Why Isn’t Garth Brooks on Spotify?

Introduction: The Curious Case of Garth Brooks and Spotify

In a world where nearly every major artist—from Taylor Swift to The Beatles—is streaming on Spotify, one name remains notably absent: Garth Brooks. If you’ve searched for him and come up short, you’re not imagining things.

So why isn’t Garth Brooks on Spotify?

It’s a question that’s puzzled millions of country fans and digital music users for years. Despite being one of the best-selling solo artists of all time, with over 157 million albums sold in the U.S. alone, Brooks has made a deliberate decision to stay off Spotify and Apple Music—a decision rooted in business philosophy, artist rights, and streaming economics.

This article breaks down the full story: the artist’s reasons, what platforms he's chosen instead, and whether he might change his mind in the future.

Garth Brooks: A Quick Snapshot of a Country Legend

To understand the weight of this decision, you need to grasp just how massive Garth Brooks is:

• 9 Diamond-certified albums (more than The Beatles)

• 2-time Grammy winner

• 7-time CMA “Entertainer of the Year”

• Named the top-selling solo artist in U.S. history by the RIAA

Yet despite this, you won’t find his discography on Spotify, Apple Music, or Tidal. His stance is rare—especially in an industry where even legacy artists have embraced digital streaming to stay relevant.

Why Isn’t Garth Brooks on Spotify?

Let’s unpack the core reasons one by one.

1. Garth Brooks Believes in Artist-Centric Deals

Garth Brooks has long been vocal about how streaming platforms underpay artists—especially in comparison to physical and digital album sales.

In multiple interviews, including with Billboard and CBS, Brooks has said:

“Spotify doesn’t pay properly. I don’t believe in the way they do business.”

Instead of accepting Spotify’s pro-rata model, which pools subscription fees and distributes based on global stream share, Brooks has sought artist-first terms that give musicians more control and compensation.

2. He Prefers Full Albums Over Singles Culture

Spotify thrives on singles, curated playlists, and algorithmic discovery—a stark contrast to how Garth Brooks has always released and marketed music.

Brooks is an album artist. He’s repeatedly said he wants listeners to experience the full narrative of a record, not just cherry-pick singles via autoplay.

“I don’t want my music sliced up into 60-second attention spans,” he told reporters in 2019.

This long-form approach clashes with the bite-sized, playlist-heavy nature of Spotify.

3. Garth Brooks Signed an Exclusive Streaming Deal with Amazon Music

While Brooks has avoided Spotify, he hasn’t completely snubbed streaming. Since 2016, he’s had an exclusive partnership with Amazon Music, making that the only major platform where fans can stream his catalog legally.

This deal was part philosophical, part strategic. Amazon agreed to support full-album presentation, respect his creative vision, and pay terms Brooks found acceptable.

Fun fact: When the deal launched, Garth Brooks became the first artist to offer his entire catalog exclusively on Amazon Music.

4. He’s Loyal to His Principles—Even If It Costs Him Streams

Brooks’ decision has cost him streaming exposure, particularly with younger audiences. Spotify has over 615 million users globally, and being off-platform limits reach. But Brooks has consistently stated he’s more focused on ownership, legacy, and long-term integrity than short-term plays.

In 2022, he doubled down on this stance, saying:

“This isn’t about what everyone else is doing. It’s about what feels right for me.”

In other words, his absence from Spotify is deliberate, not accidental—and that may not change anytime soon.

What About Apple Music or Tidal?

Garth Brooks has also kept his distance from Apple Music and Tidal for similar reasons.

He’s had tense negotiations with Apple in the past, primarily because they reportedly wouldn’t meet his terms around payout structures and album presentation. Tidal, despite being known for higher artist royalties, never secured his catalog either.

This leaves Amazon Music as his sole digital streaming home—alongside physical CDs, vinyl, and digital downloads on his own site.

How Can You Listen to Garth Brooks Today?

If you’re wondering how to stream Garth Brooks' songs legally, here are your options:

Will Garth Brooks Ever Join Spotify?

It’s the million-dollar question—and while no one can say for sure, here’s what we know:

• Brooks hasn’t closed the door completely.

• In a 2021 interview, he hinted:

  “Never say never. But if I do, it’ll be on my terms.”

With Spotify making efforts to launch Spotify HiFi and new artist-centered tools, the gap may narrow over time. But until the platform adjusts its economics and artist-first values, a Spotify-Garth partnership remains unlikely.

Conclusion: Why Garth Brooks Isn’t on Spotify Comes Down to Values

So, why isn’t Garth Brooks on Spotify? Because for him, it’s not about being everywhere—it’s about being in the right place, on the right terms.

• He wants better pay structures for artists.

• He prefers albums over singles culture.

• He’s loyal to a vision, not trends.

• And he’s found a partner in Amazon Music that supports that vision.

In a digital era where most artists chase streams, Garth Brooks is chasing something different: integrity, control, and connection on his own terms. That makes his absence from Spotify frustrating for fans—but admirable from a business perspective.

FAQs: Why Isn’t Garth Brooks on Spotify?

Is any Garth Brooks music available on Spotify?

No. His full discography is not on Spotify. You might find covers or tribute albums, but not official tracks.

Can I stream Garth Brooks anywhere?

Yes. His entire catalog is available exclusively on Amazon Music, both Unlimited and Prime.

Will Garth Brooks ever come to Spotify?

Possibly—but only if Spotify agrees to terms that meet his standards for artist compensation and album presentation.

Why did he choose Amazon over Spotify?

Amazon reportedly gave him better payout terms, full-album support, and long-term control over how his music is streamed.

Is Garth Brooks anti-streaming?

No. He supports streaming, but only in ways that protect artists and their creative integrity.