How Gossip helped propel Miley Cyrus’ ‘Flowers’ to the top of the charts

For the casual listener, Miley Cyrus’ January single “Flowers” is a sultry pop song with a feminist bent, an anthem celebrating self-love and independence. But for superfans like Joshua Molina, “Flowers” is a series of clues about Ms. Cyrus’ divorce from Liam Hemsworth.

Among the Easter eggs, according to fans: The song reverses the rhythm and lyrics of Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man,” which is said to have special meaning for Mr. Hemsworth and Ms. Cyrus. But while Mr. Mars sings, “I should have bought you flowers,” Mrs. Cyrus’ version retorts, “I can buy myself flowers.” The song was also released on January 13, Mr Hemsworth’s birthday.