Wrecking Ball

    Singer: Miley Cyrus

    We clawed, we chained our hearts in vain

    We jumped, never asking why

    We kissed, I fell under your spell

    A love no one could deny

    Don’t you ever say I just walked away

    I will always want you

    I can’t live a lie, running for my life

    I will always want you

    I came in like a wrecking ball

    I never hit so hard in love

    All I wanted was to break your walls

    All you ever did was wreck me

    Yeah, you wreck me

    I put you high up in the sky

    And now, you’re not coming down

    It slowly turned, you let me burn

    And now, we’re ashes on the ground

    ...

    I came in like a wrecking ball

    Yeah, I just closed my eyes and swung

    Left me crouching in a blaze and fall

    All you ever did was wreck me

    Yeah, you wreck me

    I never meant to start a war

    I just wanted you to let me in

    And instead of using force

    I guess I should’ve let you in

    I never meant to start a war

    I just wanted you to let me in

    I guess I should’ve let you in

    Don’t you ever say I just walked away

    I will always want you

    ...

    Background

    Miley Cyrus is generating controversy elsewhere in her career, but there is nothing threatening about “Wrecking Ball.” In fact, it is so standard as to be a little boring. In the quieter parts of the song, Cyrus’ vocals are a pleasure to hear. Her skills continue to develop, and she delivers both the verse and the bombastic chorus well. She contributed to the songwriting, but the song itself is a little weak. Producer Dr. Luke tosses in big orchestral flourishes to emphasize the point of the lyrics, but it all ends up sounding overwrought. Cyrus’ voice saves a recording that otherwise sounds like filler.