Taylor Swift, Katy Perry fight it out on Spotify

Last Friday, Taylor Swift’s back catalogue returned to streaming services just as Katy Perry’s new album Witness dropped.

Some – Swift stans, Katy fans and amused onlookers alike – suggested that Swift deliberately chose the day and the time to take the wind out of the sails of her arch-rival. 

Swift’s people are saying the timing came to celebrate the 10^th million global sales of 1989, and the RIAA certifying she has sold 100 million songs in the US. 

In the United States, Swift is out front on Spotify. As of midday Thursday, she currently has four songs in the Spotify US Top 200; Perry has two in the Top 200 and one in the 100 list. 

But Spotify’s Global Top 200 tells another story. Perry’s Taylor-bashing Swish Swish is at #41 and Swift’s highest entry, Shake It Off at #138.

In Australia, Perry is at #55 (Swish Swish), #61 (Bon Appetit) and #144 (Chained To The Rhythm). Swift’s newly available tracks sneaked in at #188 (Shake It Off) and #196 (Blank Space).

Perry revealed over the weekend, during her promotional 24-hour livestream that she is ready to end the feud: “I’m ready to let it go. Absolutely, 100%. I forgive her, and I’m sorry for anything I ever did, and I hope the same from her, and I think it’s actually… I think it’s time. 

“There are bigger fish to fry, and there are bigger problems in the world. 

“I love her and I want the best for her, and I think she’s a fantastic songwriter, and like, I think that if we both, her and I, can be representatives of strong women that come together despite their differences, I think the whole world is going to go, like, ‘Yeah, we can do this.’”

Just when can we expect new music from Swift? She’s said to have been in the studio in Nashville.

Earlier this week, there was speculation a surprise record would come on Tuesday June 13.

However it is more likely it would come in October/ November, when Swift has released her previous records. 

Besides, her close friend Ed Sheeran reckons it’s more likely to be the end of the year (which would give his all-conquering Divide a clear run).

Sheeran told the BBC in March, "Taylor isn’t going to be releasing until probably the end of this year. 

"Christmas is the smartest time to release because that’s when everyone buys records.

“So I’ve got a full year of just all Ed, all the time."