We Can't Stop
{{Short description|2013 single by Miley Cyrus}}
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{{Use American English|date=January 2022}}
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{{Infobox song
| name = We Can't Stop
| cover = Wecantstop.png
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Miley Cyrus
| album = Bangerz
| released = {{Start date|2013|6|3}}
| recorded =
| studio =
- Nightbird Recording Studios (West Hollywood, CA)
- Conway Recording Studios (Los Angeles, CA)
- Glenwood Studios (Burbank, CA)
| venue =
| genre =
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=51}}
| label = RCA
| writer =
- Mike L. Williams II
- Pierre Ramon Slaughter
- Timothy Thomas
- Theron Thomas
- Miley Cyrus
- Douglas Davis
- Ricky Walters
| producer =
- Mike Will Made It
- P-Nasty
- R. City
| prev_title = Fall Down
| prev_year = 2013
| next_title = Wrecking Ball
| next_year = 2013
| misc = {{External music video|{{Plainlist|
- {{YouTube|LrUvu1mlWco|"We Can't Stop"}}
- {{YouTube|KzKLd9p4x3w|"We Can’t Stop" (Director’s Cut)}}}}
|header=Music videos}}
}}
"We Can't Stop" is a song by American singer Miley Cyrus, from her fourth studio album Bangerz (2013). It was released on June 3, 2013, by RCA Records as the lead single from the album. The song was written and produced by Mike Will Made It, P-Nasty, and R. City, with additional songwriting provided by Cyrus, Doug E. Fresh, and Slick Rick. "We Can't Stop" is a pop, R&B and electropop song about a house party and recreational drug use.
The song received mixed reviews from music critics, who appreciated its overall production but were scathing toward its lyrical content. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, thus tying with "Party in the U.S.A." (2009) as Cyrus's highest-charting single in the United States at the time. It was kept off the top spot by "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell and T.I. With varying success internationally, "We Can't Stop" reached the peak position in countries including New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and peaked moderately in several national record charts in Europe. The song is certified eight-times platinum in the United States, seven-times platinum in Australia and Norway, multi-platinum in Canada, Sweden, and the United Kingdom; and gold or higher in eight additional countries.
An accompanying music video for "We Can't Stop" was released on June 19, 2013. It received mixed reviews from critics, who were divided in their opinions regarding Cyrus's increasingly provocative image. With 10.7 million views in the first 24 hours of its release, the clip held the record for having the most views in that time-frame across Vevo platforms; after reaching 100 million views within 37 days, it also set the record for being the fastest music video to attain a Vevo certification. Both records were eventually broken by the music video for Cyrus's follow-up single "Wrecking Ball" in September 2013. "We Can't Stop" was additionally promoted with a highly controversial performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards.
Background
File:Rihanna_performing_at_Kollenfest_2012_(cropped).jpg
In 2012, Cyrus announced plans to focus on her film career, effectively putting her musical endeavors on hiatus. That year, she appeared in the films LOL and So Undercover. She was also confirmed as a primary voice actress in the feature film Hotel Transylvania, but dropped out of the project to coordinate a musical comeback.{{cite web|url=http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/69288/Miley-Cyrus-Drops-Out-Of-Film-Role-To-Make-Pop-Comeback |title=Miley Cyrus Drops Out Of Film Role To Make Pop Comeback |author=Shaun Kitchener |publisher=Entertainmentwise. Gigwise |date=February 10, 2012 |access-date=September 21, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907040549/http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/69288/Miley-Cyrus-Drops-Out-Of-Film-Role-To-Make-Pop-Comeback |archive-date=September 7, 2014 }} In January 2013, Cyrus ended her recording contract with Hollywood Records, under which she released the studio albums Meet Miley Cyrus (2007), Breakout (2008), Can't Be Tamed (2010), and the extended play (EP) The Time of Our Lives (2009). Later that month, she signed a recording contract with RCA Records.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1536344/miley-cyrus-signs-with-rca-will-work-with-dr-luke-on-new-lp|title=Miley Cyrus Signs With RCA, Will Work With Dr. Luke on New LP|author=Andrew Hampp|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=January 30, 2013|access-date=January 26, 2014}} In March, she confirmed that her fourth studio album would be released by the end of 2013.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/1551141/miley-cyrus-my-new-music-is-gonna-shut-everyone-up|title=Miley Cyrus: 'My New Music Is Gonna Shut Everyone Up'|author=Jason Lipshutz|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=March 7, 2013|access-date=August 25, 2013}}
Production duo Rock City stated that "We Can't Stop" was originally written with recording artist Rihanna in mind before offering it to record producer Mike Will Made It, who ultimately offered it to Cyrus. They felt that "this could be somebody’s first single", and decided against Rihanna because of the commercial success of her track "Diamonds" in 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.vibevixen.com/2013/06/vixen-exclusive-songwriting-duo-rock-city-say-miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-was-meant-for-rihanna/|title=Vixen Exclusive: Songwriting Duo Rock City Say Miley Cyrus' 'We Can't Stop' Was Meant For Rihanna|author=Adelle Platon|work=Vibe|publisher=Vibe Media|date=June 8, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} Cyrus commented that "it really just turned out to be perfect and exactly what I wanted, and exactly what I wanted my first sound to be, and my first look to be".
During the 2013 Billboard Music Awards on May 19, 2013, Cyrus announced that the track would be released on June 3.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/bbma-2013/1562889/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-single-due-june-3|title=Miley Cyrus' 'We Can't Stop' Single Due June 3|author=Jason Lipshutz|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=May 19, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} The cover artwork for "We Can't Stop" was unveiled in a billboard in Times Square on May 28. It shows the arms of two people holding Solo Cups, with several people in the background; Cyrus is notably absent from the image.{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7460491/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-single-artwork|title=Miley Cyrus Debuts "We Can't Stop" Single Artwork On Times Square Billboard|author=Sam Lansky|publisher=Idolator. Buzz Media|date=May 28, 2013|access-date=January 2, 2014}} Cyrus herself appeared on On Air with Ryan Seacrest on June 3 to premiere the track on the radio program, hosted by Ryan Seacrest.{{cite web|url=https://www.ryanseacrest.com/2013/06/03/world-premiere-listen-to-miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop/|title=World Premiere: Listen to Miley Cyrus' 'We Can't Stop'|author=Sierra Marquina|work=On Air with Ryan Seacrest|date=June 3, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608172147/https://www.ryanseacrest.com/2013/06/03/world-premiere-listen-to-miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop/|archive-date=June 8, 2013}}
Composition
{{listen
| title = "We Can't Stop"
| filename = Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop.ogg
| description = A 16-second sample of "We Can't Stop" by Miley Cyrus, where a portion of the chorus is heard.
