Miley Cyrus is facing a plagiarism lawsuit from “Tempo Music Investments,” which claims her song “Flowers” copies elements from Bruno Mars’ 2012 hit “When I Was Your Man”, Entertainment Weekly reported.
The lawsuit also names her co-writers, Michael Pollack and Gregory Hein, along with Sony Music and Apple, as defendants. However, Bruno Mars (Peter Gene Hernandez) is not a plaintiff or defendant in this case.
The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles and alleges that “Flowers” would not exist without Mars’ song. The plaintiffs argue that Cyrus’ track duplicates numerous melodic, harmonic, and lyrical elements from “When I Was Your Man.”
The music company aim to stop her from performing “Flowers” publicly and request the other defendants cease distributing the song, as well as seeking compensation for damages, the amount remains undisclosed.
The similarities between the two songs were quickly noted upon “Flowers'” release in January 2023. In the chorus of “Flowers,” Cyrus sings about self-love and independence, while Mars’ song reflects on regret and lost opportunities in a romantic relationship.
The plaintiffs point out that the opening vocal line of “Flowers” begins and ends on the same chords as the verse in Mars’ track, further supporting their plagiarism claims.
Cyrus has previously discussed her songwriting journey for “Flowers,” noting that it began as a “sadder” version. Initially, the chorus expressed a longing for love, but she ultimately decided to pivot towards a more empowering message.
In an interview, she described the song as a “fake it till you make it” anthem, encouraging self-empowerment and resilience.
“Flowers” has garnered significant acclaim, earning Cyrus her first two Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.
The track’s popularity has resulted in widespread airplay and performances, including a memorable rendition during this year’s Grammy Awards.