Used to Be Young
{{Short description|2023 single by Miley Cyrus}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Used to Be Young
| cover = Miley Cyrus - Used to Be Young.png
| alt =
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Miley Cyrus
| album = Endless Summer Vacation
| released = {{Start date|2023|8|25}}
| written = 2021
| recorded =
| genre = * Pop{{Cite web |last=Benítez-Eves |first=Tina |date=August 26, 2023 |title=The Meaning Behind the Lyrics of "Used to Be Young" by Miley Cyrus |url=https://americansongwriter.com/the-meaning-behind-the-lyrics-of-used-to-be-young-by-miley-cyrus/ |access-date=November 26, 2023 |publisher=American Songwriter}}
| studio = Subtle McNugget Studios (Los Angeles, CA){{cite AV media notes|title=Endless Summer Vacation|type=CD liner notes|others=Miley Cyrus|year=2023|publisher=Columbia Records}}
| length = 3:11
| label = Columbia
| writer = * Miley Cyrus
| producer = * Miley Cyrus
- Michael Pollack
- Shawn Everett
| prev_title = Jaded
| prev_year = 2023
| next_title = Wrecking Ball
| next_year = 2023
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|IZ3XMOdOdKM|"Used to Be Young"}}}}
}}
"Used to Be Young" is a song by American singer Miley Cyrus. It was released as a single on August 25, 2023, through Columbia Records, after the broadcast of the ABC documentary concert special Endless Summer Vacation: Continued (Backyard Sessions) the day before, and appears on the digital reissue of Cyrus's eighth studio album Endless Summer Vacation (2023). The song was written by Cyrus alongside Aldae and Michael Pollack, with the singer, Pollack, and Shawn Everett handling production.
"Used to Be Young" debuted at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Cyrus' 12th top ten song and her second one from Endless Summer Vacation, following "Flowers".
Background
{{Blockquote|text=These lyrics were written almost 2 years ago at the beginning of my [Endless Summer Vacation]. It was at a time I felt misunderstood. I have [painted] a sonic picture of my perspective to share with you. The time has arrived to release a song that I could perfect forever. Although my work is done, this song will continue to write itself every day. The fact it remains unfinished is a part of its beauty. That is my life at this moment ... unfinished yet complete.||source=Billboard|title=Cyrus on writing the song}}
Cyrus first teased the song and an upcoming release in her June 2023 cover story for British Vogue; she revealed its lyrics: "I know I used to be crazy / I know I used to be fun / You say I used to be wild / I say I used to be young".{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/miley-cyrus-british-vogue-interview|title="I Realise Now How Harshly I Was Judged": Miley Cyrus On Finding Her Peace – And Making The Album Of The Summer|last=Hattersley|first=Giles|website=British Vogue|date=May 18, 2023|access-date=August 17, 2023}} On August 15, 2023, Cyrus posted a clip to her social media of a street covered in posters of her, captioned with song lyrics of her past eras along with the lyric "I say I used to be young".{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/miley-cyrus-used-to-be-young-teaser-1235392931/|title=Is Miley Cyrus Teasing New Music With 'Used to Be Young' Posters?|last=Bowenbank|first=Starr|magazine=Billboard|date=August 15, 2023|access-date=August 17, 2023}} These posters were spotted in various cities worldwide that day, including Brussels, Los Angeles, New York City, and Paris.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.hola.com/us/celebrities/20230815349189/miley-cyrus-teases-i-used-to-be-young-what-to-know/|title=Miley Cyrus teases 'Used to Be Young': Here's what you need to know|last=Trujillo|first=Jovita|magazine=¡Hola!|date=August 15, 2023|access-date=August 17, 2023}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/08/15/miley-cyrus-new-single-used-to-be-young-fan-theories/|title=Miley Cyrus sparks fan theories after cryptically teasing new song 'Used To Be Young'|last=Wratten|first=Marcus|newspaper=PinkNews|date=August 15, 2023|access-date=August 17, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/2023/8/miley-cyrus-teases-new-single-used-to-be-young-teaser-release|title=Miley Cyrus Teases New Single "Used To Be Young"|last=Li|first=Joyce|work=Hypebeast|date=August 16, 2023|access-date=August 17, 2023}} The words "Used to Be Young" also appeared on all of her music video thumbnails on YouTube.{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Miley-Cyrus-Teases-Used-to-Be-Young-Music-Release-20230815|title=Miley Cyrus Teases 'Used to Be Young' Music Release|last=Major|first=Michael|website=BroadwayWorld|date=August 15, 2023|access-date=August 17, 2023}}
