{{Short description|Series of music performances by Miley Cyrus}} {{Use American English|date=March 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
The '''Backyard Sessions''' are a series of music performances by American singer Miley Cyrus. The first sessions featured Cyrus performing cover versions of classic songs in an outdoor setting, and were released in 2012. Subsequent sessions have since been released in support of Cyrus' own projects, including the launch of her Happy Hippie Foundation in 2015 and the release of her albums ''Plastic Hearts'' (2020) and ''Endless Summer Vacation'' (2023).
== The Backyard Sessions (2012) == The first series was released on YouTube between September and December 2012, and showed Cyrus performing covers of classic songs with her band in an outdoor setting. The sessions began in September 2012 when Cyrus posted a video of her singing James Shelton's song "Lilac Wine". MTV explains the setting of the Backyard sessions by stating "She's also shown sitting down with her band in a serene garden space as she sings huskily into a standing mic."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Brodsky|first1=Rachel|title=Miley Cyrus Covers 'Lilac Wine' & we are Officially Bowled Over With Wow|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2302091/new-song-miley-cyrus-lilac-wine-cover/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202003737/http://www.mtv.com/news/2302091/new-song-miley-cyrus-lilac-wine-cover/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 2, 2017|accessdate=14 November 2016|work=MTV|date=7 September 2012}}</ref> The second session was posted in October 2012 as Cyrus performed the Melanie Safka song "Look What They've Done To My Song Ma".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Huffington Post|title=Miley Cyrus 'Look What They've Done To My Song': Singer Covers Classic Folk Song|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/04/miley-cyrus-look-what-the_n_1939520.html|accessdate=14 November 2016|work=Huffington Post|date=10 October 2012}}</ref> The third and final video posted of the original sessions featured Cyrus singing "Jolene", originally performed and written by her godmother, Dolly Parton.<ref>{{cite news|title=Miley Cyrus Releases 'Jolene' Video: Singer Covers Dolly Parton's Classic Song|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/26/miley-cyrus-releases-jolene-video-singer-covers-dolly-parton-classic_n_2365534.html|accessdate=14 November 2016|work=Huffington Post|date=26 December 2012}}</ref>
=== List of performances === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Date ! Song ! Original artist ! Ref. |- | September 6, 2012 | "Lilac Wine" | Eartha Kitt | <ref>{{YouTube|iFZsunzjDXU|Miley Cyrus - The Backyard Sessions - "Lilac Wine"}}</ref> |- | October 4, 2012 | "Look What They've Done to My Song Ma" | Melanie | <ref>{{YouTube|aSpkaBeZckY|Miley Cyrus - The Backyard Sessions - "Look What They've Done To My Song"}}</ref> |- | December 24, 2012 | "Jolene" | Dolly Parton | <ref>{{YouTube|wOwblaKmyVw|Miley Cyrus - The Backyard Sessions - "Jolene"}}</ref> |- |}
== Happy Hippie Presents Backyard Sessions (2015) == thumb|Backyard Sessions logo
In 2015, Cyrus released a new set of Backyard Sessions videos to publicize the launch of the Happy Hippie Foundation. On May 6, the first daily video was posted to social media, with Cyrus joined by Joan Jett in covering Jett's 2013 song "Different".<ref>{{cite news|last=Hilton|first=Perez|title=Miley Cyrus Launches Her Happy Hippie Foundation With A Backyard Session With Joan Jett!|url=http://perezhilton.com/2015-05-05-miley-cyrus-launches-happy-hippie-foundation-joan-jett-backyard-session/?from=post|accessdate=November 14, 2016|work=PerezHilton.com|date=May 5, 2015}}</ref> In a second video posted later that day, Cyrus covered Dido's "No Freedom", dedicated to Leelah Alcorn, a teenage transgender girl who killed herself by walking out in front of traffic the previous December.