Miley Cyrus’ Music Video Evolution
Miley Cyrus performs on NBC's Today Show on July 25th, 2008 in New York City.
-
‘Best of Both Worlds’
Whether she's Hannah Montana or just being Miley, Cyrus' career has been marked by a constant din of shrill shrieks and screams, of which you can hear plenty in this clip for "The Best of Both Worlds." The whole video is pure, sweet, innocent Disney, from its live setting to the cadre of backup dancers and plenty of goofy, twirling camera zooms to accompany Hannah's high-fructose pop.
-
‘Let’s Get Crazy’
Her vocabulary and dance moves may have changed, but partying, generally speaking, has always been ripe subject matter for Cyrus. Take a trip back to the heyday of Hannah Montana with this clip from Hannah Montana: The Movie, which features a live performance on the Santa Monica Pier, an exploding cake and a cameo from good ol' dad, Mr. "Achy Breaky Heart" himself, Billy Ray Cyrus.
-
‘Que Sera’
Eat your heart out, Doris Day: With the Hannah Montana era coming to an end, Cyrus copped one of popular music's most simple and striking phrases about the inevitability of an uncertain future. Which is, of course, something worth celebrating, as Cyrus does here, with a forceful vocal turn that screams "I am so done with this Disney kid stuff!"
-
‘Start All Over’
Ah, the classic American trope of reinvention: Miley gets her new career off to a rocking start in this single-shot clip that finds her waking up in a vert ramp and ambling through the weirdest block party you've never been a part of. Copious selfies are taken and Cyrus, a scuba diver, an astronaut, a cowboy and a cop bust out a variation on the "Macarena" dance, because why not?
-
‘7 Things’
The thing about growing up is you have to start dealing with stupid stuff like broken hearts and anxiety. "7 Things" is about as sweet a kiss-off as you could record, though the pain and misery is palpable thanks to the collection of p.o.'d young women lip-synching along in the clip, which proves once again that redemption always comes when you're yelling along to the chorus of a pop song.
-
‘Fly on the Wall’
Oh, those darned paparazzi, always coming up with crazy new tricks to snap pics of celebs – like developing a lycanthropian ability to transform from a hot date into a scummy photographer under the light of a full moon. Though this song is about a clueless, creepy potential suitor, it's never too early to start bucking against the weirdos who stalk you for candid pictures (though, in those terms, maybe the two aren't that different).
-
‘The Climb’
Miley won't stop believing. In a clip that showcases the wonders of green-screen technology circa 2009, Cyrus belts her inspirational anthem as she travels a dusty road through a rainstorm and a sudden stampede of wild, wild horses, en route to a digitally rendered canyon that presumably signifies endless possibilities.
-
‘Party in the U.S.A.’
Originally written by, and for, Jessie J (with the help of pop savants Claude Kelly and Dr. Luke), this was the super smash Cyrus at first felt pretty meh about. But she owns it in the clip, rolling up in a badass Pontiac Trans Am. The video is pretty simple (such an earworm doesn't need a big-budget shoot) and – fun fact – is a bit of an homage to the scene in Grease where John Travolta sings "Sandy."
-
‘When I Look at You’
A sappy power ballad deserves an equally sappy music video, especially when both are connected to the abundantly sappy romantic drama The Last Song. Cyrus and co-star Liam Hemsworth frolic on the beach, make lovey-dovey eyes and romance each other – just as the Drifters suggested – under the boardwalk.
-
‘Can’t Be Tamed’
Oh my God, it's a bird-woman! What kind of crazy, Island of Doctor Moreau-like hell is this? Wait, never mind: it's just a metaphor. Cyrus grows a set of wings and gets caged in "Can't Be Tamed," showcasing her burgeoning wild side in a video that finds her and an army of fellow bird-people breaking free and taking over a natural history museum. Talk about sticking it to the man.
-
‘Who Owns My Heart’
Cyrus heads out for a wild night on the town, her sights set on one man in particular, though we never actually see him. Instead, she joins the throng in some hot, sweaty debauchery, waking up the next morning having either dreamed the whole thing, or just with a real crummy hangover.
-
‘We Can’t Stop (Director’s Cut)’
It's the dawning of the age of turnt up, 'bout that life Miley Cyrus. She's less than a decade removed from her chaste Disney days, but watching Cyrus sing about popping molly while raging like a pro (despite not being of drinking age quite yet) and rolling around in a bunch of hot dogs she busted out of a pinata, you get the sense that she's still, well, just being Miley. Twerk on, girlfriend. Twerk on.