31 Gal-Powered Songs

We’ve collected 31 songs that speak of self and female empowerment. One for each day of the month or 2 hours of awesomeness. Think of it as an empowerment mixtape from Gal’s Guide to the Galaxy. YouTube playlist included.

Tell us your favorites using #galpoweredsongs on social media or comment below.

Rachel Platten – Fight Song

This gentle song builds like a flame to an explosion. It has been a fight song for many around the world. The song reminds us that even when we feel small a voice can inspire others.

Aretha Franklin – R.E.S.P.E.C.T

Written by Otis Redding, this song took on a whole new meaning when Aretha claimed it and turned it into an anthem for women everywhere. Mad respect for Aretha, always.

Postmodern Jukebox (featuring Melinda Doolittle) – Don’t Stop Me Now

PMJ takes a song and gives it a new spin. This is Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” with a Tina Turner styling and it’s amazing! Get’s our toes tapping for adventures of galactic proportions.

Madonna – Express Yourself

The “Material Girl” changes her mind in an epic way in this empowerment anthem saying material things don’t last and to instead express yourself and encourage others to do the same.

Kelis – Milkshake

Love it or hate it. This song “brings all the boys to the yard. (We’d) would teach you, but (we’d) have to charge.”

Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

The fun and catchy song that inspired a movie and a movement. With so much seriousness in the world, sometimes a girl just needs to have fun…and fundamental rights.

No Doubt – Just A Girl

Capturing the confusion of gender roles and pushing the cultural boundaries of gender rules, front-runner Gwen Stefani has “had it up to here.”

t.A.T.u – Not Gonna Get Us

This Russian duo made three English albums and three in Russian. Their name sounds like “Tattoo” but it actually is a shortened Russian translation of “This girl loves this girl.” They set the world on fire with this performance at the MTV Movie Awards in 2003.

Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive

A disco hit and a staple for every survivor out there. This timeless Gloria Gaynor song is a classic and designed to inspire and tap into that inner strength. Sing along, we know you know every word!

Kelly Clarkson – Stronger

It was hard to choose between “Miss Independent” and “Stronger”. We went with “Stronger” as it fits more situations in a woman’s life and it goes really well with our next song.

Christina Aguilera – Fighter

This powerful song is about thanking someone who wronged you but you turned that into a strength into becoming a fighter. We almost went with “Beautiful” from Christina but the power of this song and the motivation to turn demons into energy is mind-changing.

Katy Perry – Roar

Katy showed us that we all have the eye of the tiger and that our voice is powerful. Sure sometimes it’s a meow but we all gotta start somewhere. If you dig this song also check out Katy’s “Firework” for gal-powered inspiration.

Ethel Merman – Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better

From the musical “Annie Get Your Gun” about the life of Annie Oakley. This song is a lovely duet in and out of the context of “Little Miss Sure Shot”.

P!nk – F**kin’ Perfect

There are so many gal-powered songs in P!nk’s album history; “So What,” “U + UR Hand” “Raise A Glass,” and “Stupid Girls.” But it was “F**kin’ Perfect” that speaks from the P!nk’s soul directly into yours telling you, “you are f**kin’ perfect, to me.”

Nina Simone – Feeling Good

So after P!nk has you feeling perfect, you feel pretty good right? Well, Nina Simone takes that a step further allowing you to stay in that moment longer and appreciate the world around you.

India.Arie – Video

India is not your average girl from your video, but she’s learned to love herself unconditionally because she is a Queen. And when you sing along, you’ll feel the same.

Lady Gaga – Born This Way

Put your paws up for Mother Monster. This song will have you deciding to love yourself today because “baby, you were born this way.” Great song to sing to, dance to and feel inspired you’re living your best life.

Icona Pop –  I Love It

This dance song from Swedish electropop duo has the energy of loving life and not giving AF. With lyrics like “you’re on a different road/but I’m in the Milky Way/ you want me down on earth/but I am up in space.”  We at Gal’s Guide to the Galaxy certainly love it!

Joan Jett – Bad Reputation

Sometimes we just need a punk rhythm to remind us we simply don’t have the time to worry about what other people think of us.

Meredith Brooks – Bitch

We’re a mix of a lot of things in a given moment and one of those is a bitch and that is okay. “So take me as I am.”

Colbie Caillat – Try

Who says empowering songs can’t be soft? Colbie reminds us “we don’t have to try so hard” to get people to like us because it only matters if we like ourselves.

Eurythmics (with Aretha Franklin) – Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves

First of all, Annie Lennox and Aretha Franklin, yasss queen! To add to that, this song has amazing lyrics and the video features gals of history changing the landscape for all of us. “This is a song to celebrate the conscious liberation of the female state.”

Alicia Keys – Girl On Fire

When you feel your life is on fire, or you need some fuel to get you through the day, play this soul-filled song from Alicia Keys.

Helen Reddy – I Am Woman

A classic song that was a staple of the 1970’s Women’s Movement. This song last the tests of time for its message and how you feel when you sing it at the top of your lungs.

Tina Turner – The Best

These are those who will hear this as a tribute to a loved one but we advise singing it to yourself because “you’re simply the best, better than all the rest!”

Salt-n-Pepa – Ain’t Nothin’ But a She Thing

These gals changed the face of hip-hop as they were never afraid of singing their thoughts on feminism and men. Salt wrote this empowering song for all the ladies out there and gal nailed it!

Fifth Harmony – Bo$$

Finishing third in X Factor, Fifth Harmony confidently brings their vocal talents to “Bo$$” with lyrics like “Dreams don’t work unless you do” and references to Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey.

Lily Allen – Shezzus

Part empowerment, part snark – all brave. With lyrics like “Second best will never do it for the divas. Give me that crown bitch, I wanna be Shezzus.”

Sara Bareilles – Brave

Broadway star and an amazing singer, Sara asks you to be brave in this inspiring tune. And for when someone is trying to tell you how you should be, check out her song “King of Anything” and you’ll feel a ton better.

Beyoncé – Run The World (Girls)

With so many amazing Queen Bey songs to choose from like “Formation” and “Sorry” we went with the epic anthem for women and girls everywhere. ‘Cause who runs the world? Girls!

 

Postmodern Jukebox (featuring Gunhild Carling) – Never Gonna Give You Up

Want to Rick Roll your friends? Gunhild Carling is a Swedish entertainer with a vaudeville background who plays more instruments than you can through a stick at. Gal brings out the bagpipes in this one! It’s incredible! Also here at Gal’s Guide, we’ll never give up on you.

Got a favorite gal-powered song? Let us know in the comments.