1. Most Girls by Hailee Steinfeld-
This song is all about how girls should feel comfortable the way they are, and we shouldn’t shame them for being that way. Some girls like to go out, some girls prefer to stay in. Steinfeld sings that girls are smart, strong and beautiful, and that if we work hard, we are unstoppable. As long as we are being the best we can be, it doesn’t matter who we are or what we like to do.
Important lyric- ‘Cause you look greatest when you feel like a damn queen, we’re all just playing a game in a way, trying to win at life.’
2. Shout out to My Ex by Little Mix-
Written after member Perrie Edwards broke off her long-term engagement with Zayn Malik, she used this song to help her cope with the breakup. This song is for any girl having trouble getting over an ex. The girl group goes on to sing about how they are better off without them anyways, and how having their hearts broken made them stronger in the end.
Important lyric- ‘Hey, look at me now. I’m all the way up, I swear you’ll never bring me down.’
3. Pretty Girl by Maggie Lindemann
‘Pretty Girl’ is all about being more than what meets the eye. Girls are often given standards that are not exactly fair, and we often don’t meet those standards. ‘Pretty Girl’ is a song about breaking gender stereotypes, and how girls can swear, drink and smoke if they want to, and don’t need a guy’s opinion on the matter. Lindemann wants every girl to know that being pretty doesn’t matter, and there is so much more to you than just your looks.
Important lyric- ‘Some days I’m strong, Some days I quit. I don’t let it show, but I’ve been through some shit.’
4. Yes Girl by Bea Miller
Bea Miller rose to fame after competing in the second season of The X Factor (US). Though she only came in ninth place, she didn’t let her loss stop her. ‘Yes Girl’ was a single that came out in 2016. Miller was feeling overwhelmed, and found herself saying yes to things she really didn’t want to do. As a result, she wrote this song as a reminder to stand up for herself.
Important lyric- ‘Won’t be your yes girl, no, not anymore.’
5. Scars to Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara
This song rose to fame in 2016, the third single from Cara’s album “Know-It-All.” The song is about body image, and how we should embrace how we look, because we are all beautiful despite what social standards say. It is okay to love ourselves, and as a result, we will be able to more easily accept love from others. This song covers everything from depression to eating disorders, everyday problems that we tend to ignore until it’s too late.
Important lyric- ‘You don’t have to change, the world can change It’s heart.’
6. Run the World (Girls) by Beyoncé
Being one of the most influential people in today’s time, Beyoncé continues to use her platform to inspire young women. Bey uses this song to unapologetically encourage women empowerment. Though compared to some of her earlier hits, critics tend to believe that this song is a more direct approach to the topic of female empowerment. She would go on to say that she writes things that “women want to say, but sometimes are not confident enough to say.”
Important lyric- ‘My persuasion can build a nation, endless power, with our love we can devour.’
7. Confident by Demi Lovato
With new music from Lovato being out now, some people tend to sweep this powerful song from 2015 under the carpet. ‘Confident’ is an anthem for self-empowerment, and feeling happy with oneself. If you watched her latest documentary, then you know all about the struggles that she has had to face throughout her past. Lovato provided a song that shows girls that it’s okay to love yourself, and that it is important to do so.
Important lyric- ‘You say I’m complicated, but you’ve got me underrated.’
8. Sit Still, Look Pretty by Daya
Daya released her debut album in 2016, titled ‘Sit still, Look Pretty.” Her song of the same name is about how girls are ‘supposed’ to act versus going after what they want and not letting anyone get in the way of their dreams. All girls need is themselves, and with Daya’s song, they know that don’t have to act a certain way or depend on anyone to get where they want to be.
Important lyric- ‘I don’t know what you’ve been told, but this gal right here I gonna rule the world.’
9. Rise by Katy Perry
Katy Perry is a name known throughout the world. ‘Rise’ is a standalone single that Perry released in 2016 that she hoped would support unity in our world where it is lacking. The song was released during coverage of the 2016 Summer Olympics. Perry later added that she couldn’t think of a better time to release the song, and that it gives the message of everyone coming together and making our world the best place it could be.
Important lyric- ‘Don’t doubt it, Victory is in my veins.’
10. Welcome to New York by Taylor Swift
‘Welcome to New York’ was Swift’s second promotional single off of her 1989 album. WTNY is about following your heart where it takes you, and achieving your dreams in the process. Swift went on to say that she always saw New York as a place of “endless potential and opportunities.” Whether your dream is to sing, or to write, or to teach, you should approach it at full force. Plus, Swift donated all the proceeds of the song to NYC’s Department of Education, which is awesome in and of itself.
Important lyric- ‘The lights are so bright, but they never blind me. Welcome to New York.”