OPINION: GIRL POWER ANTHEMS
Whether you’ve been getting aggy vibes all day from your new boss, you can’t get your eyebrows on fleek for the 89th time this week, or you’re sat in your jim-jams stuffing chocolates feeling more decuman than wo-man, fear not. We have three tracks from inspirational and frankly badass women artists, to make you feel fabulous-- and a few more which didn't make the top three, to give your playlists a sprinkle of diva.
1. Laura Mvula, "Phenomenal Woman"
Nitty Gritty: Released in April 2016, this soulful delight was the first single from her album “The Dreaming Room” this summer. With just under one million plays on Spotify, this song can be seen as the embodiment of what makes a woman truly phenomenal, none less than Mvula herself. Strong. Daring. Creative.
We know she’s awesome and: I had the pleasure of meeting her at a Radio 1 Academy Live Lounge event, she was super friendly, engaging and wholly grateful. Step aside divas, this girl got class.
Listen when: you have those days when your dreams seem too big to reach or your self-esteem is feeling low.
2. HAIM ft. A$AP Ferg, "My Song 5"
Nitty Gritty: Released in August 2014, this super sassy single was the sixth to be released from their debut album "Days Are Gone". This is no normal girly-pop anthem and its empowering message hasn't gone unheard with over two million YouTube views, that girl power is forever multiplying.
We know they're awesome and: They are ALL mega talented, ALL girls, ALL sisters. If only my sister didn't give up the keyboard, eh? Not only are they slaying the indie-rock scene, they're re-writing it.
Listen when: you need a cure for a lack of empowerment, you're feeling a little small in this world, or your mending a broken heart.
3. Lady Gaga, "Applause"
Nitty Gritty: Released August 2013, this electro-pop dream was the lead single from her third studio album, "Art Pop." And the numbers speak for themselves: over 27 million albums & 146 million singles sold worldwide-- she's absolutely smashing it. Gaga shows the world lyrically the power of women, to stand up and be heard, instead of just talked about as another heartthrob in another pop song.
We know she’s awesome and: We live for her music, but also for her empowering quotes. One of her golden nuggets of wisdom, "Some women choose to follow men, and some women choose to follow their dreams."
Listen when: you need a stress-busting dance anthem to shake off those Monday blues or you need a song to remind you to always believe in yourself and your art.
Now as with all great things, you don't want them to end. So here's a few honorable mentions which were super girl anthems, we couldn't not tell you about.
Christina Aguilera- "Fighter"// TLC- "No Scrubs"// Destinys Child- "Bills, Bills, Bills"// Beyonce- "Run the World."
You can thank me later-- but for now, go on, get those headphones in and get your 'girl power' on.