The Parenting Playlist: Songs By Women For Women
This list is for women, by women. In lieu of the despicable ruling of our court system, this list is dedicated to the never-ending fight for equal rights. While I try to stay away from politics, I cannot just ignore the current events. Music and the arts are a form of protest, and this list acts a form of catharsis. All of the artists on this list are women and each song represents girl power, female strength, and our collective bravery and courage. These songs exude girl power.
*Note: There are SO MANY great songs that deserve to be on a girl power playlist. These songs gave me the most energy, so that’s why I chose these particular songs*
Rachel Platton - “Fight Song”
This song comes to mind immediately. The chorus says it all, “this is my fight song/take back my life song/prove I’m alright song.” This song fills me with empowerment and gives me the energy to do anything when I listen.
2. Kelly Clarkson - “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You")”
The lyrics “Think you left me broken down/Think that I'd come running back/Baby you don't know me, 'cause you're dead wrong” really stand out in this song, outside of the chorus that is. While it’s about a break-up, it’s definitely a female anthem and a show of female strength.
3. Beyonce - “Run the World (Girls)”
This song holds so much power. I mean, who can argue with the unbeatable lyrics: “who run the world (girls)”
4. Kesha - “Woman”
This song was part of her album after she left her label. It’s about independence and how we don’t need a man. She sings “Don't buy me a drink, I make my money/Don't touch my weave, don't call me ‘honey.’” After listening, you feel the empowerment surging through you.
5. P!nk - “So What”
Honestly, any P!nk song would qualify for this list. She bleeds girl power and fight songs. “So What” may be about her relationship with her now husband, but listening gives you just as much energy when she sings “So so what/I’m still a rock star/I got my rock moves/and I don’t need you.”
6. Pat Benatar - “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”
A classic that is bound to give you energy. You can’t argue with the lyrics “You're a real tough cookie with a long history/Of breaking little hearts like the one in me/Before I put another notch in my lipstick case/You better make sure you put me in my place!”
7. Joan Jett - “Bad Reputation”
Another classic that fills me with empowerment. If this song doesn’t make you feel like women are strong, I don’t know what else will.
8. Demi Levato - “Confident”
This song questions why it’s wrong to be confident, especially in a woman. You can’t help but sing along when she sings “what wrong with being/what’s wrong with being/what’s wrong with being confident?”
9. Maren Morris - “Girl”
“Everything’s gonna be ok.” Sometimes that’s all we need to hear.
10. Erika Olson - “I Don’t Feel Like Fighting”
This artist is fairly new to the scene and I recently listened to her song “I Don’t Feel Like Fighting.” It blew me away. It deserves to be on this list because it’s honest and raw. She sings about not wanting to fight anymore. While it’s about motherhood, it spoke to me in another way too; that in any hard situation that keeps going in circles, sometimes I don’t want to fight.