Here’s the thing: Women know empowerment. Women know how to talk about empowerment, women know how to manifest empowerment, women know how to embody empowerment, and women also know how to SING about empowerment.
Let’s face it: Music is there for you when your energy is not! The music you listen to can literally shape your mood if you want it to. Is this… magic? Is choosing our mood is as easy as choosing a playlist?
What better way, honestly, to get in a kick-ass mood than to turn your music all the way up and get lost in the lyrics? Whether you’re getting ready for the day, driving to school or work, or jamming to your headphones while you grind away, if there is ever a bad time to be in an empowered, motivated, on-top-of-the-world mood, I’ve yet to find it.
Since (according to me) all we have to do is turn up the tunes to pick our mood, I’m going to be sharing my top 25 female empowerment songs, which make up On The Dot Woman’s very first Spotify playlist (oh yeah!!!), so that we can all get in our most electric mood yet. I’ve been listening to this playlist all week as I’ve been curating it, and let me tell you, it works like a charm. Instant mood booster. Uninspired? Haven’t heard of it. And nothing cliche to be found here— smooth R&B notes, rockin’ beats, a lil female rap, oldie and groovy; it’s all here.
For now, here are my 30 top female empowerment songs… (*recommended use: to create your best, most confident, most exhilarating mood yet.*)
- "***Flawless" by Beyoncé feat. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
“Ladies, we flawless.” Need I say more?
2. “No Man Is Big Enough for My Arms" by Ibeyi
“The measure of any society is how it treats its women and girls. We create: The smart, powerful, creative, accomplished young women.” Okay, yes. Love everything that’s going on here.
3. "You Don't Own Me" by Grace
“And please, when I go out with you, don't put me on display.”
Yes, we are art. But that’s not our purpose! We are complex humans too! This song is independence to the max, and we love it.
4. ”Bodak Yellow" by Cardi B
Always toeing the line between too much and just enough, Cardi undeniably brings out everyone’s badass side. Regardless, we’re making “money moves” with Cardi— who’s with me?
5. “Don't Touch My Hair" by Solange feat. Sampha
“Don’t touch my crown.” That’s all I’ve got here. Exquisite.
6. “I’m Coming Out" by Diana Ross
A timeless bop, this song will get you feeling groovy. We’re gonna let our power come out and we “want the world to know!”
7. “Just Fine" by Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige, what a beautiful and electric soul. Turn this up, imagine yourself strutting down the street, and embody every word— “Got my head on straight, I got my mind right, I ain't gonna let you kill it.”
8. “Pynk” by Janelle Monáe
All-the-way girly, Janelle’s sweet voice reminds us of our soft, pink, girly side, as well as a rockin’ side as she kicks up the rhythm. Whichever mood, “we’ve got the pink.”
9. “God Is a Woman” by Ariana Grande
A true legendary tune, for sure. This song reminds us to leave our sparkly and strong impact in everything we do so that when all is said and done, they’ll believe “God Is A Woman.”
10. "Q.U.E.E.N." by Janelle Monáe and Erykah Badu
This one will have you dancing in public, and that’s a promise.
“Is it peculiar that she twerk in the mirror? And am I weird to dance alone late at night? And is it true we're all insane?”
If it is… at least we’re all in it together.
11. “In My Dreams” by Kali Uchis
With the opening line being, “I’m feeling happy inside, I’ve got no reason to hide, I’m a dream girl,” Kali embodies the idea that sometimes it’s okay to retreat to your own little dream world. I’m down for that.
12. “Frontline” by Kelela
Okay, y’all. This one has be bumping in public every time it comes on. Kelela is a queen, and she reminds us that we all are, and that’s the only energy we should accept! “Cry and talk about it, baby, but it ain't no use. I ain't gonna sit here with your blues.” Ugh. Yes.
13. “7 Rings” by Ariana Grande
“Rather be tied up with calls and not strings. Write my own checks like I write what I sing.” I just… yes. We love it.
14. “Tired of Talking” by LEON
We’ve all had that person who didn’t appreciate us; but that’s a thing of the past. Just like this song says, we’re tired of talking. Better things ahead, girls.
15. “Yoga” by Janelle Monae
When Janelle says, “Crown on my head but the world on my shoulder,” I legit feel on top of the world. The combo of beats and lyrics in this song just cannot be beat. We all deserve to feel this way.”
16. “I Do” by Cardi B feat. SZA
Again, almost too much, but necessary. Cardi maxes us out on the independence feels every time.
17. “Drew Barrymore” by SZA
When SZA says, “Am I warm enough for ya?” I wish I could tell her YES. Her warmth radiates, and we all need to hear it!
18. “New Rules - Alison Wonderland Remix” by Dua Lipa feat. Alison Wonderland
To counter the mellow vibes of the previous song, this electro remix of a cheesy pop song really drives the point home and leaves you feeling electric. We’ve got new rules, in case you didn’t know! (Hint: 1. Don’t pick up the phone…”)
19. “no tears left to cry” by Ariana Grande
In my opinion, Ari can do no wrong. She tells us that “right now (she’s) in a state of mind, that she wants to be in like, all the time,” and well, we do too. Cloud 9 is feelin’ fine with these vibes!
20. “Bird Set Free” by Sia
A powerful ballad, this song takes us from “having clipped wings” to learning to fly. Beautiful and inspirational, Sia’s strong voice might even encourage a tear if you’re in the right mood.
21. “Electric Lady” by Janelle Monae feat. Solange
“You shock it, shake it, baby”: Janelle’s words to us. “Electric lady, you’re a star!”
22. “Rise” by Solange
Solange’s angelic voice is like medicine to the frazzled mind, and lucky for us, this song is nothing but her reminding us to let our old ways die to come into the best version of ourselves.
23. “Broken Clocks” by SZA
“I’ve paid enough of petty dues, I've had enough of sh*tty news.” Tell us how it is, SZA, we all feel you. We’ve had enough too. But, “it’s still love, it’s still love, nothin’ but love.”
24. “Shake It Out” by Florence + The Machine
“And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back. So shake him off, oh whoa!” This tune reminds us that we can’t shine if we are standing in the shade bad vibes. Shake it out and radiate, queens.
25. “thank u, next” by Ariana Grande
I adore the simplicity of this serve by Ari. Whatever it is that doesn’t serve you, just apply “thank u, next” and repeat. With this, I digress.
I hope this helps you uncover your best, most influential mood yet. I know it worked for me! (While you’re at it, go ahead and give us a follow on Spotify, as we will be curating lots of fun playlists for you all in the upcoming weeks!)