Miley Cyrus Faces Lawsuit for Allegedly Copying Bruno Mars’ "When I Was Your Man" in "Flowers"
Source : Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Miley Cyrus, known for her chart-topping hits and boundary-pushing music, is facing a copyright infringement lawsuit that has sent shockwaves through the music industry. A music rights-acquisition platform, Tempo Music Investments, is accusing the pop star of copying significant elements from Bruno Mars' 2011 song "When I Was Your Man" for her Grammy-winning hit, "Flowers." While the lawsuit has made headlines, Bruno Mars himself is not listed as a plaintiff, leaving many curious about his stance on the matter.
The lawsuit, filed by Tempo Music, claims that Miley's "Flowers" would not exist without Bruno Mars’ influence, particularly targeting the song's melody, harmony, and chorus. The legal documents reportedly outline numerous similarities between the two tracks, arguing that Cyrus intentionally copied Mars' work to create her own massive hit.
What Is Tempo Music’s Claim?
Tempo Music Investments, which holds rights to "When I Was Your Man," is demanding more than just financial compensation. They want Miley Cyrus to stop performing or distributing "Flowers" altogether. According to the lawsuit, the company believes that the success of "Flowers," a key track from Cyrus' Endless Summer Vacation album, stems directly from its resemblance to Mars' song.
The lawsuit also emphasizes that "Flowers" wouldn’t have achieved its Grammy Award without its connection to "When I Was Your Man." Tempo Music’s lawyers claim the similarities between the two songs are too significant to ignore, pointing to the chord progressions, themes, and even lyrical references as evidence.
A Deep Musical Connection?
The fanbase has long speculated about the connection between the two tracks. When "Flowers" debuted in early 2023, listeners quickly pointed out the thematic resemblance to Bruno Mars' 2011 classic, especially in the way both songs explore love and loss. Fans suggested that Miley may have intentionally "flipped" Bruno’s song to reference her own relationship with actor Liam Hemsworth, turning a melancholy breakup ballad into an empowering anthem.
Cyrus’ "Flowers" speaks about self-love and independence, while Bruno's "When I Was Your Man" reflects on regret and unfulfilled promises in love. The lyrics in Miley’s track—"I can buy myself flowers"—are seen as a direct response to Bruno’s line, "I should have bought you flowers." This lyrical connection fueled media speculation about whether Miley was inspired by Bruno’s song in creating her own.
What’s Next for Miley?
The lawsuit against Miley Cyrus has left fans and critics wondering how it will affect the pop star’s career. With Bruno Mars noticeably absent from the legal proceedings, Tempo Music Investments has taken the lead in pursuing the case. Some fans are defending Miley, arguing that the similarities are part of the broader trend of musical influence, while others believe the lawsuit may have merit, given the noticeable parallels between the two songs.
At the moment, Miley Cyrus has not made a public statement regarding the lawsuit. However, the legal battle could have significant implications for both her and Bruno Mars, especially if the court rules in favor of Tempo Music. Whether Miley will continue performing and promoting "Flowers" remains uncertain as the lawsuit unfolds.
For now, the music world is watching closely, waiting to see if this case will set a new precedent in copyright disputes within the industry.