Dolly Parton Told Miley Cyrus That ‘Used To Be Young’ Was ‘Not Fair’ Because ‘You’re Young and Beautiful’ and ‘I’m Like 80. That Should’ve Been My Song’

variety.com:

Zack Sharf Digital News Director Miley Cyrus scored her 12th top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Used to Be Young,” which was released in August 2023 as part of the digital reissue of her eighth studio album “Endless Summer Vacation.” The song finds Cyrus looking back at her youth as she sings: “You tell me time has done changed me / That’s fine, I’ve had a good run / I know I used to be crazy / That’s ’cause I used to be young.” In a new Harpar’s Bazaar cover story, Grammy winner Cyrus said “Used to Be Young” was perhaps too personal to release.

She also revealed that her godmother, Dolly Parton, was skeptical of the song because the lyrics were not necessarily suited for someone Cyrus’ age. “[Dolly] goes, ‘I don’t know if I like that new “Used to Be Young” song because it’s not fair that you’re singing about not being young when you’re young and beautiful.

And here I am—I’m like 80—and I’m like, That should have been my song!’” Cyrus remembered. “I actually listened to that song yesterday, and I was asking myself, ‘Did I really need to put this out?'” she added. “It was one of those things that maybe now that I’m a bit more private, I would’ve kept private, but I’m happy to have shared it.

It just feels like a song that’s so personal that it’s hard for people to relate.” The song was included on “Endless Summer Vacation,” which earned a Grammy nomination for album of the year.