The lowdown: If “We Can’t Stop” was Miley’s (second) stab at shedding her Disney girl image and embarking upon a grown-up pop career, then “Wrecking Ball” was the moment we finally believed her. Nakedly emotional (emphasis on the naked part) and unexpectedly mature, this stirring power-pop ballad launched Miley to the next level, showing what she was truly capable of vocally and artistically. Despite plenty of excellent efforts to ruin the song’s impact—molesting a sledgehammer, singing with a giant cat—“Wrecking Ball” still became Miley’s first #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Credit that forceful chorus, which provided 2013’s best opportunity for head-banging car-aoke. (Okay, the panty-baring music video probably helped, too.)
ATRL says...: "All of the memes that went along with this take away from the sheer force of the song," Stevie wrote, "because it's the only one of Bangerz's many midtempos that effectively demonstrates the impact of a failed relationship." lovesong thought it was "generic, but amazing. I live for this track and it might be one of the best pop moments of 2013." AriNikoBradshaw felt the song had a "mediocre chorus, but amazing verses and bridge! The pre-chorus almost had me in tears the first time I heard it!" madonnas argued, "The chorus doesn’t work. The 'I CAME IN LIKE WRECKING BALL' part is truly effective, but then you’re left with a bunch of overemotional fluff to fill up the other measures of it. Shame!" Penk called it the "blandest, most unpersonal, song she's ever done. Plus the metaphor doesn't even work."
Best bit: "I CAME IN LIKE A WRECKING BALL" (obviously)
Kinda shocking! 
