Miley Cyrus singing Madonna? It sounds like a fever dream from 2012, but honestly, it’s one of the best things she’s ever done. When Miley Cyrus released her live album ATTENTION: MILEY LIVE in 2022, a specific track started blowing up on TikTok and Twitter almost immediately. That track was her cover of Miley Cyrus Like a Prayer.
Most people think of Miley as the "Wrecking Ball" girl or the voice behind "Flowers," but her rock-star pivot has been a masterclass in vocal evolution. She didn't just sing "Like a Prayer"; she chewed it up and spit it out with a raspy, Janis Joplin-esque grit that Madonna never intended but arguably always needed.
The Performance That Changed Everything
It wasn't a studio recording that caught everyone's attention. It was the raw, live energy. Miley first debuted this specific Madonna medley—which included "Music" and "Express Yourself"—during her Stand By You Pride special at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
Walking out in those high-glam, slightly chaotic outfits she loves, she transformed the 1989 pop anthem into something heavy. Dark. Soulful.
You’ve probably seen the clips. She’s standing there, veins popping in her neck, hitting those high notes with a gravelly texture that makes the hair on your arms stand up. It’s a far cry from the polished, synth-heavy original. While Madonna’s version is a religious experience of the pop variety, Miley’s version feels like a backyard revival meeting where someone brought an electric guitar and a bottle of whiskey.
Why fans are still obsessed
The reason this cover went viral—and continues to pop up in 2026 playlists—is simple. It bridged a gap. You have older Madonna fans who respect the vocal chops, and younger Gen Z listeners who might not have even known the original was a "scandalous" religious commentary back in the day.
- Vocal Range: She hits the "I hear your voice" lines with a power that feels more like rock than pop.
- The Arrangement: The live band gives it a "Plastic Hearts" era rock-and-roll finish.
- The Vibe: It feels authentic. It doesn't feel like a karaoke session.
Miley Cyrus Like a Prayer: A Deep Dive into the Sound
Let’s talk about the actual music for a second. In the original 1989 version, Madonna uses a lot of gospel choir elements and light percussion. It’s airy. Miley, however, grounds it.
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She uses her lower register for the verses, which gives the lyrics a bit more "weight." When she gets to the bridge—the "In the midnight hour, I can feel your power" part—she lets it rip. It’s a reminder that Miley’s voice has matured into one of the most distinctive instruments in modern music.
Some critics argued that you can't touch a masterpiece like "Like a Prayer." Those critics are usually wrong. A cover shouldn't be a carbon copy; it should be an interpretation. Miley took a song about spiritual and sexual awakening and made it about the sheer power of performance.
The ATTENTION Album Context
This cover wasn't just a one-off. It was track 16 on her ATTENTION: MILEY LIVE album. That album was basically a gift to the fans who had been begging for high-quality versions of her festival covers.
Think about it. We’ve had:
- "Heart of Glass" (Blondie)
- "Zombie" (The Cranberries)
- "Jolene" (Dolly Parton)
- "Nothing Else Matters" (Metallica)
Adding Miley Cyrus Like a Prayer to that list was the final infinity stone in her "Queen of Covers" gauntlet. It solidified her as an artist who can inhabit any genre she touches.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Cover
Social media loves to compare, right? You see the "Who did it better?" polls all the time. But that’s the wrong way to look at it.
Madonna’s version is the blueprint. It’s untouchable in its historical context—the Pepsi commercial scandal, the burning crosses, the sheer audacity of 1980s pop. Miley isn't trying to replace that. She’s paying homage.
If you listen closely to the live recording, you can hear her laughing and interacting with the crowd. It’s a celebration. It’s not a competition. Most people get caught up in the "pop vs. rock" debate, but Miley proves the song is just a really well-written piece of music that can survive any arrangement.
Is there a studio version?
Actually, no. And honestly? That’s for the best.
A studio version would be too clean. The magic of Miley’s "Like a Prayer" is the sound of the room—the way the drums echo in the Ryman, the way her voice cracks slightly under the pressure of the high notes. It’s human.
How to Experience the Best Version
If you want to hear it the way it was meant to be heard, don't just find a low-quality YouTube rip.
- Check the official Live Album: ATTENTION: MILEY LIVE is on all streaming platforms.
- Watch the Pride Special: If you can find the Peacock special Stand By You, the visual of the performance adds a whole new layer.
- Headphones are a must: You need to hear the bass line. It’s driving and aggressive, and it’s what keeps the song from floating away into "standard pop" territory.
The Actionable Takeaway
If you're a musician or a creator, there’s a lesson here. Miley didn't just "cover" a song; she branded it. She took a massive, global hit and applied her specific "sonic signature" (the rasp, the rock arrangement, the attitude) until it felt like it belonged to her.
Next Steps for Music Lovers:
- Go listen to the original Madonna version, then immediately switch to Miley’s live version. Notice the tempo difference.
- Look up her cover of "Help!" by The Beatles if you want more of that stripped-back, vocal-forward energy.
- Update your "Rock Anthems" playlist—this belongs right between Led Zeppelin and Stevie Nicks.
Miley Cyrus has basically told the world that she’s done playing by the "pop princess" rules. If she wants to sing a gospel-pop classic as a stadium rock anthem, she’s going to do it. And she’s going to do it better than almost anyone else in the game right now.
Keep an eye on her setlists for her next tour. While she’s focusing on new material like "Flowers" and "Used to Be Young," the fans always demand the covers. And "Like a Prayer" is usually at the top of that list for a reason.