With March being Women’s History Month, we decided to make this month’s editors’ playlists centered around the wonderful women in the music industry.
This month’s list is full of songs by amazing female artists who express the journey of being a woman in society today. What better way to honor the women who worked so hard to get us where we are today than with amazingly talented women?
Up first is “Head Above Water” by Avril Lavigne. This song was inspired by Lavigne’s struggle with Lyme disease in 2015. For me, it has so much more meaning. “I can’t see in the stormy weather. I can’t seem to keep it all together.” These hit me really hard, especially when I’m going through things that I can’t seem to get a hold on. The music gets much softer, and her voice is so full of emotion. If I pay too much attention to the lyrics when I listen to this song, I end up a sobbing mess, which leads us to our next song.
I have always been a fan of Carrie Underwood’s music. When she released “Cry Pretty”, I fell in love with her music all over again.
When she sang,”Sometimes my emotions get the best of me,” I felt that. I think everyone felt that. Emotions have this funny way of catching you off guard, and they don’t always come out beautifully. Underwood sings, “When things get ugly you just gotta face that you can’t cry pretty.” However, you shouldn’t be ashamed of that. Earlier in the song she sings, “Falling apart is as human as it gets,” and this is so true. There is nothing wrong with breaking down and needing to cry ugly.
To continue with this same theme, next is “I’m a Mess” by Bebe Rexha. At times, I feel like this song is about coming to terms with some of the not so great qualities one might have. Then there are other times where it comes off so incredibly snarky. This typically comes about when she sings the lines, “Everything’s gonna be okay. It’s gonna be a good, good life. That’s what my therapist say[s].” Regardless of the meaning that I get from the song on any given day, I still enjoy it. It gives me hope that even though I have some negative qualities, everything will still work out for the better. Not everyone is perfect, and that’s OK.
When I began compiling this list, I knew I had to include Kesha; however, I had some difficulty narrowing it down to one song. In the end, I decided to go with “Praying.” This was a HIT calling out the man that did her wrong. Her growth really shows in this song, and it is so inspiring. She doesn’t allow those things that he did hold her back anymore. “In life, you’re [going to] get what you give, but some things only God can forgive.” She said that and everyone felt that.
This next song is one that I can listen to on repeat for days. “GIRL” by Maren Morris is so uplifting and emotional. Nearly every time I listen to this song, I cry because it makes me feel things I can’t put into words. “All up in my head again, I don’t feel myself right now, maybe I should just lay down,” is one of the lines that I can relate to the most. On the days I can’t get out of my head, all I want to do is lie down. I love that Morris states that these feelings are natural. Every now and then I know that I need that reminder, so I’m sure others do too.
Ah, who doesn’t love generational differences especially when it comes to handling breakups? Now not everyone should go about it as Lambert does in her song “Mama’s Broken Heart,” but things definitely have changed over the years. This song definitely encompasses the crazy that I know I have felt after a breakup and I have a feeling so many others have probably felt the same way. The line, “Go and hide your crazy, and start acting like a lady,” is one of my favorites because it is so snarky. This is one of my all time favorite country songs.
P!nk could probably drop an album full of her singing nonsense and I would still love it. She is so unforgiving about who she is as a woman and a mom, and I love that about her. “Just Like Fire” is such a powerful song that makes me want to get up and change the world. Well, in the small ways that I can at least. P!nk is just such a powerful woman and I absolutely love her and her music.
“Good as Hell” by Lizzo is my anthem right now. No, I haven’t been through a breakup recently, but who doesn’t like a song that’s uplifting? It’s nice to feel good about yourself and take back control where you can. Now I will admit, I did not like Lizzo when her music started to become popular, but I must admit she has grown on me. Her attitude of take me as I am or leave is so inspiring and her music makes me feel good about myself.
“Sorry Not Sorry” by Demi Lovato gets me fired up every time it comes on my Spotify. I absolutely love this song. It is such an empowering song. The best form of payback is bettering yourself and becoming what you want to be, and this song exemplifies that. This song makes me scream sing along with it when it plays.
Finally, “thank u, next” by Ariana Grande is a JAM. You don’t need a partner to be complete. Let me repeat that for those in the back. You don’t need a partner to be complete. You are enough. That goes for everyone, no matter your gender identity. This song taught me that important lesson. This is just such a great song in my opinion, and it is one of my favorite songs by Grande.
I hope you all enjoy my list and the remainder of Women’s History Month.
