Women Rock [and rap, and country, and western, and polka . . . ]

March 16, 2007 5:37 AM

SongFilter for a friend: In search of . . . "songs that are about changing the world, how great women are, non-violence, social change . . ."

It's for an event on April 5th, which is National Day to End Sexual Violence. Mercy boocoo in advance!

posted by Kibbutz to media & arts (38 comments total)

Anything Phil Ochs, or if you want a less sardonic edge, then Joan Baez.
posted by The White Hat at 5:54 AM on March 16, 2007

It is a rather aggressive song (and it has profanity in it), but "Hold Her Down" by Toad the Wet Sprocket is one poweful song for such a day as you are describing.
posted by 4ster at 5:56 AM on March 16, 2007

The ultimate: Times They Are A-Changin' by Bob Dylan
posted by AnyGuelmann at 6:09 AM on March 16, 2007

(not by a woman though... but I'm sure you can find women singers that recorded this song!)
posted by AnyGuelmann at 6:11 AM on March 16, 2007

Old stuff that your friend may like:
Revolution - The Beatles
Chicago (We Can Change the World) - Crosby Stills and Nash
San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair) - Scott McKenzie
posted by iconomy at 6:12 AM on March 16, 2007

Ani DiFranco. 7 Year Bitch. Bikini Kill, Heavens to Betsy, riot grrl bands in general and their descendants.
posted by desuetude at 6:18 AM on March 16, 2007

World of Fire by Sarah McLachlan
posted by jmd82 at 6:19 AM on March 16, 2007

Joining You by Alanis Morissette.
posted by hermitosis at 6:23 AM on March 16, 2007

Put Your Hands On Me is great and seems appropriate for the day.
posted by cashman at 6:30 AM on March 16, 2007

(not by a woman though... but I'm sure you can find women singers that recorded this song!)

Odetta does a good cover.
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 6:42 AM on March 16, 2007

There's a cool song by Sister 7 called "Fallen Angel" that talks about women. It's on my "I'm angry and feeling feminist' playlist. It's inspiring in the way it sounds, not so much in the words, though the words are meant to be ironic...
posted by olinerd at 6:49 AM on March 16, 2007

Anything by the Indigo Girls, "Let It Be Me" beign the best that comes to mine.
posted by Jeanne at 6:52 AM on March 16, 2007

"This is the Day" by Ivy (was featured on the 'There's Something About Mary' soundtrack & in the film)
posted by cashman at 6:55 AM on March 16, 2007

Patti Smith's "People Have the Power"
posted by statolith at 6:55 AM on March 16, 2007

Goodbye Earl by the Dixie Chicks
posted by jbickers at 6:55 AM on March 16, 2007

Hey that previewed right! Anyway, what I meant to say was Patti Smith's "People Have the Power"
posted by statolith at 6:56 AM on March 16, 2007

"Stand" by Sly and the Family Stone
"I'm Every Woman" by Chaka Khan ( although this might be considered more of a personal anthem)
posted by fuse theorem at 6:58 AM on March 16, 2007

Women are Smarter

It ain't me
It's the people that say
Men are leading the women astray
But I say, it's the women today
Smarter than the man in every way

Chorus:
That's right
The women are smarter
That's right
The women are smarter
That's right
The women are smarter
The women are smarter
That's right, that's right

Ever since the world began
Women been banned from the ways of man
Listen boy cuz I've got a plan
Give it up, don't try and understand

____________________________________

Shaking the Tree

Waiting your time, dreaming of a better life
Waiting your time, so much more than just a wife
You dont have to do what your mother has done, she has done
This is your life, this new life has begun
Its your day - a womans day
Its your day - a womans day

Turning the tide, you are on the incoming wave
Turning the tide, you know you are nobodys slave
Find your brothers and sisters
Who can hear all the truth in what you say
They can support you when youre on your way
Its your day - a womans day
Its your day - a womans day
posted by grateful at 7:10 AM on March 16, 2007

ani difranco's the lady for you. here are a few:

"face up and sing"
happy, punky, up-tempo tune, lyrics are a sort of encouraging/bullying cry to "stand up for yourself, it's not that hard!"

"joyful girl"
thoughtful, sweet, pretty tune, lyrics are about having integrity and living with that sometimes challenging choice

"talk to me now"
tune is sweet and folky, lyrics are about being tough enough to withstand sexual harrasament on a daily basis.

32 flavours - tune is pretty and warm and sweet, lyrics are gentle & confident that singer is a complex individual; how a woman can make her way in the world.

"not a pretty girl"
tune is sort of like a rock anthem, lyrics are about being strong.

there are lots more- you can browse lyrics at danah's site.
posted by twistofrhyme at 7:20 AM on March 16, 2007

I've always taken the Talking Head's song "The Great Curve" as empowering.

"She loves the world, and all the people in it
She shakes em up when she start to walk."