| format = Ogg
| pos = left
}}
"We Can't Stop" is a mid-tempo pop,{{cite web|url=http://idolator.com/7461362/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-review-revue|title=Miley Cyrus' "We Can't Stop": Review Revue|author=Bianca Gracie|publisher=Idolator. Buzz Media|date=June 3, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} R&B{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/1565618/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-premieres-listen-to-the-new-single|title=Miley Cyrus' 'We Can't Stop' Premieres: Listen To The New Single|author=Jason Lipshutz|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=June 3, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} and electropop{{cite web |last1=Gill |first1=Andy |title=Album review: Miley Cyrus, Bangerz (RCA) |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-review-miley-cyrus-bangerz-rca-8872405.html |website=The Independent |access-date=August 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823101812/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-review-miley-cyrus-bangerz-rca-8872405.html |archive-date=August 23, 2020 |date=October 11, 2013 |url-status=live}} song. It is written in the key of E major with a tempo of 80 beats per minute in common time, and Cyrus' vocals span two octaves, from the low note of B2 to a high F{{Sharp}}5. The song follows the chord progression E–G{{Sharp}}m–C{{Sharp}}m–A (I–iii–vi–IV).{{cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0118646&ref=google|title=Miley Cyrus "We Can't Stop" Sheet Music"|publisher=MusicNotes. Hal Leonard Corporation|access-date=January 3, 2014|date=2013-06-11}} The track also includes a sample of the track "La Di Da Di" by Doug E. Fresh and MC Ricky D.{{cite AV media notes|title=Bangerz|others=Miley Cyrus|year=2013|publisher=RCA Records}} John Kennedy of Vibe compared the track to the works of Rihanna.{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/article/listen-miley-cyrus-new-single-we-cant-stop-sounds-strangely-like-rihanna|title=Listen: Miley Cyrus' New Single 'We Can't Stop' Sounds Strangely Like Rihanna|author=John Kennedy|work=Vibe|publisher=Vibe Media|date=June 3, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}}
Cyrus has stated that "We Can't Stop" represents "where I'm at in my life now".{{cite web|url=http://ryanseacrest.com/2013/06/03/miley-cyrus-says-upcoming-record-tells-story-of-her-past-2-years/|title=Miley Cyrus: 'We Can't Stop' Is 'Where I'm at in My Life Right Now'|author=Sierra Marquina|work=On Air with Ryan Seacrest|date=June 3, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} Lyrically, the track describes a house party, as mentioned in the opening lines "It's our party, we can do what we want / It's our party, we can say what we want / It's our party, we can love who we want / We can kiss who we want / We can live how we want".{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} It also makes several references to recreational drug use, including "dancing with molly", using a slang term for ecstasy, and "trying to get a line [of cocaine] in the bathroom".{{cite magazine|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2013/06/04/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-drug-references-cocaine-ecstasy/|title=Miley Cyrus singing about cocaine and ecstasy on her new single? Yep|author=Grady Smith|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Time Inc.|date=June 4, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}}
Critical reception
"We Can't Stop" received mixed reviews from music critics, who appreciated its overall production but were negative towards its lyrical content. Adam Carlson of Entertainment Weekly provided a favorable review, writing that the lyrics were questionable but "infectious", adding that it reminded him of "Kesha on Benadryl."{{cite magazine|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2013/06/03/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop/|title=Miley Cyrus' 'We Can't Stop': Hear it here|author=Adam Carlson|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Time Inc.|date=June 3, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} Sam Lansky from Idolator noted that stands apart from other songs recently played on mainstream radio, adding that it "just feels strange, and kind of wonderful",{{cite web|url=http://idolator.com/7461320/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-listen|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616024505/http://idolator.com/7461320/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-listen|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 16, 2013|title=Miley Cyrus' "We Can't Stop": Hear Her Comeback Single Here|author=Sam Lansky|publisher=Idolator. Buzz Media|date=June 3, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} while the Los Angeles Times{{'}} Mikael Woods labeled it "the calmest, most clear-eyed rebel yell since Janet Jackson's "Control."{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-st-miley-cyrus-review-20131002-story.html|title=Review: Miley Cyrus' 'Bangerz' a rebel yell with a big bang|author=Mikael Wood|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=October 2, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} Sean Daly of the Tampa Bay Times and The Wall Street Journal{{'s}} staff both appreciated the catchy melody,{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/music/we-cant-stop-listening-to-miley-cyrus-new-song/2124961/|title='We Can't Stop' listening to Miley Cyrus' new song|author=Sean Daly|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|publisher=Times Publishing Company|date=June 5, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/06/19/miley-cyrus-gets-all-mature-in-we-cant-stop-video/|title=Miley Cyrus Gets All Mature In 'We Can't Stop' Video|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|publisher=News Corp|date=June 19, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} while Lyndsey Parker from Yahoo! Music felt that "We Can't Stop" acted as a sequel to Cyrus's earlier single "Party in the U.S.A.", with the difference that "she's just partying a little harder now."{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-song-of-summer-or-sign-of-trouble/|title=Miley Cyrus: 'We Can't Stop' song of summer or sign of trouble?|author=Holly McKay|publisher=Fox News Channel. 21st Century Fox|date=June 4, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}}
However, in a more mixed review, Randall Roberts of the Los Angeles Times felt that the song "seems as if it were written by a ninth-grader imagining her rebellious college sister’s lifestyle" and felt that it lacked creativity within Cyrus's catalog.{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-miley-cyrus-new-track-we-cant-stop-20130605-story.html|title=Understanding Miley Cyrus' new track 'We Can't Stop'|author=Randall Roberts|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=June 5, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} Writing for Rolling Stone, Jon Dolan was skeptical of Cyrus's increasingly provocative image, stating that the lyrics in the chorus would be "an odd fit for any singer" and opining that "there's still a bit too much Disney in her voice to fill the track."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/we-cant-stop-20130618|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622131611/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/we-cant-stop-20130618|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 22, 2013|title=Song Reviews - Miley Cyrus, We Can't Stop|author=Jon Dolan|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media, LLC|date=June 18, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} Naomi Zeichner of The Fader praised the song, writing, "Cyrus said in her recent MTV doc (Miley: The Movement), that she chose it to be her album's first single: 'Not everyone came to me and said okay, you've got the first single. I had to say no, I know this is it and I'll go to battle if I have to, against anyone who doesn't believe in it. Now I have this freedom to do whatever I want, because people trust me.' She was right about this one. The song's straightforward party is now tied to a sordid universe of visuals- the official video and the VMA performance."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.thefader.com/2013/10/09/the-best-songs-from-miley-cyrus-bangerz/|title=The Best Songs from Miley Cyrus' Bangerz|author1=Cooper, Duncan|author2=Zeichner, Naomi|date=October 9, 2013|magazine=The Fader|access-date=August 17, 2014}} Common Sense Media gave the song two stars out of five saying that "After listening to the weird intro to "We Can't Stop" you'll kind of wish the song did just stop right there."
