Some women empowerment songs take on complex political issues, while others exist to make you feel confident or hyped up about yourself. In this article, we’ll go over the 65 best empowering songs of all time for women, perfect for a girl power playlist.
1. Survivor – Destiny’s Child
Full of empowering lyrics from start to finish, Survivor is a classic example of Beyoncé’s star power at its finest. Composed of her, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams, Destiny’s Child has given us numerous bops full of empowering lines. But none slap quite the way this song does.
From stronger to richer and wiser to smarter, the track is full of examples of becoming the best version of yourself and not letting anyone bring you down. It also helps that the song itself was written as a way for Beyoncé to take negative comments from the media about members leaving and turn it into something positive for herself—and the group.
2. Flowers – Miley Cyrus
It’s the most recent release out of this list and already it’s shot right up to the top. Topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart for eight weeks, Flowers was everywhere upon its release. In a society where women’s empowerment is growing, a song about being able to take care of yourself and not needing a man was sure to be popular. Miley Cyrus makes it quite clear to listeners that she can love herself better than anyone else ever can, and there is no reason to cry over someone who’s treated you like pure crap.
3. Stronger – Britney Spears
Britney Spears said that she wasn’t someone’s property back in 2000, a line that current fans caught up in all of the conspiracy theories about her may find a bit ironic. Stating that she is better off alone is the epitome of female empowerment, as she can take care of herself without anyone else helping her. The song tells the story of a woman who is sick of her cheating boyfriend, so she decides to cut her losses and move on to bigger and better things.
4. Scheiße – Lady Gaga
Scheiße—known in English as “shit”—was released on Lady Gaga’s second album Born This Way in 2011. Despite the faux-German lyrics featured heavily in the song, the English lyrics speak of the objectification of love by men and how as a strong, independent woman you don’t need permission to live your best life.
5. I’m Every Woman – Chaka Khan
![Chaka Khan - I'm Every Woman (Official Music Video) [HD Remaster]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DVDCNmdi7QI/0.jpg)
The title says it all. Featured heavily on almost any girl power playlist out there I’m Every Woman was originally released by Chaka Khan, and then 10 years later by Whitney Houston. It serves as an anthem to remind the women of the world to be themselves and that they don’t have to live up to all of these impossible expectations placed upon them.
6. Respect – Aretha Franklin
A pioneer of the time, Aretha Franklin said it best when she spelled it out. A feminist anthem to last the decades Respect will surely make you want to get up and move. Although it is the song she is most known for, it was originally written and performed by Otis Redding. She rearranged it and re-released it two years later, resulting in a version with higher popularity than his version.
7. I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
You know you’ve made history as an artist when one of your creations is selected to be preserved in the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry. Although it has been covered by numerous artists, no one quite does it justice like the original artist Gloria Gaynor. Her soulful voice brings life and power to the song about discovering your strength after a painful breakup.
8. Brave – Sara Bareilles
Sometimes, you just need a reminder that you are enough, and you are worthy because you are. The only thing required is that you put forth effort. And if that simple message isn’t empowering and motivating, I don’t know what else is. While this is a list of songs for women’s empowerment, this one should be listened to by the fellas too.
9. Roar – Katy Perry
Women are often told they’re supposed to be quiet or soft-spoken, but this is entirely untrue. Katy Perry’s Roar is a reminder that it’s okay to make—a lot of—noise and have strong opinions on things. You shouldn’t be afraid to speak your mind and anyone who tells you differently is probably not someone that should be in your life.
10. Born This Way – Lady Gaga
Born This Way is not only a feminist anthem but is even more well-known as being an anthem for the LGBT community. Selling more than eight million copies of the song has also made it one of the best-selling singles of all time, and it’s not a wonder why.
11. Sue Me – Sabrina Carpenter
Sue Me is all about not letting other people dictate the things you do and the places you go. In it, the narrator is telling her ex to sue her facetiously. She’s going to do what she wants no matter how he feels, including being friends with their friends and going to places they went together, and she isn’t going to feel bad about it.
12. Fighter – Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera’s Fighter is an iconic song, but it’s also an incredibly empowering one. It’s all about being willing to overcome challenges and people standing in your way without resenting them. Rather, it’s better to be thankful for—some of—the obstacles because they’ve taught you valuable lessons along the way.
13. Fight Song – Rachel Platten
Despite being overused in Ford commercials and being used for numerous theme songs for women’s sports, Fight Song has yet to lose its spark. A mix of powerful vocals and soft, upbeat cords make it an easy one to sing at the top of your lungs as you drive down the highway with the window down and will surely make anyone feel like an empowered woman.
