I like to consider myself a more than usually open-minded music listener, but even I’ve gotta draw the line somewhere. Such as: For several years, I have observed a strict policy of willfully tuning out the recorded output of Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana, and any other perky alter-egos she might have. I’m only willing to go so far in defense of prefab Disney Channel tween-pop, especially when all anyone seems to want to talk about are the various complaints and scandals involving her concert tickets. There’s just one problem: I am secretly, unbeknownst even to myself until this week, actually kind of a big Miley Cyrus fan.
Oh, what a fool I’ve been! I’ve spent the last few weeks absent-mindedly wondering who sings “See You Again,” the extremely catchy pop-rock hit I keep hearing everywhere I turn. The driving rhythm is irresistible; the twitchy melody is compulsively re-listenable; and the lyrics are, no kidding, really well crafted. Especially in the chorus: Has there been a more vivid portrait of a panicky high-school crush on the radio in the past decade?
As everyone except for yours truly probably knew already, "See You Again" is of course sung by the apple of Billy Ray’s eye herself. (Perhaps the part of the hook where she explicitly refers to herself as "Miley" should have tipped me off sooner? My perceptive sig oth noticed it instantly.) So, yes, I’m currently eating a healthy serving of crow. And starting to mull over whether I really oughta check out that double (!) album Miley/Hannah put out last year. Anyone want to join me in admitting how much you dig this song, if not the artist in question?
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I’m with you Simon. I was saddened that this chick sells so many albums but watched Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel with my daughter and the girl has some comedic acting chops. She’s crazy likable. Then I heard the song “See You Again” and I hated to say that I instantly liked it. Now I’m about to download it to put on my iPod because it will be great to run to on the treadmill. I don’t know about the double CD yet though…I feel I’ve already crossed a line I shouldn’t have. By the way, even her dad’s song “Ready, Set, Don’t Go” (about Miley) is good!
It’s very well produced. Her voice bugs the crap out of me though. Currently I’m doing everything in my power to keep my 7 year-old daughter away from Ms. Montana.
Is it just me, or does it vaguely remind anyone else of that 80s classic, Sunglasses at Night (or whatever) by Corey Hart?
She’s a genuine, natural talent and that’s rare in show business. She actually looks like she’s having fun.
Lindsay: Yep you hit it on the nose. The first phrase of that song sounds like “Sunglasses at Night”. Maybe the lyricist unintentionally made that error as in the case of George Harrison and his song “My Sweet Lord” which was almost identical to “He’s So Fine” or the lyricist wanted an 80’s style and SGAN was a favorite song of theirs and got permission to use it in Cyrus’es song? Who knows?
Definitely a secret Hannah Montana/Miley fan. I watch the show every now and then. Plus I’ve tried to download her theme song “Best of Both Worlds.” Alas, I couldn’t get a good copy of it. Maybe I’ll try again. And I’ll probably download the song above as well.
Simon Vozick-Levinson, you have proven once and for all how $hitty your musical taste is. How anyone can endure more than two minutes of her singing? Even Hilary Duff can carry a tune better than Miley “I am only here because I have a famous daddy” Cyrus, and Hilary Duff has virtually zero vocal ability.
Britney may have had an irritating voice, but at least the girl could dance and put on a show. This girl ain’t got squat.
I like the song too…(hides from Brainiac)
Having a 9 year old daughter, Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana is nearly impossible to avoid, it is one of my daughter’s cd’s that doesn’t make me crazy. High School Musical 1000 times later and I welcome Miley or Hannah!
To: Brainiac
Talent or no talent aside, I think it’s funny that you think that Miley could become famous because of her one-hit wonder dad. No one even remembered his name 3 years ago, before Hannah Montana.
I just listened to that song three times in a row, and it got better and better each time. The girl can belt out a tune for sure, and Hannah Montana is a hilarious show. Miley’s definitely got it going on, I like her.
I actually haven’t heard much of her music, but I did stumble upon Ryan Seacrest interviewing her on his morning radio show. I didn’t catch the name at first and I assumed he was talking to some actress in her 20s. She was funny, genuine, and articulate and while I have a few issues with “kids programming” these days, I do appreciate how charming the girl is.
I actually like her music, because I think about the music I used to bug and play nonstop in the 80s (Tiffany, Debbie, MJ, etc), I really can’t be too annoyed when my niece wants to hear her. Hey there is so much crap in music, she’s just singing about being a girl. Her voice isn’t supposed to be all that mature, isn’t she just 15? The show is funny for kids without any innuedos to adults like some shows do to draw in more adults. It’s real family programming. I’d rather hear a Hannah/Miley song coming out of my niece’s mouth than Avril Lavigne anyday.
I somehow managed to get tickets for her concert for my daughter and I. She really is talented, puts on a great show, and seems really down to earth. If you want to be safe, venture into the “Meet Miley Cyrus” CD…I like Miley’s music better than Hannah’s!
Lindsay, I’m with you on this ! It did remind me a lot of Corey Hart’s Sunglasses at Night. I think it,s a very good song, and I give it even more credit since it’s so much better than all the crap that’s Disney Channel related !
OH MY GOD, i was just listening and wanted to come in here to say… that totally sounds like “Sunglasses at Night!” what a great song that was.