"We Can't Stop" won the award for "Choice Summer Song" and was nominated for "Choice Single: Female Artist" at the 2013 Teen Choice Awards in August.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1712166/teen-choice-awards-2013-winners/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605053401/http://www.mtv.com/news/1712166/teen-choice-awards-2013-winners/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 5, 2014|title=2013 Teen Choice Awards: The Winners List|publisher=MTV News. Viacom|date=August 11, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} In December, Billboard critics listed it as the best song of 2013 for being "one of the bolder musical choices in recent memory, and that risk paid off tremendously."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/5840322/20-best-songs-of-2013-critics-picks?list_page=1|title=20 Best Songs of 2013: Critics' Picks|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=December 18, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} The Village Voice{{'}}s Pazz & Jop annual critics' poll ranked "We Can't Stop" at number nine on their poll to find the best music of 2013. Pitchfork Media ranked "We Can't Stop" at number 131 on the websites list of the 200 Best Tracks of the Decade So Far (2010-2014).{{Cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9466-the-200-best-tracks-of-the-decade-so-far-2010-2014/?page=4|title = The 200 Best Tracks of the Decade So Far (2010-2014) - Page 4|website = Pitchfork| date=August 18, 2014 }} Upon the release of "Flowers" (2023), Billboard staff ranked all Cyrus's lead singles and put "We Can't Stop" at first in which Jason Lipchutz wrote: "no other Cyrus lead single is as crucial to her career as 'We Can’t Stop'."{{Cite magazine |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |date=2023-01-13 |title=Miley Cyrus' Lead Singles, Ranked: Critic's Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/miley-cyrus-lead-singles-ranked-flowers/ |access-date=2023-01-23 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}
Commercial performance
In the United States, "We Can't Stop" debuted at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 with first-week sales of 214,000 downloads.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1566519/robin-thickes-blurred-lines-hits-no-1-on-hot-100|title=Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" Hits No. 1 on Hot 100|author=Gary Trust|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=June 12, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} In its seventh week on the chart, the track reached number two and remained at that peak for three weeks, but it was blocked off of number one by "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke. This peak allowed "We Can't Stop" to tie with "Party in the U.S.A." as Cyrus's highest-peaking single in the country at the time until she topped the Hot 100 with "Wrecking Ball".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5047747/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-video-breaks-vevo-record|title=Miley Cyrus' 'We Can't Stop' Video Breaks VEVO Record|author=Jason Lipshutz|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=July 29, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} As of December 2014, the song has sold 3,280,000 copies in the United States.{{cite web |url=http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/newsPage.cgi?news10227m01 |title=The Big 9 in 2014: RCA |work=HITS Daily Double |publisher=HITS Digital Ventures |date=December 11, 2014 |access-date=December 11, 2014 |archive-date=December 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141211200721/http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/newsPage.cgi?news10227m01 |url-status=dead }} "We Can't Stop" peaked at number three on the Canadian Hot 100, and has been certified quadruple-platinum by Music Canada.
"We Can't Stop" experienced varying commercial success throughout Europe. In the United Kingdom, it debuted at the top of the UK Singles Chart on August 11, 2013 ― for the week ending date August 17, 2013 ― becoming her first top-ten success and number-one hit in Britain. She also became the first Disney star to top the charts in that country.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/global/5645608/miley-cyrus-grabs-first-uk-no-1-with-we-cant-stop|title=Miley Cyrus Grabs First U.K. No. 1 With 'We Can't Stop'|author=Paul Sexton|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=August 12, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} It has since been certified double-platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). "We Can't Stop" peaked at number eight on the Ö3 Austria Top 40. It also peaked at numbers 11 and 20 on the Belgian Ultratop in Wallonia and Flanders, respectively. "We Can't Stop" charted at number 11 on the Danish Tracklisten, where it was also recognized with a platinum certification for streaming. The song charted at number three on the Norwegian VG-lista, and number five on both the Spanish Singles Chart and the Swedish Sverigetopplistan, number seven on the Irish Singles Chart, and number nine in the Czech Republic.{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparada/index.php?hitp=R |title=CNS IFPI |publisher=International Federation of the Phonographic Industry |access-date=January 3, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060705030259/http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparada/index.php?hitp=R |archive-date=July 5, 2006 }} The track also reached number ten on the Official Lebanese Top 20.{{cite web|title=The Official Lebanese Top 20 2013-8-4|url=http://www.olt20.com/Miley_Cyrus#fragment-2&panel1-7}}
In other parts of the continent, "We Can't Stop" charted in the lower ends of national record charts. The track reached number 15 on the Official Finnish Chart, number 16 on the German GfK Entertainment chart, and number 19 in both Slovakia and on the Swiss Hitparade.{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparadask/index.php?hitp=R |title=SNS IFPI |publisher=International Federation of the Phonographic Industry |access-date=January 3, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110021817/http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparadask/index.php?hitp=R |archive-date=January 10, 2007 }} It peaked at numbers 26, 33, and 48 on the French SNEP, Italian FIMI, and Dutch Single Top 100, respectively.{{cite web|title=FIMI CHART TOP 100|url=http://www.fimi.it/main/chart_id/1637|publisher=FIMI|access-date=September 8, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130914124403/http://www.fimi.it/main/chart_id/1637|archive-date=September 14, 2013|url-status=dead}} In Oceania, "We Can't Stop" peaked at numbers four and one on the Australian ARIA Chart and the Official New Zealand Music Chart, respectively. It was certified 7× platinum in the former territory, and platinum in the latter. In Asia, the song reached number seven on the Japan Hot 100 and number 29 on the South Korean Circle Digital Chart.{{Cite web|url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?serviceGbn=ALL&termGbn=week&hitYear=2013&targetTime=25&nationGbn=E|title=Circle Chart|date=June 22, 2013|publisher=Circle Chart|access-date=August 7, 2022}}
Music video
=Summary=
File:WeCantStopScreenshot.png]]