14. Woman – Kesha feat. The Dap-Kings Horns
Kesha broke back onto the music scene in 2017, after a public court battle with her former producer, Dr. Luke. Embracing the fact that she’s grown as a person and as a woman since then, Woman debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at 96 and went on to top the Dance Club Song Chart in December 2017.
In following the trend of this list, the track promotes not needing a man because she’s a woman and can do everything on her own. She’ll buy her own drinks and make her own money, something we can all hope to attain one day.
15. You Don’t Own Me – Lesley Gore
Lesley Gore released You Don’t Own Me in 1963, which was a very different time for women than our modern day. She spends the song explaining that she isn’t something that can be used and discarded, rather she’s going to be who she is and do what she wants because she is much much more than an object or a trophy.
16. Run the World (Girls) – Beyoncé
Beyoncé enters the list once again with her declaration about who truly controls the world. Run The World (Girls) is a powerful reminder of the power that women have that will get you on your feet and dancing no matter where you are.
17. This One’s For the Girls – Martina McBride
Many girls go through a time in their lives when they feel alone or marginalized, just wishing someone would notice the effort they put in. Martina McBride made sure to make them feel empowered with her single This One’s For The Girls, a song that reminds us we aren’t alone.
18. The Man – Taylor Swift
Imagine if women were treated the same way men were. That is the general message Taylor Swift is portraying in her song, The Man. The music video for the track presents the idea of her alter ego, Tyler Swift, voiced by Dwayne Johnson, and it portrays many examples of sexist double standards presented in today’s society. From the sexualization of women to examples of toxic masculinity, she manages to showcase an array of examples to make us all really think.
The message was well received all around, as the music video was nominated for Video of the Year, Video for Good, and Best Direction at the MTV Video Music Awards. She went on to make VMA history when she won Best Direction as it made her the first solo female artist to ever win the category, one of many records she has gone on to break in her exceptional career.
19. Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson
![Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Xn676-fLq7I/0.jpg)
Few things are as empowering as bouncing back from a tough break. No matter what’s thrown your way, Kelly Clarkson wants to remind you that the pain and suffering do nothing but empower you and make you a stronger woman. As long as it isn’t something that kills you, that is.
20. So What – P!nk
P!nk put it into perspective and made us rock out alongside her in her 2008 hit So What. Another girl power song written about getting over a man, popping a new attitude, and stirring up all the trouble and fun you want, this time written about her own experience with her split from motocross racer, Carey Hart. It has gone on to be her highest-selling single in the USA, proving that girl power is good power.
21. Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
Released on Taylor Swift’s first marketed pop album Shake It Off was written to showcase how she didn’t have time for all of the negative views people had about her. The combination of upbeat tempo and catchy lyrics is an easy recipe for a hit, something she is well known for coming out with time and time again. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, it surely deserves a place on your girl power playlists.
22. Proud Mary – Tina Turner
The Proud Mary might have been a riverboat in the original version of this song by Creedence Clearwater Revival, but Tina Turner reworked the track into a powerful message of female empowerment. The narrator gets thrown a lot of curveballs in life, but she keeps on rolling and overcomes everything that comes her way.
23. Man! I Feel Like A Woman – Shania Twain
This hit single from Shania Twain was so good even most men listening to it felt like an empowered woman. Man! I Feel Like A Woman is a celebration of womanhood and feeling confident in your own skin. In it, she mainly talks about how good she feels and how she’s able to achieve anything she sets her mind to.
24. Goodbye Earl – The Chicks
What do we do when our husbands are alcoholics and abusive? You team up with your best friend to get rid of him and continue with your life. The chicks paint a vivid image with their lyrics as they tell the story of two childhood friends that drift apart only to be drawn back together when one is injured by their abusive husband. What better way to prove that you’re a strong, independent woman than to poison him and hide the body where no one will ever find it?
25. Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) – Beyoncé
Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) might be the biggest song on this list in terms of chart success and record sales. It was a cultural revolution, spawning plenty of viral videos and trends along the way. But it’s also an empowering anthem about not settling for someone who won’t commit and fearlessly moving on to be a badass single woman.
26. God is a woman – Ariana Grande
God is a woman is an anthem of female sexual liberation and domination. If you want to feel sexy and confident in your own skin, this is the perfect song to throw on as you turn the lights down and take control.
27. We Can’t Stop – Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus was one artist who felt like she had been trapped thanks to her image, but she broke free of that box with this one song. We Can’t Stop is a celebration of freedom, meant to empower listeners to be their true selves and break barriers keeping them from doing the things they deserve to do.
28. Just Because I’m A Woman – Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton was inspired to write Just Because I’m A Woman after an argument with her husband. The song mainly argues that her mistakes are no worse than his just because she’s a woman, as their argument was over things both of them had done in the past. It’s a message that’s just as powerful today as it was when she released the track in 1968, calling out unfair double standards that women deal with on a daily basis.
