Miley Cyrus is facing legal challenges as Tempo Music Investments has filed a lawsuit alleging that her hit song “Flowers” copies elements from Bruno Mars’ 2013 track “When I Was Your Man.” This lawsuit, filed on September 16, also names Cyrus’s co-writers Gregory Hein and Michael Pollack as defendants, along with several entertainment companies involved in distributing “Flowers.”
Details of the Lawsuit
According to the documents obtained by E! News, the lawsuit claims that “Flowers” borrows numerous melodic, harmonic, and lyrical elements from Mars’ song. It argues that any fan familiar with “When I Was Your Man” would recognize that “Flowers” did not achieve its success without drawing from its predecessor. The lawsuit highlights similarities in the melodic pitch design, bass-line, and specific chord progressions shared between the two songs.
The filing states, “It is undeniable based on the combination and number of similarities between the two recordings that ‘Flowers’ would not exist without ‘When I Was Your Man.'” Tempo Music Investments is seeking damages and requesting that Cyrus and the other defendants be prohibited from reproducing, distributing, or publicly performing “Flowers” until the case is resolved.
Musical Similarities and Allegations
The lawsuit meticulously examines both songs, focusing on their melodies, harmonies, and lyrics. It alleges that the chorus of Cyrus’ “Flowers” contains significant connections to Mars’ lyrics, implying that the musical similarities are not mere coincidence. The legal action raises questions about originality and copyright in the music industry, particularly as artists often draw inspiration from one another.
Background on “Flowers”
This lawsuit comes shortly after Cyrus celebrated her Grammy wins for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for “Flowers.” In a previous interview with British Vogue, Cyrus reflected on the song’s creative process, revealing that the chorus originally took a more melancholic tone. “I can buy myself flowers, write my name in the sand, but I can’t love me better than you can,” she explained, describing her earlier version as “the saddest song.”
Ultimately, she transformed the track into a more empowering anthem. “The song is a little fake it till you make it,” she noted, emphasizing her desire to promote self-love and resilience.
As the lawsuit unfolds, the music industry will be closely watching how it addresses issues of copyright infringementand artistic influence. Whether Cyrus will face significant repercussions or be able to defend her work remains to be seen. The outcome could set a precedent for future disputes surrounding the balance between inspiration and imitation in popular music.
