The 20 best feminist songs to celebrate Women’s Day

Every year on March 8, countries around the world celebrate the struggle of women in the Women’s Dayformerly known as the Working Women’s Day. This day is characterized by raising your voice against gender violence and defend the equality.

There are more and more artists who join the fight and manifest themselves through the letters of their songs. In this way, the music has become the best ally to support the Feminist movement.

we propose 20 songs that today, more than ever, serve to bring to light feminist claims and fight against the virus of machismo. You can listen to these and others in the Spotify playlist that we have created at laSexta.

Ay Mama – Rigoberta Bandini

The vindictive and feminist proposal from Rigoberta Bandini has given a lot to talk about both for her message and for not having been chosen to represent Spain in Eurovision 2022. However, what is clear is that it has become a feminist cry when dealing with issues such as maternity and the beauty of the female body.

To you who always have broth in the fridge

You who could end so many wars

Listen to me

Mom, mom, mom

Let’s stop the city

Sticking a chest out in true Delacroix style

Machirulo hide yourself – Tongo

the feminist group tong released a video clip in 2018 where recreates the lives of women of different generations to stir feelings in society and unite all their forces together to fight gender violence regardless of age. “We have come to sing to you that oppression is over”is one of the phrases that launch these empowered women they want to end it patriarchal system.

You are not my daddy – Tremendous Pack

This song is one of the most sung of the group Tremenda Jauría, included in his 2016 album. On this occasion, together with Tribade and Mafaldatwo leading bands in the fight against the visibility of women, wanted to return to project inequality that exists today. The song is accompanied by a choreography according to the message that they launch in each sentence: “We are a herd that comes with all its strength”.

It burned down – The Other

This quiet melody does not lack strength in each phrase. With “se quemó” as the chorus, La Otra once again demonstrated that her songs are here to stay and have become a anthem of the fight against patriarchy. So much so that it has almost a million and a half views on the digital platform Youtube.

Balance Ton Quoi – Angele

With ‘Balance Ton Quoi’ or ‘Denuncia tú qué’ in Spanish, the Belgian singer and songwriter created a very creative video that denounces the issues that should change in today’s society. This title is rooted in the Me Too movementsince while in Spanish-speaking countries the Yo Tambien version spread, in Belgium and other nations they opted for the phrase that gives the title to this song: Balance Ton Quoi.

Here I am Cami

“Here I am” is a song by the Chilean singer Cami, released by Universal Music Chile on June 29, 2019, as the second single from her album. It was written by the artist together with Sebastián Krys and Ximena Muñoz. Won “Song of the Year” at the Pulsar 2020 Awards and was the “Most Played Song on the Radios” at the Pulsar 2021 Awards. With this song, the interpreter sends a clear message of empowerment and strength which is accompanied by the rhythm of black drums.

Roar – Katy Perry

Katy Perry is an example of female empowerment. With this song she tries to reinforce the confidence in women and encourage them to rise up to stop being followers. Their vindictive messages are reflected through the verses of her song: “You overpowered me, but I got up. Get ready because I’ve had enough (…) Because I’m a champion and you’re going to hear me roar. Higher, stronger than a lion.”

With you- The other

Although we are used to hearing phrases in songs like “I’ll die if you’re not here” that allude to the forever romantic storythis duo breaks all the schemes singing “I don’t die if you’re not here” with the ukulele as the protagonist. And we don’t say it, it is corroborated by the comments that we can find in his video of over eight million views from Youtube: “If I had listened to songs with this message when I was a teenager, surely my romantic history would be different”.

Man! I Feel Like A Woman – Shania Twain

It’s a song from the third album of the Canadian singer-songwriter Shania Twain, Come On Over (1997). It was first broadcast on North American country radio and its lyrics are characterized by the female empowerment. Proud to be a woman, Twain launches a message of strength with a country style:

Tonight I’m going out, I feel good,

I’m going to leave everything hanging

I want to make a little noise, raise my voice,

yes, I want to scream and scream.

Women Now! – Alba Messa

In 2021, the songwriter and singer Alba Messa released the song ‘Mujeres Ya!’ in collaboration with ten other artists to talk about the patriarchal heritage that still resides in our society. Specifically, Ainoa Buitrago, Ania, Angy, Lolita De Sola, Mery Granados, Natasha Dupeyron, Soy Emilia, Violetta Arriaza, Volver and Zemmoa were in charge of giving voice to the verses of the song.

