18 Miley Cyrus Covers That Prove She’s Actually Really Good

Miley Cyrus might be best known for her shocking, half-naked music videos and live performances, but let’s admit it: the girl can sing. And her covers of other artists’ songs prove it.
Miley Cyrus got her start playing the double-life of Miley Stewart/Hanna Montana on Disney’s Hannah Montana. It wasn’t long after the show ended that the sweet girl from Tennessee (and daughter to “Achy Breaky Heart” singer, Billy Ray) became the onesie wearing, tongue showing, crazy twerking superstar we know her to be. She can’t stop, she won’t stop, and that’s why we love her.
The other reason we love her? She actually is a true musical talent.  Whether you caught her doing a showstopping-ly fantastic version of “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” on SNL or have stumbled across her performance of godmother Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” you have to admit that she backs up her over the top antics with some impressive pipes.

Jolene

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Pretty sure Jolene backed the eff off after hearing this rendition of  Dolly Parton’s classic. Cyrus definitely did her godmother proud

You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go

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Miley adds a sweetness and soulfulness to this Bob Dylan track from his album Blood on the Tracks. We actually believe she will be lonesome. 

Don’t Dream It’s Over

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Miley tapped Ariana Grande (in a mouse/bear onesie, no less) to do this cover of   Don’t Dream It’s Over by Crowded House. Hopefully this won’t be the last time these two sing together. 

Summertime Sadness

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Miley’s cover of Lana Del Rey’s Summertime Sadness off of her album Born to Die brought the overplayed hit back to life.  

I Love Rock n Roll, Cherry Bomb and Bad Reputation

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Miley paid homage to one of the first ladies rebels of rock, Joan Jett, when she performed  I Love Rock n Roll, Cherry Bomb, and Bad Reputation.

50 Ways to Leave Your Lover

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Miley also performed this version of Paul Simon’s 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover on SNL and absolutely killed it.

Landslide

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Miley did a great job channeling her inner Stevie Nicks for this cover of Landslide, originally recorded by Fleetwood Mac. 

Happy Together

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Miley performed this song, originally by the Turtles, as part of her Happy Hippie Presents series. 

Every Rose Has Its Thorn

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Miley’s version of Poison’s Every Rose Has Its Thorn off of the album Open Up and Say… Ahh! is definitely more pop-synth than the original. 

Lilac Wine

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Lilac Wine was written in 1950 by James Shelton and has since been performed by Nina Simone, John Legend, Jeff Buckley, and now, Miley. Gorgeous. 

No Freedom

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Dido’s original No Freedom gets way stripped down in Miley’s cover. 

Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?

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Miley kills this “unplugged” cover of The Arctic Monkeys’ Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?

Look What They’ve Done to My Song, Ma

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In this video Miley, does Melanie Safka’s  Look What They’ve Done to My Song, Ma solo . A  few years later she invited Melanie Safka to duet with her as part of the Happy Hippie Presents series. 

Androgynous

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Miley Cyrus, Joan Jett, and Laura Jane Grace of Against Me! cover Androgynous by The Replacements off of their album Let it Be. The original is a simpler production with mostly a piano and drums. Miley’s version has a folkier, rockier, bigger sound. 

Hey Ya!

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Miley’s version of OutKast’s Hey Ya! off of their album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is definitely toned down a bit from the original. But there’s nothing toned down about her outfit during this performance. That’s why we love her.  

Rebel Yell

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Miley is just as blonde as Billy Idol when he recorded this infamous song.

Smells Like Teen Spirit

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Not sure how Kurt Cobain would feel about this cover of Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit. Ah… maybe he’d be into it.  

Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt.1

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It was a full out party when Miley performed this cover of  Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt.1 along with the original singers, The Flaming Lips.