Miley Cyrus can move from a light country-pop melody to a rough-edged rock chorus without losing the character of her voice. These 20 picks bring together familiar singles, quieter ballads, dance tracks and a memorable acoustic cover.
Try “Flowers” for a confident pop groove, “The Climb” for encouragement or “Midnight Sky” for a stronger rock edge. For more on her delivery, see our look at Miley Cyrus’s singing.
Contents
- 1. “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus
- 2. “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus
- 3. “Midnight Sky” by Miley Cyrus
- 4. “Malibu” by Miley Cyrus
- 5. “Party in the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus
- 6. “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus
- 7. “Used To Be Young” by Miley Cyrus
- 8. “Angels Like You” by Miley Cyrus
- 9. “See You Again” by Miley Cyrus
- 10. “7 Things” by Miley Cyrus
- 11. “Younger Now” by Miley Cyrus
- 12. “Jaded” by Miley Cyrus
- 13. “When I Look at You” by Miley Cyrus
- 14. “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart” by Mark Ronson featuring Miley Cyrus
- 15. “Plastic Hearts” by Miley Cyrus
- 16. “Slide Away” by Miley Cyrus
- 17. “Start All Over” by Miley Cyrus
- 18. “River” by Miley Cyrus
- 19. “End of the World” by Miley Cyrus
- 20. “Jolene” by Miley Cyrus
1. “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus
A springy bass line gives “Flowers” a relaxed confidence. Cyrus sings about finding comfort and enjoyment in her own company, with a chorus that turns ordinary gestures into signs of independence.
Her slightly rough tone keeps the polished disco-pop backing from sounding too smooth. The song is an inviting place to begin if you like her direct, conversational singing.
2. “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus
“The Climb” begins with a gentle piano part before growing into a broad country-pop ballad. The words focus on carrying on through uncertainty and learning from the effort along the way.
Cyrus gradually puts more weight behind the melody, giving the final chorus a clear sense of resolve. It remains a strong choice for a graduation, a fresh start or a moment when encouragement is welcome.
3. “Midnight Sky” by Miley Cyrus
The bright synthesizers and firm beat of “Midnight Sky” frame a declaration of freedom. Cyrus sounds sure of herself, pushing her rasp against a melody with plenty of room for long, open notes.
The chorus has a driving energy that suits late-night listening. Small bursts of guitar and the steady bass keep the song moving without crowding her voice.
4. “Malibu” by Miley Cyrus
Acoustic guitar gives “Malibu” a light, breezy opening. Cyrus sings about allowing herself to feel happy in an unfamiliar setting, with the seaside imagery helping the song feel calm and open.
The rhythm becomes fuller as the track develops, though it keeps the easy pace of the introduction. Her softer delivery is a good reminder of how much she can do without a large vocal climax.
5. “Party in the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus
“Party in the U.S.A.” turns the unease of arriving somewhere new into a moment of recognition. Hearing a familiar song changes the narrator’s mood, and the chorus carries that release in a few simple, bright phrases.
The clipped guitar and steady beat leave room for a crowd to join in. Its appeal is immediate, whether you remember it from its original release or are hearing it for the first time.
6. “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus
The quiet opening of “Wrecking Ball” leaves Cyrus’s voice exposed before the chorus arrives with heavy drums and sustained notes. That change in scale gives the song its emotional force.
She describes the damage left by a relationship that became overwhelming. The official audio keeps the attention on her movement between restraint and an almost unguarded cry.
7. “Used To Be Young” by Miley Cyrus
“Used To Be Young” looks back at a former self with affection, regret and a little distance. The measured piano-led arrangement gives Cyrus time to let each thought settle.
She accepts that growing older can change the way a person understands their own choices. The chorus grows stronger without turning that reflection into a tidy victory speech.
8. “Angels Like You” by Miley Cyrus
Guitar and a slow rock beat give “Angels Like You” a familiar, sturdy shape. Cyrus sings from the position of someone who cares about another person but doubts her ability to make the relationship work.
The chorus stretches her voice into a rougher, fuller sound. Its mixture of warmth and resignation makes it one of the most affecting ballads in this selection.
9. “See You Again” by Miley Cyrus
“See You Again” catches the nerves and excitement of a crush in short, rhythmic lines. The verses almost hurry ahead of themselves before the chorus opens into an eager promise to do better next time.
