50 Female Anthems

Female-Friendly Songs
March may have been widely celebrated as Women's History Month but music doesn't have a timestamp. For that reason, we at BlackVoices.com decided to take a look at some of the songs that speak directly to women from women – and the stories behind the songs. From Aretha Franklin's renowned '60's anthem and Janet Jackson's rally for independence to Mary J. Blige's self-motivating anthem and Alicia Keys' tribute to sisters, music has been a driving force for female empowerment.We have an array of artists, from Queen Latifah and Jody Watley to Whitney Houston and Madonna. Check out our list of female empowerment anthems.

50 Female Anthems

Song: 'Superwoman'
Performer: Alicia Keys
Sheer Lyricism: "I am 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. Yes, she is."
Factoid: Keys sang this song to legendary actress Ruby Dee on the television series called 'Iconoclasts.' Her music can also be heard on is Jada Pinkett Smith's new medical drama, 'Hawthorne.' The track 'Lessons Learned' -- from her 2008 opus, 'As I Am' -- is heard throughout the final scenes of the pilot episode of the TNT series.

50 Female Anthems

Song: 'Respect'
Performer: Aretha Franklin
Sheer Lyricism: "All I'm asking for is a little respect when you get home."
Factoid: Though the lyrics in this song intimate that a woman is paying a man for his love and sexual favors, soul crooner Otis Redding wrote and originally recorded the song for his third album 'Otis Blue.'
BUY IT, TRY IT: Aretha Franklin's 'Greatest Hits'

50 Female Anthems

Song: 'Respect'
Performer: Adeva
Sheer Lyricism: "Come on, respect me when I'm cookin'. Come on, respect me when I'm cleanin', Come on, respect me whem I'm workin'"
Factoid: This house music cover of the hit song 'Respect' was a crossover success in 1989. The Capitol Records dance-music artist brought new life to the song, which became an anthem for "Queen of Soul," Aretha Franklin, 22 years earlier.
BUY IT, TRY IT: Adeva's 'Adeva'

50 Female Anthems

Song: 'Sisters Are Doing it for Themselves'
Performer: Annie Lennox and Aretha Franklin
Sheer Lyricism: "We say, sisters are doin' it for themselves. Standin' on their own two feet and ringin'on their own bells.'
Factoid: Talk about a heavy-hitting duet. This soulful offering was featured on an episode of the long-running animated television series 'The Simpsons' in a scene where Bart Simpson is dressed in drag.
Annie Lennox's 'Sisters Are Doing it for Themselves'

50 Female Anthems

Song: 'Me, Myself & I'
Performer: Beyonce
Sheer Lyricism: "I got me, myself and I. I know that I will never disappoint myself."
Factoid: Beyonce might have been known to write female empowerment songs as part of Destiny's Child, but this marked the Houston native's first solo try at letting the ladies know that they don't have to deal with a cheating boyfriend. 'Me, Myself & I' also earned the hit-maker and co-writers Scott Storch and Robert Waller ASCAP honors.
BUY IT, TRY IT: Beyonce's 'I Am Sasha Fierce'

50 Female Anthems

Song: 'You're So Vain'
Performer: Carly Simon
Sheer Lyricism: "I bet you think this song is about you."
Factoid: Over the years, lots of guesses have been made about the famous subject of this song. Mick Jagger, Warren Beatty, Cat Stevens and James Taylor are some of the names that have been dropped. The song essentially talks about a rich man, a possible lover, who is unfaithful.
Carly Simon's 'You're So Vain'

50 Female Anthems

Song: 'Before He Cheats'
Performer: Carrie Underwood
Sheer Lyricism: "'Cause I dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped-up four-wheel drive, carved my name into his leather seats..."
Factoid: Sure, this 'American Idol' winner might have been syrupy sweet on the competition series, but with her debut album, she stood firm on how she doesn't go for cheating. It certainly paid off. It remains the country star's most successful single to date with over 2 million digital downloads sold.
BUY IT, TRY IT: Carrie Underwood's 'Carnival Ride'

50 Female Anthems

Song: 'I'm Every Woman'
Performer: Chaka Khan
Sheer Lyricism: "Anything you want done, baby, I do it naturally."
Factoid: Singer/songwriter couple Ashford and Simpson penned 'I'm Every Woman' for the Rufus front woman. Whitney Houston, who reportedly sang background vocals on the original track, eventually covered the song in 1992 on 'The Bodyguard' soundtrack -- giving props to Chaka in her rendition. 'American Idol' season five finalist Mandisa also covered the song and brought it new life.
BUY IT, TRY IT: Chaka Khan's 'Greatest Hits'

50 Female Anthems

Song: 'Believe'
Performer: Cher
Sheer Lyricism: "But I know that I'll get through this 'cause I know that I am strong."
Factoid: Though it sounds like Cher used a vocoder machine, which T-Pain and Kanye West have most recently made popular, Cher's voice is actually sped up by a software called Antares Auto-Tune.
Cher's 'Believe'

50 Female Anthems