For Women’s Day, We Present Women’s Anthems- Girls Rock!

Here are some of our picks of some great feminist anthems released over the recent years.

 

Missy Elliott - Work It

 

 

Missy Elliott is a pioneer in the music industry for women. Since the late nineties Missy has been making anthems that encourage women to be themselves and carefree. Her videos embody this motto completely- always pushing the creative bar visually. The song ‘Work It’ is a perfect anthem encouraging women to work it- to be comfortable in their bodies and in what they do.

 

Ciara - Like A Boy

 

 

In this song, Ciara does a flip on us and embodies the male role in the song and the video to portray the double standards that women face in relationships. She shows that women are sometimes treated unfairly and considers a situation where they were allowed to act like ‘the boys’. We can just say she killed it, especially with her amazing dancing.

 

Christina Aguilera - Can’t Hold Us Down

 

 

Christina has been ‘slaying’ us vocally for years, and in this song she talks of a woman’s strength and power and, of course, the double standards society sets for women. She talks of the limitations that women face and how you can never hold a woman down.

 

The Pussycat Dolls - I Don’t Need A Man

 

 

This song title speaks volumes in itself, they are strong independent and do not need a man. This catchy tune was an affirmation for women everywhere when it was released and continues to be a popular anthem.

 

Jessie J - Do It Like A Dude

 

 

After Jessie J’s mega hit featuring the ‘flat-earther’ Bobby Ray, she gave us ‘Do it like a dude’ and many of us could not get enough of it: the catchy, hard hitting lyrics and even harder hitting hard-rock beat. This song was a middle finger to those who doubted a women’s ability and thought they could set limitations for her. She can do it like a brother, do it like a dude!

 

Keri Hilson - Pretty Girl Rock

 

 

This song is for the confident women who know they are great and are not afraid to express it like Keri Hilson. The song tells all women to ‘do their pretty girl rock’ because really they are all beautiful.

 

The Tings Tings - That’s Not My Name

 

 

The Tings Tings came in the scene with a unique audio sound and a stand out lead singer, Katie White. The song that’s not my name is a stance, a demand of identity and it’s great!

 

Rihanna - Bitch Better Have My Money

 

 

Who has not heard this emphatic tune from the Barbados artist? This song is what all of us wish we could play for all the people who owe us money, be it employers, friends, family, spouses anyone. It really should be the anthem for self employed women everywhere.

 

Beyonce - Run The World

 

 

Beyonce sang out this question and we all answered her call with ‘Girls’!

It doesn’t hurt that it is from the one and only Queen Beyonce. She really can do no wrong.

 

Janelle Monae feat. Erykah Badu - Q.U.E.E.N

 

This collaboration is feminism gold, both of these women have been vocal in speaking out in women’s rights and autonomy over their bodies and identities, and this song fully embodies that. The funk inspired dance tune seeks to challenge what is normal and what is not and encourages people to think out of the box and more importantly- to think for themselves.