29. Rebel Girl – Bikini Kill
Bikini Kill was part of the feminist riot grrrl movement that took over the punk music scene in the 1990s. Pretty much any song you listen to by them is an excellent track about female empowerment, but Rebel Girl is an ode to all the inspiring women who make us want to take our game to the next level.
30. I AM WOMAN – Emmy Meli
I AM WOMAN is a song that lays out everything wonderful about being a woman and the innate power that comes along with it. The track went viral on TikTok thanks to its empowering message about being unbeatable and powerful, the perfect song for when you’re feeling down and need a little bit of juice.
31. I’m Coming Out – Diana Ross
I’m Coming Out is a massive celebration that can work for just about anything. If you need a little boost to make a big decision, this is the song to help you feel good about your choices. It’s an upbeat and happy track that will give you all the confidence you need.
32. Girl On Fire – Alicia Keys
Girl On Fire is the perfect song to remind you of who you are and what you’re capable of. If you’re feeling a little lost or just trying to figure out what to do with your life, this is the track that will help you get back on track and figure things out.
33. Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
Girls Just Want To Have Fun is one of the most famous feminist anthems of all time, claiming that women just want to be able to have the same experiences as men. And why shouldn’t they be able to?
34. Formation – Beyoncé
Formation is another banger anthem from Beyoncé that’s about supporting your fellow woman and taking down the barriers standing in your way. You don’t have to stand alone, all you have to do is band together and you’ll be able to achieve everything.
35. All About That Bass – Meghan Trainor
All About That Bass is a song that many glossed over when it came to female empowerment. But it carries some heavy messages inside of it that you don’t need to be anything in particular to be worthy of love or respect. All you need to do is be yourself and the right people will appreciate you in the end.
36. Hit Me With Your Best Shot – Pat Benatar
One of Pat Benatar’s biggest hits is actually issuing a challenge for anyone to hit them with everything they have. Why? Because they’re strong enough, powerful enough, and woman enough to be up to the challenge.
37. You Oughta Know – Alanis Morissette
You Oughta Know is about bitterness and envy, the feelings Alanis Morissette went through when an ex moved on a little too quickly. It harnesses those emotions and deals with them, empowering you to deal with them in a good way and move on yourself.
38. Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
I don’t know about you, but Emma Stone singing in the shower in Easy A will forever be engraved in my mind when I hear Unwritten. Whether you’re blasting it while on a girl’s trip, or just singing into your loofah in the shower, you have to admit this one is sure to make you feel like a strong, independent woman getting her fresh start.
39. Follow Your Arrow – Kacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves’s song Follow Your Arrow is all about following your own path in life and making the choices you know are right for you.
40. WAP – Cardi B Feat. Megan Thee Stallion
![Cardi B - WAP feat. Megan Thee Stallion [Official Music Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hsm4poTWjMs/0.jpg)
WAP was a controversial release, but we’re here for it. This song is all about flaunting your sexuality and feeling confident in yourself, giving you the boost you didn’t even know you needed.
41. ***Flawless – Beyoncé Feat. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
***Flawless is the song to make you remember what a badass you are. No matter what anyone else is saying or how life drags you down, putting this track is sure to help you get back to feeling yourself.
42. Woman – Doja Cat
The track Woman speaks to the divine aspect of femininity and empowers women around the world. The song became a sleeper hit for Doja Cat, spending months on the charts before eventually making it into the top 10 of the Hot 100.
43. IDGAF – Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa’s IDGAF is the song that will make you able to not GAF about absolutely anything. She doesn’t need your love or anything else from you. She won’t lower herself to beg, and she’s doing just fine on her own. So, stay out of the way and let her do her own thing because she doesn’t care anymore.
44. Love Myself – Hailee Steinfeld
Being able to love yourself is something that everyone struggles with in their lives. Love Myself might just help you get there, as it’s entirely about loving yourself without needing any outside validation from anyone.
45. Shout Out To My Ex – Little Mix
Sometimes, you just need a banger to help you stop caring about the ex that did you wrong. You can’t do any better than Little Mix’s Shout Out To My Ex. After he moved on, so did she, and she no longer cares at all about approval or getting back together.
46. I’m Dat Chick – Kelly Rowland
Sometimes, you can get worn down by life and you need to be reminded just how much you’re capable of. The confidence boost that comes from Kelly Rowland’s I’m Dat Chick is exactly what you need to get things going again.
47. BO$$ – Fifth Harmony
Fifth Harmony is sure to inspire the boss girl in you with their song BO$$. It’s all about making that money and climbing the ladder, making strides in careers, and defying expectations. You’re definitely going to be out there closing down the wage gap and getting what you deserve after listening to this song.
