15 Best Female Empowerment Songs On Spotify Keep You Motivated
You got this.
A good song has the ability to turn a really crappy and sluggish mood into pumped-up state of mind that makes you feel ready to take on the world. Spotify has got you covered when it comes to needing a little bit of female empowerment with the help of great songs by strong women.
Being a woman can be difficult. Sure, we’ve come a LONG way in the last ninety years or so, but let's get real. There is still quite a bit of work to be done for women and women's empowerment.
Plus, no matter how far we come, I don’t see science getting us past having to menstruate or having to give birth — assuming you want children (it's totally fine if you don't). It’ll never be easy to be female, even if complete equality is ever reached.
RELATED: 50 Best Quotes About What Makes A Strong Woman
Frankly, it can seem a bit hopeless at times. But women are resilient and strong and we will overcome the obstacles in our way. We’ll keep fighting back no matter how ridiculous the struggle gets. Girl power is real, y’all!
It’s important to remind yourself of how strong and capable us girls are by listening to some of the best songs about women's empowerment.
On the days when it feels really hard (bordering on impossible) to be a woman living in a world that, although more equal than it has been, is still a man’s world, it’s important to remember how far we’ve come and how resilient our gender is.
Women take up half of this world and you’re going to hear about it, fellas! The future is female.
Whether you need a little musical pep talk before your next feminist march, want to get pumped up before your next girls night out, or simply just need a little reminder of how empowering us women are, we’ve got you covered.
So, without further ado, here are the top 15 best women's empowerment songs and quotes to get you pumped up. You got this, girl!
1. “Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett.
“Stop apologizing for who you are.” — Anonymous
My personal favorite female empowerment song is this throwback to 1981. It was so inspiring and catchy that it’s been re-done by several artists since its initial release. And we all remember Shrek dominating Lord Farquad’s little battle to this anthem!
2. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson.
“She wasn’t looking for a knight, she was looking for a sword.” — Atticus
Clarkson’s song “Stronger” spent 47 weeks on the Billboard charts in 2012 and was number 2 on the list. It reminds us all that we WILL get over any and all crappy breakups. Frankly, it also reminds us that we don’t need a man to complete us, anyway!
3. “Titanium” by David Guetta (Featuring Sia).
“Females are strong as hell.” — Anonymous
This 2011 release reminds us girls that we are super strong (like titanium) and you can “shoot [us] down, but [we] wont fall.” This song peaked at #7 on Billboards Hot 100 list on July 21, 2012.
4. “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” by Shania Twain.
“I’m a feminist. I’ve been a female for a long time now. It’d be stupid not to be on my own side.” — Maya Angelou
Let’s go girls (you know you were thinking it). Shania gave being a woman a positive spin back in 1997 with this catchy song. According to Billboard, the song was such a hit for Twain that she actually payed tribute to the music video in her latest music video “Life’s About to Get Good” where she wears the iconic top hat and leather bodice from the 1997 video and yes, she still totally pulls it off even twenty years later.
5. “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor.
“The woman who does not require validation from anyone is the most feared individual on the planet.” — Anonymous
According to Today, the average American woman is now a size 16, which makes this 2014 #1 Billboard ranking song even more relevant today than it was at the time of its release. Trainor reminds all plus-sized women to be confident with their sexy curves and to remember, no matter what your size is, “every inch is perfect from the bottom to the top”.
6. “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten.
“Women are like tea bags. You never know how strong they are until they’re in hot water.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
Released in 2015, this song was a top 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 list. Unfortunately, us women still have some fighting to do. Play your fight song and get it, girl! And always remember that you “may only have one match”, BUT you “can make an explosion”.
7. “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift.
“I have too many flavors for one f***ing spoon.” — Staceyann Chin
This catchy beat was released in 2014 and won several awards by 2015, including an iHeartRadio award for song of the year. It’s amazing how much women are gossiped about. You can never win with everyone. So, as Swift would say, just "shake it off," boo!
8. “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper.
“Women have been trained to speak softly and carry a lipstick. Those days are over.” — Bella Abzug
This throwback to 1983 remains a feminist classic, making it on Billboard’s list of the “25 Top Feminist Anthems” in a late 2017 article — and it’s pretty easy to see why. I mean, all of us girls can relate to the feeling of, “when the working day is done. Oh girls, they wanna have fun.”
9. “Most Girls” by Hailee Steinfeld.
“Empowered women, empower women.” — Anonymous
Released in 2017, this song inspires all women to be whatever they want to be and dress however the heck they want. I mean, come on, it’s 2018. It would be about da** time policing women’s bodies was NOT a thing anymore! Always remember, “Most girls work hard, go far, we are unstoppable.”
10. “The Pill” by Loretta Lynn.
“She believed she could, so she did.” — Anonymous
Released in 1975 — 15 years after the FDA approved the first oral contraceptive — this country diva made waves by singing about birth control pills (you go girl!). According to People, the song was banned by over 60 radio stations and was denounced by a preacher from Kentucky, all of which just seemed to encourage the songs popularity (you can’t hold women back, man!). According to Taste of Country, “The Pill” became a Top 5 hit in 1975. Loretta Lynn became a bit of a feminist hero in the country music world for this song, giving women the courage to embrace their reproductive healt and be a little sassy while doing it!
11. “Roar” by Katy Perry.
“I wanted to show that women are empowered and strong, and don’t have to be saved by some male hero, but they can take care of themselves using their intellect and their power.” — Gal Gadot
A Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit from 2013, this track is one of the best songs to get you pumped up for your next feminist event. Remember ladies, we’ve got the “eye of the tiger” and we can “dance through the fire” that is sexism and make it out the other side even stronger than before.
12. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.
“She turned her can’ts into cans & dreams into plans.” — Anonymous
Released in 1978 and going on to become a Billboard #1 hit in 1979, this empowering song reminds all women that we can survive anything and to never take any guff from any man!
13. “Girl in a Country Song” by Maddie and Tae.
“I want every little girl whose told she’s bossy, to be told instead that she has leadership skills.” — Anonymous
Released in 2015, this song reminds all women that it’s not cool to be objectified for the sake of art. Frankly, the idea that women “used to get a little respect” with the romanticized idea of southern charm portrayed in the song is somewhat laughable, in my opinion, but the point of the song stands. Women deserve to not be objectified in the music industry, regardless of what they wear. Maddie and Tae illustrate that women are ready to fight for the respect they deserve!
14. “That’s My Girl” by Fifth Harmony.
“Feminists do not wish to have power over men, but rather over themselves.” — Anonymous
Released in 2016, this song is the perfect feminist reminder to “get mad independent and don't you ever forget it.”
15. “Scuse Me” by Lizzo.
“My thighs are so sexy they can’t stop touching each other.” — Anonymous
This sassy body positive song is iconic. It reminds all women that you’re sensual no matter what your size is. Remember to do your “thing, no apologies”. Get it, girl!
Nicole Bradley-Bernard is a writer who needs coffee more than she needs anyone’s approval. She enjoys putting bright colors in her curly brown hair, spending time outside on cool days and being with her partner in life, Eric, who she considers a continuing source of inspiration.