Cyrus announced the single along with the ABC documentary concert special, Endless Summer Vacation: Continued (Backyard Sessions) through a trailer on her social media on August 17.{{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 17, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.capitalfm.com/news/miley-cyrus-used-to-be-young-lyrics/|title=When Is Miley Cyrus Releasing 'Used To Be Young' & What Are The Lyrics?|work=Capital FM|date=August 17, 2023|access-date=August 17, 2023}} She revealed the song's cover art and release date—August 25, 2023, a day after the broadcast of the special, an updated and "reimagined" version of Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions) (2023).{{Cite magazine |last=Denis |first=Kyle |date=August 17, 2023 |title=Miley Cyrus Announces New Single 'Used to Be Young': 'This Song Is Dedicated to My Loyal Fans' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/miley-cyrus-new-song-used-to-be-young-release-date-1235394518/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 17, 2023}} A limited edition 7-inch vinyl of the song was made available to pre-order,{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Abby |date=August 17, 2023 |title=Miley Cyrus Announces New Single "Used to Be Young" |work=Consequence |url=https://consequence.net/2023/08/miley-cyrus-announces-used-to-be-young/ |access-date=August 17, 2023}}{{Cite magazine |last=Garcia |first=Thania |date=August 17, 2023 |title=Miley Cyrus Confirms New Song 'Used to Be Young' Will Be Released With 'Uniquely Intimate' ABC Special |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/miley-cyrus-used-to-be-young-uniquely-intimate-abc-special-1235698856/ |magazine=Variety |access-date=August 17, 2023}} along with its pre-save on streaming platforms.{{Cite web |last=Skinner |first=Tom |date=August 17, 2023 |title=Miley Cyrus announces new single 'Used To Be Young': "This song is dedicated to my loyal fans" |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/miley-cyrus-announces-new-single-used-to-be-young-this-song-is-dedicated-to-my-loyal-fans-3484639 |url-status= |access-date=August 17, 2023 |website=NME}} In an accompanying statement, Cyrus said that "Used to Be Young" is dedicated to her "loyal fans" for "loving every version of [her]". She revealed that she chose to release the song on August 25, 2023, as it marked a decade since her controversial 2013 MTV VMAs performance, as well as the release of her single "Wrecking Ball" (2013) and its respective music video.{{Cite web |last=Breihan |first=Tom |date=August 25, 2023 |title=Miley Cyrus – "Used To Be Young" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2234198/miley-cyrus-used-to-be-young/music/ |access-date=August 26, 2023 |work=Stereogum}}{{Cite web |last=Crosbie |first=Eve |date=August 25, 2023 |title=Miley Cyrus has released an emotional new single titled 'Used to Be Young.' Here's every detail and Easter egg from the song you may have missed. |url=https://www.insider.com/miley-cyrus-used-to-be-young-song-details-easter-eggs-2023-8?amp |access-date=August 26, 2023 |publisher=Insider}} The singer posted the entirety of the song's lyrics on August 22 to her social media. Cyrus revealed it was written in 2021 during the initial stages of development of her eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation (2023); she "[painted] a sonic picture of [her] perspective to share with [her fans]".{{Cite magazine |last=Aftos |first=Rania |date=August 22, 2023 |title=Miley Cyrus Unveils Heartfelt 'Used to Be Young' Lyrics, Says She Wrote It When She Felt 'Misunderstood' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/miley-cyrus-used-to-be-young-lyrics-instagram-1235397576/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 25, 2023}}
The song is written in the key of E major.