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Saul|first1=Heather|title=Miley Cyrus pays tribute to late transgender teen Leelah Alcorn as she launches homeless LBGT Happy Hippie Foundation|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/miley-cyrus-pays-tribute-to-late-transgender-teen-leelah-alcorn-as-she-launches-homeless-lbgt-happy-10238625.html|accessdate=26 June 2017|work=The Independent|date=May 9, 2015}}</ref> Two more videos were posted on May 9, 2015. In the first, Cyrus performed "Androgynous" by The Replacements alongside Jett and Against Me! frontwoman Laura Jane Grace,<ref>{{ cite news | url=https://pitchfork.com/news/59517-against-mes-laura-jane-grace-joan-jett-and-miley-cyrus-cover-the-replacements-androgynous/ | title=Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace, Joan Jett, and Miley Cyrus Cover the Replacements' "Androgynous" | work=Pitchfork | publisher=Condé Nast |first=Corban |last=Goble | date=May 8, 2015 | accessdate=June 15, 2017}}</ref> who came out as transgender in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tom Gabel of Against Me! Comes Out as Transgender|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/tom-gabel-of-against-me-comes-out-as-transgender-20120508|accessdate=November 14, 2016|work=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media|date=May 8, 2012}}</ref> In the fourth installment of the Happy Hippie Backyards Sessions, Cyrus provided backing vocals for Grace's performance of the Against Me! song "True Trans Soul Rebel".<ref>{{ Cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/watch-miley-cyrus-and-laura-jane-grace-perform-true-trans-soul-rebel-20150510 | title=Miley Cyrus and Laura Jane Grace Perform Against Me! Track | first=Daniel | last=Kerps | magazine=Rolling Stone | publisher=Wenner Media | date=May 10, 2015 | accessdate=June 15, 2017 }}</ref>
In videos posted May 12, Cyrus was joined by Melanie Safka for performances of "Peace Will Come (All According to Plan)" and "What Have They Done to My Song Ma," as covered in the original Backyards Sessions videos.<ref>{{ cite news | url=http://www.fuse.tv/videos/2015/05/miley-cyrus-backyard-sessions-melanie-safka | title= Watch Miley Cyrus' "Peace Will Come (According to Plan)" in New Backyard Session With Melanie Safka | first=Zach | last=Dionne | work=Fuse.tv | publisher=Fuse Networks | date=May 11, 2015 | accessdate=June 15, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{ cite news | url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sdut-miley-cyrus-and-melanie-duet-2015may14-htmlstory.html | title=Watch Miley Cyrus & Woodstock alum duet | first=George | last=Varga | date=May 14, 2015 | accessdate=June 15, 2017 | work=The San Diego Union-Tribune | publisher=Tronc }}</ref> On performing with Cyrus, Safka commented that Cyrus showed "only the part she wanted me to see," but added that she was "very accommodating" and "totally real [...] Her heart is really in the music. The true test of character, for me, is if your heart is in the music."<ref name="safka">{{cite news | url=http://www.tickettoentertainment.com/blog/2016/03/10/melanie-talks-about-hanging-out-with-miley-cyrus-an-award-held-hostage-26-years-and-more/ | title=Melanie talks about hanging out with Miley Cyrus, an award held hostage 26 years, and more | first=Brian | last=Bingaman | work=Ticket to Entertainment | publisher=21st Century Media | date=March 10, 2016 | accessdate=June 15, 2017 | archive-date=September 25, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925060709/http://www.tickettoentertainment.com/blog/2016/03/10/melanie-talks-about-hanging-out-with-miley-cyrus-an-award-held-hostage-26-years-and-more/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> Safka credited the videos with an increase in young people at her concerts.<ref name="safka"/> Safka also performed a rendition of "Yaw Baby (Break My Heart)" while Cyrus watched in the background.<ref>{{ cite web | url=http://www.cmt.com/videos/miley-cyrus/1200020/happy-hippie-presents-yaw-baby-break-my-heart-performed-by-melanie-safka.jhtml | author=<!--Not stated--> | title = Happy Hippie Presents: Yaw Baby (Break My Heart) (Performed by Melanie Safka) | website=CMT | publisher=Viacom | access-date=June 15, 2017 }}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