An accompanying music video for "We Can't Stop" was directed by Diane Martel,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-video-scene-by-scene-20130702|title=Miley Cyrus' 'We Can't Stop' Video: Scene By Scene|author=Reyan Ali|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media, LLC|date=July 2, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} and was premiered through Vevo on June 19, 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrUvu1mlWco|title=Miley Cyrus – We Can't Stop|via=YouTube|date=June 19, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} The clip depicts an ongoing house party, where guests are engaging in numerous bizarre actions. Among the activities taking place are the creation of a mountain made of white bread, the kicking of a skull made of French fries, and the simulated slicing of a woman's fingers. Also seen are clips of the parametric 3D modeled human face created by Frederic Parke at the University of Utah in 1974.{{Cite web|url=https://rhizome.org/editorial/2014/jan/20/fred-parke-and-miley-cyrus/|title=Virtual Bodies and Empty Signifiers: On Fred Parke and Miley Cyrus|date=January 20, 2014 }} Product placement is also commonplace as Cyrus amplifies her Beats Pill speaker and applies her EOS lip balm. A director's cut of the music video was released on July 29, which Carl Williott of Idolator noted featured "more simulated sex, one oral sex gesture near the end and actually less Miley tongue overall."{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7473996/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-directors-cut|title=Miley Cyrus Releases "We Can't Stop" Director's Cut: Watch|author=Carl Williott|publisher=Idolator. Buzz Media|date=July 29, 2013|access-date=January 4, 2014}}
=Reception=
The clip received generally mixed reviews from critics, who were divided in their opinions regarding Cyrus's increasingly provocative image. Jeremy Cabalona from Mashable compared its concept to that of "Just Dance" by Lady Gaga,{{cite web|url=http://mashable.com/2013/06/19/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop/#|title=17 WTF Moments From Miley Cyrus' New 'We Can't Stop' Video|author=Jeremy Cabalona|publisher=Mashable|date=June 19, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} while James Montgomery of MTV News noted similarities to the music videos for "Dirrty" by Christina Aguilera and "Criminal" by Fiona Apple.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1709291/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-music-video-premiere/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715161851/http://www.mtv.com/news/1709291/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-music-video-premiere/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=Miley Cyrus Gets 'Dirrty' In New 'We Can't Stop' Video|author=James Montgomery|publisher=MTV News. Viacom|date=June 19, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} Jason Lipshutz of Billboard provided a favorable review, calling it "fantastically unhinged and purposefully button-pushing",{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/1567360/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-video-is-completely-insane-watch|title=Miley Cyrus' 'We Can't Stop' Video Is Completely Insane: Watch|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=June 19, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} while Bonnie Fuller from The Huffington Post praised the "high-spirited celebration of the freedom that young women are blessed with today to fully explore and celebrate their sexuality."{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bonnie-fuller/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-_b_3468060.html#|title=Miley Cyrus: 'We Can't Stop' Video Celebrates Female Sexual Liberation|author=Bonnie Fuller|work=The Huffington Post|publisher=AOL|date=June 19, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} On their list of the ten best music videos of 2013, Rolling Stone placed "We Can't Stop" at number one, describing it as a "masterpiece for the ages".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/10-best-music-videos-of-2013-20131212/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-0345576|title=10 Best Music Videos of 2013|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=12 December 2013|publisher=Wenner Media, LLC|access-date=January 3, 2014}}
Writing for The Washington Post, Cara Kelly provided a mixed review, feeling that the video recalled "episodes of Girls mashed with Rita Ora and Chanel West Coast."{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2013/06/20/miley-cyruss-we-cant-stop-is-par-for-course-of-pop-stardom/|title=Miley Cyrus's 'We Can't Stop,' is par for course of pop stardom|newspaper=The Washington Post|publisher=Nash Holdings LLC|date=June 20, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} Patrick Ryan from USA Today called the clip a "bizarre, entertaining but arguably desperate effort",{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/06/19/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-new-video/2438987/|title=Miley Cyrus debuts 'We Can't Stop' video|newspaper=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company|date=June 19, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} while Haley Dodd from RyanSeacrest.com thought that the video presented "maybe a little too much" of Cyrus's "edgier side".{{cite web|url=http://ryanseacrest.com/2013/06/19/miley-cyrus-gets-wild-in-we-cant-stop-music-video/#sthash.EloRcUDM.dpuf|title=Miley Cyrus Gets Wild in 'We Can't Stop' Music Video|author=Haley Dodd|publisher=RyanSeacrest.com|date=June 19, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} It was later nominated for Best Pop Video, Best Female Video, Best Editing, and Best Song of the Summer for the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1710689/vma-nominations-list-2013/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501003945/http://www.mtv.com/news/1710689/vma-nominations-list-2013/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 1, 2014|title=2013 Video Music Award Nominations: Get The Full List!|author=James Montgomery|publisher=MTV News. Viacom|date=July 17, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}}
With 10.7 million views in the first 24 hours of its release, the clip held the record for having the most views in that time-frame across Vevo platforms. However, she was later surpassed by "Best Song Ever" by One Direction, which generated 12.3 million views in 24 hours. After reaching 100 million views in 37 days, it also set the record for being the fastest music video to attain a Vevo certification. Both records were eventually broken by the music video for Cyrus's follow-up single "Wrecking Ball" in September; it reached 19.3 million first-day views and passed 100 million views in six days.{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/457154/miley-cyrus-wrecking-ball-breaks-record-for-vevo-s-most-viewed-video|title=Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" Breaks Record for VEVO's Most-Viewed Video|author=Rebecca Macatee|publisher=E! Online. NBCUniversal|date=September 10, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}}
Live performances
