Kelly Clarkson has some competition for the title of cover queen. Over the past decade, Miley Cyrus has given fans a stellar following with her No. 1 hits (2013's "Wrecking Ball" and 2023's "Flowers") as well as other fan-favorites. Music lovers around the world were impressed. Just as impressive, the "Party in the U.S.A." singer is also known for her accurate covers, so much so that some of her most beloved covers often appear on her concert setlists.
Cyrus began paying homage to her favorite artists during her tenure at Disney Channel, delivering a passionate rendition of Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" on her sophomore album Breakout and on her 2010 album Can 't Be Tamed ", a cover of Poison's "Every Rose Has His Thorn". But like her voice, her covers got better and more refined over time. Recent covers such as Blondie's "Heart of Glass" have gone viral, prompting her to add some content to streaming services.
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Now, the 30-year-old's love of classics has carried over to her eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation , which according to Genius points samples Christina Aguilera Debut single "Genie In A Bottle" from Muddy Feet, a collaboration with Sia. .
Since the beginning of his career, Cyrus has performed nearly 120 covers, both live and in the studio. If she toured with Endless Summer , the list would definitely get longer. To celebrate the release of the new album, we've ranked her 20 best cover songs, from cult classics like Dolly Parton's "Jolene" to some of the latest in her repertoire.
20. “The Stars Are Blind” – Paris Hilton
Cyrus' cover of Hilton's hit isn't on anyone's 2022 bingo card, but the first verse of her solo was smooth and effortless, adding surprising emotion to this millennial classic. Chaos ensues when Sia joins in, and then climaxes with Hilton jumping on stage, but that's what makes it so fun.
19. “Head like a hole” – Nine Inch Nails
In "Black Mirror ," Cyrus subverted Ashley O's hit "On A Roll," turning it into a money-hungry bubblegum song. Not surprisingly, she also did the original justice, digging so deep into her lower register that her voice was nearly unrecognizable.
18. “The bitch is back” – Elton John
Whoever decided to turn this into a country bluegrass storm, thank you. Cyrus' twang completely transforms John's intense classic without sacrificing his attitude, making you believe that bitch is really back (although not sure from where).
17. "Believe" - Cher
Cyrus further cemented her status as a gay icon by opening the set with Cher's dancefloor anthem, sans the signature vocoder effect but with plenty of drag queens present. It's just as much fun as you might imagine.
16. “My Future” – Billie Eilish
"My Future" already informed 19-year-old Eilish's optimistic, sensible outlook on life, but Cyrus imbued it with a sense of weariness and defiance that only an older, more experienced artist could provide.
15. “Nothing else matters” – Metallica
After performing the hard rock ballad at Glastonbury, Cyrus joined producer WATT, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and piano player Elton John recorded this cover for Metallica. It sounds confusing, but there's a reason all these rock icons flocked to Cyrus to join her on the show.
BONUS LISTEN: Cyrus even performed the song with Metallica on The Howard Stern Show in 2021, where she explained why she covered it at Glastonbury Song. "Just before the world knew I was getting divorced, I knew I was about two weeks before Glastonbury," she said. "I was heartbroken and my purpose came from this performance. I was sober and I really picked myself up and this song is what drove me to that place because I knew nothing else mattered. My love Life is kind of falling apart, but I love music, so this is my love letter to music.”
14. “Jolene” – Dolly Parton
Cyrus has performed her godmother Dolly Parton's "Jolene" live more than half of her own repertoire, and for good reason. No matter what musical era she's in, her stylish and heartfelt delivery fits her like a glove. Parton was supposed to leave the rights to "Jolene" to Cyrus in his will.
13. “There’s nothing like 2U” – Sinead O’Connor
On its own, Cyrus' performance of the Prince-penned ballad was stunning. But what makes it hit even harder is the seamless transition to her own "Wrecking Ball," bringing that same sense of loss and devastation into a song that perpetuates those feelings.
12. "I'll feel lonely when you're gone" - Bob Dylan
When Cyrus, then 19, performed a rendition of Dylan's sad ballad, which was released in 2012, it was the first realization that she was just as good at writing her own classic songs. Her voice sounds well beyond her Hannah Montana years, as restless, tired, and desperate as the song demands.
