Feminist (or at least not anti-fem) pop playlist for the car - suggestions please?

[GertieGooseBoots]

I'm trying to put together a playlist I can put on in the car as I'm sick of the radio playing stuff I don't really want my kids listening to, all the raunch etc. Rhianna's become a bit of a whipping girl for the issue (pun intended) but that's the kind of thing, you know what I mean.

I'm looking for stuff that's a bit more contemporary than "Sisters are doing it for themselves", but so far I have Destiny's Child "Independent Women" and Pink's "Stupid Girl" (and I'm not sure about that as it's still pretty negative towards women, in its own way). It doesn't have to be stuff with a 'message', just songs that share a positive view of women/men/people in general. None of that "I had to fold her like a pornography poster" rubbish.

This isn't quite the right section of the board for this but I can't find anywhere more suited... Any thoughts?

[GertieGooseBoots]

I haven't heard of Ani DiFranco, or Helen Reddy, I shall have to look them up, thanks! (How could I forget Respect! And Kate Bush!)

[GertieGooseBoots]

Oh ta, I shall dig that out, it sounds ideal.

[yellowraincoat]

How about Shakespear's Sister? Not really contemporary, but good pop music!

Hole/Courtney Love

[KRITIQ]

My music collection is rather, um, dated.

How about Joan Osborn, Alison Moyet, Nanci Griffith, Patti Smith, Joan Baez and about anything by Sweet Honey in the Rock?

[TeiTetua]

I've always liked "I Will Survive" sung by Gloria Gaynor. But it's a sign of what's out there, that we're thinking of one song at a time and going back to the 1970s to find them.

I think back in the past, people asked Joan Baez to get involved in feminist activities and she never would. But she's "at least not anti-feminist".

[Tyr]

Your kids wil probably want to listen to the stuff they and their friends like.
The fact that you don't approve of it is, depending on their age, part of the attraction.
Most of the stuff listed on this thread will be about as attractive to kids as cold pea soup.
I'd leave them to it; they'll develop their own tastes soon enough.

[steamedtreaclesponge]

Hmm... having difficulty thinking of anything particularly recent! Sad how Beyonce's gone from Independent Women to Single Ladies - who wants a sodding ring anyway?

Elephants & I have been trying to put together a feminist playlist recently - it's depressing how hard it is to find truly 'feminist' songs. Some of the ones we thought of have been mentioned already but we also included:

Hit 'em Up - Blu Cantrell
Put Him Out - Ms Dynamite
Bills, Bills, Bills - Destiny's Child
I was gonna be an engineer - Peggy Seeger
Goodbye Earl - Dixie Chicks
One Girl Revolution - Superchick

[WilsonFrickett]

Scissor Sisters, GaGa and Lily Allen. OK, probably a bit feminist lite but the kids might actually want to listen to them

[blackcurrants]

How old are your kids? We have some great singalong sessions to Barenakedladies' kids albums - "snacktime" is a favourite with us, and "Here Comes Science!" is downright awesome

[geeeeeek]

[AlysWorld]

Kate Nash - her heart's in the right place at least.

Never Give up by The Noisettes is great.

On my listening to current music by women artists attempt, which didn't get very far, I also listened to the Ting Tings and Amy Winehouse. I wasn't going super feminist, just listening to women's voices more.

Wanted to look more into Janelle Monae after Glastonbury too.

this website is good.

Also The Grates, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Be Your Own Pet are female fronted.
(Might be a bit sweary)

And if you want to go old skool riot girl then Le Tigre

[WilsonFrickett]

at Snacktime! Someone burned a copy for me when DS was born and we wore the disc out. "If I make an error I can always make it better with my e-ras-er"

[GertieGooseBoots]

My kids are nearly 1 and nearly 3, so it's more for my benefit than theirs really, but if I can just have some background wallpaper noise that's mitigating the radio output, it's a small gesture in the right direction.

Thanks all, I shall be hitting Spotify with a vengeance! Lots to keep me busy with here...

[WilsonFrickett]

OP They will love Snacktime then!

[PrideandBumperlicious]

I think 9 to 5 is quite a feminist song and it's one I use to pep me up on my way to work!

[LesserOfTwoWeevils]

Beyonce's Irreplaceable?an update on I Will Survive.
La Roux Bulletproof
Trying to think of more.

[Takver]

I think the age of the songs might have as much to do with the age of people on here rather than current trends???

On which note - and showing my age - what about KD Lang? (And Billy Bragg singing Greetings the New Brunette if you don't mind inflicting it on them)

Tyr - depends on the kids - my dd is 9 and showing no sign yet of independent choice of pop music, though she does prefer DH's classical to my trashy pop tastes

[Tyr]

Takver,

She's got good taste if she enjoys classical at 9. Sooner or later, she'll realise that it's ok to like trashy pop too.
My daughter is half that age and likes anything with a groove. Ever since we went to see "Gnomeo and Juliet" a while back, she's developed a taste for vintage Elton John- "Saturday night's alright for fighting" being a current fave.
I'm trying not to be concerned.......

[blackcurrants]

Aww, love me some Elton!
I grew up singing along to my parents Beatles tapes, and lots of Motown. Not exactly 'feminist' but they WERE female singers and at least I could sing to them! Plus, some (Dusty springs to mind) genuinely were pretty feminist) - so maybe something along those lines? Plus, no swearing and catchy choruses.

But seriously, check out Barenakedladies for kids- they have GREAT fun. And we love Laurie Berkner in this house- silly and fun and singable and very equitable, in terms of gender. "Laurie has a pig on her head" is a current car favourite!

[blackcurrants]

I seem to have forgotten how to link. Sorry. Vid