Has there been a more controversial or newsworthy Pop Star in the past ten years than Miley Cyrus? She had the name for it as the daughter of Country Music star Billy Ray Cyrus of “Achy Breaky Heart” fame. If she’d stuck at being the uber-famous Hannah Montana actress, she’d have still been one of the most famous celebrities in America.
But that wasn’t enough for our Miley…
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard the top 10 Miley Cyrus songs on the radio or TV over the past few years. When she embarked on her music career, she was initially a multi-platinum-selling Country Music star. But, it didn’t take her long to evolve into a fully-fledged Pop Star as her music became more traditional Pop and was inspired more by Hip-Hop and EDM styles.
She became like a mix between Dolly Parton and Lady Gaga, if you can wrap your head around that. But before you do, let’s take a look at Miley Cyrus’s Top 10 songs.
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Top 10 Miley Cyrus Songs
#1 The Climb
“The Climb” was a song she made and performed for the soundtrack of 2009’s Hannah Montana: The Movie. Is this Miley Cyrus’s best song? It’s subjective and probably a point of contention for her fans. But, the reason I’ve placed it so high is that it was such an important track for the beginning of her music career. As well as massively successful in sales.
This inoffensive Pop-Country song was a massive hit for Miley. It reached #4 on the Hot 100 Billboard charts and was nominated for Best Song for a Motion Picture at the 52nd Grammy Awards. “The Climb” was also in the Top 10 on many charts around the world and catapulted her to superstar status in countries where “Hannah Montana” was still relatively unknown.
#2 See You Again
The moment “See You Again” hit the charts in December 2007, it was obvious that she was going to be a Pop Star of epic proportions. It was the first single release from Meet Miley Cyrus that was essentially the second soundtrack from Disney’s “Hannah Montana” show. The lyrics are about Miley’s budding relationship with a man she liked.
Her earlier stuff was heavily inspired by Country Music, but this one was much different. It had a real Electronic-Pop sound that took some fans by surprise. But, in reality, it shot her toward a wider musical audience that didn’t know anything about Country Music.
“See You Again” was well-received by fans and critics alike and saw a new and exciting sound for young Miley. It reached #11 on the UK Charts and peaked at #10 on the US Hot 100 Billboard Charts.
#3 Party in the U.S.A.
“Party in the U.S.A.” is a track where she found the perfect Pop Music formula and used it to great effect. It’s like Pop Music and Hollywood meet at the most optimal point. And this song was the result. It sounds like the American Dream and the Hollywood Dream had a baby, and this was their lovechild. It’s a song about living in Los Angeles and seeking out fame. So, it’s a perfect fit for Miley.
It was initially released in 2009 and is as catchy as hell. It’s all about having a good time, clubbing, partying, and just being young and successful in America. No wonder so many young and impressionable teens jumped on the bandwagon of this gargantuan hit song by Miley Cyrus.
#4 We Can’t Stop
When “We Can’t Stop” first came out in 2013, Miley was already at the pinnacle of the Pop Music industry. This just cemented her status as the Queen. The production style is inspired by a mix of Electronic-Pop and R&B, which was all the rage at the time. “We Can’t Stop” was an absolute Pop anthem when released from her fourth studio album, Bangerz.
The lyrics are about how nobody can stop us when we are in the zone and going for it in life. It’s like no one can stop us from being who we are, which is a very positive message. It peaked at #2 on the Hot 100 Billboard Charts in the US and charted high in several countries, especially across Europe. It still sounds fresh and new today, and that’s a testament to the quality music she was making at that time.
#5 Wrecking Ball
“Wrecking Ball” might be the most famous Miley Cyrus song. It’s unquestionably in the upper echelons of the top 10 Miley Cyrus songs ever made, and that’s a feat in itself. It’s an amazing track that moved the needle of Pop Music culture at the time. Not just for the song but also for the supremely produced video.
If you turned on the radio in 2013 and didn’t hear this song played within 30 minutes, I wouldn’t be surprised. “Wrecking Ball” was in uber-heavy rotation at the time.
It’s her third biggest-selling song ever, with almost one million units sold. It reached #1 on the US Hot 100 Billboard charts and also the top spot in charts from many countries. If the world blew up tomorrow and you wanted to leave one Miley song for the aliens to find, this is it.
