The Ten Best Feminist Songs

I would like to thank two influential feminists, Rachael and Johanna for partly inspiring this post. While recently listening to the radio, a certain song reminded me of studying Feminism in Politics. I must stress that feminism is not all about rejecting men, adopting a lesbian lifestyle and burning bras (Although many women do choose this strand of feminism) – the majority of feminists are Liberal Feminists, who believe that nobody gains from female-oppression, that the ending of gender-socialization is key to creating a more fair society and that equality between men and women is necessary and achievable; something practically all women can adhere to, and with kitchen and sandwich jokes aside, most men do as well. I have to admit that when studying Political Conflict Theories, I found feminism quite boring. Not because I disagree with its theories, or reject its relevance but rather because it is a sociological theory and not one about political power; it is broader, encompassing almost all areas of life. I have to say though, that with the banter in that small, over-heated mobile classroom the study of feminism was made very enjoyable, by the relentless tirade of jokes and ‘craic’ from all the lads. Even our female teacher and two female politics students joined in the fun!

So here I decided to compile a list of the 10 best songs that celebrate being female, mainly because I was running out of serious ideas for something to write about on my blog and to make up for laughing at such immature jokes such as, “How many men does it take to open a beer bottle? – None, it should be open when she brings it in!”

10 – Pink – Stupid Girls

This might seem like an odd choice to start a list of songs that are feminist considering it’s title Stupid Girls. However the song is not a bashing of young women, it’s a criticism of the extreme gender-socialisation that some women are trapped by. The song and it’s video deplores celebrities like Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton for being real life stereotypes who conform to views of women as barbie-dolls, unintelligent, materialistic and devoid of ambition or goals. Although many people, myself included, are fans of women like this in the limelight – it is undeniable that in mainstream media, especially magazines, websites and TV Programmes that women are promoted for their looks, and not for what they have to offer society.

The music video for this song can be watched here.

9 – Barbara Streisand and Donna Summer – No More tears (Enough is Enough)

This song is unbelievably catchy and upbeat. Donna and Babs belt out the lyrics with conviction and strength – “Enough is enough!” they yell repeatedly. It’s clear that there’s no messing with these women. I’m not quite sure what’s been done by this man to deserve such a reaction… but that’s not the point. The song rejects the idea that women need men to survive, and encourages women to dump their man if he isn’t up to scratch; “Tell him to just get out”.

Listen to the song here.

8 – Beyonce and Shakira – Beautiful Liar

Two of the world’s most beautiful and famous women collaborated to create this huge hit. Both playing the role of a woman who has been cheated on my their boyfriend, they decide that instead of blaming each other for ‘stealing my man‘ they will blame him. “Let’s not start a drama. It’s not worth the fight”. When eventually they both get over it, Bé and Shaki even laugh at how ridiculous they were to ever get so angry and upset over something as trivial as man – girl power at its best! “Can’t we laugh about it?”.

And just to deviate from the main aim of this post, Shakira if you’re reading and Antonio (Shakira’s fiance) isn’t up to scratch, I’m right here.

The music video for this song can be watched here.

7 – Nelly Furtado – Promiscuous

Madonna, among others was at the forefront of a movement which developed and highlighted women’s sexuality – and made it more acceptable for women to be sexual beings. In the song Promiscuous Nelly Furtado is doing the same thing. “You expect me to just let you hit it / But will you still respect me if you get it” Nelly asks Timbaland at the start. Of course he won’t; how often do we hear women lambasted as sluts and whores, when their male counterparts are glorified as studs and players? Nelly sings it as “We’re one in the same”, and she’s right. Be promiscuous or not, it’s wrong for us to judge women for acting a way that men find acceptable for themselves to act.

The music video for this song can be watched here.

