Can't Be Tamed - Miley Cyrus

Studio album by Miley Cyrus
Released June 18, 2010 (2010-06-18)
Recorded December 2009 - March 2010
Genre Dance-pop
Length 44:08
Label Hollywood
Producer Antonina Armato, Tim James, John Shanks\

Can't Be Tamed is the third studio album by American recording artist Miley Cyrus. It was first released on June 18, 2010 by Hollywood Records to Germany, and June 21, 2010 to most of Europe and the United States. Writing and recording for Can't Be Tamed commenced while Cyrus was touring on her 2009 Wonder World Tour, and the second disc of the album's deluxe edition features backstage interviews and nineteen live performances from a concert. The albums's producers include longtime collaborators Antonina Armato, Tim James, and John Shanks. Musically, Can't Be Tamed ranges from acoustic ballads to dance-pop numbers. The tracks share a theme of breaking free of constraints and expectations.

The album's lead single and title track, "Can't Be Tamed", was released on May 18, 2010. It debuted at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and number five on the New Zealand Singles Chart. The album was promoted primarily through concerts and television appearances.
Contents

Background

Cyrus intends to take a musical hiatus after completing Can't Be Tamed in order to explore a variety of musical genres and develop a sound befitting her tastes.[1] Cyrus stated that her music isn't inspiring her the way it should be, and hopes Can't Be Tamed will be her last pop album.[1] "The more I make music that doesn't truly inspire me, the more I feel like I'm blending in with everyone else", she said.[2] Cyrus originally desired for a new, more rock inclined sound for her music.[3] She later revealed Can't Be Tamed contained music influenced by pop singer Lady Gaga and possessed tecnho qualities.[4] "It was a natural progression for her," said Abbey Konowitch, general manager of Hollywood Records.[5] He commented that the album was more dance-pop than originally intended. "But it feels very comfortable for her, and it feels very comfortable in terms of the state of contemporary music".[6]

Cyrus believed the summer 2010 release was appropriate because it was "definitely a good summer CD. It's good to blast in your car".[4] The album was first released on June 18, 2010 in Germany and then on June 21, 2010 in the United States.[7][8] Unlike Cyrus' and Hollywood Records' previous albums, Can't Be Tamed will be released using a day-and-date format, following a new licensing deal with Universal Music Group in Europe.[5] Konowitch presented the album at its earliest stage to representatives of Universal Music Group in Europe in order to speak of the new licensing deal that enabled day-and-day for its release; the approval allowed for them to commence global marking plan earlier than usual.[6] "Normally our records are staggered throughout the world because of the availability of the artist. It's unusual for us to have the time and the music far enough in advance to do that," he said.[6] A standard edition, containing only an audio CD, and a deluxe edition, containing an audio CD and a DVD, will be released. The DVD will contain previously unreleased footage from Cyrus' concert at The O2 Arena in London, England, which was part of her first world tour, the 2009 Wonder World Tour. It contains nineteen live performances and backstage interviews with Cyrus.[6] The album artwork was revealed on May 7, 2010 through Cyrus' official website.[9]

Development

"This record was good for me. I think every album has been almost like a little bit of therapy to just get out what you think and what you feel. I think this is the most honest a record of mine has been. I think this record shows a different maturity in me, a different light but it's also still being the people my fans can relate to. I'm a spiritual person but my main religion that people ask me is the core of what I do and what my songs are about is love. And that's, I think, what this world is lacking and what it's all about."[10]

— Cyrus explaining the concept behind and themes on Can't Be Tamed.