"A world of light...shes gonna open our eyes up"

"The world moves on a woman's hips"
posted by cda at 7:53 AM on March 16, 2007

Pretty Girls or Lady Pilot by Neko Case
posted by estronaut at 7:54 AM on March 16, 2007

Ladies First - Queen Latifah
posted by cashman at 8:07 AM on March 16, 2007

Anything by Dar Williams
posted by selfmedicating at 8:12 AM on March 16, 2007

Almost every Rush album has a "sociological" song or two.

Of particular interest (though not specifically about women) are:

- "The Trees," from Hemispheres
- Pretty much the whole Power Windows album
- "Nobody's Hero" and "Alien Shore," from Counterparts
- "Half The World" and "The Color of Right," from Test for Echo
- "Peaceable Kingdom," from Vapor Trails
posted by gaiamark at 8:25 AM on March 16, 2007

"Monument" by Mirah, from the album Advisory Committee.

Let us stand resolute with our voices raised
We have a right to insist to be free and brave
If that should cease to exist i'd throw my heart away

It's a long long way to the promised land
So try where you are, do what you can
You belong to what you understand
So teach yourself how to demand the monument that you deserve
For rising up in a beaten down world
posted by ourobouros at 8:26 AM on March 16, 2007

Here's another vote for the Indigo Girls. I like Pendulum Swinger from their new album - sounds perfect for your event.
posted by non sum qualis eram at 8:44 AM on March 16, 2007

"Get Up, Stand Up" by Bob Marley. I think Tracy Chapman did a cover of it---that could be good.
posted by slenderloris at 9:43 AM on March 16, 2007

I've always been partial to Peace, Love and Understanding by Elvis Costello (and Nick Lowe).
posted by i_am_a_Jedi at 10:14 AM on March 16, 2007

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THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!!!
posted by Kibbutz at 10:19 AM on March 16, 2007

Video by India Arie.
posted by gramcracker at 11:06 AM on March 16, 2007

Rush? Seriously? Randian propoganda?

But let's move out of the cliché Birkenstocks folk
Raincoats— About a Girl
The Au Pairs— Don't Lie Back (Really, nearly anything by The Au Pairs)
The Avatars— Warm .44
The Chambers Brothers— The Time Has Come Today
The Ciccone Youth— Addicted To Love
Dee Edwards— A Girl Can't Go By What She Hears
Dolly Mixture— Walk Away Renee
Flying Lizards— Her Story
The Go Gos— This Town
The Golden Palominos— I'm Not Sorry (Really, anything off of the album This Is How It Feels. It has Lori Carson doing vocals and writing the lyrics, and is all girl-power "I'll kick your ass" trip hop)
The Gossip— Swing Low
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts— Don't Abuse Me
Kelis— Caught Out There
Kleenex— Madness
The Long Blondes— Separated By Motorways (a song about girl best friends. Also good would be Once And Never Again; In The Company Of Women; Weekend Without Makeup)
Martha and the Muffins— Women Around The World At Work
Massive Attack— Dissolved Girl
Material featuring Nona Hendryx— Busting Out
The Quails— Your Heart Is a Muscle The Size of a Fist (also good is Soon The Rest Will Fall)
The Raincoats— Lola
The Ramones— Sheena Is A Punk Rocker
Red on Strike— Bleeding Hands (MeFi's own!)
The Shirts— Can't Cry Anymore
The Slits— So Tough

Anyway, that's a good start.
posted by klangklangston at 11:09 AM on March 16, 2007 [1 favorite]

Oh, shit! I forgot ANYTHING BY LE TIGRE. Seriously, they're exactly what you need for this.
posted by klangklangston at 11:11 AM on March 16, 2007

If you don't mind something that's not in English, "Mann Ke Manjeere" by Shubha Mudgal -- subtitled video here, background story and English lyrics here. I was blown away the first time I saw the video, learning that it was based on the true story of a woman who escaped an abusive marriage and eventually became the first female truck driver in her region. The video brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it.
posted by Smilla's Sense of Snark at 12:36 PM on March 16, 2007

"Prince Charming," by Jim's Big Ego.
posted by anthom at 12:47 PM on March 16, 2007

Luscious Jackson
Nina Simone
Sarah Harmer
posted by LobsterMitten at 2:29 PM on March 16, 2007

and really, certain Dolly Parton songs kick ass in this vein; don't know which ones though.
posted by LobsterMitten at 2:31 PM on March 16, 2007

Jim O'Rourke - Prelude to 110 or 220/Women of the World

Beautiful song. The lyrics are just the following, repeated over and over:

Women of the world take over
Cause if you don’t the world will come to an end
And it won’t take long

Apparently, it's a cover.
posted by hydrophonic at 3:24 PM on March 16, 2007

Sleater-Kinney!!!
In particular, #1 Must-Have.
posted by indienial at 2:01 AM on March 17, 2007