Miley Cyrus's disco-funk anthem became the world's best-selling single of 2023
In short: Released in early 2023, "Flowers" transformed from a stripped-back piano ballad into a global phenomenon. The track explores themes of self-reliance and independence, eventually breaking multiple streaming records and dominating international charts, including a record-breaking 57-week run at the top of the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
Written in January 2022 at Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood, the song began as a "slower and sadder" ballad featuring only Miley Cyrus and Michael Pollack on the Rhodes piano. The track shifted into a mid-tempo disco, funk, and pop rock number at 118 beats per minute. Produced by Tyler Johnson and Kid Harpoon, the final version features a funky bassline and a string section that some critics compared to flamenco. The production was completed by Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson. It features a moderate tempo of 118 beats per minute.
The song's commercial impact was unprecedented. It earned 2.7 billion subscription streaming equivalents globally in 2023, according to the IFPI, making it the year's best-selling global single. On Spotify, it became the fastest song to surpass one billion streams, reaching that milestone in just 112 days—surpassing the previous records held by Harry Styles's "As It Was" and The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber's "Stay." The single debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It also topped sixty different charts across forty nations.
While some listeners viewed the track as a response to Cyrus's ex-husband Liam Hemsworth, others focused on its lyrical themes of autonomy. The song's chorus is noted for its similarity to Bruno Mars's 2012 hit "When I Was Your Man," though the lyrical elements are similar enough that Mars's writers did not require co-writer credit. Ultimately, the track earned Cyrus her first career Grammy wins, taking home Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. The music video was directed by Jacob Bixenman. It features Cyrus dancing in several locations, such as her rooftop.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Flowers (Miley Cyrus song)
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