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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feministy music

36 replies

DemisRoussos · 01/10/2014 11:35

Hello all. I'm prompted to write this post as my personal circs have recently changed, meaning that I am spending much more time listening to music in the car and while working at home (aka MNing). I've also been learning a little about the Women's Liberation Music Archive.

I would love to know what songs/pieces of music inspire you in a feministy way, partly to enable me to create some new Spotify playlists, but also because it's always fascinating and a real privilege to read about other people's personal relationship with music.

"Feministy music" can be defined anyway you like. For me, it's not just music with overtly feminist lyrics, but perhaps songs where a knowledge of the performer's life adds an extra emotional impact to their performance or a sense of connection, or maybe songs sung from a uniquely female perspective? Maybe even songs that just make you want to high-kick around the kitchen and make you feel braver about facing the world in some way? I don't think it matters if the original context of the song is un-feministy.

I'll go first:

and

All together now: "don't wanna see your face, don't wanna hear your words, why don't you just (f* off)" Grin
OP posts:
TheWanderingUterus · 01/10/2014 12:36

My playlist on Spotify includes:

The Gits (love the music but also because what happened to Mia Zapata makes me so fucking angry)

Firstaidkit
Suffrajets
Veruca Salt
Hole
The Bastard Fairies
Pink
The Donnas
Bat for Lashes
queenadreena
Juliette and the licks
Lush
Sleeper
Echobelly
Neko Case

'You don't own me' - Lesley Gore
and two songs I love by Mary Prankster - 'The World is Full of Bastards' and 'Mercyfuck'

Bifauxnen · 01/10/2014 12:36

L7 - shove
Hole - awful
Echobelly - kali yuga, great things
Babes in toyland - spit to see the shine
Jack off Jill - when I am queen

I have a soft spot for obnoxious riot-girly stuff. Love the Kristy mccoll song.

Bifauxnen · 01/10/2014 12:37
  • kirsty
DemisRoussos · 01/10/2014 13:25

Great suggestions. I didn't know about Mia Zapata, how awful. I still shed an occasional tear thinking about Kirsty MacColl's tragic and untimely death.

Yy to Lesley Gore, a personal fav to sing loudly (and badly) with arms outstretched Grin

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TheWanderingUterus · 01/10/2014 14:02

Forgot about Skunk Anansie.

Glad I'm not the only one to get dramatic to 'you don't own me' Grin

The death of Mia Zapata was part of my feminist awakening, especially as the man responsible had such a history of violence against women. Wikipedia says multiple reports had been made against him by previous partners.

QisforQcumber · 01/10/2014 14:17

I'm going to offer:

Pink - You and Your Hand, I love the "I'm not here for your entertainment" line.

I always considered The Long Blondes - Once and Never again to be a feminist track until someone mentioned it was about a girl trying to get another girl (in an abusive relationship) to consider lesbianism? Any opinions welcome.

(Sorry to intrude, I don't post much so I feel like I'm invading a little)

ChutesTooNarrow · 01/10/2014 14:39

Qis I used to love that Long Blondes song until one day I really listened to the lyrics. It's a bit seedy really (although no more than thousands of boy band songs!). Ultimately I don't think coming onto a young woman in an abusive relationship is something I want to hear from a man or a woman.

I love Regina Spektor and Jenny Lewis not because they are specofically feminist but because I think they have a unique offering beyond writing about men.

QisforQcumber · 01/10/2014 14:44

Chutes I always liked the sentiment behind the "You don't need a boyfriend" part and I couldn't really make out the rest of the lyrics. Its really disappointing when you think you hear something positive that actually turns out to be as seedy as the rest of the shite out there.

The new Meghan Trainor (sp?) - All about the bass song had the potential to be a body-positive song until I heard "Cause I got that boom boom that all the boys chase All the right junk in all the right places". Urgh Sad

AbortionFairyGodmother · 01/10/2014 15:08

Don't forget your daily dose of Kathleen Hanna, in any form, in any band.

PetulaGordino · 01/10/2014 15:20

beautiful south - a little time

whatdoesittake48 · 01/10/2014 15:27

Sinead O'connor. ...no man's woman

I love that song so much

is there a Spotify play list somewhere so I don't have to make my own?

DemisRoussos · 01/10/2014 16:32

Thanks for more suggestions, the more the merrier! No-one is intruding at all, quite the opposite.

Once kids are in bed I'll set up a public Spotify playlist and will report back when it's done.

OP posts:
DemisRoussos · 01/10/2014 16:34

Would those who have recommended artists rather than tracks like to suggest a particular song to go on the playlist?

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FuckOffWeasel · 01/10/2014 17:11

No Doubt- Just a girl.

PetulaGordino · 01/10/2014 17:15

but not "underneath it all"

YonicScrewdriver · 01/10/2014 17:24

Book marking whilst I find you a previous relevant thread.

crossparsley · 01/10/2014 17:28

Not overtly political, but Nanci Griffith, especially The Last of the True Believers album - very real somehow. Iris Dement, Infamous Angel and the album after that, sorry can't remember the name. Both of them have what some would consider "challenging" voices, but to me they sound lovely and true.

Harper Valley PTA - Jeannie C Reilly
Irma Thomas - ooh anything, but Times Have Changed is an anthem

PenguinsIsSleepDeprived · 01/10/2014 17:37

Not inspire as in uplifting, but inspire as in 'give a kick up the arse'. Chocolate Girl by Deacon Blue.

TheWanderingUterus · 01/10/2014 17:45

Hard to narrow it down but:

Veruca Salt -
So Weird
Volcano Girls

The Gits - Second Skin

Suffrajets -
Worthy
Feel it

Bastard Fairies - Dirty Sexy kill Kill

Firstaidkit- My silver Lining

Pink-

stupid Girls
Raise your Glass
Fucking Perfect
so what
conversations with my 13 year old self

Queenadreena - suck

The Donnas - Dancing with Myself (cover)

Meredith Brooks - Bitch

Juliette and the Licks- Sticky Honey

Divinyls- I touch myself

Lush - ladykillers

Neko Case- Pretty Girls

TheWanderingUterus · 01/10/2014 17:51

Bat for lashes-
Glass

Skunk Anansie-

Weak
Brazen- weep
twisted- everyday hurts

MoreCrackThanHarlem · 01/10/2014 18:03

Bikini Kill- Rebel Girl or Don't need you
Huggy Bear- Her Jazz
Hole- My Beautiful Son
Liz Phair- 6ft1
PJ Harvey- Sheela-na-gig
Juliana Hatfield- Dame with a rod
Belly- Feed the Tree
L7- Shitlist

DemisRoussos · 01/10/2014 18:15

I so need to put all these tracks on a cassette and hand draw an inlay card Grin

OP posts:
YonicScrewdriver · 01/10/2014 18:51
Grin

Second Feed The Tree

Echo belly - Great Things

MiniTheMinx · 01/10/2014 18:55

PJ Harvey - man size,