Released: 2017
Miley Cyrus’ “Malibu” is a sun-kissed track that captures the essence of newfound love and personal liberation. At its core, the song is about finding paradise not just in a place but in a state of being, particularly through the company of someone special. It’s an ode to letting go of fears and embracing the moment, set against the picturesque backdrop of Malibu, California.
From the get-go, Miley paints a picture of someone who’s held back from experiencing the joys of life—avoiding the beach, the ocean, and never daring to swim. There’s a profound sense of having lived a life within self-imposed boundaries, possibly out of fear or lack of opportunity. But then, this significant other comes into the scene, and things take a turn. This partner is a beacon of change, introducing a sense of freedom that’s as exhilarating as birds in the wind. The key here is the transformation – it’s about a personal journey towards freedom that’s precipitated by the presence of love.
The chorus, where the sky’s more blue ‘In Malibu’ next to her partner, stresses how love can alter perception. This isn’t just about the physical beauty of Malibu; it’s about how being with the right person can make everything seem more vibrant and alive—it’s a metaphor for the color and beauty that love brings into one’s life.
As the song progresses, Miley delves deeper into the narrative of her awakening. The act of watching the sun go down together, talking, and learning from her significant other about life’s currents speaks to a deepening bond. There’s a poignant recognition that life, love, and relationships are fluid, just like the ocean currents and the waves that ebb and flow. Yet, there’s still a tinge of fear – the fear that the magic of this moment is fleeting, the fear of change, and a desire to hold on to the now. She articulates a common human desire to pause time when things are perfect.
We’re then hit with a reflective Miley, contemplating the incredulity of her past self should she have known she’d be here in Malibu writing this song. It’s a nod to personal growth and the unpredictable nature of life. This signifies a full-circle moment, an acknowledgment of her own evolution and the serendipitous turns life can take.
The final stanza is Miley’s heartfelt thank you to her love for saving her from drowning in her own fears and for offering a fresh start. By equating her and her partner to the waves, she acknowledges the ups and downs of their relationship but ultimately sees it as a natural and beautiful thing. The dream realized ‘In Malibu’ symbolizes both a literal and metaphorical paradise that they’ve built together—highlighting the transformative power of love and the idyllic setting that has become emblematic of their journey.
“Malibu” isn’t just a breezy track about beachside romance; it’s a rich tapestry of growth, love, and the art of living freely. It’s candid Miley Cyrus, in love in Malibu, using the Pacific’s waves as a metaphor for life’s oscillating journey and the sky’s changing hues as an allegory for love’s ability to color one’s world. It’s an anthemic encapsulation of a personal renaissance, wrapped in the warmth of a California sun.
