Fight Song: Rachel Platten Reclaims Her Voice

Singer Rachel Platten has released "Fight Song (Rachel's Version)," a re-recording of her 2015 breakthrough hit, marking a significant step in her journey to reclaim artistic and financial control over her music. This initiative, undertaken roughly a decade after the original's success, draws parallels to Taylor Swift's "Taylor's Version" project, highlighting artists' efforts to regain ownership of their catalogues.

Platten's decision stems from her initial experience with major labels, where contract details regarding royalty splits and ownership were not fully understood. While "Fight Song" was a personal and financial success, Platten now seeks direct control over licensing and a greater share of streaming royalties, empowered by her sole rightsholder status for the new version.

This move comes amid evolving industry practices, including longer rerecording restrictions imposed by labels. However, Platten's previous contract allowed for this rerecording, and while the financial impact for Columbia Records is minimal, the personal and artistic significance for Platten is profound, aiming to embody the message of her song by reclaiming her voice.