Paul McCartney releases silent track to protest AI use of copyrighted music
Paul McCartney released a nearly silent track, "Bonus Track," joining over a thousand artists protesting proposed UK copyright changes allowing AI companies to exploit music without payment.
November 17, 2025 - 06:52 PM ET • 2 min read
Former Beatle Paul McCartney has released a nearly silent track as part of a collective music industry protest against the use of copyrighted material by artificial intelligence companies without authorization or payment.
The track, titled "Bonus Track," is McCartney's first new recording in five years. It runs for two minutes and 45 seconds, a length comparable to some of his classic songs, but features only quiet hiss and occasional studio clatter. The recording, captured in an empty studio, is intended to suggest that the unfair exploitation of intellectual property by AI could silence original music and wreck the creative ecosystem, according to organizers of the protest.
McCartney, 83, who is currently touring North America, contributed the track to the B-side of the LP Is This What We Want?, an album composed entirely of silent recordings. The vinyl record is scheduled for release later this month.
The album is a collective effort involving more than a thousand musicians and groups, including prominent figures such as Kate Bush, Yusuf (Cat Stevens), Jamiroquai, Tori Amos, Annie Lennox, and Hans Zimmer.
The protest specifically targets changes being evaluated by the UK government regarding copyright law. Authorities said the proposed modifications could potentially allow large technology companies to access creative works for training generative AI models without requiring prior authorization from the creators or paying appropriate royalties.
Musician and activist Ed Newton-Rex, who is behind the action, confirmed the launch of the vinyl album on Monday. He expressed gratitude to McCartney for providing the silent bonus track and to all participating artists who contributed to the effort.
Organizers stated that the purpose of the silent album is to draw the attention of British authorities to the issue, highlighting what they view as a serious threat to the cultural industry posed by the advancement of AI. They emphasized that McCartney's participation aims to draw attention to the "devastating impact" that new regulations could have on artists' livelihoods and work.
The collective action argues that if AI companies unfairly exploit musicians' intellectual property, the resulting lack of compensation and control will severely damage the ability of artists to create new work, ultimately leading to a "sound of silence" in the industry. The album serves as a physical manifestation of this potential outcome.