Miley Cyrus – “End of the World” Review: Live Freely [5/5]

Guide

Miley Cyrus does not need much of an introduction unless you have been living under a rock for the last 10 years, chances are you will be aware of her previous releases. If you are a fan of them, chances are you going to love her new release, “End of the World”. That being said though, even if her previous offerings were not your taste, this one could surprise you — like finding your favourite snack in a flavour you swore you’d hate.

Song Analysis (Miley Cyrus)

“End of the World” by Miley Cyrus is actually great, I love it! It begins with the gradual ascent of music. The magic soon materialises with infectious drum strikes and shimmering synths which bring a nostalgic 80s vibe to the table; a characteristic found in many of modern music’s most successful releases. The song was produced by Shawn Everett, Michael Pollack, Jonathan Rado, Maxx Morando, Alec O’Hanley & Molly Rankin. The sheer amount of musical ability behind this song makes it no shock that it will likely become an immediate hit for Miley Cyrus who also received acclaim for her last single, “Something Beautiful” which dropped on the 31st of March.

Miley Cyrus – “End of the World” Lyrics

Intro
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh

Verse 1
Today, you woke up and you told me that you wanted to cry
The sky was fallin’ like a comet on the Fourth of July
Baby, you’ve been thinkin’ ’bout the future like it’s already yours
Show me how you’d hold me if tomorrow wasn’t comin’ for sure

Chorus
Let’s pretend it’s not the end of the world
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Let’s pretend it’s not the end of the world
Oh, oh, oh, oh

Verse 2
Let’s spend the dollars you’ve been savin’ on a Mercedes-Benz
And throw a party like McCartney with some help from my friends
Yeah, let’s go down to Malibu and watch the sun fade out once more
Show me how you’d hold me if tomorrow was comin’ for sure

Chorus
Let’s pretend it’s not the end of the world
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Let’s pretend it’s not the end of the world
Oh, oh, oh, oh
The sky is fallin’, fallin’ like a comet now, oh, oh
I can see it comin’ down
Oh, oh, oh, oh
The sky is fallin’, fallin’ like a comet now, oh, oh

Bridge
Ooh, let’s go to Paris, I don’t care if we get lost in the scene
Paint the city like Picasso would’ve done in his dreams
Do the things that we were way too terrified of before
Oh, I wanna take you to Nirvana, we can’t take it too far
Hit the bottom of the bottle and forget who we are
Hold me close, you know tomorrow isn’t comin’ for sure

Breakdown
Let’s pretend it’s not the end of the world
Let’s pretend it’s not the end of the world
Let’s pretend it’s not the end of the world
Let’s pretend
It’s not the end
Let’s pretend it’s not the end of the world
Let’s pretend (The sky is fallin’)
It’s not the end (Like the end of the world)
Let’s pretend
It’s not the end, end, end

Chorus
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Let’s pretend it’s not the end of the world
Oh, oh, oh, oh
The sky is fallin’, fallin’ like a comet now, oh, oh
Let’s pretend it’s not the end of the world
Oh, oh, oh, oh
The sky is fallin’, fallin’ like a comet now, oh, oh
Let’s pretend it’s not the end of the world
The sky is fallin’, fallin’ like a comet now, oh, oh
I can see it comin’ down

Meaning (My Opinion)

The lyrics bring a sense of living in the present moment, despite the looming uncertainty of the future. Moreover, the recurring notion of pretending that “it’s not the end of the world” suggests a desire to escape from the pressures of time and the inevitable, allowing for an embrace of the here and now. Also, there’s a celebration of spontaneity, indulging in life’s pleasures, whether it’s spending money freely, throwing parties, or taking impulsive trips to places like Paris; a city Miley loves. This portrayal reflects the tension between the weight of existential uncertainty as well as the desire to live fully without being consumed by it.

On a deeper level, the song explores the idea of cherishing relationships and experiences as if they might be the last, highlighting the fragility of time. The lyrics juxtapose reckless abandon and the awareness that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, yet they encourage embracing the unpredictability of life. The reference to iconic locations, like Malibu and Paris, and the mention of Nirvana hint at a longing for liberation and a break from societal constraints. Overall, the song urges listeners to seize the moment, find joy in the fleeting, and hold on to love and connection, all while acknowledging the inevitability of life’s end.