All Hail Miley Cyrus, the New Queen of Covers! Here Are 8 of Her Best Cover Performances
Oct 23, 2020 • Meryl Medel
Miley Cyrus is undeniably talented, and no one can say she doesn’t like giving tribute to some of her favorite artists by covering their songs. It’s a good thing the wide range of genres she likes is just as versatile as her singing range. She’s able to do all sorts of covers (and original music) in the pop, rock, and country genres. And she loves doing covers so much that she’s actually working on a Metallica cover album right now. While waiting for its release, check out some of the best covers she has below.
The Cranberries’ “Zombie”
Miley Cyrus proves she was born to be a rockstar in this rendition of the deathless classic “Zombie.” She performed the song in a 12-minute set for a good cause in the Save Our Stages Fest, a virtual benefit festival organized to support independent music venues heavily affected by the pandemic. She did the cover so well even The Cranberries were “very impressed.”
Led Zeppelin’s “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You”
If she hasn’t convinced you yet with that “Zombie” cover, then maybe this rock classic from Led Zeppelin would. It starts off slow and mellow, but when she starts screaming into her mic, you can’t deny she could’ve been a rockstar in a different life. (But who’s to say she isn’t?)
Arctic Monkeys’ “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”
In 2014, back when she was still promoting Bangerz, Miley Cyrus killed this cover of Arctic Monkeys song, bringing the last chorus up an octave higher after banging her head around the stage.
Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”
This might be the one cover most people have heard. Miley Cyrus takes this classic track from her godmother and strips it down in the first installment of her show Happy Hippie Presents: Backyard Sessions. (Also worth watching from this same show: her amazing cover of Jeff Buckley’s “Lilac Wine”.)
Britney Spears’ “Gimme More”
In this stripped-down version of Britney Spears’ original bop on MTV Unplugged’s “Miley Cyrus Backyard Sessions”, Miley Cyrus transforms the song into a country ballad with a dark twist that emphasizes the grit of her amazing vocals. And performing in that zebra-print dress? Killed it.
Billie Eilish’s “my future”
Getting a bit relaxed on this one, Miley Cyrus sits down at BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge room and strips Billie Eilish’s “my future” down but puts her own rock twist to it.
Coldplay’s “The Scientist”
Trying to give justice to this iconic song? Nobody said it would be easy, but Miley Cyrus may have just proven otherwise. She pulled off this cover of “The Scientist” in her Bangerz tour, taking the octave up another notch towards the end.
Blondie’s “Heart Of Glass”
At this year’s iHeartRadio Music Festival, Miley Cyrus killed it in this cover of the Blondie classic. People liked it so much that she had to release it on streaming services in September after people clamored for it. Even Blondie’s Debbie Harry said that she “nailed it.”
Which is your favorite Miley Cyrus cover?
