Loads of artists now release alternate versions of their songs, but why are they doing it and should you do it for your music too?

You’ve probably seen it: You get a notification that one of your favourite artists has dropped a new song. Excitedly, you click through to listen and are surprised to see the name of a song you’re already intimately familiar with.

However; there’s something different. It might name a new feature or a DJ, it might say something like “acoustic version” or “single edit”. Playing it back, the song is uncannily different though it’s definitely a version of that same song.

You’ve just discovered an “alternate version”. They’re all the rage these days. As artists seek to maximise their reach and extend the lifespan of their music, these variations offer a powerful tool for connecting with new audiences and deepening engagement with existing fans.

Recent data analysis by Luminate reveals a significant shift in the number of alternate versions released for top-charting songs. While in the past, many songs were released as single tracks, now it’s becoming increasingly common for artists to release multiple versions of the same song.

Luminate reveals that songs with 1-2 ISRCs in the top 100 have decreased whilst songs with 3-4 distinct ISRCs have dramatically grown in the last year. Interestingly, they found that the number of songs with 5 or more ISRCs had actually decreased slightly. This suggests that artists are finding the most success with 3 or 4 versions of their song.

Count of ISRCS of the top 100 U.S. On-Demand Audio Songs (YTD as of Week 33). Read as: of the top 100 songs this year, 24 of those songs have only 1-2 audio ISRCS.
Image credit: Luminate Data

The benefits of alternate version:

  • Extended Lifespan: Alternate versions can help to prolong the popularity of a song by introducing new elements or catering to different listener preferences.
  • Reaching New Audiences: Remixes and collaborations with other artists can tap into new fan bases and expand an artist’s reach.
  • Enhancing Listener Experience: Offering multiple versions of a song can provide listeners with a more personalized experience, allowing them to choose the version that best suits their mood or preferences.

Case studies of hit artists with alternate versions

A notable example of the effectiveness of alternate versions is Charli XCX’s ‘Von Dutch’. By releasing multiple remixes of the song featuring different artists, Charli XCX was able to significantly increase its overall streaming activity and reach a wider audience.

Tommy Richman’s ‘MILLION DOLLAR BABY’ has been topping the charts this year. With hundreds-of-millions of streams, you might be surprised to hear that a “VHS” version of the same track has accounted for 14.5% of the track’s year-to-date on-demand audio streams.

How artists can get involved with alternate versions of their own songs

As the music industry continues to evolve, we expect to see even more innovative and creative uses of alternate versions. By embracing this trend and leveraging the power of these variations, artists can unlock new opportunities for success and build lasting connections with their fans.

Whether you want to breathe new life into an older track or capitalise on the success of a new single, creating an alternate version of your song is a simple and effective way to bring more listens to your music.

  • Identify Target Audiences: Consider the demographics and preferences of your existing fanbase and identify potential new audiences that could benefit from alternate versions.
  • Collaborate with Other Artists: Partnering with other artists can help you tap into their fan bases and create exciting new versions of your songs.
  • Experiment with Different Styles: Explore different genres or production techniques to create unique and engaging alternate versions.
  • Engage with Fans: Pay attention to fan feedback and requests to identify which types of alternate versions might resonate most with your audience.

Release alternate versions of your songs with ease

Once you’ve created an alternate version for your song, release it to the world’s top music services easily using RouteNote. You can unlock unlimited music distribution to the world with a free account at www.routenote.com.

As long as you have the ownership or rights over the music you have used and reworked, you can distribute them to the world and earn revenues from every play. Get discovered on TikTok, get played on Spotify, and reach audiences around the world.

Sign up for free music distribution at www.routenote.com today.