Cyrus first performed "We Can't Stop" at Jimmy Kimmel Live! on June 26, 2013, and at Good Morning America the following day.{{cite web|url=http://ryanseacrest.com/2013/06/26/watch-miley-cyrus-perform-we-cant-stop-for-first-time/ |title=Miley Cyrus Performs 'We Can't Stop' for First Time|author=Hillary Allen|publisher=On Air with Ryan Seacrest|date=June 26, 2013|access-date=September 4, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://idolator.com/7466738/miley-cyrus-good-morning-america|title=Miley Cyrus Performs "We Can't Stop" & "Fall Down" On 'Good Morning America' Now|author=Sam Lansky|publisher=Idolator. Buzz Media|date=June 26, 2013|access-date=September 4, 2013}} In September 2013, Cyrus sang "We Can't Stop" on Schlag den Raab in Germany, Le Grand Journal in France, and Alan Carr: Chatty Man in England.{{cite web|url=http://uk.eonline.com/news/456470/miley-cyrus-and-little-people-rock-german-tv-with-we-can-t-stop-watch-now|title=Miley Cyrus and Little People Rock German TV with "We Can't Stop"|author=Jefferson Reid|publisher=E! Online. NBCUniversal|access-date=September 8, 2013|date=September 7, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://teleobs.nouvelobs.com/people/20130910.OBS6218/video-miley-cyrus-au-grand-journal-le-show-et-le-clip.html|title=Miley Cyrus au Grand Journal: le show et le clip|work=Le Nouvel Observateur|publisher=Groupe Perdriel|access-date=September 16, 2013|date=September 10, 2013|language=fr}}{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2013/09/13/miley-cyrus-sucks-on-foam-finger-and-twerks-onstage-with-dwarves-on-alan-carr-chatty-man-3981014/|title=Miley Cyrus sucks on foam finger and twerks onstage with dwarves on Alan Carr: Chatty Man|author=Emily Hewett|newspaper=Metro|publisher=dmg media|date=September 13, 2013|access-date=January 2, 2014}} On September 21, she sang twice at iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas, in the afternoon at festival village and in the evening at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Despite generating media attention for a provocative wardrobe, the performance was considered to be "fairly tame considering the VMAs."{{cite web|url=http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/ae/music/2013/sep/23/five-thoughts-miley-cyrus-iheart-radio-music-festi/#/0|title=Five thoughts on Miley Cyrus at the iHeartRadio Music Festival Village|author=Mark Adams|newspaper=Las Vegas Weekly|publisher=The Greenspun Corporation|date=September 21, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2013|archive-date=September 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926091409/http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/ae/music/2013/sep/23/five-thoughts-miley-cyrus-iheart-radio-music-festi/#/0|url-status=dead}}
On October 5, 2013, Cyrus served as the host and musical guest during an episode of Saturday Night Live, and performed an acoustic version of the song, in addition to a parody of the song titled "We Did Stop" about the 2013 United States federal government shutdown.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/10/06/miley-cyrus-saturday-night-live/2930265/|title=Miley Cyrus steers clear of controversy on 'SNL'|author=Brian Mansfield|newspaper=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company|date=October 6, 2013|access-date=October 6, 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkTsUXw2VFo|title=We Did Stop - SNL|publisher=YouTube|date=October 7, 2013|access-date=January 9, 2021}} The following Monday, Cyrus performed "We Can't Stop" on Today as part of their Toyota Concert Series.{{cite web|url=http://www.today.com/toyotaconcertseries/miley-cyrus-visits-today-says-i-dont-ever-really-8C11339820|title=Miley Cyrus says she doesn't 'ever really plan to offend'|author=Randee Dawn|work=Today|publisher=NBCUniversal|date=October 7, 2013|access-date=October 7, 2013}} She appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and The Ellen DeGeneres Show later that month, and sang the track during both programs.{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-jimmy-fallon-roots-20131009-story.html|title=Watch Miley Cyrus sing 'We Can't Stop' with Jimmy Fallon, the Roots|author=Mikael Wood|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=October 9, 2013|access-date=October 11, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/miley-cyrus-breaks-silence-broken-engagement-liam-hemsworth-article-1.1482625|title=Miley Cyrus breaks silence on broken engagement to Liam Hemsworth: 'I'm the happiest I've ever been'|author=Rachel Maresca|newspaper=Daily News|publisher=Mortimer Zuckerman|date=October 11, 2013|access-date=October 11, 2013}} In November, Cyrus traveled to Europe again to sing "We Can't Stop" at the 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards in Amsterdam on November 10; she garnered media attention for smoking a joint of marijuana on-stage.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/miley-cyrus-sings-mtv-awards-smokes-pot-article-1.1512550|title=MTV EMAs 2013: Miley Cyrus smokes joint onstage, twerks during performance|author=Jim Farber|newspaper=Daily News|publisher=Mortimer Zuckerman|date=November 10, 2013|access-date=November 11, 2013}} In December, she performed at Jingle Ball concerts in Los Angeles (KIIS-FM Jingle Ball), Saint Paul, Atlanta, New York City, Washington, D.C., Tampa and Sunrise.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/business/press-releases/miley-cyrus-plans-2014-tour-superstartickets-com-announces-savings-on-miley-cyrus-tickets-1.6425460|title=Miley Cyrus Plans 2014 Tour - SuperStarTickets.com Announces Savings on Miley Cyrus Tickets|newspaper=Newsday|publisher=Cablevision|date=November 12, 2013|access-date=November 16, 2013}} An episode of MTV Unplugged starring Cyrus premiered through MTV on January 29, 2014;{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/21/showbiz/tv/miley-cyrus-unplugged-ew/|title=Miley Cyrus will star in her own 'MTV Unplugged'|author=Ray Rahman|publisher=CNN|date=January 21, 2014|access-date=January 21, 2014}} Madonna appeared as a surprise guest that evening to sing an acoustic medley of "We Can't Stop" and her 2000 single "Don't Tell Me".{{cite web|url=http://www.wetpaint.com/miley-cyrus/articles/2014-01-29-mtv-unplugged-full-set-list|title=Miley Cyrus MTV Unplugged: See Her Full Set List!|author=Ryan Gajewski|publisher=Wetpaint|date=January 29, 2014|access-date=January 30, 2014|archive-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202225949/http://www.wetpaint.com/miley-cyrus/articles/2014-01-29-mtv-unplugged-full-set-list|url-status=dead}} Later that year, Cyrus performed "We Can't Stop" during her headlining Bangerz Tour.{{cite web|url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/Review+Miley+Cyrus+kicks+weird+Bangerz+tour+Vancouver/9511144/story.html|title=Review: Miley Cyrus kicks off weird Bangerz tour in Vancouver|author=Francois Marchand|newspaper=The Vancouver Sun|publisher=Postmedia Network|date=February 15, 2014|access-date=February 17, 2014|archive-date=March 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302053850/http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Review+Miley+Cyrus+kicks+weird+Bangerz+tour+Vancouver/9511144/story.html|url-status=dead}} A critic from the Nashville Scene praised Cyrus's performance, writing, "We Can't Stop was sung by Miley and hilariously lip-synced by a kitten on screen."