Inspiring female empowerment and pop music can brighten your day. And when you put the two together- BAM!- it's a winning combination.
However, when I started to make this list I tried to confine myself to songs released in the past three years and to artists who strictly identify as "pop". I didn't have enough songs to make a list, so I guess recording companies and pop singers don't think feminist pop is a winning combination-at least financially. Additionally,even though all these songs have female empowerment threads running through them, they aren’t perfect especially from an intersectional feminist view. Katy Perry’s Roar and Taylor Swift’s Shake it off both have elements of cultural appropriation from minority cultures. Most these songs feature a young female lead singer who is scantily clad in the music video. Why female musicians must perform half-naked I’m not sure-- Oh wait-- how about that thing called sexual objectification. While I applaud these singers for being a refreshing feminist break from the overwhelming misogynistic pop music culture, more work can be done to make pop more feminist-friendly.
In the meantime, relish and be inspired by these bad ass feminist anthems!
1. JLo's "Ain't Your Mama"
This recently released song challenges the traditional woman's role in the home and workplace with an fantastically inspirational music video.
2. Meghan Trainor's "NO"
A catchy pop song about consent...yasss! The chorus says it all "“My name is "No", My sign is "No", My number is "No", You need to let it go”.
3. Beyoncé's "6 Inch"
Beyoncé identifies as R&B, but this fabulous song about a strong female antihero is totally worth listening to!
4. Rachel Platten's "Fight Song"
It's one woman vs. the world and she's determined to be heard: "And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me." When it's 2 a.m. and you need to finish that paper, this is the song for you.
5. Fifth Harmony's "BO$$"
Money is power so Fifth Harmony's inspiring black women in particular to be the next Oprah or Michelle Obama. Go smash a glass ceiling while listening to "BO$$"!
6. Gretchen Wilson's "Redneck Woman"
Okay, okay country isn't pop, I know. However, I've never heard a 21st century song speak about class discrimination so beautifully. "Well, you might think I'm trashy, a little too hardcore/ But in my neck of the woods I'm just the girl next door/I'm a redneck woman/I ain't no high class broad"
7. Meghan Trainor's "All About That Bass"
A classic that I still hear on the radio about resisting societal beauty standards and fat shaming; the music video's is also fantastic and carries the Barbie doll metaphor further with doll like setting and actors.
8. Colbie Caillat's "Try"
Another pop radio classic about resisting societal beauty standards but with an emphasis on self-care. The music video has a diverse group of lip syncing actresses of various skin colors, ages who challenge the cultural norm of white, thin, young models.
9. Sara Bareilles' "Brave"
With its strong beat and inspirational lyrics, it'll get stuck in your head in a good way! The essential 'bad day' song, enough said.
10. Kelly Clarkson's "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger) "
Another perfect 'bad day' song. It's a refreshing relief from the classic pathetic girl-left-guy songs.
11. Beyoncé's "Flawless"
It's not quite pop, but it's got Queen Bey, Adiche's quotations and the classic line "I woke up like this". A sexual empowerment anthem that we'll be listening to decades from now!
12. Idina Menzel's "Let It Go"
Speaking of iconic feminist anthems, how about "Let It Go" from "Frozen," when Queen Elsa rejects societal standards and refuses to hide her powers any longer? Feminism at it's best, folks!
13. Katy Perry's "Roar"
One of the best music videos on this list! A strong woman conquers the jungle while her ditzy-selfie-taking boyfriend does not, what a fabulous role reversal.
14. T Swift's "Blank Space"
While we're on the topic of gender role reversals, here's Taylor Swift as the wealthy seductress manipulating a younger poorer man.
15. Bruno Mars' "When I Was Your Man"
The only male singer on this list, Mars sings about the consequences of prioritizing "My pride, my ego, my needs and my selfish ways" over the "strong woman" he loved.
16. Lily Allen's "Hard Out Here"
Things get real and personal with Allen's angry, explicit lyrics about the struggle of being a sexually objectified woman. This music video opens with a singer's manager fat shaming her during a liposuction and the social criticism only gets more intense from there.
17. T Swift's "Shake It Off"
While it has some elements of cultural appropriation (white girl pretending to be a black rapper), T's advice "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" is advice every feminist needs to hear.
18. Little Mix's "Wings"
To leave you on a positive note, here's a song about wings, the classic feminist symbol of freedom and empowerment. "[Mama] said spread your wings my little butterfly/Don't let what they say keep you up at night/And they can't detain you/ 'Cause wings are made to fly"
Who's says pop music can't empower? Enjoy the feminism and the music, folks. If I left out your favorite feminist tune, tell me in the the comments below.
