Girl power never requires an occasion, but when it’s the week of Galentine’s Day with Women’s History Month closely following, a playlist celebrating women seems fitting. As a girl-power enthusiast, here are five of the ultimate female empowerment songs ranging from the ’70s to 2017.
**“Hey Girl” by Lady Gaga**
“Tell me that you need me/’Cause I need you just the same”
Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine angelically accompanies Gaga in this intimate duet, and it blows me away every time. The two challenge the notion that women in the same industry have to be in competition against one another, promoting affinity instead. On estimate, I have listened to this song over 100 times in the last four days. Seriously.
**“I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy**
“Oh yes I am wise/but it’s wisdom born of pain”
This classic female anthem knows no age. Reddy sings of her struggle as a woman in 1970, but also reminds herself of how far she has come. Although an older song, lyrics still apply 40 years later. Women of every decade have sung their own version of this song, and until women stand in complete equality, they will continue to do so.
**“it’s different for girls” by of Montreal**
“It’s different for girls/from when they are children they are depersonalized/aggressively objectified”
This band is wacky, but oh so good. Lead singer Kevin Barnes explores femininity and why it has developed (“They are mercurial creatures/not a masculine dissonance/or sexual currency”). The song, simply put, discusses why things are different for girls than they are for men.
**“Glass Ceiling” by Metric**
“Start to push/break your own glass ceiling/Can’t count/can’t catch the pieces falling”
Another strange synth-pop band, another powerful song. Vocalist Emily Haines promotes breaking free of the “glass ceiling” that prevents women from equal status. She encourages women to stand up and keep moving, for “every speed on our knees is crawling” and women are not going to get anywhere at that rate.
**“Independent Women” by Destiny’s Child**
“All the honeys who making money/Throw your hands up at me”
Beyoncé is a feminist icon and has been since day one. When looking for the perfect lady jams for my weekly ladies’ night, Destiny’s Child was my first stop. These ladies are independent and take pride in their hard work, as they should. This song is the perfect example of women empowering women, and no feminist playlist would be complete without it.
Bonus:
**“Girl Power” by The Cheetah Girls**
“Throw your hands up if you know that you’re a star/You better stand up if you know just who you are”
Throw it back. You can never go wrong with The Cheetah Girls. One of my favorite memories is getting the aux cord at La Siesta and playing this song, getting the entire restaurant dancing and clapping along. Girl power is a language spoken by all, and The Cheetah Girls embody this perfectly.
Ladies: Celebrate ladies. We are strong. We are capable. We are women.
Happy Galentine’s Day.
To hear these songs and 30 more lady jams, check out the Spotify playlist below.
_Edited by Katherine White | kwhite@themaneater.com_
