I want Miley Cyrus to find happiness, but I also never want her to stop recording breakup songs

Whether you saw it coming or not, the aftermath of Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth’s very public split resulted in another breakup song. And we’re not even mad about it.

We’ve said it before, but we may never say it again: Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth are over. Finished. Canceled. They were finally settling into happily ever after, and now they’re once upon a time. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

It’s possible we may never know what really happened to make their relationship unsalvageable. There seems to be plenty of blame on both sides. Hemsworth has made it clear he doesn’t want to talk about what happened.  Meanwhile, Cyrus, in a move that should have surprised literally no one, recorded a song about it.

“Slide Away” is the post-breakup ballad nobody saw coming — though maybe we should have. Musicians often channel their pain into their songs. It’s what makes the greatest hits of all time so powerful. What better way to write and/or perform a relatable song than to feed off your own feelings when you do it?

But this new single isn’t the first time Cyrus has shared her breakup woes with the universe. And it may not be the last.

You’re probably thinking of “Wrecking Ball,” which is one of her best to date (fight me). But I was there, fully fangirling my brains out when “Goodbye” and “The Driveway” hit the scene. Listen, I’m not saying these songs got 16-year-old me through the worst of overdramatic teenage heartbreak, but I’m also not saying they didn’t.

Whether you’re a fan of Cyrus as a performer, as a person, both, or neither, you have to admit her performances in these songs, and whatever contributions she may have made to the lyrics, make excellent additions to your “songs to play when you need a good cry” playlist.

“I can’t think of what I learned right now, but I’ll be thanking you someday.” That lyric hurt. It still hurts. Also: “I woke up this morning and played our song.” Who hasn’t done that?

And now you have your “Move on we’re not 17/I’m not who I used to be” truth bomb. You know, in case you happen to have parted with a longtime love anytime in the near or distant past.

Every “Wrecking Ball” lyric can of course be reserved for those moments you just want to … well, hit something really hard (like a wall) and cry about it. No judgment.

Cyrus is famous for a lot more than just these songs, but there’s a reason it’s hard to forget them. They’re raw, real, and relatable. Even 10+ years after the fact, you can still go back to them and feel all the feelings as intensely as you did the first time you heard them.

I’m in no way wishing Miley Cyrus eternal unhappiness. She and Liam both deserve to find good people they can count on for years to come. Who doesn’t? But from the ashes of despair always rises something greater. Maybe it’s a song that takes you all the way back to 2008. Or a reason to rediscover the parts of you that were lost. Or a definite reminder that some breakups really should stay broken.

At least for now, let the credits start to roll. Say goodbye. Let it go. And something about a wrecking ball, I guess.

R.I.P Liley. May you find all the love and happiness. And the occasional breakup song to make it all make sense, if applicable.

What do you think of Miley Cyrus’ latest release? Share your thoughts in the comments below.