Whether a longtime reader of That Grape Juice or a newcomer, it’s all sorts of clear that we’re enamored with the multitude of women that – for us – have long been the central engines of the music industry.

As such, we’ve been celebrating Women’s History Month for the length and breadth of March.

And not just the female titans behind some of the world’s most successful songs, but women more broadly.

For, they are truly the backbone of society. From mothers and sisters to aunts and grandmothers, they are the ones who anchor so many of us.

In toasting the reason for the season, TGJ’s Sam, Rashad, and Ryan have compiled a tally of our top female empowerment anthems.

What are you waiting for? Join us after the jump…

Sam

TLC – No Scrubs 

As game-changers go, few songs can rival the impact of this seismic smash from T-Boz, Left Eye, and Chilli.

Beyond its commercial stronghold, the song truly ushered in a new wave of female empowerment – not just musically, but culturally.

Gone was the dominance of lovelorn wailing and in came a brand of sassy independence that saw assertiveness celebrated. If “get on my level” and “come correct” were encompassed by any song, it’s ‘No Scrubs.’

Beyonce – Run The World (Girls)

Much like Beyonce herself (who, at this juncture, is an adjective to describe “the best”), this 2011 gem has long transcended the charts and taken on a deeper meaning.

Indeed, ‘Run The World (Girls)’ has become an anthem, a reminder, and a movement in and of itself.

Megan Thee Stallion – Hot Girl Summer

Making waves in a crowded music landscape has proven a tough task even for veterans. However, Megan Thee Stallion has managed to cut through and carve out a lane for herself thanks largely to her unapologetic agency – as both a lyricist and as a woman.

Her ‘Hot Girl Summer’ movement was integral to her mainstream breakout and inspired women worldwide to live their best lives – on their terms while “driving the boat” in whichever direction they see fit.

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Rashad

Whitney Houston – I’m Every Woman

If the concept of ‘girls running the world’ had an older sister, it would undoubtedly be ‘I’m Every Woman.’ First brought to fame by Queen of Funk Chaka Khan, the 90’s would get a more dancefloor-ready update courtesy of ‘The Voice’ Whitney Houston. By the time the tune was over, she not only made you believe she truly was ‘every woman’ but that you could be too.

Shania Twain – Man! I Feel Like a Woman

From its cheeky title to its androgynous music video, Shania Twain’s ‘Man I Feel Like A Woman’ boasts a lengthy list of reasons why it may just be THE female empowerment anthem. Though easy to get lost in the blaring horns and guitars that buoy the party starter, what’s even louder are the lyrics that ring and sting while (thankfully) avoiding the cliche approach of saying “I enjoy being a girl”!

Madonna – Express Yourself

Sexual empowerment and liberation have always been Madonna’s m.o., but she never proclaimed such more boldly than the bass-buoyed, ‘Like a Prayer’ anthem ‘Express Yourself.’ Launched with a commanding spoken intro, Madge challenged the girls to speak up for what they wanted in an out of the bedroom – a message reiterated over 10 years later with her ‘Music’ single ‘What It Feels Like for a Girl.’

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Ryan

Taylor Swift – The Man

A brutally honest and not-so-subtle take on sexism women face every day, this absolute banger sees Taylor Swift expertly dismantles the patriarchy in a mere three minutes and ten seconds, making this a modern psalm for the ages.

Kacey Musgraves – Good Ol Boys Club Club

Kacey Musgraves is no stranger to pushing boundaries and paving her own path. As such, I want to highlight her song, ‘Good Ol Boys Club Club.’ A vicious takedown of the frat mentality that dominants many of the industries, Musgraves instead opts to find her own way, which led her to create a defining feminist anthem.

Robyn – Dancing On My Own

Then, finally, I would like to head to the dance floor with my last pick: Robyn’s ‘Dancing On My Own.’ While this song is technically about following an ex to the club and spying on him and his new date, there is a more important message here. That message is: dancing through the tears and finding comfort in one’s self. Beaming with independence, Robyn single-handedly created the best song of the 2010’s with this masterpiece.

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Honorable Mentions

Queen Latifah – U.N.I.T.Y. & Ladies First

Aretha Franklin & Annie Lennox – Sisters are Doing It for Themselves

Beyond its uplifting feminist content, the unlikely pairing of Aretha Franklin and Annie Lennox for the 1985 hit ‘Sisters are Doing it For Themselves’ screamed female empowerment by reiterating unity across race and musical genre lines. Giving us the concept of sisters with voices long before Coko and the girls burst onto the scene, Lennox and Franklin served a rocking reminder that women don’t need a man to make it.

Mary J. Blige – Good Woman Down

Queen of Hip Hop Soul is renown for delivering empowerment anthems over her 30-year career, but ‘The Breakthrough’ gem ‘Good Woman Down’ is undoubtedly a standout. A self-proclaimed ‘gift to troubled sisters,” Blige uses the sermonic, 9th Wonder-produced cut to address everything from domestic violence to thoughts of suicide as a way to encourage women that their self-worth shouldn’t be determined by the men in their lives.

Ciara – One Woman Army

A gem from CiCi’s ‘Jackie’ album, this hits hard both musically and lyrically. Its pulsating production mobilizes its anthemic lyrics.

Military-flavored, this celebrates the independent woman and makes clear that she’s only looking to recruit a lover who can march to her elevated beat. A booming bop with a message.

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Do you agree with our picks? What are your top female empowerment anthems? As ever, let us know…

Your thoughts?