Welcome to my two-part countdown celebrating O.G. Miley Cyrus songs! I'm intending this list to entertain both longtime fans such as myself and those who actually think her musical career began with the 2013 VMA's. It's about time to educate those judging and hating on the Milester thanks to her newly eccentric persona. I love me some Bangerz-era Miley, but much like the dichotomous nature of Hannah Montana herself, there's more to her than just that style of song and persona.
Sweet niblets, y'all! There sure are a lot of amazing Hannah Montana songs to consider, but these are the ones that stand out the most to me as simply la creme de la corn.*
10. The Best of Both Worlds
Our top ten starts off with the theme song to end all theme songs! My personal favorite bit? Okay, tie between the huge drum beats at the beginning and the irrepressible giggle at the end.9. Don't Wanna be Torn
"I thought you said it was easy, listening to your heart / I thought you said I'd be okay / so why'm I breaking apart?" I love this touching song interwoven with actual dialog from the "He Could be the One" episode.
8. I Wanna Know You ft. David Archuleta
Excellently detailed lyrics? Fabulously addictive "waohh-waohh-ohh-ohh" hook? Nice collabo between Miley and a certain diminutive American Idol alum? Check, check, and check!
7. Rock Star
The first line? "Sometimes I walk a little faster in the school hallway just to get next to you." Yup, the whole rest of the song is worthy of such an adorable, sugary-sweet high school love lyric.6. Just a Girl
Sometimes Miley Stewart got all twisted up in being Hannah Montana and couldn't quite reconcile the two sides of herself in any kind of balanced, sane way. This song eloquently expresses those feelings.5. He Could be the One
You guys! Remember when Miley Stewart had to choose between Jake and Jesse? I was totally Team Jesse, not least of all due to the unstoppably catchy ode to him that this epic two part episode unleashed.4. If We Were a Movie (ft Corbin Bleu)
The original version of the song was awesome enough, but I like the dual-sided angst of this duet. This is a superb bubblegum-pop, unrequited best friend love story. Extra points for cinematic metaphor.3. Make Some Noise
Don't let anyone tell you that you're not strong enough! (!!!) Of all the self-esteem anthems that come pouring out of the HM archives as soon as you open the lid, this is the one that most sticks in my memory. Its gently encouraging message of self-belief still holds true.2. One in a Million
Full disclosure: I wish I could make this #1, because it's my ultimate sentimental favorite Hannah Montana song. It has it all: the pop-star-making vocal, the sweet astonishment of falling in love, the exquisitely perfect melody...amazing, amazing, amazing. Just try not to smile listening to this song...it cannot be done!1. The Climb**
This is #1 because it truly is the best. It's the most powerful and meaningful of all HM songs, stripping off the wig and false persona to both acknowledge the truth of finding oneself and embarking on a challenging journey, and bridging Miley's own transition from Hannah to herself. And by that, I mean it embodies that moment for Miley Stewart as much as Miley Cyrus. This was the first song where she stood head and shoulders as her own mainstream pop artist, and it could not have been a more sparkling, poignant moment.
This leaves us on the perfect note to transition to Part 2 of our countdown, Miley Cyrus Solo Songs - coming soon!
*I feel it's most accurate to class Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus, Disc 2 as a Miley Cyrus album. That's a thin line, but I had to make a choice, and this seemed closest to the truth to me.
**It's a thin line between "The Climb" being a Hannah or a Miley Cyrus song too, but I feel it's ultimately too important of a Hannah moment to be separated from the categorization.