So, I was listening to my I-Tunes library yesterday and was struck by that fact that are some really great female empowerment songs out there— songs that celebrate womanhood in all its glory without calling for a partner to do the rescuing. These are songs that say I Can Rescue Me—they have no mention of a man coming in and making things better and they are all about female power. I have decided that I am going to put together an I Can Rescue Me playlist to have in the background at some of my workshops—like the Why Sisterhood Matters and what We Must Do workshops that I’ll be doing on college campuses this fall. So, here’s the question on my mind. If we were to put together a fabulous playlist called “I Can Rescue Me”, what songs would need to go on it? I got us started below, but I am going to use your additions to create the master song list. Once it is all said and done, I’ll post my final list in case you want an I Can Rescue playlist to be part of the soundtrack of your life! Listen by Beyonce Thank U by Alanis Morrisette Wide Open Spaces by the Dixie Chicks Independent Women, Part 1 by Destiny’s Child This One’s For the Girls by Martina McBride Survivor by Destiny’s Child Not Ready to Make Nice by the Dixie Chicks I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor No Scrubs by TLC
Hi Rosie girl,
I know that this will date your old aunt, but I have to say it: “I am Woman, Hear me Roar.” (And, of course, almost anything by Joni Mitchell. I’ll keep thinking on it.) Since the boys gave me an IPOD for my birthday, I will use your playlist!
I love your website and I love you, ab
I love all those songs! I love empowering songs, and I think Mary J Blige has some great songs especially, “Good Woman Down” and “Gonna Breakthrough”, the entire CD is empowering! Girlie!!! go gettem!!!
I loved all the songs you mentioned and have them on my iPod.
An old roommate and I once made a similar playlist. We called it ELECTRIC ESTROGEN!!! I definitely recommend Jill Scott’s song “One is the Magic Number” on her first album. Also “Travelin” by Joni Mitchell (gotta agree with the previous commentator), “I Use to Love Him” by Lauryn Hill (true testimonial about what was lost being found, mainly recognition of ourselves as Queens), Alicia Key’s “This Woman’s Worth,” Brenda
okay, forgive the corniness. But, Melinda Doolittle on American Idol this year sang a great one. Don’t know the name or artist but it talked about all the one hundred and one things we women can do at one time. “I’m a woman, W-O-M-A-N!” I enjoyed both times she put it out there.
These are great suggestions! Sometime soon I am hitting the ITunes music store and putting together the list. Hmmm, maybe I can figure out how to make the playlist available on Itunes and then you could just go pick it up there. If not, I’ll list the songs on the blog so you can make it for yourself if you like. I’ll let you know when it is done.
By the way, Electric Estrogen is a fabulous title to a mix and Melinda Doolittle rocks– not corny at all bringing her into the mix (in fact, I think I am going to put her version on the mix). Talk about a powerful woman!
I just LOVE the idea of an I Can Rescue Me playlist (and also loved the Electric Estrogen title). I guess I would have to go with “Respect” by Aretha Franklin, and “Unwritten” and “Single” by Natasha Beddingfield. I can’t wait to see the whole playlist put together. It’s hard to find empowering songs out there, because most of them call for someone to rescue women. Well, I say NO MORE! Time for the world to know that we can rescue ourselves!!
I am lovin’ Brandi Carlile on the female empowerment thing. Her CDs rock! The best is probably “My Song” for the list, though.
sung by a guy, but one of my favorite saving myself songs:
“Prince Charming” by Jim’s Big Ego
(not full lyrics)
“Think you better cut all the hair off
Throw it out the window, climb down from that tower
Flip the wicked witch the finger.
Ain’t no use to wait for him to get you,
He’s out chasing his own demons–
Not like you can really blame him,
You got demons of your own.
…
You gonna have to be your own Prince Charming
You’re gonna ride your own stallion.
You’re gonna have to find your own castle
Gonna have to raise your own sail.
And there’s gonna be a happy ending,
But that’s only the beginning;
This ain’t no fairy tale.
It’s true. It’s real. It’s you.”