#6 7 Things
When Miley was still young and innocent looking, she seemed like the perfect girl next-door Pop Star. “7 Things” was a track that showed she was growing up and more than just a teen actress. It was the lead single from her debut studio album in 2008, aptly entitled Breakout. And, it was becoming obvious that music, not acting, was going to be her calling going forward.
The concept of the track was also very unique. It was about seven things she didn’t like about her ex-boyfriend. To balance things up, she also included seven things she liked about him at the end, so it’s all good. “7 Things” reached #9 on the Hot 100 Billboard charts and featured at #5 on the UK charts. So, although it did good commercially, it hadn’t quite reached the success levels that were around the corner.
#7 Can’t Be Tamed
“Can’t Be Tamed” was a real crossroads moment for the star. She was flirting with a change in sound and hoped to put distance between her new role as a Pop Star and her former “Hannah Montana” character and vibe. Miley was trying to break free from Hannah, and you can hear that in the lyrics.
At the time, many people thought that she would never shake off the Hannah label. They were wrong. “Can’t Be Tamed” was the start of a new beginning and the birth of Miley Cyrus, the Pop Star that we know and love today.
#8 Slide Away
By the end of the 2010s, Miley was still relevant in the Pop Music world. But, her sound was less edgy than before as she was growing and maturing. “Slide Away” is a much later track that was released as a standalone single in 2019. She might not have been so commercially successful at this time, but this song is amazingly produced and stylized. Especially the music video.
It didn’t sell as well as her music from the early 2010s. But it still reached #47 on the Hot 100 Billboard Charts, so not too bad. The lyrics are very emotional, showing a more vulnerable side like we hadn’t seen since her Hannah Montana days.
#9 Mother’s Daughter
“Mother’s Daughter” is another newer track that also came out in 2019 on RCA Records. It’s a feminist-inspired track that has a real message for modern women.
The song is about being strong and empowered and touches on the special bond between a mother and her daughter. She talks about how her mother’s words of encouragement helped her to tackle the issues that lay ahead in her complicated life.
“Mother’s Daughter” is a very personal, emotional, and inspirational song. It wasn’t a massive commercial success by any stretch of the imagination. But, it did show another side to Miley and her progression as a person and a woman. And it still reached #54 on the Hot 100 Billboard Charts, so it wasn’t a commercial duffer.
#10 Malibu
Last but not least, “Malibu” was a difficult choice for the tenth spot on the list. This is a song about her relationship with actor Liam Hemsworth who she had just reconciled with and then moved to Malibu to make a new start. The track was released in 2017 from her sixth studio album, Younger Now, and was a very emotional and heartfelt song.
“Malibu” was the lead single from that album, and it did relatively well in terms of commercial sales and chart positioning. It peaked at #10 on the Hot 100 Billboard Chart and #11 on the UK charts. Things started to slow down for her after this album, and some might say she never quite reached these heights again. But everything slows down at some point.
Need More Awesome Pop and Dance Music?
Well, check out our thoughts on the Best Pop Songs of the 2000s, the Best 2000s Dance Songs, the Best 90s Dance Songs, the Best Twerk Songs of All Time, and the Best Songs of The 2000s for more incredible song selections.
Of course, you need to hear them. So, take a look at in-depth reviews of the Best Headphones for Music, the Best Bass Earbuds, the Best Headphones for Hip-Hop, the Best Sound Quality Earbuds, the Best Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, and the Best iPhone Earbuds you can buy in 2023.
Top 10 Miley Cyrus Songs – Final Thoughts
If my list of the best Miley Cyrus songs tells you anything, it’s that we should never underestimate her ability to evolve her sound. As of writing, she is just 30 years old. And, although Pop Music has always been a young person’s game, she is just too talented to quit. From Hannah Montana-fame to Country Music star to Pop Music culture icon, nothing is beyond the realms of Miley.
Her eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation, is set for release in March 2023. So, if you are reading this afterward, you’ll know more than I do about it. It shows that she is not giving up on music any time soon. Some may think that her days of massive commercial success are in the past. But you underestimate Miley Cyrus at your peril.
Until next time, happy listening.
