50 Songs For, or/and About Women

International Women's Day (IWD) is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women's rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, and violence and abuse against women.

Many of us celebrate holidays like this by listening to music and sharing our favourite songs with others.

Music is powerful! It can inspire, empower, motivate, and stir people to action. It can push boundaries and influence change. In my opinion, music amplifies whatever mood we are in. Neurological researchers have found that listening to music triggers the release of several neurochemicals that play a role in brain function and mental health. I especially love music is music which inspires and empowers.

For centuries, women have been using music as an outlet for their struggles in everyday life. Although they were often overlooked by history, women of the past impacted more than just the music industry -- they spread hope and courage.

As a woman, I thoroughly enjoy music that is specifically inspiring or empowering for women. Hence why I created this list! I want to share my love of amazing music for women with you all.

You may agree with me that many of the songs on this list could be inspiring and empowering for men too. So if you're a man and you're here, don't feel bad! Just enjoy some great music!

Here is my list of the top 100 inspiring and empowering songs for women:

1. Beautiful- Christina Aguilera

2. Doo Wop (That Thing) - Lauryn Hill

3. Firework - Katy Perry

4. Girl on Fire - Alicia Keys

5. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper

6. Hero - Mariah Carey

7. I'm Every Woman - Chaka Khan

8. Independent Women Pt. 1 - Destiny's Child

9. African Queen- TuFace Idibia

10. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

11. Let it Go (Disney's "Frozen") - Idina Menzel

12. Reflection (Disney's "Pocahontas")- Lea Salonga

13. No Scrubs - TLC

14. One Moment in Time - Whitney Houston

15. Respect - Aretha Franklin

16. Q.U.E.E.N. - Janelle Monae ft. Erykah Badu

17. Pretty Girl Rock - Keri Hilson

18. People Like Us - Kelly Clarkson

19. She's Not Just a Pretty Face - Shania Twain

20. She Works Hard for the Money - Donna Summer

21. Sisters are Doin' it for Themselves - Annie Lennox and Aretha Franklin

22. Stupid Girls - Pink

23. Survivor - Destiny's Child

24. Take Me as I Am - Mary J. Blige

25. That's What Makes You Beautiful - One Direction

26. Titanium - David Guetta ft. Sia

27. Who Says - Selena Gomez

28. You Gotta Be - Des'ree

29. Run the World (Girls) - Beyonce

30. Unpretty - TLC

31. Whip My Hair - Willow Smith

32. Superwoman- Alicia Keys

33. Natural Woman- Aretha Franklin

34. I'm Dat Chick- Kelly Rowland

35. Video- India Arie

36. “Just a Girl”- No Doubt

37. "Don't touch my hair" - Solange

38. "Pynk"- Janelle Monae

39. "Juice"- Lizzo

40. "Uptown Girl"-Westlife

41. "Beautiful Girl"-Sean Kingston

42. "You're Beautiful"- James Blunt

43. "Pretty Woman"- Roy Orbison

44. "My Girl"- The Temptations

45. "Hollaback Girl"- Gwen Stefani

46. "A Woman's Work"- Maxwell

47. "Dangerous Girl"- Lana Del Ray

48. "Material Girl"- Madonna

49. "Phenomenal Woman"- Olivia Newton John

50. "Queen"- Jessie J

There are thousands of songs about women in the music sphere and I know this list only scratches the surface of a fraction so please feel free to drop your favorite songs about women, inspired by women, or empowering to women in the comment section.

Until next time, Happy International Women's Day!