OMG – great idea! Ok, here are some “I am woman, hear me roar” songs….
Christina Aquilera – Soar and The Voice Within
P!nk – Stupid Girls, U+UR Hand, Dear Mr. President, Just Like A Pill and many others
Indigo Girls – Closer To Fine
Alicia Keys – A Womans Worth, Karma (that’s a breakup song)
Mary J. Blige – Just Fine, No More Drama! 😉
“I don’t want to be like Cindarella”- kids song but very female empowering
“Caledonia” by Celtic Woman is also very strong
Ha and who could forget “Never Underestimate a Girl” by Vanessa Hudgens
It’s my turn now Keke Palmer
Wow!! I am so glad I found this!! Was looking for boosting songs to keep me going in my business and you ALL had amazing suggestions!! I have 2 to add: “Ever After” by Carrie Underwood and “Believe” by Suzie McNeil
If anyone has more, please send them to me (via myspace would be best)!
Can’t leave out her highness the Queen Aretha Franklin’s “A Deeper Love” I love the remix.
What a great addition, Sara!
I am downloading these songs and i can’t help but add “Fighter” by christina aguillera. It gets my blood pumping.
Martina McBride – Anyway & Independance Day
Kelly Clarkson – Break a away
Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves – Eurythmics
Can’t Hold Us Down – Christina Aguilera
A Woman’s Worth – Alicia Keys
Think – Aretha Franklin
You Don’t Own Me – Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn & Diane Keton
A Lesson In Leaving & I’m Alright – Jo Dee Messina
These Boots Are Made For Walking by Nancy Sinatra
I would suggest Not a Pretty Girl by Ani Difranco(a lot of her songs are really poetic actually)
did you ever put together a playlist on iTunes or elsewhere for Electric Estrogen?
my dad left my mom after 53 years of marriage for a HORRIBLE woman and we’re beyond devastated and we both need something EMPOWERING to listen to.
i’m going to try to download all the songs i see listed here, but just thought i’d ask.
women are much stronger than we give ourselves credit for, aren’t we?!
love to all.
d.
Denise, Yes we women are so much stronger than we could ever imagine. I’m so sorry that your family has to endure such pain. Music for me has brought me through so many hard times in my life. I am sending thoughts of strenght and healing to you and your mom.
Denise,
I am sorry to hear this news but hope that the playlists help brighten the mood. Check out I Can Rescue Me and Giving Up Beauty- two playlists on ITunes that I put together from suggestions.
Wishing you and your mom all the best, Rosie
much appreciated rosie. truly.
i’m confident we’ll be the victor’s in the end. the universe gives us these challenges for a reason, we will most certainly be stronger for this.
this music has the power to lift us all up. i’m so glad i came across your site.
peace & love.
I would suggest Dar Williams’ “Peter Pan” and “The Babysitter’s Here.”
The first song talks about a tomboy growing up who recognizes the male and female qualities we all have and is conscious of the pressures of being a woman, and the other has a teenage role model who chooses to go to college even though her boyfriend doesn’t want her to.
She also has a song about a bunch of women chasing off a child molester, but I forget the name of it.
One of my personal favs and one that has helped me immensly through my divorce and healing process is “I’m a survivor” by Destiny’s Child. Love it. Get’s your blood pumping and reminds you that we are all survivors and the only person we need is ourselves. So glad I stumbled on this forum. I’m so going to download all the songs from all the suggestions. 🙂
Great suggestion, Melannie. I love I’m a Survivor. Glad you are doing well and recognizing that you can rescue you.
beyonce’s “Run the World (Girls)” definitely needs to be added to this list now! What an amazing song!