{{cite news|url=http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashvillecream/archives/2014/08/08/miley-cyrus-w-lily-allen-at-bridgestone-arena-8-8-14|title=Miley Cyrus w/Lily Allen at Bridgestone Arena, 8/8/14|date=August 8, 2014|newspaper=Nashville Scene|access-date=August 9, 2014|archive-date=May 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513124237/http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashvillecream/archives/2014/08/08/miley-cyrus-w-lily-allen-at-bridgestone-arena-8-8-14|url-status=dead}} Blake Hannon provided a positive review, writing, "The crowd erupted for the opening notes of We Can't Stop."{{cite web|url=http://www.kentucky.com/2014/08/10/3374057/review-miley-cyrus-at-the-yum.html?sp=/99/684/|title=Review: Miley Cyrus at the Yum! Center in Louisville|author=Hannon, Blake|date=August 10, 2014|publisher=Kentucky|access-date=August 11, 2014}} Cyrus returned to perform the song during the musical festival on June 21, 2014, Summertime Ball at Wembley Stadium of London, in front of 80,000 people.{{cite web|last=Cyrus|first=Miley|date=June 22, 2014|url=http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/miley-cyrus/news/summertime-ball-2014-setlist/|title=Miley Cyrus Brings Her Naughty Side - And Her Sister - To The #CapitalSTB!|publisher=June 21, 2014}}
=MTV Video Music Awards=
In August 2013, Cyrus became the subject of widespread international media attention and public scrutiny following a performance and duet with Robin Thicke at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center in New York City. The performance began with Cyrus performing "We Can't Stop" in bear-themed attire. Following this, Thicke entered the stage and Cyrus stripped down to a flesh-colored two-piece latex outfit while they performed "Blurred Lines" in a duet. Cyrus subsequently touched Thicke's crotch area with a giant manicured foam finger and twerked against him. The Hollywood Reporter described the performance as "crass" and "reminiscent of a bad acid trip".{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/earshot/note-miley-cyrus-please-stop-614407|title=Note to Miley Cyrus: Please Stop; Plus Other VMAs Ruminations|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 26, 2013|access-date=August 26, 2013}} The performance was described by XXL critic B. J. Steiner as a "trainwreck in the classic sense of the word as the audience reaction seemed to be a mix of confusion, dismay and horror in a cocktail of embarrassment",{{cite web|title=The Most Awkward Hip-Hop Moments At MTV's 2013 Video Music Awards|author=Steiner, B. J.|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/08/the-most-awkward-hip-hop-moments-at-mtvs-2013-video-music-awards/|work=XXL|publisher=Harris Publications|date=August 26, 2013|access-date=August 26, 2013}} while the BBC said Cyrus stole the show with a "raunchy performance".{{cite web|title=Justin Timberlake wins big at MTV awards, Miley Cyrus steals show|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23839865|publisher=BBC News. BBC|date=August 26, 2013|access-date=August 26, 2013}} The performance generated 306,100 tweets per minute on Twitter, breaking the record for the most tweeted-about event in the history of the social network;{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/miley-cyrus-twerks-her-way-top-twitter-300-000-tweets-f8C11006754|title=Miley Cyrus twerks her way to top of Twitter at 300,000 tweets per minute |author=Helen A.S. Popkin|publisher=NBC News. NBC|date=August 26, 2013|access-date=December 7, 2013}} the previous record, held by the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show featuring Beyoncé, generated 268,000 tweets per minute.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/08/12/211410644/the-biggest-twitter-moments-ever-feature-beyonce-romney|title=The Biggest Twitter Moments Ever Feature Beyonce, Romney|author=Elise Hu|publisher=NPR|date=August 12, 2013|access-date=December 7, 2013}} Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone magazine published an article on the presentation of Cyrus at the MTV Video Music Awards 2013, writing that "Miley was the one star in the room who truly understood what the MTV Video Music Awards are all about — waggling your tongue, grabbing your crotch, rocking a foam finger, going to third with the Care Bears, twerking and shrieking and acting out America's goriest pop-psycho nightmares. She showed up Robin Thicke as one uptight douche, though he helped by dressing as the world's edgiest Foot Locker manager. Miley stole the night, which is why the nation is still in recovery today. Thanks, Miley."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/its-miley-bitch-the-tongue-that-licked-the-world-20130826|title=It's Miley, Bitch: The Tongue That Licked the World|author=ROB SHEFFIELD|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 26, 2013|access-date=August 24, 2014}} According to Forbes, Cyrus's performance resulted in a gain of over 213,000 Twitter followers, 226,000 likes on Facebook, and 90,000 downloads of her new promotional single, "Wrecking Ball", within days of the controversial performance. This amounted to a total 112% increase in Cyrus's social media activity.{{cite web|url=http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/125139/Miley-Cyrus-Raunchy-VMAs-Performance-Helps-Star-Gain-213104-Twitter-Followers-And-Sell-90000-Downloads |title=Miley Cyrus' Raunchy VMAs Performance Helps Star Gain 213,104 Twitter Followers And Sell 90,000 Downloads |author=Joanna Crawley |publisher=Entertainmentwise. Gigwise |date=August 31, 2013 |access-date=September 29, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924131916/http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/125139/Miley-Cyrus-Raunchy-VMAs-Performance-Helps-Star-Gain-213104-Twitter-Followers-And-Sell-90000-Downloads |archive-date=September 24, 2014 }}
Cover versions
In July 2013, Rebecca Black released an acoustic cover of "We Can't Stop", for which there were lyrical changes made.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1710149/rebecca-black-miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-cover/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007145002/http://www.mtv.com/news/1710149/rebecca-black-miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-cover/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 7, 2014|title=Miley Cyrus' 'We Can't Stop' Gets Cleaned Up By Rebecca Black|author=James Montgomery|publisher=MTV News. Viacom|date=July 8, 2013|access-date=September 4, 2013}} In September 2013, Scott Bradlee's band Postmodern Jukebox made a doo-wop cover of the song.{{YouTube|id=pXYWDtXbBB0|title=We Can't Stop - Vintage 1950s Doo Wop Miley Cyrus Cover ft. The Tee - Tones}} Retrieved 3 May 2015. Later in September, British band Bastille performed a rock version of the song at BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, using portions of "Lose Yourself" by Eminem in the introduction, "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" from the 1994 film The Lion King at the end of each chorus, and referencing "Achy Breaky Heart" by Cyrus's father Billy Ray.