Today is International women’s day all over the world and it is worthy of mention that some of the most powerful songs, electrifying hits, and motivational anthems have come from women. These female music icons celebrate their womanhood and what makes them different, inspiring us to do the same.

Sometimes, all it takes is one song to inspire but luckily, we’ve gathered a dozen of them. It’s International women’s day so treat yourself to a confidence boost with these empowering melodies.

1.”Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncé

This is an obvious choice. Queen Bey’s powerful, high-energy anthem is everything. The lyrics speak about the strength of a woman while the video features women in boots, leather jackets, and metallic outfits showing that they are not a gender to toy with.

2.” Nasty” Janet Jackson

After Donald Trump called Hillary Clinton “such a nasty woman” in the 2016 election, Jackson’s 1986’s hit song “Nasty” Spotify plays increased by 250 percent, becoming an unofficial theme song for the incident. “Nasty boys don’t mean a thing, but nasty women, on the other hand, get sh*t done”.Janet sings

3.”Independent Women” by Destiny’s Child

The iconic girl group pays tribute to the self-sufficient, self-motivated, and self-made women who are going all out to take care of themselves and foot their bills without waiting for anyone.

“If I wanted the watch you’re wearin’, I’ll buy it. The house I live in, I’ve bought it. The car I’m driving, I’ve bought it.
I depend on me, I depend on me. All the women who are independent. Throw your hands up at me “ The chorus says.

4. “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan

This song is from the album “Chaka khan’s  (1978). “I’m Every Woman”. The song was her debut solo single and the first solo hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and was covered by Whitney Houston in 1992.

Nothing quite helps you acknowledge your inner greatness than Chaka Khan’s power vocals. “I’m every woman, everything you want baby, I do naturally”. She sings in the chorus.

5. “Flawless” by Beyoncé feat. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This song which includes snippets from  Chimamanda Adichie’s “We Should All Be Feminists” TED Talk, is a no-brainer addition to this list. It juxtaposes an analysis on gender inequality (“We teach girls that they can have ambition, but not too much”) with Queen Bey’s saucy lines of self-empowerment (“I woke up like this”)

6. “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys

Leave it to Alicia Keys to give you an instant confidence boost with one fired-up song. “Girl On Fire” will motivate you to stand up for yourself and face any situation that comes your way.

Also read:
– 10 Feminist Films To Watch This International Women’s History Month
– “La Femme Anjola”: Actor Femi Jacobs Says He Was Disappointed He Didn’t Get Lead Role
– “I Will Really Love To Get Married To An Older Woman”- Actor Wole Ojo

7. “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga

With this iconic intersectional track, Gaga inspires individuals and women from the LGBTQ community and from diverse backgrounds to live their best lives. “Don’t be a drag, just be a queen” she says encouraging women to embrace their s*xuality.

8. “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross

From the 1980 Motown album titled “Diana”, the disco legend inspires us to not just make an arrival but to also announce it in the most glamorous way possible. The song encourages women to show up and show off in any sphere of life. “I’m coming out, want the world to know, gat to let it show”. She sings

9. “Don’t Touch My Hair” by Solange feat. Sampha

This song pays tribute to her identity as a black woman and empowers fellow black women along the way. It also expresses the frustrations of being disrespected as a person of colour.

10. “Just Fine” by Mary J. Blige

The RnB queen imparts a lesson on accepting yourself with class (“So I like what I see when I’m looking at me/ When I’m walking past the mirror. I won’t change my life, my life, just fine”) as she encourages women not to let anybody kill your vibe.

11. “Juice” Lizzo

Lizzo just makes us want to get up and dance with this self-love anthem. This Grammy award-winning musician not only celebrates herself, but she also inspires us to do the same. “If I’m shinin’, everybody gonna shine,” she sings in the chorus.

12. “Respect” Aretha Franklin

Late music legend and Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin touch on the issue of respecting women in her 1967 “I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You”. This is the song you want to dance to while standing in the front of the mirror with your hair down because you are ready to take back everything thing you deserve.

“Ooo, your kisses (oo)

Sweeter than honey (oo)

And guess what? (oo)S

o is my money (oo)

All I want you to do (oo)

for me. Is give it to me when you get home (re, re, re, re)
Yeah baby (re, re, re, re)
Whip it to me (respect, just a little bit)
When you get home, now (just a little bit)

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Take care, TCB”

Happy International Women’s day to our amazing female readers. You inspire us to do more!

 

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