MILEY CYRUS Has Us
Ranking Her Powerhouse, Versatile Covers
Miley Cyrus is one of the rare artists who made the pivot from child star to superstar. She rose to fame with Disney’s Hannah Montana, but continued to sell millions of albums even after the show ended. Some chalk it up to her love of shock factor, but it really comes down to her truly one-of-a-kind vocals.
Cyrus is a powerhouse singer, with a crazy amount of versatility. She’s also an artist who knows the power of a good cover. Whether it’s a faithful rendition or a twist on an old favorite, Cyrus always knocks it out of the park. Check out my picks for her best covers!
#10 “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” (Led Zeppelin)
Cyrus has always been vocal about her love of classic rock, and she proves her allegiance with this heavy-duty cover of the Zeppelin track. She performed this cover on her Bangerz tour; an unexpected and fun addition to the tour setlist.
#9 “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover” (Paul Simon)
Another classic Happy Hippie Presents: Backyard Sessions performance. Cyrus’ husky alto is perfect for this groovy Paul Simon track.
#8 “Rebel Yell” (Billy Idol)
The artist showed off her rock ‘n’ roll prowess when she joined Billy Idol onstage to perform his 1983 hit. Idol repaid the favor when he appeared on “Night Crawling,” a track on her 2020 album Plastic Hearts.
#7 “Don’t Dream It’s Over” (Crowded House)
Cyrus enlisted fellow pop star Ariana Grande for this cover. The two perform the song in pajamas on a couch, showing off their powerful vocals in a lowkey setting.
#6 “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” (Arctic Monkeys)
Cyrus turned this lowkey Arctic Monkeys’ song into a high-powered wailer for MTV Unplugged in 2014.
#5 “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (Roberta Flack)
Cyrus performed this 1969 hit for BBC’s Live Lounge. With her smooth vocals and emotive performance, she proves that doesn’t need any bells and whistles to deliver a stunning performance.
#4 “Heart of Glass” (Blondie)
The cover heard ‘round the world! When Cyrus performed this Blondie classic at iHeartRadio’s 2020 Music Festival, it instantly went viral. Fans all over the world clamored for a studio version – and Cyrus delivered.
#3 “Lilac Wine” (Jeff Buckley)
This cover was the first in her Happy Hippie Presents: Backyard Sessions series. Cyrus embraces her country roots with this song, showcasing her incredible voice.
#2 “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go” (Bob Dylan)
Fresh from her Disney days, Cyrus recorded this cover for Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International. For those who weren’t aware that she could do more than sing glittery pop songs in a blonde wig for the middle school set, this cover was a wake-up call.
#1 “Jolene” (Dolly Parton)
Cyrus has performed her godmother’s hit song many times over the years, and for good reason – she sings the hell out of it!
