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 theBillboard 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" byRobin Thicke featuringPharrell andT.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 nationalrecord charts in Europe. The song iscertified 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 acrossVevo 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 the2013 MTV Video Music Awards.
"We Can't Stop" was originally written with Rihanna (pictured) in mind before being offered to Cyrus.
In 2012, Cyrus announced plans to focus on her film career, effectively putting her musical endeavors on hiatus. That year, she appeared in the filmsLOL andSo Undercover. She was also confirmed as a primary voice actress in the feature filmHotel Transylvania, but dropped out of the project to coordinate a musical comeback.[2] In January 2013, Cyrus ended her recording contract withHollywood Records, under which she released thestudio albumsMeet Miley Cyrus (2007),Breakout (2008),Can't Be Tamed (2010), and theextended play (EP)The Time of Our Lives (2009). Later that month, she signed a recording contract withRCA Records.[3] In March, she confirmed that her fourth studio album would be released by the end of 2013.[4]
Production duoRock City stated that "We Can't Stop" was originally written with recording artistRihanna in mind before offering it to record producerMike 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.[5] 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".[6]
During the2013Billboard Music Awards on May 19, 2013, Cyrus announced that the track would be released on June 3.[6] The cover artwork for "We Can't Stop" was unveiled in a billboard inTimes Square on May 28. It shows the arms of two people holdingSolo Cups, with several people in the background; Cyrus is notably absent from the image.[7] Cyrus herself appeared onOn Air with Ryan Seacrest on June 3 to premiere the track on the radio program, hosted byRyan Seacrest.[8]
"We Can't Stop" is amid-tempopop,[9]R&B[10] andelectropop[11] song. It is written in the key ofE 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♯5. The song follows thechord progression E–G♯m–C♯m–A (I–iii–vi–IV).[12] The track also includes a sample of the track "La Di Da Di" byDoug E. Fresh andMC Ricky D.[1] John Kennedy ofVibe compared the track to the works of Rihanna.[13]
Cyrus has stated that "We Can't Stop" represents "where I'm at in my life now".[14] 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] It also makes several references torecreational drug use, including "dancing with molly", using a slang term forecstasy, and "trying to get a line [of cocaine] in the bathroom".[15]
"We Can't Stop" received mixed reviews frommusic critics, who appreciated its overall production but were negative towards its lyrical content. Adam Carlson ofEntertainment Weekly provided a favorable review, writing that the lyrics were questionable but "infectious", adding that it reminded him of "Kesha onBenadryl."[16] Sam Lansky fromIdolator noted that stands apart from other songs recently played onmainstream radio, adding that it "just feels strange, and kind of wonderful",[17] while theLos Angeles Times' Mikael Woods labeled it "the calmest, most clear-eyedrebel yell sinceJanet Jackson's "Control."[18] Sean Daly of theTampa Bay Times andThe Wall Street Journal's staff both appreciated the catchy melody,[19][20] whileLyndsey Parker fromYahoo! 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."[21]
However, in a more mixed review, Randall Roberts of theLos 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.[22] Writing forRolling 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 muchDisney in her voice to fill the track."[23] Naomi Zeichner ofThe 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."[24]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 the2013 Teen Choice Awards in August.[25] 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."[26]The Village Voice'sPazz & 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).[27] 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'."[28]
In the United States, "We Can't Stop" debuted at number 11 on theBillboard Hot 100 with first-week sales of 214,000 downloads.[29] 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" byRobin 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".[30] As of December 2014, the song has sold 3,280,000 copies in the United States.[31] "We Can't Stop" peaked at number three on theCanadian Hot 100, and has been certified quadruple-platinum byMusic Canada.[32][33]
"We Can't Stop" experienced varying commercial success throughout Europe. In the United Kingdom, it debuted at the top of theUK 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 firstDisney star to top the charts in that country.[34] It has since been certified double-platinum by theBritish Phonographic Industry (BPI).[35] "We Can't Stop" peaked at number eight on theÖ3 Austria Top 40.[36] It also peaked at numbers 11 and 20 on the BelgianUltratop in Wallonia and Flanders, respectively.[37][38] "We Can't Stop" charted at number 11 on the DanishTracklisten, where it was also recognized with a platinum certification for streaming.[39][40] The song charted at number three on the NorwegianVG-lista,[41] and number five on both theSpanish Singles Chart and the SwedishSverigetopplistan,[42][43] number seven on theIrish Singles Chart,[44] and number nine in the Czech Republic.[45] The track also reached number ten onthe Official Lebanese Top 20.[46]
A screenshot of the music video for "We Can't Stop", where Cyrus is seentwerking
An accompanying music video for "We Can't Stop" was directed byDiane Martel,[60] and was premiered throughVevo on June 19, 2013.[61] The clip depicts an ongoing house party, where guests are engaging in numerous bizarre actions.[61] 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.[60] Also seen are clips of the parametric 3D modeled human face created byFrederic Parke at theUniversity of Utah in 1974.[62]Product placement is also commonplace as Cyrus amplifies herBeats Pill speaker and applies her EOS lip balm.[60] 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 actuallyless Miley tongue overall."[63]