Haven’t Seen the Last of Me by Cher [soundtrack Burlesque]
I Will Survive by Stephanie Bently [not same as Gloria Gaynor’s I will Survive}
If you don’t like country you won’t like these but trust me the lyrics are great
one of the best
I’ve Got Better Things to Do by Terri Clark
[lyrics like I don’t need to waste my tiime crying over you, I’ve got better things to do… I could wash my car in the rain, change my new guitar strings…count the stars in the sky or just get on with my life]
Gasoline by Terri Clark
I don’t know my own strength by Lorrie Morgan
[lyrics its been hard walk but I’ll make it I didn’t know my own strength]
Watch Me Walk Away by Lorrie Morgan
Good As I was To you by Lorrie Morgan
What Part of No Don’t you Understand by Lorrie Morgan
Snapshot by Sylvia [hard to find from 80’s lol lyrics are about how he cheated she packed up home left but put wall size mural snapshot of his girlfriend on the wall}
Nobody by Sylvia [your nobody called today]
Reba McEntire
I’m a Survivor
For My Broken Heart
Take It Back
Girls Night Out by the Judds
Guys Do It All the Time by Shania Twain
Girlfriends by Jamie Neal
From a playlist thats about being positive or coming back from what life tosses your way I made it for my niece and didn’t realize how LOL I guess found some interesting gems from watching those disney flicks and animaltion with her but hey if the message it leaves her is to be strong it works for me some are songs from above such as Cher, and Stephanie Bently and Jamie O’Neal others are :
Bring On the Rain by Jo Dee Messina
Greatest Love of ALL by Whitney Houston [I prefer George Benson’s original]
Once In Every Lifetime by Jem [Eragon Soundtrack]
I Hope You Dance by Leanne Womack
One Moment In Time by Whitney Houston [used on the cd made for the special olympics in the late 80’s or early 90’s]
Never Give Up by Yolanda Adams
Keep Holding On Avril Lavigne [Eragon Soundtrack ]
I Know Where I’ve Been by Queen Latifah [Hairspray 2007 soundtrack]
You’ll Never Walk Alone [this song is really old but I think Jordan Sparks as recorded it.]
Somebody’s Hero by Jamie O’Neal
(this song says it all about the hero our mom’s are ) [lyrics she’s never pulled anybody from burning building … never left footprints on the moon … she’s just your everyday average girl … but she’s somebody’s hero … to her baby .. voice brings snow white to life … ]
The Bug by Mary Chapin Carptenter [ lyrics : sometimes your the windshield sometimes your the bug]
Someone’s Watching Over Me by Hilary Duff [raise your voice soundtrack]
Here I AM [Camp Rock Soundtrack character was Peggy don’t know young ladies name] [lyrics scream until nothing’s left with your last breath …. here I am … there’s no way you’ll be ignored not anymore …]
Wild Horses by Natasha Beddingfield [flicka soundtrack]
Nothing’s Wrong with Me [from Pixel Perfect soundtrack]
It Will Be Me by Melissa Etheridge [Brother Bear Soundtrack]
It’s My Turn by Keke Palmer [jump in soundtrack]
Sung by men but the lyrics count :
Back on My Feet Again by Michael Bolton
I Made it Through the Rain by Barry Manilow
You Can’t Take Me by Bryan Adams [Soundtrack Spirit Stallion of the Cimmeron lol yes animation]
I Believe I Can Fly [spacejam soundtrack ]
I’m Still Here by John Rzenik [soundtrack Treasure Island sometimes animation has great music]
Believe It Or Not Joey Scarbury [80’s theme from tv show became hit song]
Hand That Rocks the Cradle by Glenn Campbell [another tribute to Mom’s]
Garth Brooks : The Dance
THe Change
Push It to the Limit by Corbin Bleu [Jump In soundtrack]
Yellow Brick Road by Kris Delmhorst needs to be added. Lyrics: “I’m not on no yellow brick road/ I gotta mind and a heart and guts of my own/ not looking for no one to set me free.”
I would also point to most songs by Natasha Beddenfield an India Arie.
Ani DiFranco has song after empowering son about being a woman; Gratitude, Make them Apologize, Willing to Fight, Blood in the a boardroom, Born a Lion, Out of Range, Face up and Sing, Not a Pretty Girl, The Million You Never Made, 32 Flavors, Asking too Much, Joyful Girl, Two Little Girls, Swan Dive, Angry Anymore
I also love Joss Stone’s “Free Me” Kat Nash’s “Merry Happy” and most everything by Tuneyards, especially Killa