure from Sony Music Nashville in March 2023 after a 20-year partnership, could impact the availability of certain songs.
• Regional Restrictions: As seen with “Ain’t in Kansas Anymore,” geopolitical factors or specific regional licensing issues can lead to songs being unavailable in certain countries.
• Platform-Specific Issues: Technical glitches or policy changes within streaming platforms might also result in the unavailability of specific tracks.

The removal of these songs has sparked discussions among fans on social media and music forums, with many expressing frustration over the lack of access to their favorite tracks. Industry experts note that such removals can affect an artist’s streaming numbers and fan engagement, especially when popular songs become inaccessible without clear communication.

The absence of “Only Prettier,” “Ain’t in Kansas Anymore,” and “They’ve Closed Down the Honky Tonks” from streaming platforms underscores the complexities of music licensing and distribution in the digital age. Fans are hopeful for official statements from Miranda Lambert or her management to clarify the situation and, ideally, restore these beloved tracks to streaming services worldwide.