The Root's Favorite Female Anthems
To celebrate Women's History Month, The Root staff compiled our favorite empowerment anthems. Some tracks make us tap our feet, some make us pump our fists and others make us cry. But every song is worth hearing. Take a look ... and listen.
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2 of 27
"They Say I'm Different" by Betty DavisBoomkat.comThey say I'm different because I'm a piece of sugar cane
Sweet to the core
That's right, I got rhythm.
My great-grandma didn't like to fox trot,
instead she spitted snuff and boogied down.
Want this song? Buy it here.
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3 of 27
"Ladies Night" by Kool and the GangOriginalFunkMusic.comRomantic Lady, single Baby
Mmh, sophisticated mama Uuh!
Come on, you disco Lady, yeah
Stay with me tonight, mama
If you hear any noise, it ain't the boys
It's a Ladies Night, ah-ha
Want this song? Buy it here.
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4 of 27
"I'm Every Woman" by Chaka KahnI'm every woman
it's all in me
anything you want done, baby
I'll do it naturally.
I'm ev'ry woman
it's all in me
I can read your thoughts right noweveryone from A to Z.
Want this song? Buy it here.
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5 of 27
"And I Am Telling You" by Jennifer Holliday/Jennifer Hudsonmsnbc.com -
6 of 27
"To Zion" by Lauryn HillGetty ImagesWoe this crazy circumstance
I knew his life deserved a chance
But everybody told me to be smart
Look at your career they said,
"Lauryn, baby use your head"
But instead I chose to use my heart
Want this song? Buy it here.
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7 of 27
"A Woman's Worth" By Alicia KeysCuz a real man knows a real woman when he sees her
And a real woman knows a real man ain't afraid to please her
And a real woman knows a real man always comes first
And a real man just can't deny a woman's worth
Want this song? Buy it here.
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8 of 27
"Grandma's Hands" by Bill WithersGrandma's hands
Soothed a local unwed mother
Grandma's hands
Used to ache sometimes and swell
Grandma's hands
Used to lift her face and tell her,
"Baby, Grandma understands"
Want this song? Buy it here.
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9 of 27
"Real Love" by Mary J. BligeI'm searching for the real love
Someone to set my heart free
Real love
I'm searching for a real love
Want this song? Buy it here.
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10 of 27
"Not Gon' Cry" by Mary J. Blige11 years of sacrifice
And you can leave at the drop of a dime
Swallowed my fears, stood by your side
I shoulda left your ass a thousand times
Want this song? Buy it here.
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11 of 27
"Independent Women" by Destiny's ChildThe 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
Want this song? Buy it here.
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12 of 27
"RESPECT" by Aretha FranklinOoo, your kisses
Sweeter than honey
And guess what?
So is my money
All I want you to do for me
Is give it to me when you get home
Want this song? Buy it here.
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13 of 27
"It's Not Right, But It's Ok" by Whitney Houstonundergroundvn.comIt's not right, but it's okay
I'm gonna make it anyway
Close the door behind you
Leave your key
I'd rather be alone than unhappy
Want this song? Buy it here.
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14 of 27
"I Will Survive" by Gloria GaynorAnd so you're back from outer space
I just walked in to find you here with that sad look upon your face
I should have changed that stupid lock
I should have made you leave your key
If I'd've known for just one second you'd back to bother me
Want this song? Buy it here.
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15 of 27
"I Am Not My Hair" by India.ArieGood hair means curls and waves
Bad hair means you look like a slave
At the turn of the century
Its time for us to redefine who we be
Want this song? Buy it here.
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16 of 27
"Video" by India.ArieI'm not the average girl from your video
And I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
Want this song? Buy it here.
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17 of 27
"You Gotta Be" by Des'reeListen as your day unfolds
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers, they may cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
Stand up and be counted
Don't be ashamed to cry
Want this song? Buy it here.
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18 of 27
"Golden" by Jill ScottI'm taking my freedom,
Pulling it off the shelf,
Putting it on my chain,
Wear it around my neck,
I'm taking my freedom,
Putting it in my car,
Wherever I choose to go,
It will take me far.
Want this song? Buy it here.
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19 of 27
"Just Fine" by Mary J. BligeNo time for moping around, are you kidding?
And no time for negative vibes, cause I'm winning
It's been a long week, I put in my hardest
Gonna live my life, feels so good to get it right
Want this song? Buy it here.
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20 of 27
"32 Flavors" by Alana DavisI am a poster girl with no poster,
I am 32 flavors and then some
And I'm beyond your peripheral vision
so you might want to turn your head
Want this song? Buy it here.
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21 of 27
"Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey RaeGirl, put your records on, tell me your favorite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down.
Want this song? Buy it here.
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22 of 27
"Pocketbook" by Meshell NdegeocelloGirl gotcha own thing
You know everybody
High class
Mediocre
The riff raff
Love is the root politic
Read between the paragraph
You know what you make after taxes
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23 of 27
"11th Hour" by Dionne FarrisWalking away was the best thing I could ever do
'Cause once you make your decision, your decision is made
When we find ourselves up in arms more often than most
By then we know it's time to go
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24 of 27
"Survivor" by Destiny's ChildYou thought that I'd be helpless without ya,
But I'm smarter,
You thought that I'd be stressed without ya,
But I'm chillin'
You thought I wouldn't sell without ya,
Sold nine million.
Want this song? Buy it here.
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25 of 27
"Superwoman" by Alicia KeysCause I am a Superwoman
Yes I am
Yes she is
Even when I'm a mess
I still put on a vest
With an S on my chest
Oh yes
I'm a Superwoman
Want this song? Buy it here.
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26 of 27
"Girl Talk" by TLCPut in work
If you don't want the girl to talk
And you don't want your feelings hurt
Put in work
Cause if you don't
That girl's just gon' go spreadin' the word
Want this song? Buy it here.
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27 of 27 "Irreplaceable" by Beyonce
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