19 Songs To Listen To When The Patriarchy's Got You Down

WHO RUN THIS MOTHER???

1. Beyoncé, "Run The World (Girls)"

Columbia

If someone is making you feel less than, there's nothing more satisfying to scream than "WHO RUN THIS MOTHER? GIRLS!!"

Best patriarchy-smashing lyric: "Boy I know you love it / How we're smart enough to make these millions / Strong enough to bear the children / Then get back to business"

2. Little Mix and Missy Elliot, "How Ya Doin'?"

Syco

Perfect when you're not in the mood to be texting with any fuckboys. Also, there's a Missy Elliot rap.

Best patriarchy-smashing lyric: "It's been so long since you have treated me like I deserved / So long, baby, I'm gone / You can leave a message for me after the tone."

3. Christina Aguilera and Lil' Kim, "Cant Hold Us Down"

RCA

Christina and Lil' Kim go IN on this song. It's the best anthem for being loud and unapologetic about your feminism.

Best patriarchy-smashing lyric: "This is for my girls all around the world / Who've come across a man who don't respect your worth / Thinking all women should be seen, not heard"

4. Janelle Monáe and Erykah Badu, "Q.U.E.E.N."

Wondaland / Bad Boy

This song is a middle finger to anyone who tells women, or anyone, how they should act.

Best patriarchy-smashing lyric: "She who writes the movie owns the script and the sequel. / So why ain't the stealing of my rights made illegal?"

5. M.I.A., "Bad Girls"

Interscope

The best jam for when you don't feel like being anyone's good girl.

Best patriarchy-smashing lyric: "Looking in the rear view swagger going swell / Leave them boys behind kisses leave em just to kill"

6. Destiny's Child, "Independent Women, Pt. I"

Columbia

Not a lot of songs celebrate the hard work ladies do the way this one does. Pop it on and feel damn good about yourself as an independent woman.

Best patriarchy-smashing lyric: "The shoes on my feet, I've bought it / The clothes I'm wearing, I've bought it / The rock I'm rockin', I've bought it / 'Cause I depend on me if I want it"

7. Blu Cantrell, "Hit 'Em up Style (Oops!)"

Arista

Blu Cantrell reminds you that you don't have to put up with any crap from anyone.

Best patriarchy-smashing lyric: "Hey Ladies / When your man wanna get buckwild / Just go back and Hit 'Em Up Style"

8. P!nk, "U + Ur Hand"

La Face

For every time you've been inappropriately hit on, here's the message you can scream at those jerks.

Best patriarchy-smashing lyric: "We didn't get all dressed up just for you to see

/ So quit spilling your drinks on me"

9. Salt-N-Pepa, "None Of Your Business"

Next Plateau / London Records

Someone trying to shame you for being a sexual woman? Salt-N-Pepa has just the song for telling them to fuck off.

Best patriarchy-smashing lyric: "If I wanna take a guy home with me tonight / It's none of your business"

10. Lily Allen, "Hard Out Here"

Parlophone

Despite its faults, this song really hits home all the impossible expectations and double standards society puts on women. Also, it's catchy af.

Best patriarchy-smashing lyric: "If I told you 'bout my sex life, you'd call me a slut

/ When boys be talking about their bitches, no one's making a fuss"

11. Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé "Feeling Myself"

Young Money / Cash Money / Republic / Tidal

Queen Nicki and Bey's gave us this beautiful anthem of self-love. It's not just about how great women are, but also how great women are when we're together.

Best patriarchy-smashing lyric: "Cause we dope girls we flawless, we the poster girls for all this"

12. Lady Gaga and Beyoncé "Telephone"

Streamline / Kon Live / Cherrytree / Interscope

If some guy is trying to make you wait for him, Gaga has some good advice: just go dancing instead.

Best patriarchy-smashing lyric: "You shoulda made some plans with me / You knew that I was free / And now you won't stop calling me / I'm kinda busy"

13. No Doubt, "Just A Girl"

Interscope

For when you've had it up to here with people underestimating you because of your gender.

Best patriarchy-smashing lyric: "Oh I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite

So don't let me have any rights "

14. Meredith Brooks, "Bitch"

Geza X

Another great one from the 90's, celebrating the many things women (as humans) can be.

Best patriarchy-smashing lyric: "I'm a bitch, I'm a lover / I'm a child, I'm a mother / I'm a sinner, I'm a saint / I do not feel ashamed"

15. Katy Perry, "Roar"

Capitol

Sometimes it can be hard to speak up when you're taught that your gender should take the backseat--but this song is great for finding that courage to roar.

Best patriarchy-smashing lyric: "I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath

/ Scared to rock the boat and make a mess / So I sit quietly, agree politely / I guess that I forgot I had a choice"

16. Taylor Swift, "Blank Space"

youtube.com

Women are crazy, right? Taylor Swift spits in the face of that sexist stereotype, in this over-the-top song and music video.

Best patriarchy-smashing lyric: "Got a long list of ex-lovers / They'll tell you I'm insane / But I got a blank space baby / And I'll write your name"

17. Destiny's Child, "Survivor"

Columbia

Destiny's Child once again teaching us that we can be strong, independent women that don't need no men.

Best patriarchy-smashing lyric: "You thought that I'd be broke without you

/ But I'm richer / You thought that I'd be sad without you / I laugh harder"

18. Janelle Monáe and Jidenna, "Yoga"

Wondaland, Epic

Sometimes you feel like going against the grain, and sometimes you feel like going with it. Janelle Monaé is gonna be there to help you feel empowered either way.

Best patriarchy smashing lyric: "You cannot police me, so get off my areola"

19. Aretha Franklin, "Respect"

Atlantic

It's the original feminist anthem. So iconic, and always relevant. Still looking for that respect!

Best patriarchy-smashing lyric: "All I'm askin' / (oo) Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)"

Listen to the full playlist on Spotify!