Commercial performance
"Used to Be Young" became Miley Cyrus's 12th top-ten song on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at number eight with 25.9 million in airplay audience, 17.8 million streams and 19,000 downloads. It debuted at number 2 on the Digital Song Sales, number 9 on Streaming Songs and number 19 on Radio Songs. It also marked Cyrus's second song to appear in the top ten of the Hot 100 in 2023, following "Flowers".{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=September 5, 2023 |title=Zach Bryan & Kacey Musgraves' 'I Remember Everything' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/zach-bryan-i-remember-everything-hot-100-number-one-debut-1235405939/ |access-date=September 10, 2023 |magazine=Billboard }}
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from YouTube.{{cite web |title=Credits / Used To Be Young/ Miley Cyrus |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABPV9qCcqtk/credits |date=August 24, 2023 |via=YouTube |access-date=August 31, 2023}}
- Miley Cyrus – vocals, songwriter, producer
- Michael Pollack – songwriter, producer, associated performer, celeste, keyboards, organ, piano, synthesizer
- Shawn Everett – producer, keyboards, synthesizer, engineer, mixing engineer, vocal engineer
- Gregory Aldae Hein – songwriter
- Pino Palladino – bass
- Richard Windmann– guitar
- Maxx Morando – drums, programmer, synthesizer
- Ian Gold – engineer
- Pièce Eatah – engineer, vocal engineer
- Chris Gehringer – mastering engineer
Charts
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "Used to Be Young" ! scope="col"| Chart (2023–2024) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{single chart|Australia|13|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=Used to Be Young|rowheader=true|access-date=October 29, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Austria|29|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=Used to Be Young|rowheader=true|access-date=September 6, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Flanders|6|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=Used to Be Young|rowheader=true|access-date=September 3, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Wallonia|13|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=Used to Be Young|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Canada|8|artist=Miley Cyrus|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardcanadaac|4|artist=Miley Cyrus|rowheader=true|access-date=November 26, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardcanadachrtop40|2|artist=Miley Cyrus|rowheader=true|access-date=November 26, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardcanadahotac|1|artist=Miley Cyrus|rowheader=true|access-date=November 5, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|CIS|56|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=Used To Be Young|rowheader=true|songid=179941|access-date=November 4, 2023}} |
| scope="row"| Croatia (HRT){{cite web|url=https://api.hrt.hr/media/ac/fd/arc-100-2023-09-18-20230921162304.pdf|title=ARC 100 - date: 18. September 2023.|publisher=HRT|access-date=23 September 2023|language=en}}
| 8 |
|---|
| {{single chart|Czech Republic|52|year=2024|week=3|rowheader=true|access-date=January 23, 2024}} |
| {{single chart|Czechdigital|31|year=2023|week=35|rowheader=true|access-date=September 4, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Denmark|25|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=Used to Be Young|year=2023|week=35|rowheader=true|access-date=October 29, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|France|101|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=Used to Be Young|rowheader=true|access-date=October 29, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Germany|53|songid=2390960|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=Used to Be Young|rowheader=true|access-date=September 1, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardglobal200|6|artist=Miley Cyrus|rowheader=true|access-date=September 6, 2023}} |
| scope="row"| Greece International (IFPI){{cite web |title=Official IFPI Charts — Digital Singles Chart (International) — Εβδομάδα: 36/2023 |url=https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906064202/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html |archive-date=September 6, 2023 |access-date=September 13, 2023 |publisher=IFPI Greece |language=el}}
| 69 |
| scope="row"| Iceland (Tónlistinn){{cite web|url=http://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/|title=Tónlistinn – Lög|trans-title=The Music – Songs|language=is|publisher=Plötutíðindi|access-date=January 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113111917/https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/|archive-date=January 13, 2024}}
| 19 |
| {{single chart|Ireland4|7|date=20230901|rowheader=true|access-date=September 1, 2023}} |
| scope="row"| Israel (Media Forest){{cite web|url=https://mediaforest-group.com/weekly_charts.html#!#menu2|title=Media Forest charts|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011191817/https://mediaforest-group.com/weekly_charts.html#!#menu2|archive-date=11 October 2023|publisher=Media Forest|access-date=11 October 2023}}
| 12 |
| {{single chart|Italy|72|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=Used to Be Young|rowheader=true|access-date=October 29, 2023}} |
| scope="row"| Latvia (EHR){{cite web|url=https://www.ehrhiti.lv/topi/ehr-top-40|title=EHR TOP 40 - 2022.09.01|publisher=European Hit Radio|access-date=September 5, 2023|archive-date=September 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905114417/https://www.ehrhiti.lv/topi/ehr-top-40|url-status=live}}
| 33 |
| scope="row"| Lebanon (Lebanese Top 20){{cite web|title=The Official Lebanese Top 20 – Miley Cyrus |url=https://www.olt20.com/Miley_Cyrus#fragment-2|publisher=The Official Lebanese Top 20|date=17 November 2023|access-date=21 November 2023}}
| 2 |
| scope="row"| Lithuania (AGATA){{cite web|url=https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/s35-2/|title=2023 35-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)|publisher=AGATA|language=lt|date=September 1, 2023|access-date=September 1, 2023}}
| 33 |
| {{single chart|Dutch40|22|year=2023|week=40|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Dutch100|60|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=Used to Be Young|rowheader=true|access-date=September 16, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|New Zealand|12|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=Used to Be Young|rowheader=true|access-date=October 29, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Norway|12|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=Used to Be Young|rowheader=true|access-date=October 29, 2023}} |
