Ladies sing anthems
November 13, 2011 2:09 PM   Subscribe

Help me find more "anthems" sung by women or female-fronted bands that will get happily stuck in a loop in my head.

I really love anthemic, seize the day, "let's not put up with this bullshit anymore" type songs sung by women. Help me find more!

Examples of what I'm talking about are:

Florence + the Machine - Shake it Out & Dog Days Are Over

Patti Smith - Gloria

Nina Simone - I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free

I'm most interested in songs that gradually build up to the point where the singer is clearly belting it out and pretty emotional. Really rhythmic horn sections are always a good thing, like as in Sleater-Kinney's Step Aside. I'm not really in the market for torch songs unless it's got a vibe like Mavis Staple's I've Learned How to Live Without You.

I tried searching old posts, but couldn't seem to come up with a similar question, so apologies for a possible repeat.
posted by mostly vowels to Media & Arts (52 answers total) 53 users marked this as a favorite
 
Lita Ford and Joan Jett come to mind.
posted by dfriedman at 2:13 PM on November 13, 2011 [2 favorites]


Sleeper, Echobelly and Skunk Anansie are good examples of female-fronted indie rock from the 90s
posted by Jakey at 2:16 PM on November 13, 2011


If you like gospel, Sandi Patty.
posted by Melismata at 2:19 PM on November 13, 2011


I'm most interested in songs that gradually build up to the point where the singer is clearly belting it out and pretty emotional.

You should try "Not This Time" by Kate Bush. "This Woman's Work" might qualify, too. Problem: neither one of them an "anthem," exactly.
posted by Joey Bagels at 2:21 PM on November 13, 2011


If you're not sick of hearing it on the radio (or if you're typically turned off by fluffy pop and haven't heard it yet), "Fly" by Rihanna and Nicki Minaj is actually quite empowering. The second rap verse = win.
posted by sunnychef88 at 2:25 PM on November 13, 2011


Well, there's the classic Gloria Gaynor-I Will Survive.

Most anything by Pink fits your requirements. "Raise Your Glass" and "U and Ur Hand" spring to mind. So does a lot of Kelly Clarkson's music.

Pat Benetar covered John Mellencamp's "I Need a Lover".
posted by MexicanYenta at 2:25 PM on November 13, 2011


Another Nina Simone song is what occurred to me: Feelin' Good.
posted by alexfw at 2:26 PM on November 13, 2011 [2 favorites]


4 Non-blondes: What's Up http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xxqrk_4-non-blondes-what-s-up-what-s-goin_music

Also, the Cranberries, Alanis Morissette, Annie Lennox...
posted by costanza at 2:28 PM on November 13, 2011


"(Lay Down) Candles in the Rain" by Melanie.
posted by Oriole Adams at 2:31 PM on November 13, 2011


Not too original, but Sara Bareilles King of Anything and Pink (Raise your Glass and So What?) are on my regular rotation.
posted by pantarei70 at 2:31 PM on November 13, 2011


"Troy" by Sinead O'Connor (as recently seen in this FPP) might be a good one, though it's not quite "catchy" - her "No Man's Woman" is pretty great, and used to memorable effect on Alias. (if you can ignore the fact that it's a love song to god, which I usually can, because it's so fucking awesome.)

Robyn's not really a belter, but "Fembot" is pretty great (actually, everything on Body Talk is awesome, but this, I think, comes closest to meeting your criteria and is a terrific earworm to boot).

The Gossip - "Standing in the Way of Control"

I love this question and will probably be back with more.

Ooh! Since you mention S-K in your question, I'm sure you're all over Wild Flag?
posted by kickingthecrap at 2:32 PM on November 13, 2011


Another couple:

Catatonia: Dazed, Beautiful and Bruised
Kirsty MacColl: No Victims
posted by alexfw at 2:45 PM on November 13, 2011


I was trying to avoid relationship songs in my earlier post, (and will try to avoid calling anything "pretty great" in this one) but:

Neko Case's cover of "Running out of Fools" (basically, any version of this song...)

Liz Phair? "6'1""?

Mirah, "Cold Cold Water"

Rilo Kiley, "A Better Son/Daughter" (the move to stereo at 1:40!)
posted by kickingthecrap at 2:47 PM on November 13, 2011


Everything I Need by Melissa Ferrick

A lot of Ani DiFranco does this for me, especially Gravel
posted by Mchelly at 2:48 PM on November 13, 2011 [1 favorite]


Oh, and Lauryn Hill, "Ex Factor."

