Independence day was just celebrated, by whom we don’t know. It most certainly wasn’t celebrated by women. Well, at least not by those women who don’t support the Supreme Court’s outrageous decision to overturn Rowe V. Wade. This shit sucks and we feel numb knowing that our rights to our own bodies have been stripped away. As we have said time and time again what a woman chooses to do with their own body is their business.
We know that with this news it’s hard to find any semblance of positivity and we know that a lot of you are feeling hopeless and angry. We are too. One of the things that always helps us is music. It may seem like a basic thing to say but music is cathartic. Singing or literally screaming out the lyrics to some of your favorite songs with your favorite artists can be so therapeutic. It’s even better if it’s your favorite female artists.
There are so many amazing female artists who have made some epic female anthems to empower us all. If you need that release, we were just talking about, check out this list we put together with some of our favorites.
“Nasty” by Janet Jackson
“My first name ain’t baby, it’s Janet – Miss Jackson if you’re nasty.” This popular song from is one that still resonates with all women. Especially given the inspiration behind it. Nasty was written as an autobiographical account of Jackson’s personal experience with being confronted by abusive men. After being stalked by some aggressive men who were both emotionally and sexually threatening to her on the street, she took to the studio to record this song as an act of self-defense.
We know there isn’t a woman on this planet who hasn’t experienced this very thing. That’s why Nasty hits home for us and always will.
“Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett
“And I don’t give a damn ’bout my reputation. The world’s in trouble, there’s no communication.” Man, oh man was Joan Jett preaching to the choir with these lyrics? the world is definitely in trouble and nobody is communicating with anyone these days. This is that rocker anthem we can just nod our heads to and just let loose. Most importantly it’s a track to remind us that we can go our own way and we don’t have to be afraid to speak our minds.
“Just A Girl” by No Doubt
Just a Girl will always be that bitch. This is the anthem of all anthems because Gwen Stefani is literally voicing exactly what it feels like to be a girl. There are rules and standards placed upon us not just by society. Our families do it as well. Just like Stefani sings in the track, “I can’t do the little things I hold so dear
‘Cause it’s all those little things that I fear” we feel that 100%. The littlest of things can be frightening. Those little things can be something as simple as a nice walk around our own neighborhood. Because we have a certain level of fear that can actually be terrifying. Every lyric in this song nailed our feelings perfectly.
“Stronger” by Britney Spears
Did you think we weren’t going to have a Britney track on this list? that’s one woman who has been through a lot in her years. Going through a conservatorship for 13 years and finally breaking free of it was a huge step. Stronger is a song that we can relate to because it’s about learning to love yourself and live on your own without validation from others. Going your own way can be a major step to take but it’s a freeing one once you do.
“Fighter” by Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera is known for her incredible vocals and this track has some of the best. We’ve been fans of this song for decades and that hasn’t changed. The message of taking the pain someone has caused you and turning it around for good is why we love it. Instead of giving in and letting the pain consume us, we can all learn from past mistakes and let it make us stronger.
“Run the World (Girls)” by Beyonce
“Who run the world? Girls (girls).” This may be hard to believe right at this moment but Beyoncé is here to remind us that no matter what anyone tries to tell us, we run this mutha. We all could use this reminder and we should all be blasting this song on our stereos as a daily affirmation.
“Hard” by Rihanna
Rihanna is always a good choice for some major bops. Her music always puts me in a good mood and Hard gives me the badass energy I need when I’m feeling down. This song is for those folks out there who want to try and deter those of us who want to keep speaking up for what we believe in. We know they’re out there but we’re not going to let them stop us from fighting for our rights.
“All I Know So Far” by Pink
“They can’t tell you to change who you are” is just one of the many lyrics we love in Pink’s song All I know So Far. If you just want a softer song that you can sing along to that will also help you have a good cry, this is that song. There’s no shame in crying when things get to be too much and this song is one that gives us those feels.
All I know so Far is a song that Pink made as a way to tell her life-story to her daughter Willow. It’s a beautiful track about finding strength in the toughest of times.
“Scars To Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara
There’s not much to say about this song. The lyrics speak for themselves. This is another song that you can listen to and sing along with if you just need to cry it out. We love Alessia Cara and this song is a truly beautiful message that reminds us to love ourselves not matter what the world tries to tell us.
“The Man” by Taylor Swift
I mean, do we need to say anything about how awesome this Taylor Swift track is? and the video is even better. Taylor is unrecognizable in her portrayal of a man. The song is just one that hits home so much. Men get away with a ton of shit and Taylor breaks it down. Their sex alone allows them to walk right on into doors women can’t. They don’t have anyone policing their bodies or their behavior. It’s just maddening and we love that Taylor came out with this song because damn did we feel it all?
“Mother’s Daughter” by Miley Cyrus
“Don’t fuck with my freedom” Miley Cyrus sings in the chorus for “My Mother’s Daughter.” It’s unreal that this song was released in July of 2019 and we’re in 2022 fighting over the same bullshit we have been for years. Only this time, the fight is even more dire than before. Miley Cyrus is an artist who has always been outspoken. She uses her voice to speak out against injustice and that’s why we are still crazy about this song.
“You Should See Me In A Crown” by Billie Eilish
We’ve told you before how much we love Billie Eilish and this song is one of our favorites. When the beat drops you can’t help but bob your head and it will make you feel like the badass queen that you are.
“Nightmare” by Halsey
Every part of this song slaps. From beginning to end Halsey is singing/screaming to our souls with this one. There is nothing more therapeutic than singing the lyrics “No, I ain’t got nothin’ to smile about. I got no one to smile for, I waited a while for
A moment to say I don’t owe you a goddamn thing.” Believe me, I just saw Halsey at the Hollywood Bowl on June 21st and getting to scream out the lyrics to their song was a rush that gave me so much release.
This song was released in 2019 and it came during a time when our reproductive rights were being threatened. Fast-forward to 2022 and that has become our reality. As long as we are still fighting this fight, Nightmare will always be timeless.
“Brutal” by Olivia Rodrigo
Whether or not you’re a teenager, Olivia Rodrigo’s song Brutal speaks the truth. There are so many things to be insecure about and that never ends even when you get older. The world is a dark dark place and it makes us want to run and hide sometimes.
“Dead Weight” by Pvris
Dead Weight by Pvris is literally a song about feeling like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Women give so much of themselves and so much is expected of us. There is so much pressure and at times it feels never-ending. That dead weight can feel like it’s taking over us completely. Eventually, we want to let it go and this song is all about that.
“About Damn Time” by Lizzo
We’re ending this list with one of our favorites that knows how to deliver a song that makes us all feel empowered. Lizzo just brings out the joy in us. Even though we know things are hard right now, it’s okay to still have a good time and enjoy yourself. Just because you do, that doesn’t mean the battle is forgotten. Everyone needs to step away sometimes and a happy upbeat track like this is one that will help you bring some happy back if only for a moment.