11. “Communication” – cardigan
In October 2020, Cyrus chose to cover a song about struggling to connect, which was very prescient because no one can connect with the real world the way they want to. Her voice is pure and restrained, and her subtle tonal changes are simply heavenly. Let's be honest, Cyrus' next performance of the Cardigans' signature single "Lovefool" was an absolute blast.
10. “The first time I saw your face” – Roberta Flack
Cyrus delivers a nasally cover of Flack's timeless love song in perhaps her most subtle vocal showcase yet, showing great restraint to respect the song's delicacy. Even her finale sounds more angelic than commanded, proving that she can be just as powerful without going all out.
9. “Summertime Sadness” – Lana Del Rey
Cyrus was ahead of her time when she sang "Summertime Sadness" in late 2013. She adds a touch of levity and optimism to the titular sadness, perhaps becoming the first sign that Del Rey's torch ballad is about to hit the airwaves.
8. "No freedom" - Dido
Dido's defiant declaration of "no freedom, no love" made the song the perfect song for Cyrus to cover for her Happy Hippie Foundation, which focuses on youth homelessness and LGBTQ+ causes. When she performed the song again with Adam Sandler to honor the victims of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Cyrus's voice sounded more authentic, sounding purer and more hopeful.
7. “Lilac Wine” – James Sheldon
Does this need any explanation? Just listen.
6. "Don't Dream It's Over" - Ariana Grande's "Crowded House"
In 2015, Cyrus first sang with Grande on her original Backyard Sessions, her soft harmonies complementing Grande's soaring vocals. But when they revisited the cover two years later at One Love Manchester's event for the victims of Grande's 2017 Manchester concert shooting, it took on a much-needed tone of healing and optimism.
5. “Gimme More” – Britney Spears
Only Cyrus would have thought of turning an electro-hip-hop song like "Gimme More" into a country song, and only she could make this bizarre combination work. True to the song's title, she cuts it after the second verse, leaving us with "Gimme More." The cover comes at a time when Spears is fighting for freedom from 13 years of conservatorship, which makes it all the sweeter.
4. “Maybe” – Janis Joplin
When Cyrus set out to cover "Maybe" during her 2021 festival performance, she proved she can do more than just sing: She can scream, yell, grovel and belt like the best of them. Like Joplin herself, Cyrus noted that fans didn't even know she had the ability to change pace quickly and cover her entire range without missing a beat. That's the mark of a true rock star.
3. "Glass Heart" - Blonde Girl
Cyrus strutted onto the iHeartRadio Music Festival stage with a mission and delivered on the opening notes of "Heart Of Glass." Her no-holds-barred take on Blondie's electro-rock riff added more passion and sheer volume than the ever-cool Debbie Harry might have wanted, but neither she nor TikTok can deny how powerful it is, Making it a new playlist staple for Cyrus.
2. "I Will Always Love You" - Dolly Parton and Dolly Parton
Nothing proves that Cyrus is the best Dolly Parton tribute artist better than singing alongside Dolly Parton. The duo ended 2022 by mashing up Cyrus' breakup anthem "Wrecking Ball" with Parton's classic tearjerker and adding the creepiest transition. Cyrus added just as much pathos and emotion as Parton wanted, digging deep into her high range and performing as if she was holding back tears before letting it all out, harmonizing with her godmother get along. No one will see 2023 with a dry eye.
1. "Music"/"Express Yourself"/"Like a Prayer" - Madonna
Cyrus is the closest thing the Disney generation has to a Madonna successor, and when she covers the pop diva, no one can make an argument against it. She's given us three classics to honor her special , effortlessly slaying 'em all. Cyrus' renditions of "Music" and "Express Yourself" stay true to form, bringing out Madge's rare husky tone.
But it was her cover of "Like A Prayer" that really won the top spot, where she brought as much energy and vocal power as Madge but with her own rough rock edge, turning it into a relentless, haunting affair. Awe-inspiring church service.