And, yes, "Gravel"! (I prefer this Living in Clip version)

"Crazy in Love" has a killer Chi-Lites horn sample, and is delightfully rare (if no doubt strategic) crack in the Bey facade.
posted by kickingthecrap at 2:57 PM on November 13, 2011 [1 favorite]


"Letter From an Occupant" by New Pornographers.
posted by breakin' the law at 3:05 PM on November 13, 2011 [1 favorite]




And also, for a super fun horn section, Ani DiFranco - Little Plastic Castle
posted by wondermouse at 3:09 PM on November 13, 2011


Open your eyes by Guano Apes
Many Funerals by Eisley
Crushcrushcrush by Paramore
posted by blaneyphoto at 3:10 PM on November 13, 2011


The Weakness in Me by Joan Armatrading is not typical but strikes me in the way you are asking.
posted by gudrun at 3:18 PM on November 13, 2011


I just watched the Runaways (2010), and I believe there's an earlier version. Might be a fun watch -- I liked it.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 3:21 PM on November 13, 2011


No More Drama by Mary J. Blige
posted by fuse theorem at 3:47 PM on November 13, 2011


A couple of punk grrl anthems based on relationship aftermath (personal strength, emotional build, no horns):

Bif Naked - I Love Myself Today
Vagiant - Seven
posted by thatdawnperson at 4:04 PM on November 13, 2011


Invincible by Pat Benetar
posted by jennyb at 4:05 PM on November 13, 2011


Feels Blind by Bikini Kill
Bring me to life by Evanescence
posted by blaneyphoto at 4:12 PM on November 13, 2011


Tilt?
posted by naoko at 4:21 PM on November 13, 2011


Independence Day - Martina McBride

Christina Perri - Jar of Hearts (this might be a little torchy though)
posted by Sassyfras at 4:50 PM on November 13, 2011


Rilo Kiley-Silver Linings
posted by shortyJBot at 5:00 PM on November 13, 2011


It's not a female singer or band but I really like Woman King by Iron & Wine and it seems thematically similar to what you want with a buildup and sort of anthemic vibe and being about female empowerment.
posted by srboisvert at 5:22 PM on November 13, 2011


Gwen Stefani - What You Waiting For?
posted by chronic sublime at 6:45 PM on November 13, 2011


I'll give you a third Rilo Kiley: Spectacular Views. [and a fourth: With Arms Outstretched]
posted by bah213 at 6:49 PM on November 13, 2011


you said "anthem" so.......My Country Tis of Thy People You're Dying
posted by hollyanderbody at 7:14 PM on November 13, 2011


The New Pornographers - The Bleeding Hearts Show
posted by Midnight Rambler at 8:53 PM on November 13, 2011


Joan Jett and the Blackhearts: "Bad Reputation," "Love is Pain," and "Victim of Circumstance."
posted by 4ster at 9:38 PM on November 13, 2011


The Raincoats - "Fairytale in the Supermarket" (bad sound quality on this youtube, it's like a recording of a tape player)

Mecca Normal - "Man Thinks Woman" (starts around 5:25; I am having bad youtube luck)

Kate Bush - "Get Out of My House"

Grace Jones - "Williams' Blood (Aeroplane remix)"

I don't know why "Stand Back" by Stevie Nicks sounds empowering and anthemic to me when it actually seems to be about being dudes not understanding what she's talking about because she's super coked up, but it's fun to dance around and shout "Stand back! Stand back!" like it means something. "Edge of Seventeen" similarly has the urgency and passion of an anthem without being particularly intelligible. Just like the white-winged dove, sings a song sounds like she's singing.
posted by Adventurer at 9:38 PM on November 13, 2011




Ida Maria -- Oh My God

PJ Harvey -- 60 Ft. Queenie

Really, anything from PJ Harvey's first four albums before she became a boring folkie.
posted by bardic at 11:21 PM on November 13, 2011 [1 favorite]


Laura Nyro -- Luckie
posted by willnot at 11:29 PM on November 13, 2011


Not exactly the lyrical content you're after but maybe in the neighborhood - Garrison Starr, "Superhero". That's a live performance; I like the version of the song on her first album if you can find it.
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:56 PM on November 13, 2011


You need L7: Shitlist or Pretend We're Dead.
posted by Infinite Jest at 12:15 AM on November 14, 2011


Seconding bardic: PJ Harvey's Man-Size
posted by unknowncommand at 12:20 AM on November 14, 2011 [1 favorite]


Dresden Dolls - Girl Anachronism
posted by permafrost at 3:30 AM on November 14, 2011


Poe, definitely. "Control" was mentioned above, but also "Angry Johnny" and the faster (remixed?) version of "Hello."

HoneyHoney's Little Toy Gun
Superchick's "One Girl Revolution" (I have the Battle mix, I think.)
posted by PussKillian at 7:40 AM on November 14, 2011


Extraordinary by Liz Phair.
This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us by Siouxsie and the Banshees (cover of a Sparks song).
Scratch Your Name by Noisettes.
posted by Madamina at 8:33 AM on November 14, 2011


As bardic points out above, pretty much any early-ish PJ Harvey should fit your bill: Plants and Rags, for instance, or The Life and Death of Mr Bad Mouth.

