Miley Cyrus is an artist who isn’t afraid to experiment. Her albums stand in stark contrast to one another but are all equally powerful. Below, find three of Cyrus’ most unexpected songs.
Videos by American Songwriter
Can’t Be Tamed
“Can’t Be Tamed” was quite the transition from Cyrus’ Disney days. If there was any wondering if Cyrus was ready to move on from her child star reputation, it was put to bed within the first measures of this track. Cyrus turned the edge dial up to 11 on “Can’t Be Tamed.” Though not everyone was on board with this unexpected Cyrus song, it certainly primed her for the career in pop she is enjoying now.
Rock mafia
For those who don’t know me
I can get a bit crazy
Have to get my way yep
Twenty four hours a day
‘Cause I’m hot like that
Every guy, everywhere just gives me mad attention
Like I’m under inspection
I always get a ten ’cause I’m built like that
Wrecking Ball
Next up on our list of Cyrus’ unexpected songs, we have “Wrecking Ball.” Similarly, “Wrecking Ball” was a jarring departure from what we had come to know Cyrus for in 2013. It made Cyrus into a powerful balladeer who wasn’t afraid to take on mature themes. Her vocals were able to fly freely here, which keyed her listeners into her longevity as an artist. She was no longer a burgeoning pop star who earned fame young and was holding on to it for dear life. She was now an artist with staying power.
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
Malibu
Last on our list of unexpected Cyrus songs, we have “Malibu.” This track saw Cyrus leave her edgy persona behind with “Malibu.” She left pounding 808s behind for simple guitar-forward instrumentation. Her lyrics are sympathetic and powerfully earnest here. She dares to be her authentic self–no showboating required.
I never came to the beach or stood by the ocean
I never sat by the shore under the sun with my feet in the sand
But you brought me here and I’m happy that you did
‘Cause now I’m as free as birds catching the wind
I always thought I would sink, so I never swam
I never went boatin’, don’t get how they are floatin’
And sometimes I get so scared of what I can’t understand
(Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
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