Flowers, the song of 2023: What do Miley Cyrus' lyrics really mean?

Miley Cyrus kicked off 2023 in style with the release of 'Flowers,' the promotional single from her upcoming album 'Endless Summer Vacation'. The interesting thing about the song is that it has references to an ex, a house, and 14 infidelities. Is she singing about Liam Hemsworth?

While many have noted the venom in Shakira's songs about her ex-husband Gerard Piqué, Miley Cyrus may have released some dirty laundry of her own as well. The song 'Flowers' seems to contain hints about the person who was her partner for 10 years: Liam Hemsworth.

Along with the poisoned darts that Miley Cyrus throws in the lyrics of 'Flowers', there are also hints in the video clip. It may be an act of revenge for events that happened in the house where the video clip was filmed.

According to media such as The Edge, the house where 'Flowers' was filmed is the same one where Liam Hemsworth allegedly cheated on Miley Cyrus. And it wasn't just once: he may have done so with up to 14 women, The Edge states.

Once the video clip was shot, it was time to choose a release date. Strikingly, Miley Cyrus chose January 13, 2023. And that's not just any day: it's Liam Hemsworth's 33rd birthday. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not...

Released on Liam's birthday, the lyrics get a whole new meaning. Each phrase of 'Flowers' seems to tell the story of the couple's relationship, how it evolved, and how Miley Cyrus feels about it now.

'Flowers' begins with a "We were good, we were gold" that the singer accompanies with a spectacular gold-satin dress with a hood. It has a split on the side that carries more meaning than you might expect.

Photo: Capture of the video clip 'Flowers' Youtube

The dress is from Yves Saint Laurent's autumn-winter collection of 1992 - the year Miley Cyrus was born. In addition, YSL was one of the favorite brands of the couple during the last years of their relationship.

What's more, the last public appearance of both was at a Saint Laurent parade in Malibu. Is that a coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.

In fact, after a middle section of the video featuring the singer in lingerie, the last part of the clip shows a spectacular Miley Cyrus in an oversized suit with nothing underneath.

Photo: Miley Cyrus / Youtube

This black suit is also signed by Saint Laurent and is allegedly the one worn by Liam Hemsworth at the 2019 MET Gala - the last one they attended as a couple.

A coincidence? Maybe.

"Built a home and watched it burn" is another loaded phrase of 'Flowers.' It refers, literally, to what happened to the couple's house in Malibu in 2018: it caught fire due to the California wildfires of that year and burned down to the ground.

The singer once confessed to Howard Stern that losing her home was so traumatic that she clung to the only thing that was left: Liam Hemsworth. A year later, they would separate.

And then there's the chorus of the song. Miley Cyrus says that she 'can buy herself flowers', which seems to be a clear nod to a line from 'When I Was Your Man' by Bruno Mars. In the song, Mars laments that he should have bought his ex-girlfriend flowers more often, and now it's too late.

Miley Cyrus fans say that Liam Hemsworth dedicated the Bruno Mars song to her in 2013 after they got engaged for the first time. In addition, it was reportedly played at their wedding in 2018.

Then, finally, there's Miley Cyrus's cathartic dance alone in the video. It is Joker-style and takes place by the pool after hard physical training and mental restructuring. What does this mean?

Photo: Miley Cyrus / Youtube

As Miley herself sings:
"I can take myself dancing, yeah,
I can hold my own hand, yeah,
I can love me better than, Yeah,
I can love me better than you can."

'Flowers' seems to be not only a catchy but also a therapeutic and inspirational song. It might well become an anthem to heartbreak, self-love, and empowerment. As such, Miley Cyrus continues to make music history.