I also really get a kick out of the kick-ass belting in Cadallaca's Your One Wish. You're probably already a Sleater Kinney completist, but The Last Song is pretty awesome in this vein also. And there's always Throwing Muses, of course ...
posted by Sonny Jim at 3:45 PM on November 14, 2011


... Oh, and Coming Down, off the new Dum Dum Girls album. (Especially for what Dee Dee does with her voice at 3.32–3.37).
posted by Sonny Jim at 4:06 PM on November 14, 2011


I'm not familiar with most of what's been mentioned here, so I don't know whether this works for you, but your question immediately made me think of Kay Weaver's "One Fine Day". I was in college when the video was made, so that dates me. :)
posted by worldswalker at 4:47 PM on November 14, 2011


Bebe - Malo (lyrics in Spanish and translated)
Shakira - Estoy Aquí or Lo Hecho Está Hecho
Heart - Barracuda
Veruca Salt - Seether
Tori Amos - Cornflake Girl
Ani DiFranco - Willing To Fight
Hole - Violet
Britney Spears - Womanizer
Republica - Ready To Go
Joan Jett - I Hate Myself For Loving You
Mary Prankster - The World Is Full Of Bastards or Sadie Hawkins Day
Gloria Jones - Tainted Love
Pat Benatar - Heartbreaker or Treat Me Right
Garbage - Push It
Le Tigre - TKO
Quarterflash - Find Another Fool or Harden My Heart
Pink - Whataya Want From Me
Alanis Morrissette - You Oughta Know (too obvious? heh)
posted by flex at 5:41 PM on November 14, 2011


Defying Gravity from Wicked.
posted by duckus at 8:40 PM on November 14, 2011


Aretha Franklin - Respect !
posted by easilyamused at 10:42 PM on November 15, 2011


Well, kinda cheesy but there's always "Sisters are Doin' it For Themselves". Which reminds, that kind of mainstream chick stuff from the Lilith Fair era--Melissa Etheridge, Sheryl Crow, Annie Lennox, Sophie B. Hawkins.

Agreed about early PJ Harvey ("Meet Ze Monsta", "Reeling", "Man-Size", "Dress", "Sheela-Na-Gig", "O Stella", "50 Ft. Queenie", "Dry", "Rid of Me", "Missed", "Yuri G", "Rub 'til it Bleeds").

Le Tigre's first few albums, stuff like "TGIF", "My My Metrocard", "Hot Topic", "Thethe Empty", "Gone B4 Yr Home", "and "Get off the Internet".

Helium has a bunch. "Oh the Wind and Rain", "Love $$$", "Trixie's Star", "Hole in the Ground", "Lucy", "Baby's Going Underground".

Sleater-Kinney has a zillion, but you already know about them (if you haven't checked out their earliest stuff like "Surf Song", "You Ain't It", etc. I recommend)...Team Dresch ("Growing Up in Springfield", "DA Don't Care"), the Butchies, Heavens to Betsey, Bikini Kill. The Smears' "Stupid Chicks with High Voices". Tami Hart. Agreed about Neko Case, might add Jenny Toomey and Liz Phair. Kristin Hersh is not quite this...anthemic, and hyper-personal to the point of zero outright feminist politics, it's more hyper-specific storytelling, but you never know...

Maybe too "cool" and not obviously earnest-y enough, but post-punk's loaded with great female voices being in your face. The Slits, the Bush Tetras, Pylon, Y Pants, Ut, Young Marble Giants, Siouxsie and the Banshees. The old classic X-Ray Spex stand-by "Oh Bondage, Up Yours!" Kim-focused SY songs are often specifically lady-centered, stuff like "Brave Men Run" and "Shaking Hell" and "Kissability" and "Pacific Coast Highway". For something dancier, ESG maybe too. Lydia Lunch?? Scrawl. Maybe Emmylou Harris.

Agreed about select Nina Simone. And old-time girl group or lady country singer hits, the whole Leslie Gore/Diana Ross/Connie Francis/Peggy Lee/Patsy Cline etc. deal.

Ruby's Saltpeter can sound very of-its-era, maybe dated, but the lyrics hold up.

Maybe too gentle and not brash enough, but I revisited Beth Orton's Trailer Park for the first time in over 10 years this week and was surprised it holds up alright.
posted by ifjuly at 8:30 AM on November 16, 2011 [2 favorites]


Oh, and mentions of Garbage remind me from the same era: Lush ("Ladykiller"), Belly.
posted by ifjuly at 8:34 AM on November 16, 2011


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