When this '90s pop-punky jag blasts from the speakers during Captain Marvel, it's hard not to feel like just getting up and having a little fight yourself. Honey Singh is known for singing songs that are nothing but misogynist masterpieces. —Estelle Tang, This EDM-laced pop tune is so powerful that Grande got away with singing the line "Now that I've become who I really are." Effervescent and irresistible, Florence Welch's 2009 pop hit sounds exactly like the sun finally coming up. Mar 9, 2018 Getty Images. Destiny's Child contributed this dancefloor dynamite to the Charlie's Angels soundtrack, pinning "Throw your hands up at me" in the hall of fame forever. —Estelle Tang, Nina Gordon and Louise Post combined sweet harmonies with mischief and screeching guitars to land this alt-pop hit. —Evette Dionne, editor-in-chief, Igor is, by far, my most listened to album in 2019. Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. Beyoncé, "Standing in the Way of Control" by Gossip, "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" by The Eurythmics. This is the bisexual witch representation we all deserve.—KR, The rockin’ hook of the original two minute pre-Billy Ray Cyrus version caught my attention in a big way the first time I heard it. His debut EP, 7, is full of songs that are beautifully afrofuturistic, but feature fun, sometimes strange, lyrics. The Dap Kings "Woman" Ariana Grande "God Is A Woman" Dua Lipa "IDGAF" Christiana Aguilera feat. It wasn’t my fault, nor where I was nor what I wore. Same. Riot Grrrl United Feminism and Punk. —Estelle Tang, FKA Twigs on Her Relationship With Shia LaBeouf, Sharing Our Grief Is an Act of Revolution, Ashley Graham Talks St. Tropez & Postpartum Beauty, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Facts: Kiyoki directed the video for “I Wish” and it’s so cute. We hope they bring you as much happiness as they’ve brought us. King and Willie Nelson, is an example of a feminist protest song. “Juice” is the very embodiment of Lizzo’s ethos: It’s catchy, it’s fun, and it leans fully into the idea that self-love solves all. “Earfquake” is a great single and the must-see video features a cameo from Tracee Ellis Ross. ... Best Feminist Songs For Womens History Month 2020 Music. The songs on this roundup will each speak to some different part of you. Female empowerment from the artists who do it best. Here are some highlights. —Starr Bowenbank, The outsiders weren't always the cool ones at school, but Bikini Kill's Riot Grrrl classic celebrated the confidence, appeal, and revolutionary politics of the "rebel girl." What a gift, indeed. It’s also mixed up with Snap’s “The Power,” which she plays homage to in the video. Also read: 10 Feminist Songs To Listen To When The Patriarchy Has Got You Down. Only listen if you're a "scientifically advanced hot mama." Below are our staff's 100 favorite songs of 2019 -- a mix of cultural events, personal favorites and everything else that tattooed itself inside our brains in the last 12 months. —Rachel Charlene Lewis, Senior Editor, I don’t actually know if Robyn is queer—nor do I care to speculate about a celebrity’s sexual orientation—but Robyn has firmly established herself as a queer icon for a reason. 2019: “Hot Girl Summer” by Megan Thee Stallion with Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign is not just about the summer. The feminist movement is making leaps and bounds. —Estelle Tang, If anyone tries to compliment you by saying you're not like the other girls, it's time to blast The Slits' "Typical Girls." Towards the end of the year, Chilean feminists wrote what has become the defiant anthem of 2019: a protest song about rape culture and victim shaming, which rapidly went viral. Do your hair toss and check your nails, because this track will leaving you feeling higher than the clouds. Or the bed-top. A queer Black kid dominating country charts in 2019? Feminist: See, this song right here is a perfect example. Some are capital-F feminist, some are comforting as a hug, while others are pleasingly screamy and cathartic. When Feminism Meets Music: Great Songs That Sample Radical Speech From Beyoncé and Blood Orange to Le Tigre and Ibeyi, these songs shine a necessary light on feminist thinkers. When I watched her November 2019 SNL performance, I said to my partner, “I don’t know what she’s doing, but I’m obsessed with it.” “Hit the Back” is my actual favorite, but to avoid repeating songs from my other coworkers, I’m putting “Trust Nobody,” a solid contender, on this list.—MW, Beyond being a straight up jam, “Only Child” is Whack’s anthem for people who are fed up with not being prioritized. It’s the song that puts a smile back on your face when fear and doubt start to pick at your self-esteem. From Carly Rae Jepsen to Cardi B to Lizzo, these are the best feminist songs. The choreography for this Cinderella-but-darker track includes USING HER LEGS as clock hands.