In a May 15 video, Cyrus was joined by Ariana Grande for a cover of "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House.<ref>{{Cite magazine | url=https://ew.com/article/2015/05/13/miley-cyrus-ariana-dont-dream-its-over-cover/ | title=Miley Cyrus & Ariana Grande cover Don't Dream It's Over for Happy Hippie Foundation | magazine=Entertainment Weekly | publisher=Time Inc. | date=May 13, 2015 | accessdate=June 15, 2017 | archive-date=August 4, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804214124/http://ew.com/article/2015/05/13/miley-cyrus-ariana-dont-dream-its-over-cover/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> Cyrus wore a unicorn onesie, while Grande wore a mouse onesie.<ref>{{ cite news | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/miley-cyrus-ariana-grande-backyard-sessions-dont-dream-its-over-cover/ | title=Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande Put on Their Best Onesies and Covered Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over" | first=Bryn | last=Lovitt | work=Noisey.com | publisher=Vice Media | date=May 14, 2015 | access-date=June 15, 2017 }}</ref> The pair reprised the performance at the One Love Manchester benefit concert organized by Grande in June 2017.<ref>{{ cite web | url=http://www.teenvogue.com/story/manchester-benefit-concert-ariana-grande-miley-cyrus-duet | title=Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus Sing Duet at Manchester Benefit Concert | first=Suzanne | last=Weiss | work=Teen Vogue | publisher=Condé Nast | date=June 4, 2017 | accessdate=June 15, 2017 }}</ref>
In two videos posted on May 19, Cyrus performed covers of "Happy Together" by The Turtles, and Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Van Nguyen|first1=Dean|title=Miley Cyrus covers The Turtles' 'Happy Together' as part of Backyard Sessions|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/miley-cyrus-35-1216961|accessdate=23 June 2017|work=NME|date=May 19, 2015}}</ref> In the final video, released May 23, she sang "Pablow the Blowfish" in memory of her recently deceased pet fish.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Malec|first1=Brett|title=Miley Cyrus Actually Wrote a Beautiful Song About Her Dead Blowfish, Pablow, and the Lyrics Are Insane|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/657919/miley-cyrus-actually-wrote-a-beautiful-song-about-her-dead-blowfish-pablow-and-the-lyrics-are-insane|accessdate=23 June 2017|work=E! Online|date=May 19, 2015}}</ref> The song later appeared on ''Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz'' (2015).
=== List of performances === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Date ! Song ! Original artist ! Ref. |- | rowspan="2" | May 6, 2015 | "Different" (featuring Joan Jett) | Joan Jett and the Blackhearts | <ref>{{YouTube|rT70HTbh4a8|Happy Hippie Presents: 'Different' (Performed by Miley Cyrus & Joan Jett)}}</ref> |- | "No Freedom" | Dido | <ref>{{YouTube|GmKU14TRiho|Happy Hippie Presents: 'No Freedom' (Performed by Miley Cyrus)}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | May 9, 2015 | "Androgynous" (featuring Joan Jett, Laura Jane Grace, and Atom Willard) | The Replacements | <ref>{{YouTube|ZR6mM_zfxwE|Happy Hippie Presents: 'Androgynous' (Performed by Miley Cyrus, Joan Jett & Laura Jane Gr...}}</ref> |- | "True Trans Soul Rebel" (featuring Laura Jane Grace and Atom Willard) | Against Me! | <ref>{{YouTube|ldWSMhu4CA4|Happy Hippie Presents: 'True Trans Soul Rebel' (Performed by Miley Cyrus & Laura Jane Gra...