160 Girl Power Songs

This One's for the Girls: Songs About Female Empowerment

For all the women in our lives who need a power boost of encouragement, this girl power playlist is for you!

It's for women like my sister, a single mother raising three boys. After having her trust violated by a scoundrel, she's now struggling to stand on her own again. Continue to rebuild your personal strength and stay strong, beautiful lady!

It's also for smart and courageous young ladies like my niece, an engineer for a Fortune 500 company. They are breaking down career barriers in traditionally masculine fields in science, technology, engineering and math. Every day she demonstrates that she is gritty as well as pretty.

Lastly, this female empowerment playlist is a shout-out to women like my mother and aunt, who assumed care taking roles for my ailing grandmother. Increasingly, they have become her personal health care advocates and providers, companions, and surrogate decision makers. Unless you've walked in those shoes or witnessed the work that goes into such care taking, it's hard to truly appreciate the investment of time, resources, and emotional energy.

Why not make a custom playlist to encourage the special women in your life—or yourself—to keep being brave, strong, and proud while fighting the good fight?

1. "Confident" by Demi Lovato (2015)

Confident women don't let anyone—men or other women—trash talk or undermine their dignity. They make their own choices about self-identity and to be who they are, flaws and all. Don't let anyone tear you down. Look them straight in the eye, head high.

2. "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus (2023)

Dry your tears and turn a broken relationship into a glorious opportunity to move on and do something else with your life. Not only will you be alright single, you may be better off. This 2023 disco funk track was a worldwide smash and will appeal to the survivor in you.

3. “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncé (2011)

Queen BeyBey gives a shout out to all the girls who run the world. (And let's be real, don't we?) We're the girls who work nine to five for a paycheck, are strong enough to bear the children then get back to business.

4. “Try” by Colbie Caillat (2014)

Women do so much to try to fit the expectations of others, starting with body image. But this empowering song affirms that you are enough, plain and simple, just the way you are. You don't have to try so hard. You just have to accept yourself.

5. “Love Myself” by Hailee Steinfeld (2015)

Instead of staying in an unhealthy relationship, an empowered woman isn't afraid to stand on her own: "Gonna love myself. No, I don't need anybody else. I love me."

This song is a tribute to women of all ages who have left dysfunctional or unsatisfying relationships. Just because you're alone doesn't have to mean you're lonely!

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6. “Grown Woman” by Beyoncé (2013)

You are one confident adult woman, and it took you awhile to get here. Now that you're wearing big girl panties, you do what you want and you don't apologize for your choices. This is your power anthem, and you've got it goin' on!

They love the way I walk
‘Cause I walk with a vengeance
And they listen to me when I talk 'cause I ain't pretending
It took a while, now I understand just where I'm goin'
I know the world and I know who I am, it's 'bout time I show it.

7. “Who Says” by Selena Gomez (2011)

As the powerful, self-knowing person that you are, you define yourself. This song asks all the important questions, such as

• Who says you're not star potential?
• Who says you're not presidential?
• Who says you can't be in movies?
• Who says you don't pass the test?
• Who says you can't be the best?
• Who says you're not perfect?
• Who says you're not worth it?

8. “F**kin’ Perfect” by Pink (2010)

You know all the bad things you tell yourself about how you're not good enough, not pretty enough, you'll never amount to anything, and no one will ever love you? Stop that right now. I mean it, and so does P!nk. This song demands that you quiet those voices for good and understand that You. Are. Enough.

9. "This One’s for the Girls" by Martina McBride (2003)

From high school girls to young career women to a middle-aged woman trying to hold off the ravages of time, this uplifting song celebrates beautiful women of all stages of life, "from one to 99". It encourages them to dream with all they have, love without holding back, and love themselves the way they are.

10. "Nothing in Between (B*tch)" by Meredith Brooks (1997)

Women occupy many roles, and this song playfully celebrates all of them, from sweet to sassy to seductress, from mom to mean to everything in between:

I'm a b*tch, I'm a lover
I'm a child, I'm a mother
I'm a sinner, I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed.
I'm your hell, I'm your dream
I'm nothing in between
You know you wouldn't want it any other way.

11. “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten (2015)

You may be one person in this big ole' world, but you have the ability to impact monumental change through your voice and actions. Don't ever underestimate your capacity for influence:

Like a small boat on the ocean
Sending big waves into motion
Like how a single word can make a heart open
I might only have one match
But I can make an explosion.

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12. "Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera (2002)

Beautiful no matter water they say ... this song speaks to the power of resilience and knowing your own worth. When others' words shout one message, let your inner voice remain firm, steady, and unwavering in the knowledge that you only need yourself for validation.

13. “Secrets” by Mary Lambert (2014)

What a liberating feeling to let all your secrets out! This song empowers women to just get over hiding all the things that they've been working so hard to keep hidden. Secrecy takes so much work and no one really cares all that much what you're hiding anyway! They've got their own secrets to protect. Just get over it and get on with your life.

14. "Superwoman" by Alicia Keys (2008)

This inspiring song is a tribute to all mothers (and other women) who endeavor to support humanity and make this world a better place. We're not always your obvious heroes, but underneath you'll find the vest, the "S" on the chest as we make this world a better place. Admit it: aren't you a superwoman?

15. "Good Woman Down" by Mary J. Blige (2006)

This song provides a rousing word of encouragement from Mary J. Blige to all her troubled sisters who are going through pain and hardship. While you may have good reasons for worry and consternation, she provides the gift of this knowledge: You can't hold a good woman down. Do you feel your fire within? Get up! Get up! Get up!

16. "I Am Woman" by Helen Reddy (1972)

This high-spirited song describes women's progressive march forward. Once a signature song of the women's liberation movement, it's now a testament to our journey and powerful connection to one another. No Girl Power Playlist would be complete without it!

17. “Salute” by Little Mix (2013)

This song is a call to attention for all ladies of the world to stand together as something more than just a pretty object. Whether you wear "killer heels, sneakers, pumps or lace up your boots," it's a salute to you as a woman -- an individual, an original.

18. "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper (1983)

This classic is a reminder that it's not just the guys who want to go out and have a good time. Girls want to break free of expectations and just relax and have a good time, too!

19. “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor (2014)

Empowered women know that beauty comes in all sizes, shapes, shades, and life stages. This song replaces fat shaming with a celebration of "bringing booty back" and having "all the right junk in all the right places." It affirms that "every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top." As a strong, vibrant female, worry less about your size than your health and well being.