—AV, Billie Eilish, “all the good girls go to hell”, I was immediately drawn to Eilish’s depression-but-make-it-catchy vibe. —Estelle Tang, Lesley Gore had a message for bad boyfriends in 1963. Apr 4, 2019. —Estelle Tang, The wind beneath my wings is this 3.5-minute list of incredible female artists, thinkers, and revolutionaries. Only listen if you're a "scientifically advanced hot mama." Caitlyn Richtman. Lizzo in the “Juice” video (Photo credit: Screenshot from YouTube/Lizzo). Off the 2017 album Feminasty, "Thunder Thighs" was easily the body-posi banger of the... “Amigas Cheetahs” - The Cheetah Girls. —Estelle Tang, If all you can see is darkness ahead, this joyful song can help. The exclamation point in the song’s title is well earned, as the danceable beat is matched with several needing asks as Willow seeks to find herself: “I think I left my consciousness in the sixth dimension,” she sings, asking for assistance. “Say you empower women / But don’t acknowledge them / Feminism not what you embodyin' / You false hope, you false positive,” she raps, in a flow reminiscent of Hill’s. —Estelle Tang, Annie Lennox and the great Aretha Franklin announced they were coming out of the kitchen and celebrating "the conscious liberation of the female state" back in 1985. You’re reading a post from the Bitch Media HQ Crew! 15 Feminist Songs for Nasty Woman Day. Also, the lyrics “I’ll run my hands through your hair/ You wanna run your fingers through mine/ But my dreads too thick and that’s alright” deserve every award.—RCL. In “Rodeo,” he opts for Southern twang and pulls in Cardi B, blending genre as flawlessly as he does in the larger album. Reproductive rights are under attack in multiple states in the United States, and a number of people have died at the hands of the police. Basically, this entire 1995 song is an explicitly feminist anthem — listen to this when you need a healthy dose of kickass empowerment, Salt-N … —Starr Bowenbank, "Good as Hell" is like stepping into the church of Lizzo for three minutes of self-love and worship. From Beyoncé to Hailee Steinfeld. —Estelle Tang, Appearing as the women's liberation movement was growing, Helen Reddy's refrain of "I am strong / I am invincible" resonated with many hoping to equalize opportunities for "the fairer sex." Every woman needs a theme song. This is the perfect song for anyone whose finally found a place to call their own and knows that they can “Walk around this bitch naked/ And nobody can tell me shit.” You can take comfort in knowing that the dishes in the sink were left by you and only you.—Patricia Romero, community programs manager, Summer Walker’s debut album, Over It, is full of anthems, including “Playing Games,” which intersperses Destiny’s Child’s classic 1999 song “Say My Name.” Singing about being treated with respect by a romantic partner while paying homage to an iconic group? “I think we could do it if we tried/ If only to say, you’re mine/ Sofia, know that you and I/ Shouldn’t feel like a crime.” This song is powerful because it makes you root for them, wherever they may be. Music remains one of the guiding lights for the Bitch staff; it’s a way of staying connected, harboring joy, and most importantly, jamming out. Through it all though, music has remained a salve—a means of escape in a world that’s (literally) on fire. Between hitting the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and nabbing eight Grammy awards, there are few artists who had as much of an impact this year. She succeeded in removing school girl costumes from the male gaze, which I know seems impossible, but it’s true! anywhere will do, really. The Highwomen are pure feminist country magic, and their send-up of the Highwaymen’s signature song (and titular album) is a gift that will not stop giving for the entirety of a road trip across the desert.—CR, 2019 was a transformative year for me, and I attribute that solely to discovering Lizzo. Whether Beyoncé was instructing us to get in formation or she was explaining how we can tell our no good exes to go to the left, she's forever been a champion of women through her music. | iHeartRadio It started with Donald Trump being president and it’s ending with him being impeached, even as the Conservative Party gain control of the government in the United Kingdom. This is the go-to song to cite whenever someone accuses feminism of being militant, man-hating, or whatever the latest label is. The Welsh singer reminds her listeners that empowerment sometimes comes from simply leaving bad memories in the past. Add a video featuring the two bungee jumping in platform boots for a real hit of Big