| scope="row"| Panama (Monitor Latino){{cite web|url=http://charts.monitorlatino.com/top20/Print/panama/general/20230911|title=Top 20 Panamá General - Del 11 al 17 de Septiembre, 2023|publisher=Monitor Latino|access-date=September 19, 2023}}
| 16 |
| scope="row"| Panama (PRODUCE){{cite web|url=http://producepanama.org/top-50/|publisher=Sociedad Panameña de Productores Fonográficos|title= TOP 50 INTERNACIONAL BMAT-PRODUCE DEL 16 A EL 23 DE NOVIEMBRE 2023|access-date=November 29, 2023|language=es|archive-date=November 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129121201/https://producepanama.org/top-50/|url-status=live}}
| 45 |
| scope="row"| Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100){{cite web|url=https://www.olis.pl/charts/oficjalna-lista-airplay|title=OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay|publisher=OLiS|language=pl|access-date=December 4, 2023|type=Select week 25.11.2023–01.12.2023.}}
| 7 |
| scope="row"| Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100){{cite web|url=https://www.olis.pl/charts/oficjalna-lista-sprzedazy/single-w-streamie|title=OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie|publisher=OLiS|language=pl|access-date=September 7, 2023|type=Select week 25.08.2023–31.08.2023.}}
| 77 |
| {{single chart|Portugal|45|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=Used to Be Young|rowheader=true|access-date=September 11, 2023}} |
| scope="row"| Russia Airplay (TopHit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.com/tracks/179941|title=Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart|publisher=TopHit|access-date=October 23, 2023|archive-date=23 October 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023103030/https://tophit.com/tracks/179941}}
| 105 |
| scope="row"| Singapore (RIAS){{cite web|url=https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/|title=RIAS Top Charts Week 35 (25 - 31 Aug 2023)|publisher=RIAS|access-date=September 7, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230907145253/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/}}
| 29 |
| {{single chart|Slovakia2|8|year=2024|week=8|rowheader=true|access-date=February 26, 2024}} |
| {{single chart|Slovakdigital2|32|year=2023|week=35|rowheader=true|access-date=September 18, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Spain|81|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=Used to Be Young|rowheader=true|access-date=October 29, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Sweden|23|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=Used to Be Young|rowheader=true|access-date=October 29, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Switzerland|23|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=Used to Be Young|rowheader=true|access-date=September 3, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|UK|12|date=20230901|rowheader=true|access-date=September 1, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|8|artist=Miley Cyrus|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|7|artist=Miley Cyrus|rowheader=true|access-date=December 17, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|1|artist=Miley Cyrus|rowheader=true|access-date=December 10, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Billboarddanceairplay|18|artist=Miley Cyrus|rowheader=true|access-date=November 19, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|4|artist=Miley Cyrus|rowheader=true|access-date=November 12, 2023}} |
| scope="row"| Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/miley-cyrus/chart-history/vtm/|title=Miley Cyrus Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 16, 2024}}
| 61 |
{{Col-2}}
=Monthly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Monthly chart performance for "Used to Be Young" ! scope="col"| Chart (2023) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| scope="row"| CIS (TopHit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.com/chart/top/radio/hits/global/monthly/2023-10-01|title=Top Radio Hits Global Monthly Chart October 2023|publisher=TopHit|access-date=November 4, 2023}}
| 63 |
|---|
=Year-end charts=
{{Col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Used to Be Young"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2023|title=Used to Be Young|artist=Miley Cyrus|access-date=December 8, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=Used to Be Young|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=September 21, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=Used to Be Young|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=May 20, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=Used to Be Young|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2023|access-date=October 18, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=Used to be Young|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=December 21, 2024|source=radioscope}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=Used to Be Young|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=September 11, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=Used to Be Young|award=Silver|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=March 15, 2024|id=19809-51-1}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=Used to Be Young|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2025|access-date=March 27, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for "Used to Be Young" ! scope="col" | Region ! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Format(s) ! scope="col" | Label ! scope="col" | {{abbr|Ref.|References}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2" | Various
| August 25, 2023 | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | rowspan="2" | Columbia | style="text-align:center;" | {{Cite web |last=Cyrus |first=Miley |date=August 25, 2023 |title=Used To Be Young |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/used-to-be-young-single/1702776418 |access-date=August 25, 2023 |website=Apple Music (US)}} |
|---|
| October 13, 2023
| style="text-align:center;" | {{Cite web |title=Used to Be Young 7" Black Vinyl |url=https://shop.mileycyrus.com/products/used-to-be-young-black-vinyl |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=August 17, 2023 |website=Miley Cyrus Official Online Store}} |
| scope="row" | Italy
| November 3, 2023 | Radio airplay | Sony |