Portuguese singer Salvador Sobral has returned his music to Spotify, reversing his previous decision to remove his catalogue from the platform, according to Notícias ao Minuto.
The artist confirmed the move on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, describing the return in a statement that acknowledged a retreat. Notícias ao Minuto reports Sobral said he was going back "with his tail between his legs," a phrase he used to characterise the reversal.
Sobral had earlier pulled his music from Spotify, framing the fight as one against a "Goliath too strong to face alone," as reported by Público and SÁBADO. The singer's original protest appeared to centre on the power imbalance between individual artists and the streaming giant.
In comments carried by Expresso, Sobral explained that he had gone into the battle fully committed but found himself isolated. He said he looked back and saw no one behind him, prompting his decision to move forward and resume streaming on the platform.
The return marks the end of a public standoff that began when Sobral removed his work from Spotify. His initial action drew attention to the challenges artists face when negotiating with dominant streaming services, though the lack of broader industry support appears to have influenced his decision to step back.
Sobral, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017 with "Amar pelos Dois," has not detailed what changes, if any, he sought from Spotify before his return. The reports do not indicate whether the platform altered its policies or terms in response to his protest.
Observers will be watching whether Sobral's reversal signals an acceptance of the current streaming model or if he will pursue alternative avenues to press his concerns about artist compensation and platform power.
