Key Songwriting Credits and Notable Collaborations
Miley Cyrus is a credited songwriter who has written and co-written a broad set of songs spanning pop, rock, country, and experimental styles. Her catalog includes solo hits, soundtrack contributions, and features for collaborators, with writing credits that reflect evolving creative partnerships. This overview lists verified songs she has written or co-written, the albums and years of release, primary co-writers, and commercial or critical context. We focus on attributed credits from official sources such as performing rights databases (BMI, ASCAP, SESAC), label press materials, and reputable publishing records.
| Song Title | Album / Project | Year | Primary Co-writers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party in the USA | Can't Be Tamed | 2009 | Antonina Armato, Tim James, Devrim Karaoglu | Major pop hit; co-written, not solely written by Miley |
| Obsessed | Can't Be Tamed | 2009 | Miley Cyrus, Antonina Armato, Tim James | Co-written with Armato/James team |
| When I Look at You | The Last Song OST | 2010 | Hillary Lindsey, John Shanks | Co-written; Miley also performed |
| We Can't Stop | Bangerz | 2013 | Mike Will Made-It, Marz, Rock City, Ester Dean | Co-written; prominent production credit |
| Wrecking Ball | Bangerz | 2013 | Lukasz Gottwald, Henry Walter, MoZella, Stephan Moccio | Co-written; major commercial success |
| Adore You | Bangerz (deluxe) / compilation | 2013 | Miley Cyrus, Oren Yoel, Jesse Shatkin | Co-written; notable in her catalog |
| Malibu | Younger Now | 2017 | Miley Cyrus, Oren Yoel, Jeremiah Raisen | Co-written; reflects a more acoustic shift |
| Midnight Sky | Plastic Hearts | 2020 | Miley Cyrus, Andrew Wyatt, Louis Bell, Ilsey Juber | Co-written; prominent rock-pop revival track |
| Prisoner | 2020 | Miley Cyrus, Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt, Ilsey Juber | Co-written; collaboration with Mark Ronson | |
| Flowers | Endless Summer Vacation | 2023 | Miley Cyrus, Michael Pollack, Gregory Hein, Aldae | Co-written; major commercial resurgence |
Songwriting Style and Thematic Patterns
Across her career, Miley Cyrus's songwriting has shifted alongside her musical evolution, moving from tween pop toward more adult alternative and rock inflections. Early work co-written with teams like Armato/James emphasized polished, radio-friendly choruses. Later work—often co-written with producers such as Mike Will Made-It, Oren Yoel, and Andrew Wyatt—incorporated hip-hop, rock, and electro influences. Recurring themes include identity, independence, romance, and personal transformation, which align with her public narrative and artistic positioning.
Distinguishing Writing Credits vs. Solo Writing
How to Read Writing Credits
In popular music, a writing credit typically indicates meaningful melodic, lyrical, or structural contribution, but it does not imply that a song was written entirely by one person. Most mainstream pop songs involve multiple writers and are shaped by producers, vocal producers, and A&R input. When evaluating "songs Miley Cyrus has written," it is important to differentiate between sole writing credits and co-writing credits, as well as between writing and production roles. The songs listed above reflect her documented credits as a writer, not necessarily sole authorship.
Notable Collaborations and Production Partnerships
- Antonina Armato and Tim James (tuning or early–mid catalog)
- Mike Will Made-It and Rock City (Bangerz era)
- Oren Yoel (Malibu, Adore You, later catalog)
- Andrew Wyatt and Louis Bell (Plastic Hearts)
- Michael Pollack and Aldae (Endless Summer Vacation)
Live Performances and Studio Context
Miley Cyrus has performed many of her co-written tracks live, adapting arrangements to showcase her vocal range and band dynamics. She has also participated in co-writing sessions for other artists and has credits on soundtrack and compilation albums. These performances and sessions demonstrate how her writing has been interpreted across different production contexts, from stripped-back acoustic sets to full band productions.
Verification and Sources
Songwriting credits are compiled from industry-standard sources including Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), official label press releases, and reputable music databases such as AllMusic and Discogs. Commercial performance figures cited are drawn from Billboard chart histories and official certification records where available. When details are ambiguous or credits are split among many contributors, the article reflects the most consistently documented information available from these sources.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
- Not every track she appears on is written by her alone; many are co-written or produced with substantial input from others.
- Soundtrack contributions often involve co-writing with film composers or songwriters.
- Writing credits can change through updates or corrections in performing rights databases; the list above reflects the most widely recognized and documented credits as of recent catalog checks.
Summary and Takeaways
Miley Cyrus has written or co-written a diverse range of songs across multiple albums and eras, from early pop anthems to later rock and alternative tracks. Key highlights include high-profile collaborations on Bangerz, a stylistic shift on Younger Now and Plastic Hearts, and a return to mainstream success with Flowers. Understanding her songwriting contributions requires attention to co-writer credits, production roles, and source verification, offering a clearer picture of her impact as a songwriter beyond performance.