If the term 'feminist music' conjures up images of the Lilith Fair – or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, the Spice Girls and their message of 'girl power' – then allow us to expand your worldview. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite feminist songs, including powerful tunes by Sleater-Kinney, Aretha Franklin and more. Our selection is a diverse mix of old and new songs, including notable hip-hop artists such as Nicki Minaj and the best punk bands like Le Tigre and The Slits. What these feminist songs all have in common is a decidedly pro-woman message, which is something we can always get on board with.
1
'Respect' by Aretha Franklin
Okay, yes, this was written by a man: Otis Redding penned the tune in 1965. But the Queen of Soul's version is the definitive take on the song, in no small part because, by changing the gender roles, she subverts the original intent. But credit must also be given to the soul singer's powerful performance; Franklin doesn't just ask for her man's respect, she flat-out demands it.
2
'Rebel Girl' by Bikini Kill
Despite frontwoman Kathleen Hanna’s objections to being pegged as the mouthpiece of riot grrrl, this Bikini Kill song is among the movement’s most enduring anthems. As an ode to female bonds, the tune was downright revolutionary for girls who may have otherwise felt alienated from their peers. Any young woman who’s found themselves in the throes of a girl crush – be it romantic or simply a deep platonic admiration – will recognise themselves in the lyrics: 'I really like you / I really wanna be / Your best friend / Be mine, rebel girl.'
3
'Oh Bondage! Up Yours!' by X-Ray Spex
The song starts off quietly enough, with frontwoman Poly Styrene (who passed away in 2011) reciting the hoary proverb, 'Some people think little girls should be seen and not heard,' in a bored monotone. But she follows it with a gloriously angry rallying cry: 'But I think, oh bondage, up yours!' Sometimes the simplest message is the most effective.
4
'Just a Girl' by No Doubt
Mischievous punk queen Gwen Stefani insists she didn't write this tune as a feminist anthem ('I just wrote it because my dad wouldn't let me drive at night!') but intention doesn't equal impact, you know? Her parodic takedown of misogynistic stereotypes casting women as frail, dependent and needy became an essential sonic centrepiece for all '90s teen-girl bedrooms, and that opening riff is nothing short of iconic.
5
'Typical Girls' by The Slits
With its dub-infused 1979 album, Cut, the Slits laid the groundwork for riot grrrl and other feminist punk to come. In this single, lead singer Ari Up makes efficacious use of incisive wit and irony to protest stereotypes of woman as passive, frail and submissive: 'Typical girls you can always tell / typical girls don't rebel.'
6
'#1 Must Have' by Sleater-Kinney
If 'Rebel Girl' was one of the songs that fueled riot grrrl, this song – from Sleater-Kinney’s album All Hands on the Bad One – offers a more caustic take on the movement’s success. Singer-guitarist Corin Tucker, who played in the influential band Heavens to Betsy, starts off on a pessimistic note ('Bearer of the flag from the beginning / Now who would have believed this riot grrrl’s a cynic?'), then shifts into anger over the co-opting and watering down of the movement’s message. But the song is ultimately hopeful, with Tucker suggesting that 'Culture is what we make it / Yes it is / Now is the time / To invent' – in other words, encouraging women to create a new feminist revolution.
7
'Q.U.E.E.N.' by Janelle Monáe featuring Erykah Badu
Conversations between fresh-faced soul-royalty Monáe and none other than R&B empress Badu inspired the two to write this anthem to the marginalised – so you know the bold tune packs some seriously proud and powerful feminine energy. Taking an intersectional approach to its black feminist underpinnings, the title is an acronym for 'Queer, Untouchables, Emigrants, Excommunicated and Negroid.' The message there is explicit: 'Even if it makes others uncomfortable / I will love who I am.'
8
'U.N.I.T.Y.' by Queen Latifah
Nearly 30 years after 'Respect' was released, another Queen stepped up to speak out against society’s continued contempt toward women. Queen Latifah takes on issues like domestic violence, misogynist language and street harassment in this empowering anthem, calling out those who would try to tear ladies down. If you don’t want to high-five her after she sings, 'I bring wrath to those who disrespect me like a dame,' then you’ve completely missed the point.
9
'Independent Women Part 1' by Destiny’s Child
Beyoncé and crew released several songs that address the theme of female empowerment, but this single is Destiny’s Child’s fiercest ode to strong, self-sufficient ladies. In addition to singing the praises of fiscal independence – and not relying on guys for houses, cars, shoes or anything else – the ladies encourage women to keep their emotional independence, too. (Bey admonishes any potentially domineering dudes: 'Try to control me, boy, you'll get dismissed.') We'll always throw our hands up for that.
10
'None of Your Business' by Salt-N-Pepa
The phrase slut-shaming didn’t really exist in the mid-‘90s, but this song nevertheless rails against the concept. Salt-N-Pepa challenge both men and women who would judge them for daring to enjoy sex. We also love this line: 'How many rules am I to break before you understand / That your double standards don’t mean shit to me?'
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