Bouquet of Empowerment: Miley Cyrus, Self-Care, and the Flourishing Floral Industry

Overview

Envision a cityscape pans to reveal a shadowy gold laden figure walking slowly towards the camera. Then queue a groovy pop beat and as raspy optimistic vocals of a familiar voice defiantly reminisce “We were good, we were gold. Kinda dream that can’t be sold”…

What happens when a pop icon, influencer, and entertainment industry veteran writes and releases a breakup anthem? What happens when that anthem is about an industry valued at $37.9B by 2025? Well, you have a hit on your hands and an opportunity to breathe new life into an established industry with booming flower potential. You get the most consumed song of 2023 and 52% spikes in cut flower sales.

Lyrics

We were good, we were gold
Kinda dream that can’t be sold
We were right ’til we weren’t
Built a home and watched it burn
Mm, I didn’t wanna leave you
I didn’t wanna lie
Started to cry, but then remembered I

I can buy myself flowers
Write my name in the sand
Talk to myself for hours
Say things you don’t understand
I can take myself dancing
And I can hold my own hand

Yeah, I can love me better than you can
Can love me better
I can love me better, baby
Can love me better
I can love me better, baby
Paint my nails cherry red
Match the roses that you left
No remorse, no regret
I forgive every word you said
Ooh, I didn’t want to leave you, baby
I didn’t wanna fight

Started to cry, but then remembered I
I can buy myself flowers
Write my name in the sand
Talk to myself for hours, yeah
Say things you don’t understand
I can take myself dancing, yeah
I can hold my own hand
Yeah, I can love me better than you can
Can love me better
I can love me better, baby
Can love me better
I can love me better, baby
Can love me better
I can love me better, baby
Can love me better
Oh, I
I didn’t want to leave you
I didn’t wanna fight
Started to cry, but then remembered I
I can buy myself flowers (oh)
Write my name in the sand (mm)
Talk to myself for hours (yeah)
Say things you don’t understand (never will)
I can take myself dancing, yeah
I can hold my own hand
Yeah, I can love me better than
Yeah, I can love me better than you can
Can love me better
I can love me better, baby (oh)
Can love me better
I can love me better (than you can), baby
Can love me better
I can love me better, baby
Can love me better

Power and Liberation Through Beautiful Things

At the start of 2023, Miley released her latest single, “Flowers”, and it quickly became an almost overnight hit. The excitement of the song was well-reflected by Miley overtaking Olivia Rodrigo’s 8-week #1 run with “Driver’s License” in 2021. This put Miley in the same category as Harry Styles with the second-longest-running chart topping singles of the 2020s. That’s 10 weeks on the top.

From growing up in the shadow of her famous dad, to being a young tween in kid shows, to hosting the New Year’s Eve specials for the past few years, Miley Cyrus has become a force in the entertainment industry. The original “Teen Queen” has released eight studio albums, three live albums, four extended plays and 37 singles selling a total of 55 million singles and 20 million albums worldwide. 

Going beyond the impressive stats, the song, represents so much more than a hit single. For many it symbolized a sense of self-love, healing, and women’s empowerment in several ways:

• Beauty and Strength: Flowers are often associated with beauty and grace, just like people, especially women. Flowers represent the diversity and resilience of nature, reminding us of the strength and endurance we possess. The delicate yet vibrant petals of flowers can be seen as a metaphor for the multifaceted nature of humanity and our ability to thrive in even the harshest conditions ala desert roses.
• Growth and Transformation: Flowers go through a process of growth and transformation, starting from a seed or a bud and blossoming into full bloom. This journey mirrors the personal growth and empowerment that we experience throughout their lives. Like flowers, people have the potential to cultivate their strengths, overcome challenges, and bloom into their full potential.
• Symbol of Femininity: Flowers have long been associated with femininity and are often used to celebrate womanhood. They can represent the nurturing and caring aspects of women, as well as their ability to bring life and beauty into the world. By embracing the symbolism of flowers, women can embrace and celebrate their own femininity, valuing their unique qualities and contributions.
• Collective Strength: In many cultures, flowers are used to represent unity and solidarity. When we set aside our differences and come together, we can create a powerful force for change and empowerment. By using flowers as a symbol, we can show our support for each other and our commitment to collective growth and advancement.
• Breaking Barriers: Flowers can break through concrete, reach towards the sun, and thrive in unexpected places. Similarly, we have the potential to break through societal barriers, stereotypes, and limitations. Flowers symbolize the resilience and determination required to overcome obstacles and achieve empowerment.

True empowerment comes from the actions, choices, and opportunities that enable us to have control over our lives, make our voices heard, and participate fully in society. Flowers can serve as a reminder of these aspirations and the beauty that can be found in the journey towards healing and acceptance.

Floral Industry Impacts and 2023 Outlook

The power of music is undeniable, and it’s interesting to see how it can impact other industries. Miley Cyrus’ new song has certainly had a positive effect on the flower industry. It has encouraged people to appreciate the beauty of flowers, and that’s always a good thing. As soon as the song was released, flower shops across the country reported an increase in sales. Just two weeks following Miley Cyrus’ release, popular low-cost retailer Lidl experienced a stunning 52% increase in flower sales. People who were moved by the song’s lyrics started to buy flowers for themselves or their loved ones. Florists also noticed a change in customer behavior, with customers specifically requesting flowers that were mentioned in the song.

This has been a trend in the floral industry in recent years. With the floral industry garnering sales of $37 billion dollars by 2025, the once stagnant industry continues to grow. There’s been more consumers purchasing flowers. There’s been more local floral shops opening to support demand. There’s been more fashionably floral apparel and attire from streetwear to high-fashion. It’s been so exciting seeing new life breathed into the gardening and floral industry. Before flowers were more easily accessible, they were mostly trappings for the wealthy with disposable income. Music has always had the power to influence our moods and emotions. From ballads to pop hits, we often find ourselves listening to songs on repeat because they resonate with us in some way. That’s why it’s not surprising that music can also have an impact on other industries, such as the flower industry.

The flower industry has faced its fair share of challenges over the years, with many people opting for artificial flowers instead of fresh ones. But the success of Cyrus’ new song shows that there is still a demand for fresh flowers, and people are willing to buy them if they’re moved by a particular message. However, it is worth noting that popular culture and celebrity endorsements can have an influence on consumer behavior and trends – both positive and negative. If a well-known artist like Miley Cyrus promotes a song titled “Flowers” that resonates with their fanbase, it could potentially generate interest and positive associations with flowers. This increased awareness and positive perception may indirectly contribute to increased sales or interest in the floral industry. Thankfully for the song flowers, Miley is celebrating the idea of cut flowers and self love.

Summary

The sales and revenue impact of Miley Cyrus’ song “Flowers” on the flower industry may be anecdotal, but it has brought free advertising and engagement by encouraging people to celebrate their lives and their independence through the beauty of flowers once again. It’s an excellent example of how music can have a positive influence on business.

The message for customers to enjoy the flowers. Buy the arrangement. Splurge on yourself. And the message for floral shops and designers around the globe, you never know where inspiration and awareness may find you. Hopefully this song brings new life and inspiration to your floral shop or business. Just remember, we are building products and designs for some who never had access to the beauty of flowers.

Looking for more flower inspired music? Enjoy our highly curated “Music for Plant Lovers” playlist that’s been viewed 1,100x and upvoted 50x on Medium. We also curate other flower and love inspired playlists on Spotify.

If you’re interested in some of our favorite fashionably floral inspired gardening and flower products, please visit the Flower Pop Etsy Shop.