10 Feminist Charged Songs For Your Motivational Playlist
These amazing feminist anthems will help you break down the patriarchy, one feminist charged song after the other.
1. Just A Girl – No Doubt
This banger from punk band No Doubt was not originally intended to be the feminist anthem it is today, Gwen Stefani was just frustrated that her parents wouldn’t let her drive around late at night. Still, the lyrics speak about the frustration that comes from being sheltered from the world and being treated delicately because of being a girl.
They really hit the nail on the head with the lyric “I’m just a girl, what’s my destiny?”
2. Love Myself – Hailee Steinfeld
This feminist pop song has come a long way, far from what Hailee Steinfeld probably intended. The themes are centered around loving your body and putting yourself first, which many have interpreted this “self-love” as celebrating masturbation. Intended or not, this is a great message for young women to hear as masturbation is nothing to be ashamed of and natural. Thanks Hailee.
3. Bitch – Meredith Brooks
This song is one of the best feminist songs out there. It talks about being so many different things rolled into one and not all of these things are positive. This portrayal of women by Meredith Brooks is a combination of being complex and difficult but also the roles women are often seen to play such as being motherly and kind. She tells us that we are allowed to be all those things and none are to be ashamed of.
4. Juice – Lizzo
This feminist song by new comer Lizzo is one that should be on your playlist immediately. It’s a feel good anthem about loving your body and that there’s noting wrong with owning your ego. Her energy is infection on this song and it will make you feel amazing about yourself.
5. Respect – Aretha Franklin
A classic feminist song, Aretha is not just asking for respect she’s demanding it. She knows her worth and she wants her partner to know it too. Add this song to your playlist when you need a little motivation to ask for exactly what you want.
6. You Don’t Own Me – Leslie Gore
Another classic feminist anthem, this song is just as relevant now as it was in 1963 when it was first recorded. The lyrics talk about not being a plaything for boys which is completely true, women are their own rulers and others have no right to tell them what they should and shouldn’t do.
7. Can’t Hold Us Down – Christina Aguilera
This song fantastically captures what it’s like to be a woman and not respected for your opinion. The lyrics capture this with “Should I keep quiet just because I’m a women, call me a bitch cause I speak what’s on my mind”. Combined fierce feminist lyrics with Christina’s amazing voice and you’ve got a spectacular jam to put on your playlist.
8. PYNK – Janelle Monae
Janelle Monae wants everyone to embrace their pink in her feminist dripping bop. The video itself is a huge nod to vaginas and sexuality. Janelle herself says the song is “a brash celebration of creation. self love. sexuality. and pussy power! PYNK is the color that unites us all, for pink is the color found in the deepest and darkest nooks and crannies of humans everywhere… PYNK is where the future is born…”
9. 9 To 5 – Dolly Parton
This feminist song from the legend that is Dolly Parton stands the test of time. She sings about all the hard work women put in with little recognition and the barriers they face from the patriarchy. “There’s a better life, and you dream about it, don’t you?” really hits home about the struggles women face to make their lives better.
10. Independent Women – Destiny’s Child
Would it really be a feminist playlist if there was no Destiny’s Child? This song in particular boasts self empowerment and celebrates self sufficient women. It’s a call to celebration for those who depend on themselves to better their lives.