The clip received generally mixed reviews from critics, who were divided in their opinions regarding Cyrus's increasingly provocative image. Jeremy Cabalona fromMashable compared its concept to that of "Just Dance" byLady Gaga,[64] while James Montgomery ofMTV News noted similarities to the music videos for "Dirrty" byChristina Aguilera and "Criminal" byFiona Apple.[65] Jason Lipshutz ofBillboard provided a favorable review, calling it "fantastically unhinged and purposefully button-pushing",[66] while Bonnie Fuller fromThe Huffington Post praised the "high-spirited celebration of the freedom that young women are blessed with today to fully explore and celebrate their sexuality."[67] 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".[68]
Writing forThe Washington Post, Cara Kelly provided a mixed review, feeling that the video recalled "episodes ofGirls mashed withRita Ora andChanel West Coast."[69] Patrick Ryan fromUSA Today called the clip a "bizarre, entertaining but arguably desperate effort",[70] while Haley Dodd from RyanSeacrest.com thought that the video presented "maybe a little too much" of Cyrus's "edgier side".[71] It was later nominated for Best Pop Video, Best Female Video, Best Editing, and Best Song of the Summer for the2013 MTV Video Music Awards.[72]
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 acrossVevo platforms.[30] However, she was later surpassed by "Best Song Ever" byOne Direction, which generated 12.3 million views in 24 hours.[30] After reaching 100 million views in 37 days, it also set the record for being the fastest music video to attain a Vevo certification.[30] 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.[73]
On October 5, 2013, Cyrus served as the host and musical guest during an episode ofSaturday Night Live, and performed an acoustic version of the song, in addition to a parody of the song titled "We Did Stop" about the2013 United States federal government shutdown.[80][81] The following Monday, Cyrus performed "We Can't Stop" onToday as part of their Toyota Concert Series.[82] She appeared onLate Night with Jimmy Fallon andThe Ellen DeGeneres Show later that month, and sang the track during both programs.[83][84] In November, Cyrus traveled to Europe again to sing "We Can't Stop" at the2013 MTV Europe Music Awards inAmsterdam on November 10; she garnered media attention for smoking a joint ofmarijuana on-stage.[85] In December, she performed at Jingle Ball concerts inLos Angeles (KIIS-FM Jingle Ball),Saint Paul,Atlanta, New York City,Washington, D.C.,Tampa andSunrise.[86] An episode ofMTV Unplugged starring Cyrus premiered through MTV on January 29, 2014;[87]Madonna appeared as a surprise guest that evening to sing anacoustic medley of "We Can't Stop" and her 2000 single "Don't Tell Me".[88] Later that year, Cyrus performed "We Can't Stop" during her headliningBangerz Tour.[89] A critic from theNashville Scene praised Cyrus's performance, writing, "We Can't Stop was sung by Miley and hilariously lip-synced by a kitten on screen."[90] Blake Hannon provided a positive review, writing, "The crowd erupted for the opening notes of We Can't Stop."[91] Cyrus returned to perform the song during the musical festival on June 21, 2014,Summertime Ball atWembley Stadium ofLondon, in front of 80,000 people.[92]
In August 2013, Cyrus became the subject of widespread international media attention and public scrutiny following a performance and duet withRobin Thicke at the2013 MTV Video Music Awards atBarclays Center inNew 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'scrotch area with a giant manicured foam finger andtwerked against him.The Hollywood Reporter described the performance as "crass" and "reminiscent of a badacid trip".[93] The performance was described byXXL 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",[94] while the BBC said Cyrus stole the show with a "raunchy performance".[95] 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;[96] the previous record, held by theSuper Bowl XLVII halftime show featuringBeyoncé, generated 268,000 tweets per minute.[97] Rob Sheffield ofRolling 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."[98] According toForbes, Cyrus's performance resulted in a gain of over 213,000Twitter followers, 226,000 likes onFacebook, 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.[99]
In July 2013,Rebecca Black released an acoustic cover of "We Can't Stop", for which there were lyrical changes made.[100] In September 2013,Scott Bradlee's bandPostmodern Jukebox made adoo-wop cover of the song.[101] Later in September, British bandBastille performed a rock version of the song atBBC Radio 1'sLive Lounge, using portions of "Lose Yourself" byEminem in the introduction, "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" from the 1994 filmThe Lion King at the end of each chorus, and referencing "Achy Breaky Heart" by Cyrus's fatherBilly Ray.[102] They won an award for this cover at theMTV Woodies.[103] Mike Wass fromIdolator commented that they brought "emotional depth and a previously absent musicality" and that they turned the song into "an eerily pretty mid-tempo ballad".[104] Later that month, indie musicianLogan Lynn released a cover version of the track, which Lindsey Weber ofNew York Magazine called "dreamy [and] guitar-heavy"[105] and an editor fromThe Huffington Post called "bold" and "warmer" than the original.[106] British singerNeon 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".[107] The track was also performed by Avery,[108]the Vamps,[109] andTay Zonday. In 2014,the Electrical Fire released a cover version of the song, as well as an alternate version which combined it withKanye West's "Runaway", pointing out the similarity between the two songs.[110] Later in 2014 Bastille won Best Cover Woodie award in themtvU Woodie Awards for covering the track.[111]
In 2018, Jamaican artistFlourgon filed a copyright infringement suit in theUnited 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 1988reggae 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" wassubstantially similar to the phrase "We run things/Things no run we" from "We Run Things".[113][114]
The partiessettled the lawsuit out of court and the case was subsequently dismissed in early 2020.[115][116]
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. † Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.
^"The Big 9 in 2014: RCA".HITS Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. December 11, 2014. Archived fromthe original on December 11, 2014. RetrievedDecember 11, 2014.
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