{{cite web|url=http://www.ryanseacrest.com/2013/09/10/bastille-gives-miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-rock-treatment-video/|title=Bastille Gives Miley Cyrus' 'We Can't Stop' Rock Treatment: Video|author=Kathleen Perricone|publisher=RyanSeacrest.com|date=September 10, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} They won an award for this cover at the MTV Woodies.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2306841/woodie-award-winners-performers/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104095114/http://www.mtv.com/news/2306841/woodie-award-winners-performers/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 4, 2016|title=Woodie Awards: Bastille & Ed Sheeran win, Lil Wayne crashes, Iggy Azalea, Childish Gambino & The 1975 perform!|author=Althea Legaspi|publisher=MTV News. Viacom|date=March 17, 2014|access-date=November 12, 2020}} Mike Wass from Idolator commented that they brought "emotional depth and a previously absent musicality" and that they turned the song into "an eerily pretty mid-tempo ballad".{{cite web|url=http://idolator.com/7483439/bastille-covers-miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-brilliantly-for-bbc-radio-1-live-lounge-watch|title=Bastille Covers Miley Cyrus' "We Can't Stop" (Brilliantly) For BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge: Watch|author=Mike Wass|publisher=Idolator. Buzz Media|date=September 9, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} Later that month, indie musician Logan Lynn released a cover version of the track, which Lindsey Weber of New York Magazine called "dreamy [and] guitar-heavy"{{cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/09/we-cant-stop-with-these-we-cant-stop-covers.html|title=We Can't Stop With These 'We Can't Stop' Covers|author=Lindsey Weber|work=New York|publisher=New York Media, LLC|date=September 17, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} and an editor from The Huffington Post called "bold" and "warmer" than the original.{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/16/logan-lynn-miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop_n_3934607.html|title=Logan Lynn Covers Miley Cyrus' 'We Can't Stop'|work=The Huffington Post|publisher=AOL|date=September 16, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} British singer Neon Hitch released a cover of "We Can't Stop" with lyrical adjustments, which Jenna Hally Rubenstein from MTV Buzzworthy called a "kinda-reggae-kinda-jazz-kinda ska-definitely-awesome cover".{{cite web|url=http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2013/09/11/neon-hitch-miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-cover-video|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914171558/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2013/09/11/neon-hitch-miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-cover-video|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 14, 2013|title=Watch Neon Hitch Dominate Her Ska-Tinged Cover Of Miley Cyrus' 'We Can't Stop'|author=Jenna Hally Rubenstein|publisher=MTV Buzzworthy. Viacom|date=September 11, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} The track was also performed by Avery,{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/we-cant-stop-cover-single/681290502|title=iTunes - Music - We Can't Stop (Cover) - Single by Avery|publisher=iTunes Store (US). Apple Inc.|date=July 30, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} the Vamps,{{cite web|url=http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/125393/The-Vamps-Take-On-Miley-Cyrus-We-Cant-Stop-With-Acoustic-Cover-WATCH|title=The Vamps Take On Miley Cyrus' 'We Can't Stop' With Acoustic Cover|author=Katherina Odams|publisher=Entertainmentwise. Gigwise|date=September 3, 2013|access-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223031615/http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/125393/The-Vamps-Take-On-Miley-Cyrus-We-Cant-Stop-With-Acoustic-Cover-WATCH|archive-date=February 23, 2014|url-status=dead}} and Tay Zonday. In 2014, the Electrical Fire released a cover version of the song, as well as an alternate version which combined it with Kanye West's "Runaway", pointing out the similarity between the two songs.{{cite web|url=http://mashable.com/2013/09/05/miley-cyus-tay-zonday/|title=Tay Zonday Covers Miley Cyrus: 'We Can't Stop'|author=Matt Silverman|publisher=Mashable|date=September 6, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2014}} Later in 2014 Bastille won Best Cover Woodie award in the mtvU Woodie Awards for covering the track.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140319233546/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/woodieawards/2014/winners.jhtml] Full list of 2014 mtvU Woodie Awards winners
A marching band version of the song, by Sonic Boom of the South, Jackson State University's marching band, is featured at the end of the 2018 black comedy film Assassination Nation.{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/5kVX8SOGPniBBzcTP0fFF3/ |title=Assassination Nation (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)|author=Ian Hultquist|publisher=Spotify|access-date=January 30, 2019}}
Lawsuit
In 2018, Jamaican artist Flourgon filed a copyright infringement suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Cyrus and RCA Records, alleging that Cyrus had unlawfully used the "original, creative and unique lyrical phraseology" of his 1988 reggae song "We Run Things" as the repeated chorus and hook of "We Can't Stop"; specifically, he alleged that the phrase "We run things/ Things don't run we" from "We Can't Stop" was substantially similar to the phrase "We run things/Things no run we" from "We Run Things".[https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.490126/gov.uscourts.nysd.490126.1.0.pdf Complaint] at 8 and 12, May v. Cyrus, No. 1:18-cv-02238 (S.D.N.Y. March 13, 2018), ECF No. 1.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8246989/miley-cyrus-sued-300-million-we-cant-stop-copyright-lawsuit | last=Kaufman | first=Gil | title=Miley Cyrus Hit By $300 Million Copyright Lawsuit Claim Over 'We Can't Stop': Report | magazine=Billboard | date=March 14, 2018 | access-date=March 15, 2018}}
The parties settled the lawsuit out of court and the case was subsequently dismissed in early 2020.[https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.490126/gov.uscourts.nysd.490126.78.0.pdf Report to the Register of Copyrights], May v. Cyrus, No. 1:18-cv-02238 (S.D.N.Y. January 3, 2020), ECF No. 78.{{cite magazine | url=https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/miley-cyrus-settles-300-million-lawsuit-we-cant-stop-1203458135/ | title=Miley Cyrus Settles $300 Million Copyright Lawsuit Over 'We Can't Stop' | magazine=Variety | date=January 6, 2020 | access-date=September 13, 2023}}
Track listing and formats
;Digital download{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.fr/We-Cant-Stop-Miley-Cyrus/dp/B00D4ULYVC|title=We Can't Stop: Miley Cyrus: Amazon.fr: Téléchargements MP3|last=Cyrus|first=Miley|author-link=Miley Cyrus|date=June 4, 2013|website=amazon.fr|access-date=August 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006092940/https://www.amazon.fr/We-Cant-Stop-Miley-Cyrus/dp/B00D4ULYVC|archive-date=October 6, 2013}}
- "We Can't Stop" – 3:52
- "We Can't Stop" – 4:00
- "We Can't Stop" (instrumental) – 3:57
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Bangerz.
