Please help me find the right song!
July 1, 2021 5:55 PM Subscribe
I'm looking for an inspirational song, about women, sung by women, that isn't predicated on romance, love, and relationships. I'm not a woman. Hope me!
So, I volunteered to put together an introductory video for my workplace's Women's ERG. I have a few placeholders for some short music clips in the background and would like any suggestions for a song that would fit the theme. I really thought Peter Gabriel's Shaking the Tree was perfect as far as its message and the tone / pace / vibe that I'm looking for, but I can't for the life of me seem to find any covers of it by female artists. I also considered Katy Perry's Roar, but it's almost too... loud? for this context.
Can you recommend a specific song? I looked at this previously but a lot of the answers were referencing artists rather than specific songs, and many of the songs I looked into just didn't quite fit.
Songs should be:
- Clean / Safe for Work
- By a Female Artist
- Lyrics that reference or imply equality, empowerment, etc. without romantic context
- Upbeat / happy, major key, but not too overpowering ('Roar' tips that scale just a tiny bit too far I think given the context of the video, so something closer to the 'Shaking the Tree' vibe would be good - bonus points if you can find a cover of it).
So, I volunteered to put together an introductory video for my workplace's Women's ERG. I have a few placeholders for some short music clips in the background and would like any suggestions for a song that would fit the theme. I really thought Peter Gabriel's Shaking the Tree was perfect as far as its message and the tone / pace / vibe that I'm looking for, but I can't for the life of me seem to find any covers of it by female artists. I also considered Katy Perry's Roar, but it's almost too... loud? for this context.
Can you recommend a specific song? I looked at this previously but a lot of the answers were referencing artists rather than specific songs, and many of the songs I looked into just didn't quite fit.
Songs should be:
- Clean / Safe for Work
- By a Female Artist
- Lyrics that reference or imply equality, empowerment, etc. without romantic context
- Upbeat / happy, major key, but not too overpowering ('Roar' tips that scale just a tiny bit too far I think given the context of the video, so something closer to the 'Shaking the Tree' vibe would be good - bonus points if you can find a cover of it).
Aretha Franklin and Annie Lennox: Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 6:19 PM on July 1, 2021 [9 favorites]
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 6:19 PM on July 1, 2021 [9 favorites]
Beautiful by Christina Aguilera?
But really I want you to do I Am Woman by Helen Reddy. I mean, just listen to it! It's great. (And surely this is what Katy Perry was referencing when she wrote Roar?)
Here's a cover by Betty Wright.
Here's a cover by Bobbie Roy, but it's mellower.
posted by bluedaisy at 6:20 PM on July 1, 2021 [7 favorites]
But really I want you to do I Am Woman by Helen Reddy. I mean, just listen to it! It's great. (And surely this is what Katy Perry was referencing when she wrote Roar?)
Here's a cover by Betty Wright.
Here's a cover by Bobbie Roy, but it's mellower.
posted by bluedaisy at 6:20 PM on July 1, 2021 [7 favorites]
Wonder by Natalie Merchant
32 Flavors by Ani DiFranco
posted by wreckingball at 6:21 PM on July 1, 2021
32 Flavors by Ani DiFranco
posted by wreckingball at 6:21 PM on July 1, 2021
Ooh, and here's a tribute to Helen Reddy featuring lots of women singers singing I Am Woman. This is a feminist classic but ... not really a song we hear much anymore?
posted by bluedaisy at 6:24 PM on July 1, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by bluedaisy at 6:24 PM on July 1, 2021 [6 favorites]
Fight song by Sara Barelles?