Dame Energy. From stand-up comedy to musical protests, we’re looking back at some inspirational feminist moments of 2019. What I mean by that is: I love this song so much that I ordered a custom-made tapestry screaming “don’t fuck with my freedom” and hung it up in my living room and I am okay with myself. Sung by the Nooran Sisters, this power-packed song is about freedom, asking women to be young and carefree. —ED. 25 Top Feminist Anthems "Hijabi (Wrap My Hijab) - Mona Haydar. —Estelle Tang, Financial woes got you down? —Estelle Tang, Let's be honest: Nobody wakes up "like this." "I Will Survive" can mean both emerging triumphant from a difficult time and coming out of it a warrior, which is probably why this track has managed to pass the test of time. “Cuz I Love You’s” self-love anthems aren’t cheesy, forced, or performative, thanks to Lizzo’s evolution as an artist. I started browsing for more info on Lil Nas X and the origin of the song right away. Instead, it’s a year-round anthem. Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list; there are a number of other songs that could’ve made it, but these are the songs we hope you’ll listen to leading up to 2020. The feminist movement is making leaps and bounds. Listen to the best feminist songs. I’m ready for Hayley Kiyoko’s new Netflix show about a queer school girl witch coven supporting each other and exorcising their toxic ex-girlfriends. So could Cameron D, my girl Drew, and Lucy Liu. Below are our staff's 100 favorite songs of 2019 -- a mix of cultural events, personal favorites and everything else that tattooed itself inside our brains in the last 12 months. With titles like “Kick the Balls” (sung to the tune of “Deck the Halls”) and “We Want An Equal Salary” (sung to the tune of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”), this album is the perfect soundtrack for feminist festivities this holiday season. So, we are continuing an age-old tradition of presenting our staff-selected best songs of 2019 list. Like what you just read? 20 Feminist Songs All Women Should Listen To Right Now Stay strong, ladies, and I hope this playlist inspires you to become the best version of yourself. Mar 9, 2018 Getty Images. 15 Popular Songs That Are Actually Feminist Anthems. Come through, Summer!—ED, As a TikTok fanatic, I heard approximately 15 seconds of “Wait A Minute!” on a loop as I scrolled through the app for weeks before I realized it was by the one and only Willow. Join today and help us get closer to our $49,000 fundraising goal by February 28. May 23, 2016. What these feminist songs all have in common is a decidedly pro-woman message, perfect for literally every occassion. Get Bitch Media's top 9 reads of the week delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning! University of Georgia. Her entire Cuz I Love You album is killer, but the opening title track stands out to me in particular. Bonus: a songwriting credit by SZA. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to protests in NYC. —Nerisha Penrose, On “Doo-Wop (That Thing),” Lauryn Hill is an auntie, sister, mom, and best friend all rolled into one. “Heard you say I’m not the baddest, bitch, you lied” is a way of life. —Estelle Tang, “A little crazy, little sexy, little cool / Little rough around the edges but I keep it smooth / I’m always left of center and that’s right where I belong,” Janelle sings on “I Like That,” and I need this written on my tombstone. The Women’s March is almost here. No more of that in 2020!—Noa Azulai, 2019 writing fellow in sexual politics, The standout soloist who placed fourth on the now-controversial competition show Produce 101 released this track in January, and has been considered a song of the year since then. Updated: check out our list of the best new girl power songs of 2020!. BTW, Beyoncé made the list more than once. Beyonce is a feminist… The '70s English punk group gave the concept a thumbs down, mocking assumptions that women are emotional, confusing, unpredictable, and sedate. A perfect example of why I hate men. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. It's also been used to soundtrack such women-centric moments as the first woman being awarded the Best Director Oscar and...Sex and the City 2. This jam will keep you hydrated and replenish your electrolytes. Caitlyn Richtman. “Brown Skin Girl,” one of the album’s singles, is a masterpiece that celebrates melanin. "The number one must have / Is that we are safe." From the get-slim-quick solutions to magical supplements and lip fillers, social media has taught us that to look beautiful we should alter the features that make us unique. “What about me?” she sings. Headlining the new “bedroom pop” genre, Clairo’s songs are fun, tender, and will put you in your bag, so beware.