LOL…well my tween is now off Miley and onto someone else..however…was it 50 year old Me Yelling and jumping up and down at Miley’s Concert in Chicago last year much to my kids surprise and embarassment? Color me WOWed! The kid has a Great Voice standing alone in an age when techno voice enhancement is used like salt at McD’s on fries. She is also pretty funny and seemingly sincere….who knew? A real person in a Star suit and I don’t get impressed or star struck. Hmmm Even as a teen I didn’t. Go figure. I would proudly wear at 50 yrs old an I Heart Miley Tshirt anywhere. Oy…and I am a non pervy responsible parent and citizen – Who knew? Indeed. WTG Miley and Disney for a good show and one even a parent can watch wout flinching..much.
You’re in that all on yuour own, Simon… When I first heard the song I thought “Hey, someone re-made ‘I Wear My Sunglasses at Night’!” and I kept listening, optimistically, if ever foolishly. And then I noticed that the song changed, and I though: “Hmm, maybe it’s not. I’m hearing randomness in my head.” But then when it played again–after what it seemed only like twenty minutes–I retched (not literally, but still)
i applaud her for cashing in on her success and being smart for a young teenager, but i’m just not sure why it all actually happened. Her acting is just not good. it’s like she’s practically screaming her lines. And her father…his song is horrible. The man can’t sing. Miley is a little better, but I agree that her vocal talent really isn’t anything special. I’ll admit that this song here is a little catchy i suppose. not great. Yeah no one remembered billy ray before the show, but the fact that this was a “celebrity” offspring got people thinking about it. plus they seem like pretty good people. still…just find it all so processed and annoying- her show and her music.
I’m a few years older than the average Hannah/Miley fan but I think this girl is amazing. I’ve been watching her show on and off for about a year now. For a while there was a Hannah Montana song on my ipod. And now I will shamelessly admit that “See You Again” has been on my ipod for the past 3 weeks or so. It’s been played a LOT too.
The lyrics are good, the tune is catchy, her voice is easy for me to listen to and sing along with. Love her, love the song!
i just pray she doesn’t go the LiLo/Jamie Lynn route. that’s all i want.
i did listen to the whole double album for free and “See You Again” was actually my favorite of the songs. She sounds like a completely different person, really strong and mature. Just as surprised as you are.
Miley is a great role-model for young girls. Her parents have rules she must follow, she gets grounded when she misbahaves and she has a $200.00 per month allowance. Her parents could have taught a thing or two to Britney, Paris and Lindsay’s. Of all the crap my kids want to listen to, I can tolerate Miley/Hannah–it’s not bad and the lyrics are age-appropriate. Her song “I Miss You”, about her grandfather, helped my daughter when our Gramma passed away. I’ll also admit (because I got caught), that I have been known to watch Hannah Montana even if my kids are not around. She’s funny and cute as a button!
OK, my kids got me hooked on this kid, too. This song is good, but there is another one called “Start all over” or something. It reminds me of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. If her voice lasts until she gets a little better, she could surpass “Pop Star”, and shoot for “Rock Star”. Just sayin.
It’s not that her father helped her gain popularity among the tweens per se, but because Billy Ray Cyrus was successful in the entertainment industry at some point, he was a very valuable connection; he had contacts, etc. Miley’s clone sans connections would never have been able to make it.
Love Miley/Hannah at our house. Concert was awesome – and our favorite song is Let’s Dance! Give that one a listen.
Also, love the Jonas Brothers, and I caught our local classic rock radio guys this morning talking about how much they like the Jonas Brothers and Miley.
Just hope and pray she remains a postive role model for my daughter – right now I am impressed.
Not much of an actress, but I love her voice. Plus, cute as a button–and a good role model for young girls.
Simon, as usual, your items always leave me laughing at you! Though I rather like you admitting to eating a healthy dose of crow, just this once, I shall go one step further. I checked out the tune back in Oct. a bit before it started getting massive Top 40 play right before the holiday season hit full stride. I did kind of thing it was a great pop/dance tune. I didn’t hear the comparison to “Sunglasses At Night” until people starting commenting about that on blogs & I TOTALLY AGREE NOW, but I actually started playing the song for friends & DELIBERATELY would not tell them who sang it, until it was over & they were gushing going, wow, that is kinda cute, who sings it!? Anyone with any kind of pop sense-anility will indeed eat up the song with a spoon, BUT I will be the 1st to admit that once an un-suspecting person learns its (GASP!) Miley Cyrus they become a bit skeptical. If you can expose people to the song without revealing its singer, it DEF. helps. Wonder how high it will chart?
Ok I probably shouldn’t confess this but on Saturday’s mornings when the only thing on are cartoons and Disney shows I actually enjoy watching Thats So Raven and Hannah Montana. Alrighty, I’m glad I got that off my chest. Now I’m gonna pretend I never said anything and continue with my day!
My nieces (3, 7) have their aunts (30, 32) & grandmother (52) hooked on this show. The whole cast is great and it is a really cute, fun show.
Now, can everyone back off Miley and let JUST ONE young girl grow up and be normal. The whole “body-double” fiasco? Seriously?! She’s 15! Back off! How many of those parents, boozing it up in the parents’ lounge- because they can’t sit and spend time with their kids?! – think their kids could hang on for 3 minutes during a music interlude of some kind while she changed her costumes? “Everybody makes mistakes… everyone has those days…”