Emily
MikeWell, it’s that time of year: finals time! I have been in the thick of it for the past week or so, which is why my posts have been scarce. While my head’s been buried in multiple regression and policy books, I’ve been listening to certain playlists of mine on repeat, to help get me in the zone. This got me thinking…I should remove my head from the books for a bit to do a post of my top 10 favorite feminist songs.
This was a hard list to compile. I tried to select from different genres, and choose ones that were my personal favorite jams, but I’m sure I missed some important ones. Anyway, here’s my top 10, in no particular order:
10. “Not A Pretty Girl,” Ani DiFranco
This was one of the first really strongly feminist songs I encountered when I was a teenager. Ani sings, “I am not a pretty girl / that is not what I do / I ain’t no damsel in distress / and I don’t need to be rescued.” Pretty girl, in this context, isn’t so much about physical appearance as it is a performance of the stereotype of, as she puts it, a maiden fair.
9. “Sisters Are Doin‘ It For Themselves,” Aretha Franklin and Eurythmics
This is basically the quintessential feminist anthem of the ’80s. It’s nice to watch two powerful women in different musical genres perform this classic. The ‘inferior’ sex / Has got a new exterior, yeah/ We got doctors, lawyers / Politicians too.
8. “Black Girl Pain,” Talib Kweli and Jean Grae
I’m a huge Jean Grae fan. I think she’s the greatest, most interesting female hip hop artist since Lauryn Hill. I love a lot of her songs, but I picked this one with Talib Kweli, because it’s the most blatant confrontation of the intersection of race and gender.
7. “Just A Girl,” No Doubt
No Doubt’s Tragic Kingdom album largely defined my 5th grade life. “Just a Girl” is both a feminist song and a really accessible pop song. Before I was even really aware of my identity as a feminist, I used to rock out to Gwen Stefani. And hey, so did my little brother.
6. “Pretty Girls,” Neko Case
Neko Case wrote this song about young girls in a Planned Parenthood waiting room, about to get abortions. She sings about saving them from the blame others impose on them, and from their lovers that don’t understand. She tells them not to let it break them, and that she can show them how they’ll change the world. “…And I won’t say that I told you so.”
5. “Your Revolution,” Sarah Jones
This song is a really clever take-off on Gil Scott-Heron’s “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.” Sarah Jones sings that “your revolution will not happen between these thighs,” and invokes just about every famous sexist hip hop lyric of the past decade to make her point.
4. “Human Nature,” Madonna
There’s no way I couldn’t put this song on here. It’s a mainstream classic, both song and video. She sings about being censored, particularly with regard to her sexuality, and asks, “Would it sound better if I were a man?”
3. “The Pill,” Loretta Lynn
Released in 1975, this song is considered to be the first about birth control. It’s sort of funny lyrically, but it’s also a pretty emboldened proclamation of women’s autonomy over their reproductive lives.
2. “Glass Ceiling,” Metric
Metric is one of my favorite current indie bands, and the lead singer Emily Haines frequently incorporates gender into her lyrics. This song’s title obviously refers to the glass ceiling and she addresses women of her generation: “There’s no knight in silver armor, shining.” It’s a wake-up call that although we may be making incremental improvements, “every speed on our knees is crawling.”
1. “You Oughta Know,” Alanis Morissette
I couldn’t help myself. This song may not be about the feminist movement, but it’s a really fierce, unapologetic rant over personal pain that turned into an anthem of girlpower for a generation. There’s no woman my age I know who hadn’t at some point put this on a post-break-up mix tape. So, thanks, Alanis. I dig your rage. There are a few really killer lines that I won’t post on here. (Hi, mom!)
I’ll return to post more frequently soon. In the meantime, what are your favorite feminist songs?
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Filed under: Feminism, Pop Culture Tagged: | Feminism, music
I’m 19, female, and I feel like– no, I know– I’m a feminist because I believe that women have the power to do great, incredible things. That they can achieve any goal they strive for, any dream they desire. And that can be anything from being the president of the USA, to a C.E.O. of huge corporation, to a stay-at-home mother and housewife.
Still, the word “feminist” makes me cringe because there’s so much bad being tagged to it. Misandry, in particular. Most self-declared feminists I meet are ridiculously discriminating and sexist towards men, and viciously judgmental towards women who don’t believe or act the way they feel women should believe and act.
It’s gotten to the point where I won’t even say “I’m feminist” because it receives rotten attention– either from regular people who think of man hating lesbians when they think of the term (and who can blame them?), to radical, hypocritical feminists who make me ashamed to be called a feminist at all.
It’s disheartening, to be honest, that something so positive and powerful is oftentimes portrayed and conveyed as something negative, demeaning, and sexist.
Excellent! Thanks for the post and the additional ideas!
This is a great list! Thanks for compiling.
I think 18 wheeler by pink would be a good addition too.
http://youtu.be/d5IS2nJEdxQ
What about “Can’t Hold Us Down” by Christina Aguilera?
Thanks for posting. Need to find some pop tunes for my daughter, and need them to be feminist! Can you make a list of songs for LITTLE girls? For example, the No Doubt song you listed could work great for an 8 year old.
