Bruno Mars released the song When I Was Your Man in 2012 as part of his Unorthodox Jukebox album. After Miley Cyrus’ new song Flowers, which features lyrics reminiscent of those in Bruno Mars’ song, was published in 2023, the song once again gained popularity. There is a reason why Miley Cyrus chose this song as the model for the message she wanted to convey to her ex Liam Hemsworth. Both songs are breakup songs from various angles. The whole lyrics are included at the end of the article, so let’s find out everything we can.
When I Was Your Man: the lyrics referenced by Miley Cyrus’ Flowers and their meaning
In the song When I Was Your Man, Bruno Mars expresses regret about the actions that caused his girlfriend to leave. The singer wishes he could go back in time and act differently, paying more attention to the girl he loves, and conveys his melancholy and loneliness in the song’s lyrics.
The similarities between the two choruses is what made this song popular again after Miley Cyrus Flowers. Bruno Mars sings about all the things he should have done to keep his relationship intact while it still existed, while Miley Cyrus sings about all the self-love she can offer herself now that her partner is gone. As you can see from the comparison below, they are both discussing the same displays of affection.
I can buy myself flowers
Write my name in 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
I should’ve bought you flowers
And held your hand
Shoulda gave you all my hours
When I had the chance
Take you to every party
‘Cause all you wanted to do was dance
Now my baby’s dancin’
But she’s dancin’ with another man
According to a myth that began to circulate on TikTok after this video, Miley Cyrus wrote a song that sounded similar to Bruno Mars’ Where I Was Your Man as an explicit act of retaliation against Liam Hemsworth because he dedicated it to her while they were engaged. The story has not been proven, but if it is accurate, it would be strikingly similar to what Shakira did a few days prior with her song during the Bzrp/Bizarrap music session, in which she subtly sampled Daft Punk’s Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger, a song that is said to be one of Gerard Pique’s favorites.
Where I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars is a profound plunge into melancholy and regret. In the song’s lyrics, Bruno acknowledges his wrongdoing and feels guilty and responsible for the breakup.
Uh, my pride, my ego, my needs, and my selfish ways
Caused a good, strong woman like you to walk out my life
Now I’ll never, never get to clean up the mess I made, oh
And that haunts me every time I close my eyes
Although it hurts
I’ll be the first to say that
I was wrong
Oh, I know I’m probably much too late
To try and apologize for my mistakes
But I just want you to know
Miley Cyrus knows she won’t receive that kind of apology, which is why she prefers to rely on herself, love herself, and take care of all of her needs. From the perspectives of the guy whose actions led to the breakup and the woman who felt ignored, we might consider them as unique strategies for overcoming the sadness of a breakup.
Below you can find the complete lyrics of Bruno Mars’s When I Was Your Man.
Read other popular song lyrics meaning collection
The complete lyrics of Bruno Mars’s song
Same bed but it feels just a little bit bigger now
Our song on the radio but it don’t sound the same
When our friends talk about you, all it does is just tear me down
‘Cause my heart breaks a little when I hear your name
It all just sounds like (Ooh, ooh)
Mm, too young, too dumb to realize
That I should’ve bought you flowers
And held your hand
Shoulda gave you all my hours
When I had the chance
Take you to every party
‘Cause all you wanted to do was dance
Now my baby’s dancin’
But she’s dancin’ with another man
Uh, my pride, my ego, my needs, and my selfish ways
Caused a good, strong woman like you to walk out my life
Now I’ll never, never get to clean up the mess I made, oh
And that haunts me every time I close my eyes
It all just sounds like (Ooh, ooh)
Mm, too young, too dumb to realize
That I should’ve bought you flowers
And held your hand
Shoulda gave you all my hours
When I had the chance
Take you to every party
‘Cause all you wanted to do was dance
Now my baby’s dancin’
But she’s dancin’ with another man
Although it hurts
I’ll be the first to say that
I was wrong
Oh, I know I’m probably much too late
To try and apologize for my mistakes
But I just want you to know
I hope he buys you flowers
I hope he holds your hand
Give you all his hours
When he has the chance
Take you to every party
‘Cause I remember how much you love to dance
Do all the things I should’ve done
When I was your man
Do all the things I should’ve done
When I was your man