The clever reason why Miley Cyrus' new song 'Flowers' sounds a lot like Bruno Mars' hit

Miley Cyrus is at the centre of speculation that her latest single is a clever dig at ex-husband Liam Hemsworth.

The 30-year-old sings on her Flowers track: "I can love me better than you can, I can love me better, I can love me better babe, I can love me better, I can love me better ah.”

Fans have flooded the web with theories it is a none-too-subtle swipe at actor Liam, 32, to whom she got engaged in May 2012 before their split a year later, followed by their marriage in December 2018 and a divorce finalised in January 2020.

Miley released on January 13 – when Liam turned 33.

One of many fans convinced the track’s release date was proof it was a dig at Liam said it was “revenged” for their “messy” relationship.

Other clues include a part of the song sounding a lot like Bruno Mars' 2012 When I Was Your Man, which Liam apparently once dedicated to Miley, according to the Daily Mail.

Fans have even deduced that Flowers is a direct response from a female perspective to Bruno Mar’s woeful hit about regret after a romance.

Bruno’s original song features the chorus lines:

“I should have bought you flowers and held your hand/ Should have gave you all my hours when I had the chance / Take you to every party 'cause all you wanted to do was dance.”

By comparison Miley’s Flowers includes the lyrics:

 “I can buy myself flowers/ Write my name in the sand/ Talk to myself for hours/ Say things you don't understand /  I can take myself dancing, and I can hold my own hand/ Yeah, I can love me better than you can.”

According to some fans Bruno may have even given Miley his blessing to reference his song.

Liam has moved on with actress Gabriella Brooks, 26, while Miley has been linked with The Hills: New Beginnings star Kaitlynn Carter, 34, as well as swimmer Cody Simpson, 25, and 24-year-old drummer Maxx Morando.

She also previously romanced Stella Maxwell, 32, Patrick Schwarzenegger, 29, actors Avan Jogia, 30, and Adam Sevani, 30, as well as singer Justin Gaston, 34, and 30-year-old Nick Jonas.

Miley last year admitted during a gig her divorce from Liam was a “f****** disaster”, and previously said the relationship was marred by “too much conflict”.

- The Hits, additional reporting by Bang! Showbiz