The feminist pop anthems that made 2016 less terrible

For many people, 2016 has been a year of major highs and lows. It was the year of Hillary Clinton’s campaign, Simone Biles reign and Lemonade — but it was also the year of the rise of  the ‘alt right’, Donald Trump and his sex scandals and the Ohio Heartbeat Bill.

At times, this year has made it hard to be a woman — especially for women of color or members of the LGBTQ community. Music has always been a tough space for women to occupy, between consistent pressure to be perfect and judgements on the artistic ‘importance’ or ‘merit’ of their music being held to a different standard than that of men. That makes all women in music important — but we wanted to highlight 10 songs performed by women that worked to empower other women.

On this list, you won’t see any of the typical tropes the pop music industry often tries to use to pit us against each other — you know, like women who talk about being more attractive than others or women who define themselves and their sexuality entirely by the male gaze. Here’s to the kickass, totally feminist pop songs of 2016.

10. Ariana Grande, Dangerous Woman

“Don’t need permission/Made my decision to test my limits”

Ariana Grande is feeling herself and in the process has made a gorgeously edgy pop song that exudes female sexuality. Even though being with her guy makes her feel like a dangerous woman, she lets us know multiple times in the song that she is “taking control of this kind of moment” and finding out what she wants out of a relationship. Ariana made us all feel “dangerous” by celebrating taking charge over your own body and sexual relationships — something much needed in 2016.

9. Ellie Goulding, Army

“When I’m with you/I’m standing with an army”

This ballad by British songstress Ellie Goulding is a welcome change from her usual synth-pop songs. She uses this song to really show off her vocal range in the best way possible — honoring her female best friend who has been there no matter what “they say about us” and even though Goulding has always thought her friend was “too cool” for her. The song crafts a personal story about a supportive female friendship with no secret games, no manipulation, and no ‘mean girl’ vibe and we LOVE it.

8. Daya, Sit Still, Look Pretty

“But this gal right here’s gonna rule the world”

Daya is calling out societal expectations that women to should sit still and appeal to the men in their lives and I am here for it. This song is an anthem with a hella catchy beat for women who want to get shit done with their lives — no matter what their dream may be. Although she does compare herself to “other girlies” who “wanna wear expensive things,” I think she means that more as a contrast to the pressures that have forced women to “live in a Barbie world” paid for by men rather than the women themselves. Daya is all about wearing pretty things — hello, look at the music video — she just wants to do it on her own terms. Don’t @ me.

7. Meghan Trainor, No

“My number is “No”/ You need to let it go”

Although Meghan Trainor’s body of work is controversial, this song is a major win. It centers on the fact that women don’t need to entertain men simply because they speak to us. We owe them nothing, and Meghan has made an catchy, sassy song celebrating our right to consent in all situations. More importantly, it reminds us that the word “no”  literally means no and that it is ALWAYS OK to say it. In fact, you should sing “no” over and over again in a chorus.

6. Fifth Harmony, That’s My Girl

“Got some dirt on your shoulder/ Then let me brush it off for ya/ That’s my girl”

This catchy pop song just screams girl love — which makes sense because the ladies of Fifth Harmony have been major feminist icons for years now. In the lyrics, they remind their friends that no matter what they are facing, they have been down before and they can get back up. Then they celebrate how hard their friends have been working and how proud they are of “their girl.” No competition here. Just letting other women know how badass they are. That’s our girls!

5. Beyonce, Sorry

“Middle fingers up/ Put them hands high /Wave it in his face /Tell ’em boy bye”

In this fun pop/hip hop crossover, Beyonce reacts to the betrayal of her husband by reminding him that she is a badass bitch who can go to the club and have a good time without him. Not only does it tell the story of Bey’s girl squad going to the club to celebrate their lady power, at the end of the song she also realizes her ability to live on her own. We can’t forget that she calls out society’s strange approval of men having affairs with her killer first line: “Ashes to ashes and dust to sidechicks.”

Also, the music video features Serena Williams twerking. We are so here for Serena celebrating her beauty, Beyonce realizing her worth, and flicking off no-good cheating exes! They don’t call her Queen Bey for nothing.

4. Beyonce, Hold Up

“I hop up out the bed and get my swag on”

Beyonce is back at it. Hold Up is a tangy pop song with major Island influences — and we love it for reasons even beyond the music video which features Beyonce running around in a ball gown hitting cars with a baseball bat. This song calls out the fucking double standard that exists in dating culture where women are deemed “jealous” or “crazy” for questioning their partner who has been acting shady. In fact, women are deemed “crazy” for all kinds of interactions with men– like asking the guy you’ve been hooking up with for months to date you or asking your boyfriend to be a bit more sensitive.

She also expertly calls society on its tendency to blame women by letting everyone know she knows that she “kept it sexy” and “kept it fun” and he still cheated. Beyonce lets everyone know she would rather be called jealous and crazy than “walked all over,” but she reminds Jay-Z (or, you know, whoever) that even crazy Beyonce is better for him than his mistresses. She is his wife after all — and apparently “the baddest woman in the game up in your sheets.”

3. Rihanna, Needed Me

“But baby ooh, you needed me”

In this song, Rihanna portrays herself as the conquerer in a sexual relationship. She calls the man she is spending time with for “tryna fix your issues with a bad bitch” and reminds him that he was just another man “on the hit list.” This changes the typical narrative, where men use women either emotionally or sexually and the woman becomes attached. Rihanna reminds all of us with this song that the fuckboy you’re talking too probably isn’t as tough or heartless as he seems, and that we don’t have to act like a man’s ‘savior’ in any intimate relationship we are in.

2.  Alessia Cara, Scars To Your Beautiful

“And you don’t have to change a thing, the world could change its heart”

This absolutely gorgeous ballad questions society’s conception of beauty. She calls explicit attention to the prevalence of eating disorders, while reminding everyone that no matter their insecurities, they are beautiful. It’s society that is ugly. She does this without highlighting a population that should feel bad about themselves or elevating one group above another — a major accomplishment for a Billboard Hot 100 hit.

Not to mention, the music video includes personal stories from numerous real people about the negative impact of societal beauty standards and how they’ve overcome their insecurities. Cara’s use of her platform to speak on such important issues is inspiring and FEMINIST to a tee.

1. Beyonce, Formation

“If he fuck me good I take his ass to Red Lobster”

Beyonce does what only Beyonce can do in this celebration of black womanhood. Formation was the lady anthem of the year for WoC. Not only does she highlight parts of her culture deemed ‘unrefined’ by society — like keeping hot sauce in her purse or appreciating “Jackson Five nostrils” and “baby hairs”– she highlights how badass black women truly are. She reminds everyone she “might be a black Bill Gates in the making” — fuck Bill Gates being a man — and that she can rock a Givenchy dress. She ends the song with a call of action to WoC to get in formation and show off their power. Empower the shit out of America, Beyonce. We promise we have coordination.