Miley Cyrus' 'Flowers': All of the theories and 'hidden messages'

When Miley Cyrus announced the release date of her song 'Flowers', from her eighth album 'Endless Summer Vacation', there was a lot of excitement over it - but following its release, the melodic beat, catchy lyrics and eye-catching music video certainly got fans talking.

Not only was it her first song in two years, but Miley released it on her ex-husband Liam Hemsworth's birthday (13th January). On top of that, fans are pretty convinced the song is a 'response' to Bruno Mars' 'When I Was Your Man' - with theories even suggesting the music video harbours references to her and Liam's former relationship... 👀. Let's break it all down, and take a look at the meaning behind the song...

What are the fan theories about Miley's song 'Flowers'?

The initial theory concerning the track was that it was written in response to the 2013 Bruno Mars song 'When I Was Your Man'. Fans compared the two songs' lyrics - and we have to admit, it's pretty convincing!

To Bruno's lyrics: '...I should have bought you flowers', Miley appears to respond: 'I can buy myself flowers.'

It continues with Bruno's lyrics: 'And held your hand,' with Miley responding: 'I can hold my own hand.'

The full comparison was included in the tweet below from a user who also wrote: 'miley cyrus wrote a song as a response to this bruno mars' song which liam once dedicated to her, and she's releasing it on his birthday 💀'. (sic)

A few days later, another fan tweeted an edit of the new songs' music videos together.

And while Miley hasn't confirmed it, fans certainly think this theory is true. One fan wrote: 'This is what artist should be DOING i lov this' (sic), another wrote: 'When I heard this song, this literally came to my mind LOL.' (sic)

One fan also mentioned that the song was apparently dedicated to her by Liam, writing: 'She’s technically responding to Liam bc he dedicated Bruno’s song to her'. (sic)

Does she need to credit Bruno?

Following the striking relationship fans have pointed out between the two songs, many have raised the question of whether Bruno's co-writers, Andrew Wyatt, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine, deserve writing credits for 'Flowers'.

Whilst offering writing credits for songs that appear to be obvious sources of musical inspiration, even if its not directly sampled, has become some-what common practice, it is not thought to be necessary for 'Flowers' and 'When I Was Your Man'.

Billboard reported that not only are there no direct samples, or obvious interpolations between between the two songs - but there are no major 'sonic overlaps' either. This means there are no obvious melodies or rhythms shared between the tracks, as well as no major similarities in 'production textures'.

According to the publication, Joseph Fishman (a professor at Vanderbilt Law School), claimed: "This is great fodder for fan theories, but lawyers should have nothing to do with it. There are no songwriter credits for the ‘When I Was Your Man’ writers because no license should be necessary."

Are there references to Liam in the music video?

As well as the song seemingly sounding like a response to Bruno's 2012 'When I Was Your Man', which Liam reportedly 'dedicated' to Miley during their relationship, many eagle-eyed fans are also convinced that the music video includes plenty of Easter eggs referring to the pair's former marriage.

Let's have a look through some of the fan theories - none of which have been confirmed by Miley.

The gold dress

Many believe that the gold dress, which Miley sports at the beginning of the music video, is a hidden message about Liam Hemsworth's relationship with his Hunger Games co-star Jennifer Lawrence.

Eagle-eyed fans think the dress resembles the gold Prabal Gurung gown that Jennifer wore as she attended The Hunger Games premiere, alongside Liam, in March 2012.

During the filming of the hit movie, the pair were rumoured to have a 'fling'. As fans of the film will know, Jennifer and Liam played on-screen lovers Katniss Everdeen and Gale Hawthorne.

As well as the dress, fans have pointed out that Miley throws her hair up into a similar hair-do that Jennifer sported at the premiere.

The house

The house in which the video was filmed has also been a talking point when it comes to theories about Liam and Miley. The house is thought to be Miley's five-bedroom Studio City home - which she reportedly purchased in 2011 for $4 million. It has been rumoured that Liam previously cheated on Miley inside the LA home - but this never been confirmed by either party.

