Miley Cyrus has never been one to shy away from covering some of her favorite artists. From inserting covers into concert set lists to starting her own series of acoustic covers through Happy Hippie Presents: Backyard Sessions, Cyrus has a large repertoire of cover tunes.
Following Cyrus’ cover of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” on Saturday Night Live this past weekend (April 25), Billboard has compiled her best covers below (in no particular order).
This article has been updated.
“Wish You Were Here” — Pink Floyd
Cyrus took on Pink Floyd’s classic with producer Andrew Watt on acoustic guitar during the April 25, 2020 episode of Saturday Night Live (at-home edition).
“The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” — Roberta Flack
Cyrus performed this cover during BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge at her very own Malibu Rainbowland Studios.
“No Freedom” — Dido
Two years prior to enlisting Adam Sandler to cover the song with her on The Tonight Show, Cyrus performed the song for her Happy Hippie Presents: Backyard Sessions. The song was revived recently to honor the victims of the Oct. 2 terrorist attack on Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas.
“Don’t Dream It’s Over” — Crowded House
Cyrus and pal Ariana Grande snuggled up in animal onesies to perform this cover. During the benefit following the terrorist attack on Ariana Grande’s Manchester concert, the duo covered the song once again.
“Androgynous” — The Replacements
Cyrus showed off her punk side as Laura Jane Grace of Against Me! and Joan Jett joined her during Happy Hippie Presents: Backyard Sessions for their take on the classic.
“I’ll Take Care of You” — Etta James
Deep into the Bangerz era, this Australian performance forcefully reminded the world that Cyrus can absolutely wail. Watch through the end for some of the biggest notes you’ll ever hear the singer let out.
“Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” – The Beatles
The Flaming Lips enlisted Cyrus and Moby for this cover on their album With a Little Help From My Fwends. Miley keeps the verses super low-key before the chorus opens up with almost crunchy effects placed on the iconic hook.
“Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” – Arctic Monkeys
Cyrus killed this cover on MTV Unplugged back in 2014 when still promoting Bangerz. She absolutely blew the crowd away when she took the last chorus up the octave as she stomped around the stage.
“Lilac Wine” — Jeff Buckley
This cover started the entire Happy Hippie Presents: Backyard Sessions series off oh so well. Cyrus surrounds herself with her acoustic band, the standup bass thumping along and pulling the set together with her country roots.
“Happy Together” — The Turtles
Cyrus’ strong alto range lent itself well to her melancholy take on this hit. Her smiley face body suit and matching earrings only make the positive message seem even more sinister, but in the best way.
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” — Brenda Lee
Both songs that Cyrus covered in 2017 for her exclusive holiday Spotify Singles pack are great, but it’s her take on Brenda Lee that’s really swell.
“Jolene” — Dolly Parton
Cyrus returns to her godmother’s classic track time and time again, but the stripped down version from the first installment of Happy Hippie Presents: Backyard Sessions absolutely takes the cake.
“Rebel Yell” — Billy Idol
Dressed in full-Billy-Idol-adorned garb, Cyrus held her own as she took to the stage with Billy Idol. The audio alone could easily convince listeners that Cyrus had been a rock ‘n’ roll star of yester-year in an alternate universe.
“You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go” – Bob Dylan
An oldie but a goodie, Cyrus performs this Bob Dylan classic as part of Amnesty International’s 50th year celebration back in 2012. Cyrus is joined by Johnzo West on background vocals and guitar.
“50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” — Paul Simon
The melancholy mood stays strong during the second installment of Happy Hippie Presents: Backyard Sessions, at least until the chorus when Cyrus cracks a smile and the groove really gets going on this Paul Simon track.
“Summertime Sadness” — Lana Del Rey
It’s almost as if Cyrus’ voice was meant to parallel the original. Stripping the track back to acoustics only improves this BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge performance.
“Landslide” — Fleetwood Mac
Even in the early days Cyrus was performing classics on tour. She did the song justice plenty of times on tour, including during her 2011 tour in Australia.
“The Scientist” — Coldplay
Nobody said compiling a list of Cyrus’ best moments covering other huge artists would be easy, and her incredibly wide range in music taste proves this task most difficult. Cyrus played it a bit more current during the Bangerz tour with her rendition of “The Scientist,” putting her usual up-the-octave twist on the end to wow the crowd.
“Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” — Led Zepplin
Another rock standard that Cyrus absolutely kills. Not exactly the first song one would expect to hear on the Bangerz tour, but by the time Cyrus is screaming into the mic a little over four minutes in, it’s impossible not to be entirely sold on this performance.
“New York State of Mind” — Billy Joel
Stay tuned until the second verse to hear Cyrus belt her love for the Big Apple, much to the crowd’s delight. Billy Joel and Miley Cyrus is a collaboration the world didn’t know it needed, but deserved.
“These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” — Nancy Sinatra
Fringe and sparkles top of Cyrus’ full circle return to country during 2017’s iHeartRadio festival. Cyrus played much more closely to the original on this number, only amping up the backing band, and it definitely paid off.
“Baby I’m in the Mood For You” — Bob Dylan
The Roots joined Cyrus during her performance last year on The Tonight Show. Cyrus played showrunner, taking a break in the middle of the song to talk to the crowd and calls out to host Jimmy Fallon. “Let’s all give it up for our host who is always so much fun, unless you’re Donald Trump, and then don’t even think about messing with my hair. I’m serious,” Cyrus asserted.
