The world got to know a young Miley Cyrus thanks to her Disney Channel show Hannah Montana. At the time when she was becoming a star to many tweens, Cyrus was in her early teens. But as with all human beings, she grew up. Soon, Cyrus was an adult, performing at MTV and Grammy Awards show, sticking out her tongue and telling the world she was a woman.
Videos by American Songwriter
That put some people off, to be sure. But like all strong people, Cyrus didn’t care about what others thought. Instead, she put out hits, continued acting here and there, and turned her tongue into a brand. Today, Cyrus is one of the biggest musical stars in the world, much to the delight of her godmother Dolly Parton and father Billy Ray Cyrus.
But for those who remain irked by Cyrus’ transformation, we wanted to share a trio of songs that any music fan can get behind. For the 31-year-old Franklin, Tennessee-born performer, music should be freeing. And here below are three tunes that demonstrate her ability to cut loose, be herself, and wow fans with her singing prowess.
“Flowers” from Endless Summer Vacation (2023)
If Miley wasn’t one of the biggest music stars in the world before 2023, this release put her there. A breakup song for the ages, this track showcases how self-love is as important, or even more so, than the kind you can get from another person. Flowers? Buy yourself a bouquet? Want your hand held? Do it yourself! The best-selling single of 2023, this song, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, was beloved by billions. And the flirtatious music video was a highlight of the year, too. On it, she sings,
We were good, we were gold
Kinda dream that can’t be sold
We were right ’til we weren’t
Built a home and watched it burn
Mm, I didn’t wanna leave you
I didn’t wanna lie
Started to cry, but then remembered I
I can buy myself flowers
Write my name in the sand
Talk to myself for hours
Say things you don’t understand
I can take myself dancing
And I can hold my own hand
Yeah, I can love me better than you can
“Wrecking Ball” from Bangerz (2013)
If the above track is about self-empowerment, this song is about the crushing blow that might come before the realization you need to take care of your own spirit. Love hurts. When it goes away it can crush you. And here, Cyrus demonstrates just how powerful a feeling of absence can be. But she does so with a twist. She sings about how she fell into love, got into the relationship so hard that it shattered her partner’s world. Maybe their love wasn’t meant to sustain such force? Either way, now everything is broken. On the track, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, she sings,
We clawed, we chained our hearts in vain
We jumped never asking why
We kissed, I fell under your spell.
A love no one could deny
Don’t you ever say I just walked away
I will always want you
I can’t live a lie, running for my life
I will always want you
I came in like a wrecking ball
I never hit so hard in love
All I wanted was to break your walls
All you ever did was wreck me
Yeah, you, you wreck me
“Jolene” from The Backyard Sessions (Video, 2012)
When you want to become a music star, it doesn’t hurt to have a godmother like Dolly Parton. But even if that wasn’t the case for Cyrus, she likely would have made it in the industry. Her voice is electric and capable of covering any number of genres and songs, from The Cranberries to Led Zeppelin to country star Dolly. Indeed, when you talk about Cyrus’ sonic talent, her ability to take on any musical form has to be discussed. And here below, she covers one of Parton’s biggest hits, warbling like a yodeler and dazzling like a movie star. She sings,
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m begging of you please don’t take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don’t take him just because you can
Your beauty is beyond compare
With flaming locks of auburn hair
With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green
Your smile is like a breath of spring
Your voice is soft like summer rain
And I cannot compete with you, Jolene
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Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
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