Here’s a quick disclaimer: I’m a huge music video buff. In the same way people are into critiquing films or food, I’m really into obsessively rewatching and overanalyzing music videos. I geek out about everything, from the cinematography, to the editing, or the message conveyed…
In short, I love music videos.
Unsurprisingly, music videos with adequate female representation are on the top of my list of things I absolutely adore.
Recently, women have been smashin’ it in the music industry. Likewise, we’ve been gifted some super rad content featuring women being incredibly beautiful, powerful, and confident. What a time to be alive!
So, here’s a list of (feminist-inspired) music videos you seriously won’t regret watching:
1. Confident - Demi Lovato
"What's wrong with being confident?"
In this super edgy three-and-a-half-minute production, Demi perfectly captures the (disgusting) tendency of the patriarchy to pit women against women. Toward the end of the video, the women realize that their enemies are the men, not each other (wow!). I particularly love Demi’s not-gonna-take-any-of-your-BS look, as she rocks an edgy black outfit fit with a choker, and slathered in weapons.
2. Worth It - Fifth Harmony
"Give it to me, I'm worth it."
In this video, the typical gender norms within an office/work environment are refreshingly reversed. Instead of letting the men in suits be the ones in power, the girls take on the dominant role--and look gorgeous doing so. The feminist tweets submitted by fans (flashing in the background of their dance scenes) make it all the more perfect.
3. Primadonna - Marina and the Diamonds
"I know I’ve got a big ego, I really don’t know why it’s such a big deal though.”
So, this entire video is artistic-and-aesthetic #goals. J'adoreee. As Marina prances around through the many rooms of what can only be assumed is her mansion, she fearlessly destroys the negative associations society places on “confident” women.
4. Just A Girl - No Doubt
"Oh, I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite, so don't let me have any rights."
This video was made back in '95 but it's still just as relevant today! It really nails the concept of gender stereotyping as it separates two “rooms” to show the split between women and men. The flashing clips of the women fixing their hair and makeup show the ways in which society limits women, but by the end, Gwen gets all the girls to dance around and have fun, which shows that, hey, women are cool as heck.
5. Bad Blood - Taylor Swift
"Band aids don't fix bullet holes, you say sorry just for show."
OK, women in black riding motorcycles and shooting, fighting, and/or killing things? I'm all for it. (Side note: I'd be totally OK with being punched in the face by Taylor considering how freakin' good she looks in this.)
6. Grown Woman - Beyonce
"I'm a grown woman, I can do whatever I want."
This video gets a little crazy (especially by the second half of it), but it's still one of my favorites by our Queen Bey, because it's literally her saying "I do what I want." And, really, how could anyone argue with that?
7. On My Mind - Ellie Goulding
"You wanted my heart, but I just liked your tattoos."
This song is super catchy and the music video def does it justice. With shots of Ellie and her friend takin' care of business when a boy does them wrong, it's clear you don't ever want to mess with them!
8. Girls like Girls - Hayley Kiyoko
"Girls like girls like boys do, nothing new."
This one is one of my favorites...and yes, it's a lot of things. LGBTQIA+ reppin’, female strength & courage reppin’, amazing video-and-song-concept reppin’. Not to mention it’s so darn cute. It has my utmost approval.
9. Piece of Me - Britney Spears
"I'm Mrs. 'She's too big, now she's too thin', do you want a piece of me?"
It's no secret that women tend to get the most criticism and harassment from the media. The press is quick to jump on every little thing women do down to personal matters such as their weight and overall physical appearance (which is so, so wrong!). In this video, Britney completely bashes the media's (excessive) coverage of her... all while showing off her ridiculous moves.
These are just a few samples of women being badass in music videos during the past decade or so. I personally can't wait to see more of this as women continue to dominate the music industry!
As Madonna once said, “I'm tough, I'm ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, OK.”