48. Salute – Little Mix
Another great entry from Little Mix, Salute empowers women from a different angle. It’s about standing up as a group and taking what you deserve. It’s important to remember that no matter what a badass you are, it’s always okay to work together to achieve the goals we all desire.
49. Bad Reputation – Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Joan Jett has never cared what you think, and perhaps there’s no better example of it than her song, Bad Reputation. Women unfairly get labeled, but there’s power in not caring about your reputation and living your life the way you want to.
50. Invincible – Kelly Clarkson
Invincible is about taking on every challenge and asking for more. There are few things more empowering than overcoming obstacles and taking it on the chin, only to stand back up and be ready to do it all over again.
51. CRZY – Kehlani
![Kehlani - CRZY [Official Music Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2d7U4CX0PHk/0.jpg)
There isn’t a song on this list that will hype you up better than Kehlani’s CRZY.
52. Wannabe – Spice Girls
Wannabe is one of the best representations of sticking with your girls instead of seeking the attention of dudes. Your friends are going to be there long after a relationship with a stupid boy, so you should always stick with them.
53. Just a Girl – No Doubt
Just A Girl was meant to decry the fact that people thought Gwen Stefani was just the pretty face in front of her band. She was and is much more than that and her being a girl has nothing to do with their success. She’s there to defy expectations and become everything she ever dreamed up, and you can’t stop her.
54. Bad Girls – M.I.A.
Bad Girls is an iconic song from M.I.A. that mostly deals with the party lifestyle and the way women are viewed in it that differs from men. While they are celebrated, women tend to be labeled instead. Regardless, the “bad girls” are the ones living their best lives, and they do it much better than those without the label.
55. None Of Your Business – Salt-N-Pepa
Women are almost always the ones who get crapped on for having a sex life, while men are celebrated for their “conquests.” Salt-N-Pepa put out one of the best anti-slut-shaming singles of all time when they released None Of Your Business. So, go out there and do what you want, it’s your life and your choice, plus it’s none of anyone else’s business.
56. Unpretty – TLC
TLC was another empowering female group, but Unpretty was just as much of a reminder as it was a song to instill confidence. While you can always dress up your looks on the outside, if you’re broken on the inside, nothing external is going to fix it. The track is meant for you to find strength in non-material things and make real changes because you’re totally capable of becoming the woman you want to be.
57. Confident – Demi Lovato
Confident is all about embracing who you are and moving forward in life. It’s a song that will have you marching around town like the boss you are and taking on anything that comes your way with pure confidence in yourself and everything you can achieve.
58. Scars to Your Beautiful – Alessia Cara
Scars To Your Beautiful is all about finding your inner beauty and confidence, as nothing on the outside can change how beautiful you are inside.
59. Firework – Katy Perry
Katy Perry wants you to let your true colors show, and there’s not a peppier pop song about it than Firework.
60. The Pill – Loretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn released The Pill as a groundbreaking single that was an ode to the birth control pill. It was essentially the thing that helped women achieve true liberation, as they were in control of their bodies and able to make decisions without worrying about tying themselves to someone they didn’t want to be involved with in the long term.
61. Not Ready to Make Nice – The Chicks
The Chicks went through a bit of controversy after speaking their minds about the Iraq War, but they returned to the music scene with a scathing single titled Not Ready To Make Nice. It’s all about never forgetting or forgiving the wrongs done to them, as they’re just as entitled to an opinion as anyone else out there.
62. 9 to 5 – Dolly Parton
The track 9 To 5 is about the frantic and draining work cycle everyone goes through. Dolly Parton takes it in stride, working hard for the money and taking care of herself without any help. It’s a job that will make you remember why you need your job—or make you want to quit—and it’s a great oldie.
63. Bitch – Meredith Brooks
It might not sound right coming from me, but women go through mood changes. That’s something people should just accept and not complain about—or misunderstand. Just because she has an attitude doesn’t mean she’s being a b*tch, which is the real point and message in Meredith Brooks’ song Bitch.
64. Beautiful – Christina Aguilera
Beautiful is all about being able to pull yourself out of the darkest holes and the worst possible places. Having to struggle, but having the strength it takes to do something is something that every woman is capable of.
65. Ladies First – Queen Latifah Feat. Monie Love
Queen Latifah was a pioneer in the hip hop world at a time when female rappers attaining popularity was rare. Ladies First is one of the songs that cemented her place in the scene and brought confidence to listeners that they could do the same in their own fields.
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As a contributing writer for Music Grotto, Dakotah writes and produces professional music/media content. He works closely with editorial staff to meet editorial standards and create
quality content for the Music Grotto website. Dakotah is passionate about music in a wide variety of genres, from hip-hop to country and lo-fi to metal, and he enjoys creating music pieces for Music Grotto.
