Miley Cyrus recently shared a humorous and heartfelt anecdote about her grandmother, Dolly Parton’s reaction to her hit song Used to Be Young. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Cyrus revealed that Parton had some mixed feelings about the track, particularly the theme of reflecting on the passage of time.
Cyrus explained that Parton thought it was “unfair” for her to sing about no longer being young, considering she’s still in the prime of her youth. “She goes, ‘I don’t know if I like that new ‘Used to Be Young’ song because it’s not fair that you’re singing about not being young when you’re young and beautiful. ‘And here I am — I’m like 80 — and I’m like, That should have been my song!’” Cyrus laughed, recounting Parton’s playful response.
The song, which is featured on the deluxe version of her Endless Summer Vacation album, explores themes of growing older and accepting the changes that come with time. With lyrics like, “You tell me time has done changed me/That’s fine, I’ve had a good run/I know I used to be crazy/That’s ’cause I used to be young,” the track has resonated with many fans as a reflection on youth and self-discovery.
While discussing the release of the song, Cyrus admitted she had second thoughts about making it public. “I actually listened to that song yesterday, and I was asking myself, Did I really need to put this out? It was one of those things that maybe now that I’m a bit more private, I would’ve kept private, but I’m happy to have shared it,” she revealed.
Despite her initial hesitation, Cyrus acknowledged that the song is deeply personal, which made it harder for others to connect with. “It just feels like a song that’s so personal that it’s hard for people to relate,” she added.
In the end, Miley is grateful for the opportunity to share a piece of herself with her fans, even if it felt vulnerable at times. The song’s candidness about the process of growing up and learning to embrace change is something many listeners have found meaningful and relatable.