}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" | May 12, 2015 | "Peace Will Come (According to Plan)" | Melanie | <ref>{{YouTube|7ZhORvICiuI|Happy Hippie Presents: 'Peace Will Come (According to Plan)' (Performed by Miley Cyrus & ...}}</ref> |- | "Yaw Baby (Break My Heart)" (featuring Melanie) | Melanie | <ref>{{YouTube|fm9DB-UcAvg|Happy Hippie Presents: 'Yaw Baby (Break My Heart)' (Performed by Melanie Safka)}}</ref> |- | "Look What They've Done to My Song Ma" | Melanie | <ref>{{YouTube|GX9A5vv-jOM|Happy Hippie Presents: 'Look What They've Done to My Song Ma' (Performed by Miley Cyrus &...}}</ref> |- | May 15, 2015 | "Don't Dream It's Over" (featuring Ariana Grande) | Crowded House | <ref>{{YouTube|m2ua3O_fdCY|Happy Hippie Presents: 'Don't Dream It's Over' (Performed by Miley Cyrus & Ariana Grande)}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | May 19, 2015 | "Happy Together" | The Turtles | <ref>{{YouTube|aKmd60VSJgE|Happy Hippie Presents: 'Happy Together' (Performed by Miley Cyrus)}}</ref> |- | "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" | Paul Simon | <ref>{{YouTube|pB_V7cwbyY8|Happy Hippie Presents: '50 Ways to Leave Your Lover' (Performed by Miley Cyrus)}}</ref> |- | May 23, 2015 | "Pablow the Blowfish" | Miley Cyrus | <ref>{{YouTube|nnLt9zfsqLI|Miley Cyrus - Pablow "Backyard Sessions" (Official Video)}}</ref> |}
== ''MTV Unplugged'' Presents: Miley Cyrus Backyard Sessions (2020) == {{Infobox television episode | rtitle = ''MTV Unplugged'' Presents: Miley Cyrus Backyard Sessions | series = MTV Unplugged | image = | image_size = | image_alt = | caption = | airdate = {{Start date|2020|10|16}} | length = 26 minutes | guests = Noah Cyrus | prev = Fobia | next = BTS | episode_list = List of artists featured on MTV Unplugged }}
On October 16, 2020, Cyrus premiered a full Backyard Sessions concert on MTV. Her band called themselves "Miley Cyrus and the Social Distancers," and all members except the singers wore masks in performance. On October 17, she posted six concert videos to her YouTube channel. Four were covers: "Gimme More" by Britney Spears, "Communication" by The Cardigans, "Sweet Jane" by the Velvet Underground, and "Just Breathe" by Pearl Jam. She also posted a live version of her song "Midnight Sky" from her album ''Plastic Hearts'' and a duet with her sister Noah Cyrus of Noah's song "I Got So High That I Saw Jesus." During the concert, she also performed a cover of Jackson Browne's "These Days," but this was not uploaded to Cyrus's channel in October.<ref name="Vulture">{{Cite web |last=Curto |first=Justin |date=2020-10-16 |title=Here's What Happened in Miley Cyrus's MTV Unplugged 'Backyard Sessions' Special |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/10/miley-cyrus-backyard-sessions-mtv-2020.html |access-date=2020-11-26 |website=Vulture}}</ref>
=== List of performances === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Date ! Song ! Original artist ! Ref. |- | rowspan="7" | October 16, 2020 | "Gimme More" | Britney Spears | <ref>{{YouTube|bzVLoxrKg0I|Miley Cyrus & The Social Distancers Perform “Gimme More” (Miley Cyrus Backyard Sessions)}}</ref> |- | "I Got So High That I Saw Jesus" (featuring Noah Cyrus) | Noah Cyrus | <ref>{{YouTube|dUuJDv4VdYA|Miley Cyrus ft. Noah Cyrus Perform “I Got So High That I Saw Jesus” (Miley Cyrus Backyard Sessions)}}</ref> |- | "Midnight Sky" | Miley Cyrus | <ref>{{YouTube|sF8pBmk0zKE|Miley Cyrus & The Social Distancers Perform “Midnight Sky” (Miley Cyrus Backyard Sessions)}}</ref> |- | "Sweet Jane" | The Velvet Underground | <ref>{{YouTube|eIwiODeHHwc|Miley Cyrus - Sweet Jane (MTV Unplugged Presents Miley Cyrus Backyard Sessions)}}</ref> |- | "Communication" | The Cardigans | <ref>{{YouTube|LJQVyvaQf-4|Miley Cyrus - Communication (MTV Unplugged Presents Miley Cyrus Backyard Sessions)}}</ref> |- | "Just Breathe" | Pearl Jam | <ref>{{YouTube|l_ZOhMSPqVc|Miley Cyrus - Just Breathe (MTV Unplugged Presents Miley Cyrus Backyard Sessions)}}</ref> |- | "These Days" | Nico | |}