The suit

Towards the end of the video, Miley can be seen strutting her stuff and dancing around her gorgeous home wearing an oversized black suit. This brings about another fan theory - that the suit in fact belongs to Liam himself.

As fans of the pair may remember, Liam sported a similar suit as he attended the Avengers: Endgame premiere in 2019. Not only that, but there were rumours at the time that Liam could be seen telling Miley to "behave for once" as they posed for pictures.

Although Miley sported the fit in a slightly different way - with nothing underneath - fans have taken to TikTok and Twitter to claim it is the same one Liam previously wore.

Is 'Flowers' about Liam Hemsworth?

Miley hasn't confirmed it, but fans think Miley's track 'Flowers' is about her ex-husband Liam Hemsworth. The song appears to reference the house the pair owned in Malibu which was destroyed by fire in 2018, with the lyrics: 'We were good / We were gold / Kind of dream that can’t be sold.

'We were right / ‘Til we weren’t / Built a home and watched it burn.'

The song was also released on 13th January, which just happens to be Liam's birthday.

Although not confirmed, many fans also believe that Liam once dedicated Bruno Mars' song 'When I Was Your Man' to Miley.

On the rumours that the song is directed at Liam, Miley told Vogue: "I never need to be a master at the craft of tricking an audience...", continuing: "It will set itself on fire all by itself." 👀 ...

What else has she said about the song?

In her first sit down interview since the launch of her album, Miley told Vogue in May 2023: "I wrote it in a really different way. The chorus was originally: ‘I can buy myself flowers, write my name in the sand, but I can’t love me better than you can.’ It used to be more, like, 1950s. The saddest song. Like ‘Sure, I can be my own lover, but you’re so much better."

Describing how she later 'rejected to gloom', she continued: "The song is a little fake it till you make it. Which I’m a big fan of."

Although Miley knew 'Flowers' was destined to be a hit, she told Vogue about how she keeps a sense of perspective about success, saying: "A lot of headlines recently have said ‘this is Miley’s moment’, and I’m like, ‘that’s exactly what it is. It’s a moment. And it will be over.’ She continued: "That’s not pessimistic. That’s honest and that’s OK with me. I actually prefer it. I don’t like to stay big."

This wouldn't be the first time Miley is thought to have written a song about Liam, with her 2017 bop 'Malibu' seemingly being dedicated to him. Miley has previously opened up about the track, which she released shortly after the pair got back together in 2017.

On the four-year anniversary of the song, Miley wrote on Instagram: 'Today is the 4 year anniversary of Malibu. A song about a place and person that at the time I loved very much. That love was reciprocated beyond what I could describe here with freedom & escapism. I lost that home along with many others in 2018. Here is a video of me writing it in my home studio. 🌊 💕 🦢'.

When did Miley first perform 'Flowers' live?

Miley first performed 'Flowers' at a private gig at a hotel in Los Angeles.

'Flowers' at the 2024 Grammy Awards

The 2024 Grammy Awards was a huge night for Miley, as she took home two awards - both for 'Flowers'. The huge track won the gongs for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance. What's more, the awards were also Miley's first Grammy wins.

Take a look at Miley Cyrus through the years:

You can hear Miley Cyrus' song 'Flowers' on Downtown Radio.

Now read:

Miley Cyrus' first song 'Flowers' from upcoming album is out NOW

Miley Cyrus through the years: From Disney to 'Flowers'

9 of Miley Cyrus' most successful songs of all time

How to listen to Downtown Radio:

Tune into Northern Ireland's Home of Great Music, Downtown Radio on FM, AM, DAB Digital Radio, online, on our Rayo app and by asking your smart speaker to 'Play Downtown Radio'. Gary & Glen kick things off every weekday morning and Neal McClelland brings you home on Downtown Drive.

• Miley Cyrus
• Bruno Mars