Episode description
Episode description
EX42 - Bruno Mars - When I Was Your Man and Miley Cyrus - Flowers - Two Songs, One Chorus
After debuting atop the Billboard Hot 100 charts for the first time, Miley Cyrus is harvesting the fruits of her labor as she scored more milestones for her new single, "Flowers."
"Flowers" is the lead single for Cyrus' new project, "Endless Summer Vacation," which comes out March 2023.
The track was a record-setting accomplishment for the Disney alum because it was her first track to launch at the top of the genre-blending music chart. Her 2013 song "Wrecking Ball" reached No. 1 but it did not debut at the top.
Now, according to Hits Daily Double, Cyrus has continued to reach more milestones, especially on the streaming platform. In its second week, the track has earned Spotify's biggest week ever for a song.
Data shows that the track has generated 96 million streams worldwide at No. 1 on Spotify. In its second week, the song has already generated another 115 million.
In a Billboard report, "Flowers" has amassed over 52 million streaming units in its first week. It also has racked up around 33.5 million radio airplay impressions and over 70,000 downloads.
Since its release, many have gushed over the song for its apparent shade towards Cyrus' ex-husband, Liam Hemsworth. Interestingly, the song was released on Jan. 13, 2023, which was Hemsworth's birthday.
TikTok users and fans alike have also theorized that Miley Cyrus' "Flowers," was an indirect answer to Bruno Mars's "When I Was Your Man," a song believed by many to have been dedicated to Cyrus, by Hemsworth.
Many have compared the song side-by-side, noting that Miley's chorus - "I can buy myself flowers" - was an answer to Mars' "that I should have bought you flowers."
But despite the similarities lyrically, Billboard says that "Flowers" doesn't have to credit "When I Was Your Man" writers as its. This is because there has been no sonic overlap, no direct samples, and no obvious interpolations between the two songs. Miley's verse had its own style and flow compared to Bruno's.
"Lyrically, sure, there's enough similarity to make listeners think that 'Flowers' is deliberately responding to the earlier song," Music law expert Joseph Fishman pointed out. But even if we assume that's true, so what? Using one song to issue a retort to an earlier song is not, by itself, infringement. John Mayer and Taylor Swift don't need to cross-license anything when they write songs at each other."
Bruno Mars - When I Was Your Man (Official Music Video)