6 – Katy Perry – One Of The Boys

Probably her most famous tune “I Kissed a Girl” is well-known for its celebration of female sexuality, beauty and lip-locking, however to me album title-track One Of The Boys is a more relevent song to this post. “I saw a spider I didn’t scream… ‘Cause I can belch the alphabet, just double dog dare me”  are it’s opening lines, and perfectly fit the song’s theme about longing to conform to the socialized female attributes and appearances we as a society and culture embrace. Katy wants “to smell like roses, not a baseball team”, which is very understandable. The song manifests her longing to be accepted as a girl, and end the embarrassment she feels at having (perceived) masculine characteristics; but also parodies how ridiculous this is and confirms the liberal-feminist wish for the end to gender-socialisation.

Listen to the song here.

5 – No Doubt – Just a Girl

When No Doubt begins to perform this live you can see the anticipation in every females eyes, and every man in the crowd stands there slightly awkwardly, as Gwen Stefani orders the men to start chanting “Fuck you I’m a girl!” and then proceeds to get the women to follow. The energy is immense, and I’m sure a lot of the males attending No Doubt concerts are ever so slightly concerned for their safety. Yes this song is undoubtedly a feminist anthem. Gwen’s lyrics deprecate female gender stereotypes (“I’m just a girl… Just your typical prototype”) and announce that she will no longer comply with this role, “I’ve had it up to here”.

The music video for this song can be watched here.

4 – Britney Spears – Stronger

I’m sure some of you reading are thinking, “Really? Britney Spears the Barbie, bubble-gum, pop-star has a FEMINIST song?”. Yes, she has several in fact! Stronger is a classic Britney song that her fans adore, and the lyrics rise above the rather pretentious and superficial messages that many pop songs feed the masses. “I’m not your property” she declares, “My loneliness ‘aint killing me no more”. Britney, like so many other female singers, has completely rejected her man and knows she can do without him.

The music video for this song can be watched here.

3 – Jennifer Lopez – Love Don’t Cost a Thing

What are the biggest female stereotypes? They belong in the kitchen, they’re for making babies, they like to clean and oh… of course; they steal all your money. Don’t despair females of the world, J.Lo is here to set us straight! Think you gotta keep her iced? “You don’t”, Think she’s going to spend your cash?, “I won’t” J.Lo declares. Lopez doesn’t need money, cars or financial security from a man, and she makes it clear that she wants a relationship built out of love and respect, and not with its origins in materialism and financial-frivolity. “All that matters is that you treat me right” she repeats in this song. Something the feminist movement, and all females have been working towards for centuries.

The music video for this song can be watched here.

2 – Alicia Keys – Superwoman

Alicia Keys has many songs expressing her feminist views, and this is probably the best example she has. Keys is upset, annoyed, aggravated; she sees the injustices and inequality faced by women everyday in their lives and she’s not going to stand for it. “I hang my head from sorrow / State of humanity”. She let’s all other women know this, and shouts it out loud. Keys is sure that women can rise above this, they can escape the unfair realities of their lives if they are strong enough. “I am Superwoman” she recites, finishing off with “Yes we are / Yes you are”. This a song of positive vibes, and Keys has made it her mission to free women from the inequality they live under and she is certain that she with every other woman on the planet can become “Superwoman” and improve their situations.

The music video for this song can be watched here.

1 – Shania Twain – Man! I Feel Like a Woman

This song is guaranteed to get every woman out of their seats and onto the dance floor to celebrate the fact that they are female! Where to start… it’s music video is a fantastic parody on Robert Palmer’s Addicted to Love – Shania is in prime position, while a group of men do her bidding by performing in her band. Twain is “goin’ out tonight” and she’s “feelin’ all right / Gonna get a little outta line”. She doesn’t care what people thing, Twain wants to colour her hair, do what she dares – because the best thing about being a woman is their “prerogative to have a little fun”. What better way to celebrate your femininity.

The music video for this song can be watched here.

Note – I’m sure some readers will wonder why there’s a lack of Madonna, R.E.S.P.E.C.T, I Will Survive and many other musical acts or songs that have such strong connections with feminism, girl-power and women’s rights. This is plainly because these songs are extremely well-known and used in relation to feminism, and there are thousands of websites about this – and I wanted to create a blog post with something new to offer.