;Recording
- Recorded at NightBird Recording Studios (West Hollywood, California); Conway Recording Studios (Los Angeles, California); Glenwood Studios, (Burbank, California)
- Mixed at The Penua Project/Innersound Management at Larrabee Sound Studios (North Hollywood, California)
;Personnel
{{div col}}
- Miley Cyrus – backing vocals, lead vocals, songwriter
- Douglas Davis – songwriter
- Mike Gaydusek – assistant
- Trehy Harris – assistant
- Stephen Hybicki – recording
- Jaycen Joshua – mixing
- Mike Will Made It – songwriter, producer
- Chris "TEK" O'Ryan – mixing
- Eva Reistad – assistant
- Ruben Rivera – recording
- Tim Roberts – recording
- Pierre Ramon Slaughter – songwriter, producer
- Timothy Thomas – songwriter, producer, vocal production
- Theron Thomas – songwriter, producer, vocal production
- Ricky Walters – songwriter
{{div col end}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "We Can't Stop" ! scope="col"| Chart (2013–2014) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{single chart|Australia|4|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014|refname=AustraliaChart}} |
| {{single chart|Austria|8|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014|refname=Austria}} |
| {{single chart|Flanders|20|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014|refname=Flanders}} |
| {{single chart|Wallonia|11|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014|refname=Wallonia}} |
| {{single chart|Canada|3|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014|refname=Canadian Hot 100}} |
| {{single chart|CIS|192|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|songid=48303|access-date=April 15, 2021}} |
| {{single chart|Czech Republic|9|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|year=2013|week=42|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014}} |
| {{single chart|Denmark|11|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014|refname=Tracklisten}} |
| {{single chart|Finland|15|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014|refname=Finland}} |
| {{single chart|France|26|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014|refname=France}} |
| {{single chart|Germany|16|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|songid=1152101|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014|refname=Germany}} |
| {{single chart|Ireland2|7|song=WE CAN'T STOP|access-date=August 7, 2022|rowheader=true|refname=Ireland}} |
| scope="row"| Italy (FIMI)
| 33 |
|---|
| {{single chart|Billboardjapanhot100|7|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014|refname=Japan}} |
| scope="row"| Lebanon (OLT20)
| 10 |
| scope="row"| Mexico (Billboard Mexican Airplay){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/miley-cyrus/chart-history/mex/|title=Miley Cyrus Chart History (Mexico Airplay)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 3, 2021}}
| 33 |
| scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade){{cite web |url=https://www.top40.nl/tipparade/2013/week-36|title=Tipparade-lijst van week 36, 2013|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=March 15, 2023}}
|4 |
| {{single chart|Dutch100|48|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014|refname=Netherlands}} |
| {{single chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014|refname=Recorded Music NZ}} |
| {{single chart|Norway|3|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014|refname=Norway}} |
| scope="row"| Romania (Airplay 100){{cite news|url=https://www.kissfm.ro/emisiuni/54/Airplay-100-Cristi-Nitzu|title=Airplay 100 – Cristi Nitzu {{!}} Kiss FM – October 7, 2013|access-date=27 January 2018|publisher=Kiss FM|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127090412/https://www.kissfm.ro/emisiuni/54/Airplay-100-Cristi-Nitzu|archive-date=27 January 2018}} Note: User may scroll down the 'Podcasturi' menu to play or download the respective podcast.
| 86 |
| {{single chart|Russia|25|date=2013-09-23|access-date=March 29, 2023|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Scotland|1|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|date=2013-08-17|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014}} |
| {{single chart|Slovakia|19|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|year=2013|week=34|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014}} |
| scope="row"| Slovenia (SloTop50){{cite web|url=http://www.slotop50.si/Glasbene-lestvice/Tedenske-lestvice/?year=2013&week=37|title=SloTop50: Slovenian official singles weekly chart|publisher=SloTop50|language=sl|access-date=15 September 2013|archive-date=January 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106063918/http://www.slotop50.si/Glasbene-lestvice/Tedenske-lestvice/?year=2013&week=37|url-status=dead}}
| 35 |
| {{single chart|South Africa|5|date=2013-08-06|rowheader=true|access-date=April 26, 2014}} |
| scope="row"| South Korea (GAON)
| 29 |
| {{single chart|Spain|5|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014|refname=Spain}} |
| {{single chart|Sweden|5|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=May 21, 2013|refname=Sweden}} |
| {{single chart|Switzerland|19|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014|refname=Switzerland}} |
| {{single chart|UK|1|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|date=2013-08-17|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014}} |
| {{single chart|Ukraine|74|date=2013-11-04|access-date=March 29, 2023|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|2|artist=Miley Cyrus|artistid=311278|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|40|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014}} |
| {{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|34|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014}} |
| {{single chart|Billboarddanceairplay|14|artist=Miley Cyrus|rowheader=true|access-date=October 12, 2021}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|9|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|16|artist=Miley Cyrus|song=We Can't Stop|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2014}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ 2014 year-end chart performance for "We Can't Stop" ! scope="col" | Chart (2014) ! scope="col" | Position |
| scope="row" | Spain Streaming (PROMUSICAE)[http://www.promusicae.es/documents/viewfile/123-top-100-streaming-2014 "Top 100 Streaming 2014 (con cifras de ventas)"] (in Spanish). PROMUSICAE. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
| 100 |
|---|
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "We Can't Stop"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|title=We Can't Stop|artist=Miley Cyrus|type=single|award=Platinum|number=7|certyear=2023|access-date=April 6, 2023|refname=AustraliaCertification}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|title=We Can't Stop|artist=Miley Cyrus|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2013|access-date=June 6, 2014}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=We Can't Stop|type=single|award=Diamond|number=2|relyear=2013|certyear=2023|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|title=We Can't Stop|artist=Miley Cyrus|type=single|award=Platinum|number=4|certyear=2013|digital=true|access-date=November 16, 2013|refname=MC}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|title=We Can´t Stop|artist=Miley Cyrus|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2013|certyear=2014|access-date=26 February 2015}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|title=We Can't Stop|artist=Miley Cyrus|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2013|certyear=2017|access-date=18 September 2017}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|title=We Can't Stop|artist=Miley Cyrus|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2013|certyear=2014|access-date=March 11, 2014}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=We Can't Stop|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|relyear=2013|certyear=2022|access-date=December 21, 2024|source=radioscope|refname=RMNZ}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=We Can't Stop|type=single|award=Platinum|number=7|relyear=2013|certyear=2020|access-date=November 11, 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|title=We Can't Stop|artist=Miley Cyrus|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2013|certyear=2025|access-date=January 13, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|title=We Can't Stop|artist=Miley Cyrus|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2013|certyear=2015|source=artist|access-date=June 9, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|title=We Can't Stop|artist=Miley Cyrus|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2013|certyear=2014|access-date=July 2, 2014}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=We Can't Stop|artist=Miley Cyrus|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2013|certyear=2023|id=12556-51-1|refname=BPI|access-date=October 20, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Platinum|number=8|title=We Can't Stop|artist=Miley Cyrus|relyear=2013|certyear=2023|type=single|access-date=September 29, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|title=We Can't Stop|artist=Miley Cyrus|type=single|award=Platinum|certyear=2013|id=6069|streamsonly=true|access-date=October 24, 2020|refname=IFPIDanmark}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streamsonly=true|streaming=true}}
Release history
See also
References
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Miley Cyrus songs}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Will Made It
Category:Music videos directed by Diane Martel
Category:Songs written by Miley Cyrus
Category:Songs written by Timothy Thomas
Category:Songs written by Theron Thomas
Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand
Category:Number-one singles in Scotland
Category:UK singles chart number-one singles
Category:Obscenity controversies in music
Category:Songs written by Pierre Ramon Slaughter