In addition to serving as a loudspeaker to spread the struggle for class equality, respect and gender freedom; the profits collected were allocated to the Seed Fund.

Not one more – Aitana

The young artist joined the cause by launching a new song called ‘Ni una más’ along with a video clip featuring the collaboration of 47 personalities of music, journalism or sports, among other fields, to reflect on the gender violence suffered by women.

Apart from make visible and make it understood what the feminist cause isare also intended to reflect the insecurities that torment a woman on many occasions when she walks alone down the street. For this reason, when the artist appears walking in the video clip, the streetlights are always on.

There’s Something In Me – Míriam Rodríguez

The artist released her first single, ‘Hay Algo En Mí’, in 2017 after finishing her time with OT (Operación Triunfo). Through this song she has wanted to spread a feminist message that has ended up penetrating among his fans and on social networks. On numerous occasions he has been applauded and one of his main phrases has been: “I am a woman, I don’t belong to anyone. And when I say ‘No’ it means No”.

Specifically, this song in the form of protest wants to convey that women have right to be what they want being without anyone cutting off their freedom and imposing ideals on them.

He Behaved Badly – Kany García, Mon Laferte

The ‘single’ was released in 2020 and is part of the album “Mesa Para Dos”. Kany García and Mon Laferte use the theme of gender violence but from a totally different perspective. the verses tell the story of a person who has been mistreatedbut they also stress the importance that the third parties involved do not shut up if they witness these acts: “He behaved badly, very badly, you had to grab him and pull his hair, hit three fists before going to bed, and tomorrow: ‘Forgive me, it’s just that I love you’.

Women – Julieta Venegas

The Mexican singer-songwriter Julieta Venegas has achieved that, after the launch of the song ‘Mujeres’, it has become a vindictive anthem. For the elaboration of this topic, inspired by the marches of feminist collectives in Mexico, as explained by the Chicago Tribune.

In the verses of the song they hide clear and demanding ideas that reflect the problem of violence against women:

Handkerchief in hand to name

to every missing woman

each lonely dead

for whom we did nothing

raised fist this is no more

we will not be silent and here present

your old ways

we already collapsed

Run away – Amaral

In 2002, the Amaral group condemned the gender violence through the song ‘Salir Correiendo’ and, despite the fact that 20 years have passed since its release, it is still chosen to set the scene for the different feminist marches that are celebrated on 8M. The verses of the song speak directly to a woman who has been abused and they encourage her “if you’re afraid, if you’re suffering, you have to get out, run away”. Therefore, with these messages and the metaphors they use, they make the victim who has to report and free yourself from your abuser.

That Nobody – Malú, Manuel Carrasco

These two great artists of the Spanish musical repertoire came together in 2008 to make visible the importance of not silencing testimonies that have to see the light. They can help you stop violence, sexual harassment, sexual abuse and rape. Through this message, they encourage more and more women not to be ashamed of these harsh events and to remove the band-aid of fear that prevents them from telling what has happened to them.

Let no one shut up your truth

Let no one drown your heart

Let no one make you cry anymore

sinking into silence

Don’t let anyone force you to die

Clipping your wings when flying

Let your desire to live return

Antipatriarch – Anne Tijoux

Ana Tijoux impressed with her song “Antipatriarca”, which was released on her album “Vengo” in 2014 and is, at the moment, one of the most recognized songs of the movement. These texts against machismo condemn gender violence and advocate for women’s autonomy. The song was adapted in Java San Martin’s illustrated book in 2019.

Ain’t Your Mama – Jennifer Lopez

With ‘I’m not your mom’ as a chorus, JLo surprised the world with her feminist plea. The song, which premiered a few days before Mother’s Day in the United States, criticized relationships in which the woman became another “mom” for the man. So says the song:

I will not be cooking all day

I’m not your mom

I will not wash your clothes

I’m not your mom

I’m not your mom

Boy I’m not your mom

My body is mine – Krudas Cubensi

This song is written by Krudas Cubensi, a Cuban group made up of the activists Olivia Prende and Odaymara Cuesta. They define themselves as non-binary feminists and from the beginning of the text we can hear their voices stating that their bodies belong to themselves:

Whose bodies?

Ours!

Whose rights?

Ours!

Whose decisions?

Ours!

Four Women – Nina Simone

Eunice Kathleen Waymon, known as Nina Simone, is a woman who was denied admission to various music schools as a child because she was black. Over time, she released around 40 albums and wrote one of the songs that condemned racism against black women:”Four Women”.