Sheryl Crow, a nine-time Grammy Award winner, is struggling financially due to the decline in record sales. Despite her hit songs like “Soak Up the Sun” and “Everyday Is a Winding Road,” she is now selling her music for TV commercials to stay afloat. Her debut album sold millions of copies, but her most recent release only sold 40,000 copies as more music fans turn to streaming services like Spotify.
During an episode of Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast, Crow expressed her frustration with the current state of the music industry. She noted that artists can no longer rely on record sales to sustain their careers. She described the situation as sad and sickening, as the revenues generated by streaming services are significantly lower compared to traditional album sales. Crow emphasized that record sales used to be a reliable source of income and connection with her audience.
A close friend of Crow revealed that she had previously viewed licensing songs for commercials as a compromise of her artistic integrity. However, she now recognizes it as a necessary step to support herself financially in the changing music landscape. The friend highlighted that Crow’s perspective on the industry has shifted, acknowledging that the traditional music business model is no longer sustainable for many artists.