(Background: my daughter has heard Katy Perry, but some of the lyrics are are excessively dirty and mature for a wee one. E.g. “menage a trois”. Tried a Rihanna’s “Rude Boy” and she’s talking about letting him ride her, do this and do that to her… ) It’s so important to give girls catchy alternatives to this crap!
I’m thinking stuff from Le Tigre… stuff that is suitably bubble-gum girly and fun, while still packing a feminist wallop.
PLEASE HELP!
Dylan Clark, feminist dad
Dylan, try Taylor Swift songs for your daughter. She sings about love, but she’s a strong girl. Some of the earlier Hannah Montana stuff is good too. Infectious pop with a message of independence – well, some of it.
PLEASE DO NOT LET YOUR KID LISTEN TO TAYLOR SWIFT. That girl reinforces every single female stereotype in the book. Her lyrics essentially regurgitate/reinforce all those stupid disney princess storylines and really underlines a Madonna/whore complex.
[...] here’s a fun link to a list of feminist songs. I appreciate the Loretta Lynn song! My mom loves [...]
Nice List! I made my own and also included No Doubt (but then again… I am a crazy no doubt fan!) haha
Really great list! I’ll throw in an older song: “You Don’t Own Me”, by Lesley Gore. “Don’t tell me what to do, and don’t tell me what to say.” Not something you could take for granted in 1963.
I agree! I love that song. Also reminds me of The FIrst Wives Club.
“It’s a She Thing” by Salt-n-Pepa is also a good one! =) And I don’t usually listen to hip hop, but there’s a good message in it.
I can’t believe “Stupid Girls” by P!nk wasn’t on this list! It’s very empowering without bashing men -too- much, which is very important to me because I have some very close male friends and I think we can achieve equal respect for both sexes without putting men down. It’s kind of hypocritical.
I agree – it’s one of the songs I always think of as feminist too
Hey. I am a 14 year old feminist going to middle school with a group of some of the most judgemental and closed minded people in the world. Even some of my own friends say that I am so weird to be so into feminism; people are starting to think that I am a lesbian. I hate that that is always tagged onto feminism: homosexuality.
Anyway, I thought that this was a great list, especially No Doubt. I migth add some Joan Jett numbers, especially “Androgynous”. It is not only a great song, but also really expresses how she doesn’t care about what people think.
Hey there, kid. It wasnt too long ago that I was in the same position.(except older)
You may want to check out these other songs that are anti-sexist/feminist/identity affirming:
Amanda Palmer-Ampersand
Bikini Kill-Double Dare Ya
Crass-Smother Love, Dry Weather
Dresden Dolls-Girl Anachronism, Shores Of California, Coin Operated Boy
Nirvana-Been A Son, Rape Me, Polly
Pearl Jam-Why Go, Daughter
PJ Harvey-Me-Jane, 50 Ft. Queenie, Shame, Sheela-Na-Gig
Sonic Youth-Swimsuit Issue, Kool Thing
Team Dresch-Growing Up In Springfield, Shes Amazing, Uncle Phranc
Vice Squad: Scarred For Life, Stand Strong Stand Proud
Most of these songs were what I was listening to when I was raising Hell in High School. They kept my constitution firm, and helped give me the guts to stand up for whats right..which isnt always easy to do in the middle of a locker room. Stay strong, good luck, and I hope you keep kicking ass.
Sincerely, A male feminist.
I recently had an epiphany wherein I discovered I am a feminist, truly, and I have never felt so empowered. It feels great to know I’m not defined by what men think of me, because what I am is all up to me. Thanks for the videos, they’re just what I’ve been looking for, good music that doesn’t make me feel like all women are good for are pieces of ass. I’m 17. Rock on, girls.
And btw, feminism has nothing to do with putting down men. That notion is insulting to me. It’s all to do with equality.
rock on!!! feminism is not about men bashing at all! its about asking for equality, and we have a long way to go. im 20 now, and i do speeches at schools about feminism, i wish people would realise feminism is not a dirty word!!!!!! its not about not shaving your arm pits or being a lesbian or hating men, its about gender equality. im very proud to say my boyfriend is a feminsit! woo!!!!
This is fab, it goes to show when blokes like these songs that they must understand just a tiny bit. Maybe not, but it sure helps to get our point across. I hate the point of view that you have to be a lesbian to be a feminst. I’m a feminist 13 year old and completley proud.
Great! It’s so good to hear from a 13 year old feminist. I wish I’d been so sure of my feminist identity at that age.
Yeah, great post.Not! Women can blurt out their hateful and untrue propaganda against men through electricity, electric guitars, microphones, distribution companies, etc. etc. etc. etc.etc CREATED by men….
I am a feminsit and Arne H not everything was created by men and yeah some of things are true in those songs are true about men because it’s always a woman’s fault when most of the time it isn’t. Just remeber that not everything was created by men okay? and by the way i am a teen.
Great post.
I teach English at a Secondary School and I needed some ideas dealing with feminism, your suggestions will be A+ for my group!!
Well who doesn’t like this one?
Though I was disappointed (a bit, as an actual engineer) that ‘engineer’ here means more like ‘mechanic’ (nothing wrong with being a mechanic!).