Cyrus told Billboard magazine that she does not have a formal songwriting process and instead takes notes on her cellphone and the journal she stores in her computer.[11] She said that she does not listen to pop music, and that her "13-year-old self would have beaten up [her] 17-year-old self" for being "a sellout". Nonetheless, she stated that the music on the album is meaningful to her.[11]

"Liberty Walk", co-written by Cyrus, Antonina Armato, Tim James, John Fasse, Michael Mcginnis, and Nick Scapa, is about someone who finds the courage to leave an abusive relationship.[11] Cyrus, Armato, James, Paul Neumann, and Marek Pompetzki composed "Can't Be Tamed", the album's title track, which was written about being trapped and people observing her. The song, according to her, bears a theme of "breaking out and feeling free."[12] Cyrus recorded a cover version of Poison's "Every Rose Has Its Thorn", from their 1988 album Open Up and Say... Ahh!,[13] after hearing a crowd of people singing along to it. She deemed it "a classic" and one of her favorite songs. "I feel like the way the music industry is today really shelters kids and they aren't exposed to songs as honest and real as this one." Cyrus consulted the lead singer of Poison, Bret Michaels, who helped Cyrus analyze "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" and then add her "own flare and edge".[13] Michaels said the band receives numerous requests to cover the song and is always nervous about granting permission. "And I gotta tell you something. She nailed the song," he told MTV.[14] He added that Cyrus was "one of the few musicians" that could "give ["Every Rose Has Its Thorn"] her own flare and and make it sound good". Michaels sings backup on the cover.[14] Cyrus conceived "Robot" in December 2009 in London, while traveling on the Wonder World Tour; it describes a desire to escape "the form and the machine everyone thinks you should be".[15] Cyrus wrote the song "My Heart Beats for Love" for her gay hairdresser, one of her best friends. It is an attempt to persuade audiences to not discriminate against homosexuals and "be open to the world".[10]
Recording

Can't Be Tamed was recorded as Cyrus traveled the world, largely due to the Wonder World Tour. In December 2009, she begun the recording process in London, England.[11] Album producer John Shanks, who previously produced Cyrus' hit single "The Climb", affiliated with Cyrus for the album and, in order to do so, navigated via airplane to different locations. Shanks would repeatedly travel to London in order to fulfill recording and writing sessions with Cyrus. Then, he would return to Los Angeles, California to continue further work on the tracks.[11] The head of A&R at Hollywood Records, Jon Lind, said, "John spent quite a bit of time, God bless him [...] He was really a soldier and a world traveler for going to do this creative thing in between Miley's schedule."[11]

Other producers Cyrus had previously worked with also appear on the album — Antonina Armato and Tim James, both of who produced Cyrus' hits "See You Again" and "7 Things".[11] Cyrus described the environment during the recording process with Armato to be warm: "I call Antonina 'Mommy' because she's my second mom. No one could ever understand the relationship we have. I've been working with her for four years and every day I go into the studio and we just sit around and eat cupcakes and talk and I tell her everything about my life. I think that's why we make good music together."[11] The finished product results in a variety of dance beats and synths, but Cyrus believed the sound was secondary to the personal lyrics therein.[11]


Track listings

Standard edition

CD[31]
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Liberty Walk" Miley Cyrus, Antonina Armato, Tim James, John Fase, Michael Mgginnis, Nick Scapa 4:06
2. "Who Owns My Heart" Cyrus, Armato, Tim Price 3:34
3. "Can't Be Tamed" Cyrus, Armato, James, Paul Neumann, Marek Pompetzki 2:48
4. "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" Bret Michaels, C.C. DeVille, Bobby Dall, Rikki Rockett 3:48
5. "Two More Lonely People" Cyrus, Armato, Angie Aparo, Brandon Jane, Kevin Kadish 3:09
6. "Forgiveness and Love" Cyrus, Armato, James, Adam Schmalholz 3:28
7. "Permanent December" Cyrus, John Shanks, Claude Kelly 3:37
8. "Stay" Cyrus, Shanks 4:21
9. "Scars" Cyrus, Shanks 3:42
10. "Take Me Along" Cyrus, Shanks 4:09
11. "Robot" Cyrus, Shanks 3:43
12. "My Heart Beats For Love" Cyrus, Shanks, Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson 3:43
13. "Can't Be Tamed" (Rockangeles Remix feat. Lil Jon) (iTunes Bonus Track) 4:01
Total length:
44:08