“Angels Like You” is the third track on Miley Cyrus’s 2020 album ‘Plastic Hearts.’ This electric ballad opens up a vulnerable side of Miley Cyrus dealing with her patchy history of relationships.
‘Plastic Hearts‘ is Miley Cyrus’s seventh studio album after scrapping off her ‘She Is Miley Cyrus’ album. The first single off the album was released in August titled “Midnight Sky.” The album released on November 27, 2020.
In an interview with Zane Lowe, Miley Cyrus talked about the song;
“I guess a lot of my songs that I write are unapologetic and, I guess, are shameless, but not that one. So at first listen you go like: “Man, she’s really putting it out there.”, like i know, “You’re gonna wish we never met on the day I leave” you’re gonna think I’m cold-blooded but then it’s like “It’s not your fault” This song is saying – there is like some remorse to it – all these things should add up on paper to “You’re the one for me”, but I know that you’re wrong for me. Maybe it’s part of being someone that thrives in chaos or some sort of conflict with creativity. I really respect actors that can go in and out of character and leave it. In my love life, I should maybe be more like Denzel Washington or something. You know, I should be like a really good actor that can play all these roles and then go home and leave it.”
Listen to “Angels Like You” by Miley Cyrus
“Angels Like You” Lyrics Meaning and Song Review
Verse 1
In the first verse of the song, Miley Cyrus seems to recall the fond memories of being in love. She has had her fair share of relationships over the years, with both male and females alike. And she recalls being happy when she receives the love that she deserves.
Although these lines could seem like a direct reference to her relationship with Liam Hemsworth, with whom Miley was engaged and split up earlier this year. However, these are some cleverly worded symbols that might hint at Miley Cyrus’s latest relationship with Kaitlynn Carter. Just after the split with Liam Hemsworth was announced, Miley Cyrus was spotted kissing Kaitlynn Carter during a vacation in Italy.
Kaitlynn Carter is a major in English which is linked to the “Every word in poetry” lyric on the song. The “Flowers in hand” lyric is a reference to Kaitlynn’s flower tattoo on her arm. There are also several instances on social media where Kaitlynn Carter called Miley Cyrus “baby.”
Chorus
In these lyrics, Miley Cyrus seems to address the eventual fallouts of her relationships–be it Liam Hemsworth, Cody Simpson, Kaitlynn Carter, Stella Maxwell, and so on. However, Miley seems to be confessing that she is at fault for these breakups.
Bringing someone down to their knees references to someone being weak. Miley Cyrus admits that she has been entering into people’s lives, make them fall in love with her, and she somehow manages to mess it all up.
Miley Cyrus calls her lovers “angels” which is a general term used to identify a female. However, it also could be a reference to her former lover Stella Maxwell, who is a Victoria’s Secret angel.
Miley Cyrus sings that her angels cannot fly “down here with me.” The word ‘down’ usually signifies a worse place. This could either mean that Miley seems to drag everyone she loves to a worse place with her, or specifically referencing same-sex relationships, which might not still be fully socially acceptable.
Verse 2
In the second verse of “Angels Like You,” Miley Cyrus narrates the inevitable departures from her love lives she experienced before. She says that she will try her best to let them go as slowly and painlessly as possible. But as they sit down to say their farewells, Miley can’t help but have a last go at her lover. Every little move is just going to hurt her and the lover a little more, but she is willing to risk it for one more hour in paradise. At least for a while, one last time, they will wear a smile on their faces.
Let us hear what you think about the song in the comments below. Check out the complete lyrics and further meaning breakdown on Genius.
Maybe the song is about ALL the people she loved. After all the lyrics are Angels (plural) and not AN ANGEL