8/25/23
Miley Cyrus came out with a new single this Friday morning titled “Used to Be Young.” It follows her album “Endless Summer Vacation” released earlier this year.
Used to Be Young could be one of my favorites of Mileys yet. The Disney star's rise to fame and stardom, followed by extremely harsh judgment and criticism as she got older, is not a lifestyle many can relate to. With this having someone come out the other side in reflection the way Miley does in this song, is a really unique and amazing thing to see.
The song seems to be her response to the media that has painted her as this crazy girl who lost her mind, blaming her childhood fame and money. Examples are the hate and press she got after her 2013 VMA performance with Robin Thicke, her decision to cut off and bleach her hair in 2012, or her Wrecking Ball music video in 2013 where Cyrus is completely naked on a wrecking ball. She struck up so much controversy, and it caused people to start to dislike her and her lifestyle, dismissing the fact that her abnormal upbringing and access to so much money at a young age could have contributed to these outlandish acts of hers.
The chorus of “Used to be Young” says as follows:
I know I used to be crazy
I know I used to be fun
You say I used to be wild
I say I used to be young
You tell me time has done changed me
That's fine, I've had a good run
I know I used to be crazy
That's 'causе I used to be young
Cyrus acknowledges the way she was seen in the public eye, and her tone and emotional feel to the song feels as if she is almost apologizing and accepting her past, for herself. She is telling listeners, you know what, I was just a crazy young person, and I know that now, and you should too. I just love this.
Her verses seem to contain actual moments of reflection, such as
"Take onе, pour it out, it's not worth cryin' 'bout
The things you can't erase
Like tattoos and regrets, words I never meant
And ones that got away"
Cyrus seems to put into words this internal realization of being young and making mistakes, and how it changes her and her path.
The last chorus is slightly different, saying
I know I used to be crazy
Messed up, but, God, was it fun
I know I used to be wild
That's 'cause I used to be young
Those wasted nights are not wasted
I remember every one
I know I used to be crazy
That's 'cause I used to be young
You tell me time has done changed me
That's fine, I've had a good run
I know I used to be crazy
That's 'cause I used to be young
These lyrics also are a self-reflecting moment for Cyrus, as she is saying she does not regret this time of her life, and knows it was part of her growing up to the person she is today. The idea of “used to be young” is relatable and offers peace for those who feel like they have maybe made regretful decisions or felt that they were doing the wrong thing. Cyrus is here to offer a sort of peace, young people do things like that. She is a genius and I love this type of music from her.
The overall tone of this song reminds me a lot of Cyrus’s very early music, such as the sound and tempo reminding me of “The Climb,” (2009) and the emotional feel and tone reminding me of “When I Look At You.” (2010) Whether this was intentional or not is unknown, however, I love the familiarity and the sound that reminds me of when she was young. This song is overall beautifully written and a seriously good release of Cyrus.
Whether this will remain a standalone single or be a part of an album, I am looking forward to what else follows. Miley Cyrus is one of those artists everyone loves, and I can not wait to see what is next for her.
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