50 Feminist Songs That’ll Have You Feeling So Damn Powerful
Where would any of us be without Cardi B?
Sure, there are men who have put out good music (hello, Harry Styles), but nothing can compare to a song written by a woman, for a woman, with the sole purpose of celebrating feminism. And while feminist songs are nothing new (just ask Dolly Parton and Nina Simone), the best feminist anthems of today work to spread messages of ~grrl power~ that are more inclusive, intersectional, and empowering than ever. In fact, some of the best songs about feminism can serve as your personal hype-woman when you need one most—they're that good.
But feminist songs go much deeper than just putting men in their place. They're also about praising female friendships, celebrating female anatomy, embracing sexuality, and fighting for women's rights in a male-dominated world. From feminist throwbacks by Christina Aguilera and the Spice Girls to new hits from Princess Nokia and Dua Lipa, these feel-good bops and heartfelt ballads are full of meaning—and btw, they're also meant to be played loud, whether that means turning up the volume on your headphones or blasting them through your car speakers.
Women really can do anything, but sometimes, we just need a really good song (or entire playlist) to remind us of that. If you're in the mood to put the patriarchy on blast, then these epic feminist anthems from your fave artists are here to help you out—and to remind you just how damn powerful you are.
"Shake It Off," by Taylor Swift
It's not that easy to do, but there's nothing more empowering than being able to hear what your haters are saying about you and just, ya know, shake it off.
Most Empowering Lyric: And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate / Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake / I shake it off, I shake it off
"Love Song," by Sara Bareilles
Despite what you may think, this isn't actually a love song. It's a giant F U to the record label that told her the only way for her to make it big is to write some sappy love song, and if you ask me, that's pretty bad ass.
Most Empowering Lyric: You see, I'm not gonna write you a love song / 'Cause you tell me it's make or break in this / If you're on your way
"Swine," by Demi Lovato
This song came out in response to the one-year anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade and it's a powerful anthem pushing back against women's rights being taken away.
Most Empowering Lyric: My life, my voice / My rights, my choice / It's mine
"Hard Out Here," by Lily Allen
A catchy pop song that takes aim at the music industry, the negative body image ideals it pushes and the misogyny that's ever-present? Um yes, please!
Most Empowering Lyric: If I told you 'bout my sex life, you'd call me a slut / When boys be talking about their bitches, no one's making a fuss / There's a glass ceiling to break, uh-huh, there's money to make
"Fall In Line," by Christina Aguilera ft. Demi Lovato
This song is all about female empowerment, pushing back against the (very wrong and outdated) idea that women just need to fall in line and not speak their mind.
Most Empowering Lyric: But you deserve to know / That in this world, you are not beholden / You do not owe them / Your body and your soul
"Dumb Blonde," by Avril Lavigne ft. Nicki Minaj
We love a peppy song all about self-love and feeling powerful, and this one is all that and more — it's also a clap back at a man who underestimated her.
Most Empowering Lyric: I'm a babe, I'm a boss and I'm making this money
"Just a Girl," by No Doubt
Gwen Stefani wrote this song after her dad got mad because she (at nearly 30 years old!) drove home late at night from her bandmate's house, and the sassy, sarcastic lyrics about being "just a girl" are 10/10 amazing.
Most Empowering Lyric: Oh, I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite / So don't let me have any rights / Oh, I've had it up to here
"Good Ol' Boys Club," by Kacey Musgraves
It can be hella frustrating when people get things based on who they are and who they know, not their talent or qualifications, right?? Well, this song perfectly encapsulates that feeling.
Most Empowering Lyric: I don't need a membership to validate / The hard work I put in and the dues I paid
"***Flawless," by Beyoncé ft. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Not only is Queen Bey coming in super strong with a message of self-empowerment, but the song also includes samples from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's speech "We Should All Be Feminists" that'll have you wanting to take down the patriarchy.
Most Empowering Lyric: I know when you were little girls / You dreamt of being in my world / Don't forget it, don't forget it
"The Melting of the Sun," by St. Vincent
Sure, this is a nice chill song you can just vibe out to, but also St. Vincent once described it as "a love letter to strong, brilliant female artists." Women supporting women, we love to see it!
Most Empowering Lyric: Girl, you can't give in now / When you're down, down and out
"Boys Are From Mars," by Princess Nokia feat. Yung Baby Tate
Princess Nokia is the queer, intersectional, feminist rapper you need to know, and her take on the old adage "boys are from Mars, girls are from Venus" is legit gold.
Most Empowering Lyric: Rule number four, you the boss and your money is time / So keep your mind in your books and just stay on your grind.
"Fight Like a Girl," by Zolita
By the end of this song, you'll be chanting "My body, my choice, my rights, my voice" right alongside Zolita, promise.
Most Empowering Lyric: Boy, I'll make you see / I got the power of Kali in me / Everybody is about to believe / It's a woman's world.
"Breakfast," by Dove Cameron
Dove Cameron released this powerful song following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, and the video that goes along with it is just as impactful as the song itself.
Most Empowering Lyric: I eat boys like you for breakfast / One by one hung on my necklace / And they'll always be mine / It makes me feel alive.
"Hi, It's Me," by Ashnikko
Ashnikko's "Hi, It's Me" is that friend you need to keep you strong when you're missing your ex, and it may just be the catchiest wakeup call of all time.
Most Empowering Lyric: Nobody's trophy wife, yeah, I'm nobody's baby doll / I'm single now, let me drunk dance on the tabletop / Let me be wild now, just let me be hysterical / Old me is dead and gone, I just went and buried her.
"She," by Hayley Kiyoko
As Hayley told Teen Vogue, "She" is all about encouraging young women to live their truth without regret or fear, and it's such a vibe.
Most Empowering Lyric: Be that girl you can't forget / If you try to make her less / She'll stand up and pound her chest.
"Woman," by Doja Cat
A gorgeous ode to womanhood and divine femininity, Doja Cat's "Woman" is all about the diverse experiences of being a woman and just how important it is for woman of all backgrounds to stick together.
Most Empowering Lyric: They wanna pit us against each other when we succeedin' for no reasons / They wanna see us end up like we Regina on Mean Girls / Princess or queen, tomboy or king / You've heard a lot, you've never seen / Mother Earth, Mother Mary rise to the top.
"Boy Problems," by Carly Rae Repsen
Carly's "Boy Problems" is the musical equivalent of a "no boys allowed" sign—plus, the music video is just *chef's kiss.*
Most Empowering Lyric: I think I broke up with my boyfriend today / And I don't really care / I've got worse problems.
"Invicible" by Kelly Clarkson
Think you can knock Kelly Clarkson down? Lol, think again. In "Invincible," she makes it clear that—no matter what kind of adversity she faces—she'll always come back stronger.
Most Empowering Lyric: I was hiding from the world / I was so afraid, I felt so unsure / But now I am invincible / And I'm a perfect storm.
"Pretty Girl," by Maggie Lindermann
Remember when this song was everywhere in 2016? Maggie's first major single works to dismantle all those harmful female stereotypes—plus, it's just so damn catchy.
Most Empowering Lyric: I'm more than just a picture / I'm a daughter and a sister / Sometimes it's hard for me to show / That I'm more than just a rumor / Or a song on your computer / There's more to me than people know.
"King," by Florence + The Machine
This one's all about womanhood, family, femininity, and what it means to subvert expectations when everyone expects you to perform certain duties.
Most Empowering Lyric: But a woman is a changeling, always shifting shape / Just when you think you have it figured out / Something new begins to take.
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