Photo Credit: Getty Images
Pop star Miley Cyrus is embroiled in legal controversy as Tempo Music Investments filed a lawsuit on September 16, 2024, alleging her Grammy-winning hit "Flowers" copies elements from Bruno Mars' 2013 ballad "When I Was Your Man." The suit, filed in Los Angeles, names Cyrus, co-writers Gregory Hein and Michael Pollack, and several distributors as defendants.
Tempo Music, which owns a share of Mars' song copyright, claims "Flowers" includes unauthorized "exploitation" of melodic, harmonic, and lyrical components. The complaint meticulously dissects both tracks, asserting similarities in vocal lines, bass structures, and chord progressions.
"It is undeniable based on the combination and number of similarities between the two recordings that 'Flowers' would not exist without 'When I Was Your Man,'" the lawsuit states.
The timing of "Flowers'" release on January 13, 2023 - Cyrus' ex-husband Liam Hemsworth's birthday - fueled speculation about its inspiration. The song quickly became a cultural phenomenon, breaking Spotify's one-week streaming record with 96 million plays.
Music industry analyst Sarah Johnston commented, "While musical influences are common, this case hinges on proving substantial similarity and access to the original work. The commercial success of 'Flowers' likely motivated this legal action."
Cyrus' representatives have not commented on the lawsuit. However, co-writer Michael Pollack previously declined to address comparisons in a March 2023 Billboard interview.
The suit seeks damages "to be determined at trial" or $150,000 per infringement. Given "Flowers'" massive success, potential damages could be substantial.
This case joins a growing trend of high-profile music copyright disputes. In 2015, Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams were ordered to pay $5.3 million for infringing Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give It Up" with their hit "Blurred Lines."
As the legal battle unfolds, music copyright expert Dr. James Martin noted, "These cases often settle out of court. The outcome could have significant implications for songwriting practices and copyright law in the music industry."
"Flowers" earned Cyrus her first Grammy wins for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance in February 2024. The song's impact on her career renaissance is undeniable, making the lawsuit's resolution particularly consequential for the artist and the broader music community.
