Anger is still one of the most taboo emotions for women, so let's have some more of it for this International Women's Day. I give you a shortlist of angry anthems to accompany your patriarchy breaking ways, my sisters and brothers in arms.
PJ Harvey-Snake:
Eve is out of Paradise, and she is pissed as Hell
Eve is teeming with rage at the snake's betrayal. Of course, she is. Why didn't anyone imagine Eve as a furiously spurned snake lover before? And why didn't anyone imagine the snake as a sneaky, sexually predatory beast? And why didn't anyone imagine Adam as a side note to history? Well, because no one is like PJ Harvey. The queen of allegory and punk.
Just take my hand you'll be my bride Just take that fruit put it inside You snake you dog, you fake, you liar I've burned my hands I'm in the fire Oh You salty dog, you filthy liar My heart it aches I'm in the fire
Aretha Franklin - Evil Gal Blues:
I will be mean and I will not apologize, thank you very much!
Evil Gal Blues was written by two men, about a woman no man should get involved with. But Aretha sings it in an enormously unapologetic manner, allowing herself to be the vindictive, high maintenance woman with audacity. The interpretation is so shameless and brutally honest, and very much attuned with the anger within this woman.
I want caviar for breakfast, champagne every night, I want a midnight snack for every man that I invite I'm an evil gal don't you mess around with me, no
Solange - Don't Touch My Hair: Making Collective Hurt Into a Personal Song
The private is political, said 2nd wave feminists. And this subdued, soft song is a perfect example of that. It is packed with social relevance, speaking to the African American women's experiences of identity and belonging in a society not willing to accept them. It is very raw and beautiful and much more angry than it sounds.
Don't touch my pride They say the glory's all mine Don't test my mouth They say the truth is my sound
Dixie Chicks - Not Ready To Make Nice: Dear Angry Masses, I Will Not Live up to Your Expectations. Sry, not sry.
In 2003 Dixie Chicks spoke ill of the then-president George W. Bush, who deserved it, if you are inclined to believing that war-mongering is stupid. Many people in the US, however, did not like Dixi Chicks exercising their freedom of speech so they more or less banned them from country music radio and such, stalling their careers. This is Dixie Chicks' response to that.
I'm not ready to make nice I'm not ready to back down I'm still mad as hell, and I don't have time To go 'round and 'round and 'round It's too late to make it right I probably wouldn't if I could 'Cause I'm mad as hell Can't bring myself to do what it is You think I should
Ani DiFranco - Not a Pretty Girl: Says it all, really
A song from the time before Instagram perfect retouched feminists. An angry song about hating to be perceived as angry and pretty, as in helpless. It's from the 90-is, the irony is not lost on me. This song still says everything that needs to be said about pretty angry girls.
I am not an angry girl But it seems like I've got everyone fooled Every time I say something they find hard to hear They chalk it up to my anger And never to their own fear
Lesley Gore - You Don't Own Me: The Original Badass
Don't you just hate it when your guy parades you around like prized cattle? This song is 56 years old. Insanely fresh and cool, and unfortunately still making a valid point.
You don't own me I'm not just one of your many toys You don't own me Don't say I can't go with other boys
And don't tell me what to do Don't tell me what to say And please, when I go out with you Don't put me on display 'cause
You don't own me
Byatch...
Loretta Lynn - Don't Come Home a Drinkin' (with lovin' on your mind): Stay at Home Mom is Pissed off.
It doesn't maybe sound like it in 2020, but this song is truly assertive and aggressive. The song is about a woman who is desperately trying to declare bodily autonomy in a marriage in which she is seen as a constant provider of comfort. Women used to put this song on when their drunken husbands demanded sex, making Loretta the voice of the voiceless. Probably still is to a larger extent than we like to think.
You never take me anywhere because you're always gone Many a night I've laid awake and cried dear all alone
And you come in a kissin' on me it happens every time No don't come home a drinkin' with lovin' on your mind
Nina Simone - Four Woman: The Rage is in the Delivery
This song builds up to a desperate fury, outlining the sordid inheritance that slavery left to African American women of today. Nina Simone lived her wrath and knew to deliver it through four outrageous stories about black women's lives and suffering through American history. This song is so potent, beautiful and heartbreaking. It should be on the curriculum everywhere.
My skin is brown my manner is tough I'll kill the first mother I see my life has been too rough I'm awfully bitter these days because my parents were slaves What do they call me My name is PEACHES
THICK - Mansplain: A Song for the Memes
This one is brand new, released March 6, 2020. And shows that the punk girl attitude is very much alive, and very much needed. Mansplain is a two-minute barrage on all those experts with testicles that feel confident in volunteering their advice on much about anything. You know the type.
Thanks for explaining How to play guitar If it wasn’t for your help We wouldn’t get this far Thanks for explaining How to do my job All your suggestions Really helped a lot Mansplain to me Mansplain to me
Gossip - Standing in the Way of Control: Exhausted Rally Cry
This is truly an anthem, a call to arms to fight against Federal Marriage Amendment which would have outlawed gay marriage in the US. Beth Ditto furiously conveys the exasperation caused by the persistent struggle to be accepted in a society that constantly discriminates against you.
I'm doing this for you Because it's easier to lose And it's hard to face the truth When you think you're dying It's part not giving in And part trusting your friends You do it all again But you don't stop trying
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