10 Anthems of Feminine Strength Written By Men

What defines an anthem of feminine strength?

To me, it’s any song that brings out power without invoking masculinity.

In a tangible way, it’s a song that immediately makes people feel comfortable to sing super loudly and jump up and down. In my experience as a DJ, this is most certainly not limited to women, although these songs are undoubtedly associated with women.

They are often songs about women, or the lyrics reflect the struggle of women. It’s not the beat that defines the music, it’s the words.

What if I told you that a large portion of the songs you heard while you were out having a “girls night out?"

You mad?

I’m not. I think it’s pretty interesting. Like it or not, these songs are part of American culture and affect our ideas of what it means to be feminine and powerful.

The following songs are easily 10 of the most well-known songs that are associated with the experience of being a women, however simple they may be.

Let’s have a look see --

1. Respect - Otis Redding

Originally recorded by Redding, the song took on a whole new meaning when Aretha Franklin belted it out. The words were changed slightly, but it’s Aretha’s assertion that makes it resonate with women.

2. Single Ladies - Beyoncé, Terius "The-Dream" Nash, Thaddis "Kuk" Harrell, and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart

“The Dream” came up with the concept and was inspired by Jay-Z and Beyonce’s relationship. The dude has been married 3 times. He knows something about putting a ring on it

3. I Will Survive - Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris ​

It would have been nothing without Gloria Gaynor because from what I can tell these guys were pretty basic guys with a talent for writing great songs (as least according to the internet).

4. Since U Been Gone - Max Martin and Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald

​THAT Dr. Luke wrote AND produced this delightful go-to for breakups and bahvitzahs alike, proving that a person can absolutely understand a female perspective while simultaneously treating women like garbage and manage to make money doing it.

​It was originally written for P!nk, almost recorded by Hilary Duff (she couldn’t nail the high notes), and Clive Davis convinced the writers to give it to Kelly. Good call Clive. No one wants to hear Dr. Luke sing. That’s for sure.

5. Material Girl - Peter Brown and Robert Rans

Madonna typically didn't write her own songs in the 80s and 90s and she's gotten a lot of flack for it, so this one may not be too surprising, but it’s worth noting that two men wrote it.  It’s a tongue-in-cheek take on “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” that reminds us that money may not solve all one’s problems, but it’s worth making more than a few concessions for. ​

6. I Am Woman - Ray Burton

Not having grown up in the 70s, it’s hard for me to really digest this one in the manner that it was likely digested when it was first released. I always figured it was this undying symbol of the Women’s Movement, signifying progress like equal pay for women and freedom of choice and all that great stuff.

Unfortunately, it’s a dude making fun of his feminist wife. Helen Reddy used to host women’s meetings and Burton recalls these meetings as vehicles to “sit around and whine about their boyfriends.”

7. All About That Bass - Meghan Trainor, Kevin Kadish

This song was a huge hit, but it got a lot of flack for “skinny shaming.” Yes, it was co-written by a man, but it turns out that the “skinny bitch” line was Trainor’s idea. Go figure. ​

8. You Don’t Own Me - John Madara and David White

Leslie Gore slayed this anthem of female independence, but it was two Doo-Wop dudes who penned it. It’s arguably one of their most known musical accomplishments so far as I can tell. Understanding the female perspective pays off.

9. Run The World - Beyoncé Knowles, Terius "The-Dream" Nash, Wesley Pentz, David Taylor, Adidja Palmer, Nick van de Wall

Girls may run the world, but it’s a TEAM of men who wrote the song alongside Beyonce.

10. These Boots Are Made For Walking - Lee Hazlewood

Originally, Hazlewood wanted to record the song himself and said “it’s not really a girl song.” That’s not the kicker though. Here’s the “Kick In The Head” — Frank Sinatra convinced him to let Nancy Sinatra sing it.

Frank Sinatra wasn’t exactly known for being sensitive to the women folk back in his day, but he did offer this perspective -- "coming from a guy it was harsh and abusive, but was perfect for a little girl to sing.” Frankie, you weren’t wrong and Lee Hazlewood sounds like a monster.

There are many more where this came from. So many that there are articles out there that list “girl power” anthems of this nature that are actually written by women.

Think about the reverse - “15 Boy Power Anthems Actually Written By Men.”

It sounds like a particularly upsetting episode of Law and Order SVU that has yet to air. 

How WERE these lyrics able to be written by men? Perhaps these successful men had many patient women opening up to them about their likes and dislikes. 

We could of course go on and on about how the music industry favors men and how women have a difficult time getting their words amplified, but that’s another blog post entirely.