Veteran musician Neil Young has offered free access to his entire digital music and documentary archive to the people of Greenland, describing the move as a symbolic act of “peace and love” amid political tensions surrounding former US president Donald Trump’s remarks about annexing the Danish territory.
The 80-year-old songwriter announced the decision on his website earlier this week, granting Greenland residents a year’s access to Neil Young Archives, which hosts his recorded and live catalogues along with films and other material.
“I’m honored to give a free year’s access to neilyoungarchives.com to all our friends in Greenland,” Young wrote. “I hope my Music and Music Films will ease some of the unwarranted stress and threats you are experiencing from our unpopular and hopefully temporary government.”
He added: “It is my sincere wish for you to be able to enjoy all of my music in your beautiful Greenland home, in its highest quality. This is an offer of peace and love. All the music I made during the last 62 years is yours to hear. We do hope other organizations will follow in the spirit of our example.”
In a separate statement, Young reiterated the sentiment, writing: “It is my sincere wish for you to be able to enjoy all of my music in your beautiful Greenland home, in its highest quality. This is an offer of Peace and Love. All the music I have made during the last 62 years is yours to hear. You can renew for free as long as you are in Greenland. We do hope other organisations will follow in the spirit of our example. LOVE EARTH.”
The gesture follows weeks of political uncertainty sparked by Trump’s comments about acquiring Greenland, which he previously claimed the US “needs.” On 22 January, Trump softened his stance, saying that the “framework of a future deal” had been reached. He also withdrew proposed tariffs on several European nations after Nato allies responded to his threats to seize the Arctic island.
White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement: “President Trump was not elected to preserve the status quo, he is a visionary leader who is always generating creative ideas to bolster US national security. Many of this President’s predecessors recognized the strategic logic of acquiring Greenland, but only President Trump has had the courage to pursue this seriously. As the President said, NATO becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the United States, and Greenlanders would be better served if protected by the United States from modern threats in the Arctic region.”
Young has long been vocal in his opposition to Trump. In 2020, he filed a copyright lawsuit after his songs “Rockin’ In the Free World” and “Devil’s Sidewalk” were used at campaign rallies without permission. Although the case was later withdrawn, Young made his position clear at the time.
“This complaint is not intended to disrespect the rights and opinions of American citizens, who are free to support the candidate of their choosing,” the filing read. “However, [Young] in good conscience cannot allow his music to be used as a ‘theme song’ for a divisive, un-American campaign of ignorance and hate.”
More recently, Young has renewed his criticism of Amazon and its founder Jeff Bezos over political support for Trump. In 2024, Bezos donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund. Young responded by urging fans to avoid the company.
“Amazon is owned by Jeff Bezos, a billionaire backer of the president. The president’s international policies and his support of ICE, make it impossible for me to ignore his actions. If you feel as I do, I strongly recommend that you do not use Amazon,” he wrote.
He added: “There are many ways to avoid Amazon and support individual Americans and American companies that supply the same products. I have done that with my music and people who are looking can find it in a lot of other places.”
“My music will never be available on Amazon, as long as it is owned by Bezos. My position is unfortunately harmful to my record company in the short term but I think the message I am sending is important and clear,” Young said.
Young removed his music from Amazon Music in October, although physical formats remain available. His stance echoes earlier protests, including his high-profile withdrawal from Spotify in 2022 over Joe Rogan’s podcast and Covid misinformation. He later returned to the platform in 2024 after Rogan’s show became available on multiple services.
Explaining that move at the time, Young wrote: “My decision comes as music services Apple and Amazon have started serving the same disinformation podcast features I had opposed at Spotify. I cannot just leave Apple and Amazon, like I did Spotify, because my music would have very little streaming outlet to music lovers at all, so I have returned to Spotify.”
Beyond his digital activism, Young has also spoken out against immigration enforcement. Earlier this month, he criticised ICE operations in Minneapolis, writing that Trump “every move he makes is to build instability so he can stay in power.”
Despite ongoing political engagement, Young continues his musical career. He has recently announced a European summer tour, beginning at the Eden Project in Cornwall on 17 June, with Elvis Costello and the Imposters joining him on select dates.
With his Greenland initiative, Young has once again blended art and activism, offering his life’s work as a gesture of solidarity at a time of geopolitical uncertainty.
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