posted by raccoon409 at 6:27 PM on July 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by raccoon409 at 6:27 PM on July 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
This might seem a little out of left field, but Waka Waka by Shakira is an upbeat, empowering song. Lyrics are:
You're a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up and dust yourself off
And back in the saddle
You're on the front line
Everyone's watching
You know it's serious, we are getting closer
This isn't over
The pressure's on, you feel it
But you got it all, believe it
When you fall, get up, oh oh
And if you fall, get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
'Cause this is Africa
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Listen to your God, this is our motto
Your time to shine, don't wait in line
Y vamos por todo
People are raising their expectations
Go on and feed them, this is your moment
No hesitations
Today's your day, I feel it
You paved the way, believe it
If you get down, get up, oh oh
When you get down, get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa ah ah
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Awela majoni biggie biggie mamma one A to zet
Bathi tsu zala majoni biggie biggie mamma from East to West
Batsi, waka waka ma, eh eh
Waka waka ma, eh eh
Zonke zizwe mazi buye
'Cause this is Africa
Tsamina mina, anawa ah ah
Tsamina mina
Tsamina mina, anawa ah ah
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa, ah ah
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Django, eh eh
Django, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa ah ah
Django, eh eh
Django, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa ah ah
This time for Africa
This time for Africa
We're all Africa
We're all Africa
posted by shortyJBot at 6:31 PM on July 1, 2021 [2 favorites]
You're a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up and dust yourself off
And back in the saddle
You're on the front line
Everyone's watching
You know it's serious, we are getting closer
This isn't over
The pressure's on, you feel it
But you got it all, believe it
When you fall, get up, oh oh
And if you fall, get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
'Cause this is Africa
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Listen to your God, this is our motto
Your time to shine, don't wait in line
Y vamos por todo
People are raising their expectations
Go on and feed them, this is your moment
No hesitations
Today's your day, I feel it
You paved the way, believe it
If you get down, get up, oh oh
When you get down, get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa ah ah
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Awela majoni biggie biggie mamma one A to zet
Bathi tsu zala majoni biggie biggie mamma from East to West
Batsi, waka waka ma, eh eh
Waka waka ma, eh eh
Zonke zizwe mazi buye
'Cause this is Africa
Tsamina mina, anawa ah ah
Tsamina mina
Tsamina mina, anawa ah ah
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa, ah ah
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Django, eh eh
Django, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa ah ah
Django, eh eh
Django, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa ah ah
This time for Africa
This time for Africa
We're all Africa
We're all Africa
posted by shortyJBot at 6:31 PM on July 1, 2021 [2 favorites]
I really love the song Let the River Run, by Carly Simon, though it's not explicitly aimed at women. It's upbeat and inspiring, though.
posted by gideonfrog at 6:33 PM on July 1, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by gideonfrog at 6:33 PM on July 1, 2021 [6 favorites]
This might be too far on the Roar spectrum for your vibe, but maybe Salute by Little Mix?
posted by jameaterblues at 6:55 PM on July 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by jameaterblues at 6:55 PM on July 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
Came in to also recommend “let the river run”. Also, “this is me” from the greatest showman.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 7:01 PM on July 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 7:01 PM on July 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
Indigo Girls Closer to Fine is what you're looking for.
posted by rednikki at 7:34 PM on July 1, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by rednikki at 7:34 PM on July 1, 2021 [5 favorites]
I will never pass up a chance to recommend Vienna Teng's "Level Up".
posted by invokeuse at 7:52 PM on July 1, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by invokeuse at 7:52 PM on July 1, 2021 [6 favorites]
Indigo Girls yes, but the "upbeat/happy/major" requirement says Get Out The Map.
posted by Pallas Athena at 8:00 PM on July 1, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Pallas Athena at 8:00 PM on July 1, 2021 [3 favorites]
As others have said above, the song you want is Helen Reddy's I Am Woman . It's so good they even made a movie about how the song came to be.
posted by Thella at 9:30 PM on July 1, 2021
posted by Thella at 9:30 PM on July 1, 2021
"We Are Family! (I've got all my sisters with me!)"
-- by the awesome Sister Sledge.... this is THE happiest song about female bonding.
posted by nantucket at 9:30 PM on July 1, 2021 [8 favorites]
-- by the awesome Sister Sledge.... this is THE happiest song about female bonding.
posted by nantucket at 9:30 PM on July 1, 2021 [8 favorites]
So I understand the context before making any recommendations, what is a Women's ERG?
posted by eviemath at 10:05 PM on July 1, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by eviemath at 10:05 PM on July 1, 2021 [2 favorites]
Fight Song by Rachel Platten
Brave by Sara Bareilles
Girl On Fire by Alicia Keys (maybe not fast enough? but so empowering)
Independent Woman by Destiny's Child (a little relationship reference, but it's about financial power)
Maybe pull the chorus ("Bo$$, Michelle Obama, Purse all heavy, getting Oprah dollars" and the "I pledge allegiance" part of BO$$ by Fifth Harmony
FWIW, if you get overwhelmed putting it together, you might enjoy This Is Not a Feminist Song from SNL.
