Entertainment

Miley Cyrus Rules At Covering Classic Rock Jams

by Kristie Rohwedder

The "Backyard Sessions" are back! And it's for a wonderful cause! Miley Cyrus has launched The Happy Hippie Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to help "homeless youth, LGBT youth and other vulnerable populations." With the intent to raise money and awareness for the charity, the pop star will perform songs with other artists in her backyard, record the performances, and then share the videos online. Tuesday, Cyrus released the first installment of The Happy Hippie Foundation Presents: The Backyard Sessions series. Her first special guest: JOAN JETT. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

In the video, Cyrus and the rock legend perform Joan Jett and the Blackhearts song “Different”. Jett, who Cyrus inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last April, is nothing short of perfection, per usual. As for Cyrus? You bet she holds her own during the duet. This didn't surprise me: For starters, the two have sang together before, and the pairing has never not worked. Jett and Cyrus always sound awesome together. Those raspy, gritty harmonies? Get. Out. Of Here.

Second, it's been proven time and time again that Cyrus can SING. You don’t have to like her music, but you can’t deny The Artist Formerly Known As Hannah Montana's voice. (If you have any doubts, please watch this performance of “Wrecking Ball”.)

And finally, any time the "Adore You" songstress performs a rock icon's song, she gives it 110%. She hits the big notes, she controls her tricks when need be, and she never cuts corners. She routinely rises to the occasion, and her duet with Jett is no exception. But you don't have to take my word for it:

See? I wasn't lying! I wasn't trying to pull a wool-lined teddy bear mask over your eyes! The performance is so great!

Did that video get you hyped? Do to watch Miley sing some more beloved classic rock jams? I got you:

"Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" by Led Zeppelin

Only the bravest of the brave attempt Robert Plant. Many fail, but Miley does not.

"50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon

The pantsuit. The last chorus. The entire performance.

"Jolene" by Dolly Parton

(I realize this is technically a country song, but there was no way I was going to leave it off of the list.)

Lots of pressure on Cyrus to nail this one: Not only is it a song by Dolly Freakin' Parton, but it is a song by Miley's godmother. The pressure does not get to Cyrus; She does her godmother's iconic song justice.

"Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac

While nothing can hold a candle to the original, there are several truly terrific "Landslide" covers out there. (Special shoutout to Sheryl Crow's duet with Queen Stevie Nicks.) Miley's rendition is without a doubt one of those great covers.

"Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" by The Beatles

According to at least five of my Facebook friends, this was an "abomination." I couldn't disagree more: Cyrus and The Flaming Lips bring the right amount of weird to this trippy track, stay pretty true to the song, sound terrific, and literally sparkle.

"Wild Horses" by The Rolling Stones

This recording is a little shaky, but not shaky enough to drag me away from that powerful chorus.

"I Love Rock 'n' Roll" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, "Cherry Bomb" by The Runaways, and "Bad Reputation" by Joan Jett

And it all comes full circle with a Joan Jett medley for the ages!