Posted April 8, 2018 by lynlynsays3 Comments Music

OWLS: “Melody” — 10 Songs Dedicated To Every Awesome Woman Out There

April’s OWLS theme is “Melody” and it was requested by Shokamoka. The topic is all about music:

In one way, music is a form of healing and self-expression. For this month’s topic, we will be exploring some of our favorite musical pieces (anime/drama OSTs, movie soundtracks, music genres and etc.) and how it has impacted our lives and/or reasons why we enjoy listening to it.

In Hazel’s post, she provided a soundtrack to her life which includes all the music genres she enjoys listening to throughout her life so far and how it shaped her identity.

For my post, I will be providing a list of some of my favorite songs by female artists that empower and motivate me. So here we go!

1. Hailee Steinfeld – “Most Girls”

You know some days you feel so good in your own skin
But it’s okay if you wanna change the body that you came in
‘Cause you look greatest when you feel like a damn queen
We’re all just playing a game in a way, trying to win at life

In this music video, I liked how the white t-shirts that the girls wore have really bold and strong adjectives to describe young women. You don’t see the words, “nice,” “kind,” or “thoughtful.” In fact, you see masculine words that you wouldn’t easily label a woman as but these are traits “most girls” aspire to be. My favorite words on those shirts are “relentless,” “gritty”, and “feisty.”

2. Maggie Lindemann – “Pretty Girl”

I can swear, I can joke
I say what’s on my mind
If I drink, if I smoke
I keep up with the guys
And you see me holding up my middle finger to the world
F*** your ribbons and your pearls
‘Cause I’m not just a pretty girl

In this video, I like how it exposes a double standard set upon women and men. At the end of this video, the girls and guys get into a fight that was started by the guys catcalling the girls. The police get involved and arrest the girls rather than the guys. Ideally, both, the guys and girls should receive punishment rather than just the girls. You can see how the guys are considered the “victims” and the girls are the perpetrators.

3. Iggy Azalea – “Work”

Pledge allegiance to the struggle
Ain’t been easy
But cheers to Peezy for the weeks we lived out of duffel
Bags is all we had
Do anything for my Mama, I love you
One day I’ll pay you back for the sacrifice
That ya managed to muscle
Sixteen, you sent me through customs so
All aboard my spaceship to Mercury
Turn First at the light that’s in front me
Cause every night I’mma do it like it’s my last
This dream is all that I need
Cause it’s all that I ever had

I think this song is underrated (because it’s overshadowed by Rihanna’s “Work” song). Unlike Rihanna’s song, Iggy Azalea’s “Work” tells her rags to riches story about becoming a rapper. She went through a lot of drama over the years. I respect her and her music because the drama made her into a stronger person and she has developed as an artist. I like the overall message to this song, “If you work hard, you will get somewhere and no one can take that away from you.”

4. TLC – “No Scrubs”

So no, I don’t want your number
No, I don’t want to give you mine and
No, I don’t want to meet you nowhere
No, I don’t want none of your time and

No, I don’t want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me
Hangin’ out the passenger side
Of his best friend’s ride
Trying to holla at me

From a man’s perspective, it’s a degrading song and it makes women look “high maintenance.” Yet in a woman’s standpoint, every woman would agree that they don’t want to be with a scrub. Women want safety and security. We don’t say it, but it’s the truth.

5. Spice Girls – “Wannabe”

If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends
(Gotta get with my friends)
Make it last forever, friendship never ends
If you wanna be my lover, you have got to give
Taking is too easy, but that’s the way it is

Spice Girls defined girl power in the 90s. When a girl has issues with her significant other, they always go to their friends. It’s a natural defense mechanism.

Personally, I am very overprotective of my friends. If a guy hurts one of my friends, he is instantly on my “hate list” until my friend says he’s okay again. It’s a natural habit of mine and I know my friends would do the same thing for me.

6. 2NE1 – 내가 제일 잘 나가 (“I Am The Best”)

내가 제일 잘 나가 (I am the best.)

Confidence booster.

7. JoJo – “F*** Apologies” Ft. Wiz Khalifa

And honestly I was just about to pick up the phone
And then I realized that I didn’t do nothing wrong
You would even tell two lies to prove that you were right
Usually I’d go on and take the blame but not this time, not this time

What you want from me?
I would say I’m sorry if I really meant it
F*** apologies
I would say I’m sorry if I really meant it
I’m not perfect, I got pride
That’s not what it is this time
So f*** apologies

This song was a “must have” on this list. I wrote about this song in a previous post.

8. Grimes – “Venus Fly” Ft. Janelle Monáe

Hey, what about me?
Oh, why you looking at me?
Oh, why you looking at me?
(Against the music)
Hey, what about me?
Oh, why you looking at me?
Oh, why you looking at me? (Baby I can use it)

The song is basically about Grimes calling out people who appreciate her visuals rather than her music. “Venus Fly” is her way of venting about that.

In her music video, Grimes exposes this issue to her audience as she purposely makes her music video visually appealing. As a viewer, you are invited to focus on her and the visual aesthetics but in truth, you shouldn’t be distracted by it and really focus on the music and lyrics. In other words, Grimes exposes the viewers for doing the thing that she doesn’t want which is mind-boggling and artistic genius.

9. Paramore – “Last Hope”

It’s just a spark but it’s enough to keep me going
And when it’s dark out and no one’s around it keeps glowing

This is actually one of my favorite Paramore songs. I listen to this whenever I feel like giving up.

10. Demi Lovato – “Skyscraper”

You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I’m made of glass
Like I’m made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper, like a skyscraper

One word: GRIT.

These are just some of the songs I listen to whenever I need a confidence booster or feel the need to be empowered and/or inspired. If you have an empowering song you would like to share, put it in the comments. I’m always on the lookout for good music.

The next OWLS blogger up on this “Melody” tour is Matt-in-the-Hat and you can check his post here.