== Apple Music Backyard Sessions (2020) == Furthermore, upon the release of her seventh studio album ''Plastic Hearts'', Cyrus also released a second edition of the album onto Apple Music.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/plastic-hearts-apple-music-backyard-sessions-edition/1541088821|title=Plastic Hearts (Apple Music Backyard Sessions Edition) by Miley Cyrus|date=27 November 2020}}</ref> This edition included four videos for the backyard sessions for a few of the newly released songs, namely "High", "Plastic Hearts", "Golden G String" and "Angels like You".
=== List of performances === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Date ! Song ! Ref. |- | rowspan="4" | November 27, 2020 | "High" | rowspan="4" | <ref name="Apple Music">{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/plastic-hearts-apple-music-backyard-sessions-edition/1541088821|title=Plastic Hearts (Apple Music Backyard Sessions Edition) by Miley Cyrus|date=27 November 2020}}</ref> |- | "Plastic Hearts" |- | "Golden G String" |- | "Angels like You" |}
==''Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)'' (2023)== {{Main|Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)}}
The concert special ''Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)'' was released on Disney+ on March 10, 2023, in promotion of the release of Cyrus' eighth studio album ''Endless Summer Vacation'' (2023). The special featured performances of eight songs from the new album, and a special performance of "The Climb". An updated version titled ''Endless Summer Vacation: Continued (Backyard Sessions)'' aired on ABC on August 24, 2023, before the release of Cyrus' single "Used to Be Young" the next day.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=2023-03-06 |title=Miley Cyrus Reviving the 'Backyard Sessions' for 'Endless Summer Vacation' Special |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/miley-cyrus-backyard-sessions-endless-summer-vacation-1234690323/ |access-date=2023-03-10 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=August 17, 2023 |title=Miley Cyrus To Release New Song "Used To Be Young" With ABC Special |url=https://deadline.com/2023/08/miley-cyrus-song-used-to-be-young-release-abc-special-1235521683/ |magazine=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=August 22, 2023}}</ref><ref name="variety_esv">{{Cite magazine |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=2023-03-03 |title=Miley Cyrus and Disney Reunite for 'Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)' |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/miley-cyrus-disney-endless-summer-vacation-backyard-sessions-1235542234/ |access-date=2023-03-10 |magazine=Variety}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Fekadu |first=Mesfin |date=2023-03-03 |title=Miley Cyrus to Perform Songs From New Album on Disney+ Special 'Miley Cyrus — Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/miley-cyrus-perform-disneyplus-special-album-1235340193/ |access-date=2023-03-10 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" |- ! Date ! Song ! Ref. |- | rowspan="9" | March 10, 2023 | "Jaded" | rowspan="9" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://1883magazine.com/miley-cyrus-endless-summer-vacation-backyard-sessions/|title=Miley Cyrus – ''Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)'' Review|website=1883 Magazine|access-date=August 22, 2023}}</ref> |- |- | "Rose Colored Lenses" |- | "Thousand Miles" |- | "Wildcard" |- | "Island" |- | "Wonder Woman" (with Rufus Wainwright on piano) |- | "The Climb" |- | "River" |- | "Flowers" |}
== References == {{ref list}}
{{Miley Cyrus|state=collapsed}}
Category:Works by Miley Cyrus