30 Feminist Songs To Blast For Extra Empowerment
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30 Feminist Songs To Blast For Extra Empowerment
March is International Women's Month, which celebrates the accomplishments and impact that all kinds of women and feminine presenting people have made throughout history. From changemakers like Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafazi and transgender trailblazer Marsha P. Johnson to musicians like Beyoncé and the Linda Lindas, there are so many incredible women who are putting in the work to make the world more equal.
While the fight for feminism is far from over, there are tons of songs that have been released over the past few decades that will uplift and empower anyone who wants to make a difference. Whether you pump yourself up with Taylor Swift's "The Man" before a big soccer game or blast Bikini Kill's "Rebel Girl" before partaking in a Women's March protest, there's just something about playing songs that speak to the feminist experience. Here are 30 of the best feminist songs that will give you a nudge of extra empowerment for any occasion.
Design by Yoora Kim - Getty Images - 2/31
1) "***Flawless" by Beyoncé feat. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Bow down for Queen Bey, who made waves with this up-tempo banger featuring feminism activist and writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in 2014.
BeyoncéVEVO@Youtube - 3/31
2) "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor
Consider this disco classic the ultimate female empowerment song about making it out of hard times.
GloriaGaynorVEVO@Youtube - 4/31
3) "Just a Girl" by No Doubt
Does that epic Captain Marvel fight scene play in anyone else's heads as they listen to Gwen Stefani's vocals, or is it just us?
NoDoubtVEVO@Youtube - 5/31
4) "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus
Miley's No. 1 breakup anthem reminds us that we should romance ourselves and that we don't need a partner to do so.
MileyCyrusVEVO@Youtube - 6/31
5) "Rebel Girl" by Bikini Kill
Bikini Kill's "Rebel Girl" has been at the forefront of the feminist movement since it was released in 1992.
Bikini Kill - Topic@Youtube - 7/31
6) "Good as Hell" by Lizzo
Blast this Lizzo track through your speakers, and you'll immediately feel the emotion she puts into the music.
Lizzo Music@Youtube - 8/31
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8) "Racist Sexist Boy" by The Linda Lindas
"A little while before we went into lockdown, a boy came up to me in my class and said that his dad told him to stay away from Chinese people," The Linda Lindas' drummer, Mila, said of this track. "After I told him that I was Chinese, he backed away from me. Eloise and I wrote this song based on that experience."
Epitaph Records@Youtube - 10/31
9) "She Loves Control" by Camila Cabello
This deep cut from Camila's debut album will empower you to take control and relish in it.
CamilaCabelloVEVO@Youtube - 11/31
10) "You Don't Own Me" by Lesley Gore
This track has been a major feminist anthem since it was released in 1963.
Lesley Gore - Topic@Youtube - 12/31
11) "Can't Pin Me Down" by MARINA
Reminder: you can still be a loving partner and let it be known that you're ready to be strong and independent at any moment.
MARINA@Youtube - 13/31
12) "Woman" by Doja Cat
Because we can all be CEOs just like Robyn Fenty (a.k.a Rihanna).
dojacatVEVO@Youtube - 14/31
13) "That's My Girl" by Fifth Harmony
There's nothing more empowering than a girl group, and Fifth Harmony provided us with the ultimate power anthem, "That's My Girl," in 2016.
FifthHarmonyVEVO@Youtube - 15/31
14) "BO$$" by Fifth Harmony
Another 5H banger, "BO$$," shouts out impactful women like Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama.
FifthHarmonyVEVO@Youtube - 16/31
15) "Just Because I'm a Woman" by Dolly Parton
The country queen was ahead of her time with this 1968 track that calls out double standards and slut-shaming.
DollyPartonVEVO@Youtube - 17/31
16) "Stronger" by Britney Spears
One of Britney's most iconic songs, "Stronger," can get anyone out of a funk and onto the dancefloor.
BritneySpearsVEVO@Youtube - 18/31
17) "Can't Hold Us Down" by Christina Aguilera feat. Lil Kim
Xtina and Lil Kim's empowering bop continues to "let 'em know we're gonna stand our ground."
CAguileraVEVO@Youtube - 19/31
18) "Bad Reputation" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Joan Jett is one of the women who run rock 'n' roll, and this iconic track serves as a reminder to not care about what other people think.
blackheartrec@Youtube - 20/31
19) "Q.U.E.E.N" by Janelle Monáe feat. Erykah Badu
When Janelle said "I'm cutting up, don't cut me down," we felt that!
Janelle Monáe@Youtube - 21/31
20) "Run the World (Girls)" by Beyoncé
Who runs the world? Blast this as a friendly reminder.
BeyoncéVEVO@Youtube - 22/31
21) "I Don't Need a Man" by The Pussycat Dolls
Depending on a man? The Pussycat Dolls would never, according to this 2006 banger.
ThePussycatDollsVEVO@Youtube - 23/31
22) "Joan of Arc" by Little Mix
Little Mix was definitely on that "feminist tip" when they dropped this song in 2018.
littlemixVEVO@Youtube - 24/31
23) "Woman" by Kesha feat. the Dap-Kings Horns
From the blaring horns to its fun uplifting lyrics, Kesha's track highlights all the best parts of being a woman.
keshaVEVO@Youtube - 25/31
24) "Independent Women Pt. 1" by Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child did what they had to do for the Charlie's Angel soundtrack with this track, which has uplifting lyrics like "I depend on me if I want it."
DestinysChildVEVO@Youtube - 26/31
25) "Survivor" by Destiny's Child
The trio also gave us one of the most iconic feminist anthems, "Survivor," which has stood the test of time nearly 20 years later.
DestinysChildVEVO@Youtube - 27/31
26) "Yes Girl" by Bea Miller
You shouldn't have to be afraid to take a stance and say "no," as highlighted by Bea Miller's emotional 2016 track.
BeaMillerVEVO@Youtube - 28/31
27) "The Pill" by Loretta Lynn
The late country singer released this track about the freedom that comes with the birth control pill in 1975.
Loretta Lynn - Topic@Youtube - 29/31
28) "Shut Down" by BLACKPINK
BLACKPINK's in our area, and they're here to let everyone know that we'll shut down anything that no longer serves us.
BLACKPINK@Youtube - 30/31
29) "B.I.T.C.H" by Megan Thee Stallion
Hot Girl Meg reclaims the word "bitch" on this slick hip-hop track.
Megan Thee Stallion@Youtube - 31/31
30) "Breadwinner" by Kacey Musgraves
Kacey perfectly captured what it's like for a guy to be intimidated by an independent successful woman.
KaceyMusgravesVEVO@Youtube