A Review of “Used To Be Young” by Miley Cyrus

By: Ruby Dennis

At some point in time all of us are faced with the ultimatum of growing up. We make bad choices, we lose some friends, we do things we regret. It is almost unavoidable regardless of how often our parents try to save us from our own developing brains or how often our peers think they are saving us from being social outcasts. It is inevitable that at some point in our life we are faced with the challenge of transitioning into adulthood. We try our best to balance our own wants and needs while exploring our basic freedoms and expressing ourselves to the best of our abilities. It is the best of times and it is the worst of times. 

This begs a few questions… What happens when that oh so temperamental period of our lives is broadcasted live for the world to see? What happens when the world watches our most vulnerable moments play out before them? What happens when we do not get the chance to grow free of judgment? Miley Cyrus in her new song “Used To Be Young” gives us an unapologetic answer to what it is like to grow up while everyone watches.

For those who are not familiar with Cyrus’s career, starting in March of 2006 she starred in the Disney Channel show Hannah Montana at 13 years old. It is worth mentioning at this point that her father, Billy Ray Cyrus (who also appeared in the show), gave her an entry into not only the television industry but into the music industry as well. By the time she was in her late teens, Cryus had numerous albums out. At this time, as all teens do, she began to experiment which led to her being a part of some photoshoots and events that started to paint the then “America’s sweetheart” as someone that made parents change the radio or shield their children’s eyes.

However, 2012 was the year that made public opinion change more than it already had been. Cyrus cut off her long, blonde, Hannah Montana hair and recorded the music video for “Wrecking Ball” in which she addressed the drama of her life, including an on and off relationship with Liam Hemsworth head on. Unfortunately, those who had been mildly opposed to her were now adamantly so, as she spent the majority of the video naked and swinging from a wrecking ball. Her career in the years to follow would consist of salacious circulating photos, drug usage, and a very publicized divorce.

Then on August 25, 2023 Cyrus dropped her new song “Used To Be Young” alongside a video that features her in a bedazzled ruby bodysuit on top of a Mickey Mouse T-Shirt as camera pans back and forth from her face in a style very reminiscent to that of “Wrecking Ball”. The song starts with a slow and somber piano progression as Cyrus makes her usually raw and smokey vocals as quiet as they can be.

 Lyrically, the first verse feels as though she is on trial against both people who were once her fans and those that never liked her. She addresses the fact that she knows she’s changed throughout her life whether it be from an innocent kid to a rambunctious young adult or from a party animal to someone who has calmed down over the last couple of years. Even the chorus seems to mirror this struggle to try to please everyone as it breaks into an almost angelic melancholy echo. The lyric that stands as the focal point of the chorus is “You say I used to be Wild. I say I used to be young”. In this first verse, almost sung through tears, it feels as though she is trying to argue with someone just so she can have the right to take up creative space. It feels like her validity as an artist is being put on trial.

The second verse, though holding on strongly to it’s somberness, introduces a level of emotional complexity. Drums, guitar, and sound effects slowly start to creep their way in as Cyrus sings about the idea of trying to forgive herself for her past while remembering the good times she had. She ends the verse by acknowledging that she is changing for the better as her powerful vocals begin to roar back to life. The second chorus is an acceptance of self accompanied by a vocal and instrumental performance that produces bittersweet goosebumps. At this point the lyrics shift to “I know I used to be crazy. That’s because I used to be young” and it is here that the beginning of something more than just acceptance shows.

 As if to drive home the point the music slows and Cyrus softly sings the lyric one more time before erupting into a final chorus of triumph. Not only is she accepting herself  but she is embracing herself. Miliey belts through smiles and even the occasional laugh as she sings “Those wasted nights are not wasted. I remember everyone”. The music swells as she finishes the chorus and then slowly fades into the background as Cyrus blows a kiss to the audience and the screen fades to back.

Needless to say, this song was received incredibly well. The song debuted at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the second most digitally downloaded song during that time as well. While “Used To Be Young” was an absolute hit with everyone, even some people who were originally not her biggest fans according to the music video’s comment section. However, it especially resonated with the fans who grew up alongside her. While Cyrus’s own experience was unique in that it was available for all to see, there is something universal about growing up and changing and acknowledging the person you were while welcoming the one you are becoming.

“Used To Be Young” was released along with Cyrus’s new song “Jaded”, a re-recording of “Wrecking Ball” with her mentor Dolly Parton, and an interview on ABC titled Endless Summer Vacation: Continued (Backyard Sessions). In this interview she sits down and comes clean about every point in her life from birth until the present and continues to discuss the changes she’s gone through as a person. The release of these four pieces of media suggests a new era for Cyrus. An era that showcases maturity, self-forgiveness, and raw vocal talent with years of experience. 

On a more personal level, this song is highly relatable, even if you do not regularly listen to pop. At its core “Used To Be Young” is about growing up, learning, and going through transitions and changes as you do so. Regardless of where you are in your journey, college acts as a transitional period. It is a period of time for us to hone our skills and push ourselves to be the people we want to be. It is not always going to be the easiest path but if there is anything to be learned from Cyrus it is that one day we’ll look back on this piece of our journey and know that we did our best to make it count.