Essential empowerment anthems for International Women’s Day

The patriarchal pens of the industry have dominated the presentation of women and womanhood in music for centuries; contemporary classics that ruled radio and streaming, like Robin Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines’ and Ye’s ‘Gold Digger’, have long perpetuated harmful misogynistic stereotypes. The degradation of women and feminine sexuality, intelligence, and wit is not just limited to pop and hip-hop, with the Rolling Stones’ dysfunctional rock track ‘Under My Thumb’ and rap royalty Dr Dre’s ‘Bitches Ain’t Shit’ charting chauvinistic tales of frivolity and dominance that unmistakeably demean women. 

This cross-genre trend of misogyny has been sparred by an ever-growing number of feminine resistance tracks, with women artists increasingly more emboldened to embrace their sexuality and assert their right to musical expression. As positive as this emboldening has been – particularly at the helm of the Riot Grrrl movement – the need for a metamorphosis of the way women are treated within the industry grows clearer with each degrading chart-topping release. Until this feminine utopic future for music can be seen over the horizon, here are some of the essential anthems to uplift and empower you this International Women’s Day. 

‘Asking for It’, Hole 

Courtney Love is a pioneer for grunge empowerment anthems and no stranger to misogynistic jeers from the male-dominated scene Hole ruled in the 90s. Love comes to the dark ‘Asking For It’ as a take-no-prisoners response to the experiences that shaped her own womanhood: her stint as a stripper, her objectification by male grunge fanatics, and the thought that lingers when she feels uncomfortable with it all – “Was she asking for it?”. With this hauntingly familiar refrain, Hole adopt a choir of women to decimate the condescension and misogyny this heavy question carries.  

‘Pynk’, Janelle Monáe ft. Grimes 

“Pink like the inside of your baby” opens Janelle Monáe in this enigmatic, unabashed celebration of feminine sexuality, a topic unendingly trivialised and belittled in the music industry. Unlike contemporary masculine anthems – such as the chauvinistic tale of ‘Blurred Lines’ – Monáe claims full ownership of her sexuality, unembarrassed to revel in her own pleasure and take the reins of her bodily autonomy. Touched by Grimes’ distinctive synths and blessed by Monáe’s gloriously quirky lyricism, ‘Pynk’ stands as one of the strongest feminist anthems of the past decade.  

‘Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves’, Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin 

This upbeat song marries the irreplaceable energy of the iconic ‘Respect’ singer with Eurythmics’ insatiable funk-driven rhythm to birth a modern feminist classic. Belting in the most anthemic of these picks, Aretha Franklin’s unmistakeable vocals and Annie Lennox’s powerful harmonies cultivate a certified celebration of womanhood and feminine unity. This high-octane track is a party you won’t want to miss for all the “Mothers, daughters, and their daughters too”. 

‘Under the Table’, Fiona Apple 

Brutally candid and vulnerable lyricism has always been a strength and central allure of Fiona Apple’s enchanting discography, but 2020’s Fetch The Boltcutters really packs a punch as a feminist masterpiece. As Apple is kicked ‘Under The Table’ by a lover and violently urged to “shut up”, she sparks her own microcosmic feminist protest: “That fancy wine won’t put this fire out”. The resistance in refusing to shut up and daring to challenge her partner speaks to an often neglected part of domestic life for millions of women within patriarchally pioneered relationships, culminating in a down-to-earth, relatable track that is equal parts charming and empowering.   

‘Feels Blind’, Bikini Kill 

As Riot Grrrl pioneers, female liberation is the lifeblood of every track Bikini Kill touches. The unabashedly abrasive and characteristically punk ‘Feels Blind’ charts an insatiable desire to escape the gender expectations that loom over young women. “I’m the woman I was always taught to be, hungry” shouts Kathleen Hanna in this non-stop track, poking at the patriarchal machine and jeering at the ridiculousness of the ‘woe is me’, Madonna figure she was pushed to be.  

‘Woman’, Little Simz  

‘Woman’ is a powerful ode to the feminine inspirations who shaped Little Simz into the record-breaking artist she is today, paying homage to the ever-unsung cultural, industrial, and political contributions of the women who mould society behind patriarchal shutters. Putting a domineering spin on the chauvinistic rap narrative of ‘Bitches Ain’t Shit’, Simz unapologetically preaches “Ain’t nothing without a woman, no” in this bold 21st-century feminist anthem.