The electronic beat and sharp guitar accents give the song a restless energy. It is a lively early recording with a clear sense of personality.
10. “7 Things” by Miley Cyrus
A quiet acoustic introduction quickly gives way to the bright guitars of “7 Things.” Cyrus lists the irritations and hurt feelings left by a romance, sounding more frustrated as the arrangement becomes louder.
The final change in perspective reveals how much affection remains underneath the complaints. That turn gives the song more emotional movement than a straightforward breakup anthem.
11. “Younger Now” by Miley Cyrus
“Younger Now” has a gentle country-pop sway and a melody that feels unhurried. Cyrus sings about recognizing change in herself and finding an unexpected sense of freedom in it.
Her warm lower notes suit the easy guitar backing. The song makes a thoughtful companion to “Used To Be Young,” approaching growing up from a different point of view.
12. “Jaded” by Miley Cyrus
“Jaded” deals with the regret that remains after two people fail to understand each other. Its broad melody lets Cyrus move from a conversational verse into a chorus with a much stronger edge.
The Backyard Sessions performance gives the song a live-band setting. Her sustained notes carry the apology, while the rhythm keeps the reflection from becoming static.
13. “When I Look at You” by Miley Cyrus
Piano introduces “When I Look at You,” a ballad about finding reassurance in another person. Cyrus starts softly, then allows the melody to expand as the drums and guitars enter.
The arrangement gives her voice a clear path toward the final chorus. Choose this one for the more romantic, earnest side of her catalogue.
14. “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart” by Mark Ronson featuring Miley Cyrus
Mark Ronson’s “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart” puts Cyrus’s country-leaning phrasing against a dance rhythm. The guitar figure has a plaintive pull, while the beat keeps the song moving steadily forward.
In the official live performance, her voice gives the polished arrangement a worn, human edge. The contrast between a sorrowful melody and an insistent groove is what makes the collaboration so absorbing.
15. “Plastic Hearts” by Miley Cyrus
Percussion and a wiry guitar sound give “Plastic Hearts” a restless pulse. Cyrus describes looking for genuine connection in a setting that feels shallow and difficult to trust.
She changes the pressure of her voice as the chorus rises, moving easily between a rhythmic phrase and a longer, rougher note. The title track is a good place to hear the rock side of her singing.
16. “Slide Away” by Miley Cyrus
“Slide Away” sets a firm goodbye inside a hazy, slowly moving arrangement. Cyrus remembers a connection that once felt secure while acknowledging that the people in it have changed.
The repeated refrain sounds tired but decided. Its restraint suits the subject: letting go can be a quiet recognition rather than a dramatic final argument.
17. “Start All Over” by Miley Cyrus
The brisk guitars of “Start All Over” give Cyrus a bright pop-rock setting. Her delivery moves quickly, matching the uncertainty and excitement of being ready to begin again.
The chorus is direct and easy to pick up, with the band keeping the momentum high. It is a fun stop for listeners who enjoy the energy of her early solo recordings.
18. “River” by Miley Cyrus
A busy electronic pulse runs through “River,” giving the song a continuous forward push. Cyrus uses flowing-water imagery to describe the rush of falling deeply for someone.
The clipped vocal phrases and repeating synthesizer lines fit closely around the beat. This is one for the dance floor, particularly if you like a more tightly wound rhythm than the easy groove of “Flowers.”
19. “End of the World” by Miley Cyrus
“End of the World” pairs a bright dance-pop arrangement with the wish to make the most of the present. Cyrus sings about spending precious time with someone rather than allowing worry to take over.
The broad chorus gives that urgency a celebratory sound. Its mix of affection and escapism adds another color to the later part of her catalogue.
20. “Jolene” by Miley Cyrus
Cyrus’s Backyard Sessions cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” puts her voice in a spare acoustic setting. The steady picking keeps the story moving while she gives the narrator’s plea a clear, direct delivery.
Her lower register and lightly rough phrasing suit the country melody. This cover is a rewarding final stop after the larger pop productions elsewhere in the list.
Featured Image Credits (Top): Casey J. Hopkins / U.S. Navy.
Featured Image Credits (Bottom): Melissa Rose, CC BY 2.0.
