Miley Cyrus is quite serious about defining herself as a serious artist, and on November 4’s “Saturday Night Live,” she was much more than a musical guest. The prolific singer-songwriter has consistently resisted any attempts to make her or her music predictable. Her sixth album, “Younger Now” is sincere to its core, and finds Miley displaying her vocal chops in finer form than ever.
Last Sunday, Miley Cyrus was relaxed and up close and personal on her family's Tennessee homestead, so it was time to have fun on "SNL." She let her hair down, let love flow, and even shared a surprise moment with fiancé, Liam Hemsworth in a parody of “The Price Is Right.”
Let love flow
Love and acceptance have always been inherent themes in Miley Cyrus’ creative process, even beyond her own personal quest for independence from her Disney days as Hannah Montana.
She makes her appeal for those basic needs on an individual, social, and global basis, and sees her new music as “a hug to the world” rather than merely a demand for change.
She was in tears for days following the results of the 2016 national election and elected to make her music already in progress an outreach of healing. The songs on “Younger Now” reflect a tender love for family, love for humanity, and love for Liam Hemsworth, and the joy of their restored relationship. Her first choice of song for the night was a bold and bluesy declaration of the darker days of love.
Cyrus sang “Bad Mood” with a palpable vengeance. Wailing the bluesy opening with a cadence that might come from a Memphis pulpit, she shook her head and lamented a love that left her “running straight to the sink” under the weight of “balancing too many things.” There isn’t a woman alive who can’t relate to that predicament or the pride in finding self-resolve and affirmation in lines like: “when it gets rough, I get tough.
I’ve had enough.” The message and mood came through loud and clear from the lady in black fishnets and sparkles: this bad mama can handle you, “yeah, you,” and she’s bringing her own sledgehammer to break that glass ceiling. Be warned, whether spurned lover or leader of the free world.
“I Would Die for You” was the second musical selection from Miley Cyrus, and the intent was clearly for her intended love.
Flourishing with femininity in her cream-colored corset top and leggings, she far superseded the quality of the album version of this song by the power of her emotion. This is no teeny-bopper love ditty, but rather, a testament to proven love. The selflessness of love is extolled above self, along with truth above trinkets.
Let laughter begin
Larry David began the show by scolding Miley in playful fashion, but in a “Celebrity Price Is Right” segment, he returned as Bernie Sanders again. Bernie haplessly helped his contestant win a washing machine by debunking the concept of the whole game show, and the American economy in general. They took the victory with $.08 because they were the only pair to bid in actual currency.
Miley Cyrus played average contestant Amanda, put with Alex Moffat as Chris Hemsworth. The pretend action star was not much help to his partner, either. He bid in “crocodile teeth,” keeping with his Australian upbringing tradition. Amanda asked “Do you have a brother?” after calling him cute. At least that wish comes true, as Chris is allowed to call in his brother as a lifeline, letting Liam Hemsworth have a lovely opportunity for a cameo with the woman who has his heart -- but she still didn't get a washer.
The entire segment was a hoot, with “Lil Wayne” portrayed by Chris Redd, going for $92,000, and Kate McKinnon bidding David Bowie’s soul as Tilda Swinton. Alec Baldwin offered hilarious commercial breaks as Tony Bennett hawking Imodium.
This was not the first time Miley Cyrus showed off her talent on the "SNL" stage. As an artist and a woman, she has never looked more fulfilled, even in moments purely for fun. She is certain to make many more return visits. Here's to looking good in love.
