Saturday 7 March 2015

Feminist Anthems for International Women's Day


Happy International Women's Day! I've put together a collection of girl power songs, some that get me pumped, some that make me laugh, some that are nostalgic and some that are fairly new. Remember, just because we've come a long way, doesn't mean we haven't still got a long way to go. 

Rebel Girl by Bikini Kill: Bikini Kill and much of the riot grrrl movement have some deeply troubling politics re: trans people as well as being a very white movement, but I'm including this song as a riot grrrrl classic. It's good for getting pumped.



Just a Girl by No Doubt: 90's nostalgia. Gwen Stefani is a problematic fave re: her continued appropriation of various cultures but No Doubt were a great band.




Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves by Aretha Franklin and Annie Lennox: a classic and a bit of a *wink wink nudge nudge* 



Love is a Battlefield by Pat Benetar: this is the greatest music video of all time and I want to know all your favorite parts. It makes me want to go to bars just to aggressively shimmy at anyone who looks at me the wrong way. When was the last time you aggressively girl power danced out of a bar and down the street into the sunrise?



Sister Suffragette from Mary Poppins: more nostalgia. not the most flattering portrayal of suffragettes but damn satisfying.


Girl In A Country Song by Maddie and Tae: disclaimer: I do not listen to country music, but I don't think you really have to in order to appreciate this gem. 



Just One of the Guys by Jenny Lewis: this video has all my faves and is generally gorgeous, plus a great song about ridiculous expectations.



Q.U.E.E.N. by Janelle Monae: 100% flawless



You Don't Own Me by Lesley Gore: for when you just need people to back the hell off




I Am Woman by Helen Reddy: a feminist classic

and if that's not enough for you, here's the first video in nice long a Beyonce playlist, starting with Single Ladies

Keep fighting!

2 comments:

  1. Hey Bonny, I love the premise of this post and women supporting women but where do you stand on
    Bikini Kill's exclusions of trans women in their feminism?
    I'm glad you alluded to Gwen Stefani's problematic history of cultural appropriation of the bindi for fashion in the 1990s, although I would agree No Doubt were brilliant

    you've picked some great songs here from women but Beyonce's Flawless also deserves some recognition :)

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    1. Hey Adele, I'm absolutely opposed to the transphobia in the riot grrrl movement and I will add an addendum there. That and the whiteness of the movement are why I haven't gotten into it more, despite loving the movement. The only actively transphobic thing I can find evidence of Kathleen Hanna participating in is when Le Tigre played Michfest, which obviously is a pretty big deal, but Hanna has been gradually separating herself from those aspects. Direct quote: “I’ll cut to the chase: I do believe transwomen are real women, I don’t prescribe to outdated essentialist notions of gender–that just isn’t what I am about.” But yeah, I'll definitely add something there, thanks for pulling me up on it.
      I couldn't pick a single Beyonce song which is why I linked to the playlist at the end!

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