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 10:55 PM on July 1, 2021
Brave by Sara Bareilles
Girl On Fire by Alicia Keys (maybe not fast enough? but so empowering)
Independent Woman by Destiny's Child (a little relationship reference, but it's about financial power)
Maybe pull the chorus ("Bo$$, Michelle Obama, Purse all heavy, getting Oprah dollars" and the "I pledge allegiance" part of BO$$ by Fifth Harmony
FWIW, if you get overwhelmed putting it together, you might enjoy This Is Not a Feminist Song from SNL.
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 10:55 PM on July 1, 2021
Sarah Bareilles did a great song for the movie Battle of the Sexes (about the Billie Jean King-Bobby Riggs tennis match), called If I Dare. Very women’s empowerment and quite pretty.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 1:29 AM on July 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by kitten kaboodle at 1:29 AM on July 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
Golden - Jill Scott
I'm Every Woman - Chaka Khan (or Whitney Houston's remake)
posted by quoththeraven at 1:33 AM on July 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
I'm Every Woman - Chaka Khan (or Whitney Houston's remake)
posted by quoththeraven at 1:33 AM on July 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
These are a bit more bubblegum than most of the other suggestions, but one of them might work:
Most Girls by Hailee Steinfeld
Sit Still, Look Pretty by Daya
Kings & Queens by Ava Max
posted by littlegreen at 2:20 AM on July 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
Most Girls by Hailee Steinfeld
Sit Still, Look Pretty by Daya
Kings & Queens by Ava Max
posted by littlegreen at 2:20 AM on July 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
Redesigning Women by the Highwomen might not quite hit the tone you’re looking for. The origin story of the group connects with your theme. Good luck picking something.
posted by melissa at 4:12 AM on July 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by melissa at 4:12 AM on July 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
Cyndi Lauper, True Colors
Aretha Franklin, Respect
listicles - 1, 2 can be a good way to find songs on a theme.
posted by theora55 at 6:44 AM on July 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
Aretha Franklin, Respect
listicles - 1, 2 can be a good way to find songs on a theme.
posted by theora55 at 6:44 AM on July 2, 2021 [2 favorites]
This song by the Tedeschi-Trucks band: Let Me Get By is pretty damn dope, if you ask me.
posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 7:40 AM on July 2, 2021
posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 7:40 AM on July 2, 2021
I will 3rd the Indigo Girls but recommend Let It Be Me as the song choice.
posted by darchildre at 3:50 PM on July 2, 2021
posted by darchildre at 3:50 PM on July 2, 2021
More clarifying questions about the context:
1. What, specifically, is the goal or intended outcome for this video? Something about improving the climate for a historically excluded or disadvantaged group in your workplace? Something unrelated?
2. Will the women artists whose songs are used be paid for this use of their creative work?
3. Are you doing this on company time, i.e. getting paid and/or getting career credit for your work? If so, will women Mefites who have contributed answers be paid for their contributions to this work task?
posted by eviemath at 5:34 AM on July 3, 2021
1. What, specifically, is the goal or intended outcome for this video? Something about improving the climate for a historically excluded or disadvantaged group in your workplace? Something unrelated?
2. Will the women artists whose songs are used be paid for this use of their creative work?
3. Are you doing this on company time, i.e. getting paid and/or getting career credit for your work? If so, will women Mefites who have contributed answers be paid for their contributions to this work task?
posted by eviemath at 5:34 AM on July 3, 2021
« Older Relocate to not get passed over by new CO law -... | Can I help my cats get over fireworks? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by music for skeletons at 6:16 PM on July 1, 2021