I'm Every Woman: 25 Women Empowerment Songs
These tunes inspire R-E-S-P-E-C-T around the world.
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I'm Every Woman: 25 Women Empowerment Songs - Although Women's History Month is coming to a close, the music never stops. Check 25 of BET.com's favorite women-empowerment songs. In no particular order, these give a refreshing glimpse of legends, new comers and those in between, who have curated lyrics that speak to the experience of everyday women. Read on for more.Words By: Janah Campbell (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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I’m Every Woman — Chaka Khan - Recorded in 1978, for example, Chaka Khan's single "I'm Every Woman" served as her first breakout solo project. This was a different route for Khan, as she was only recording with the band Rufus prior to this single. Years later, it was covered by Whitney Houston, and the newer generation's liking towards it proved how timeless the hit truly was. (Photo: Echoes/Redferns)
Photo By Photo by Echoes/Redferns
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"I Will Survive," Gloria Gaynor - Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" took the late '70s by storm, landing a number-one spot on Billboard’s Hot 100, and a double-platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It is still known as one of the most famous disco songs of all time.(Photo: Nick Laham/Getty Images)
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"A Woman's Worth," Alicia Keys - Alicia Keys first proved she was a triple threat with her debut, Songs in A Minor. The album's second single, "A Woman's Worth," for example, featured Keys's talents not only as a singer, but a songwriter and producer as well. Her hard work paid off — the song was granted an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song the same year of its release. (Photo: WENN.com)
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"Feeling Good," Nina Simone - What started as a song plainly written to fit a musical ended up being one of the most covered songs to date, including by the artist herself. "Feeling Good" was first performed for the play The Roar of the Greasepaint — The Smell of the Crowd, before Nina Simone's rendition was recorded and released in 1965 for her album I Put a Spell on You, and it is now the most famous rendition of it. It has since been covered by many artists including the Pussycat Dolls and has been used in everything from movies to television, and even video games! (Photo: CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)
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"Girl on Fire," Alicia Keys - Inspired by Alicia Keys's son, Egypt, and her husband, Swizz Beatz, the single “Girl on Fire” lit up the airwaves as soon as it got released. The song is a triple threat for having not one, not two, but three versions: the original; "Inferno" featuring Nicki Minaj; and "Blue Light," a more sensual flip. The single was Keys's first release under RCA Records. (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS)
Photo By Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS
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"Can't Hold Us Down," Christina Aguilera Featuring Lil' Kim - Although the song received backlash for some of its lyrical content, ladies know, nobody's got our backs like Christina Aguilera and Lil' Kim. Attacking the subject of double standards, this tag team was very blunt in getting their point across. Aguilera even put in writing on the track, which was produced and also written by Scott Storch and Matt Morris.(Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
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"Independent Women (Part 1)," Destiny's Child - In the midst of their rise, Destiny’s Child laid out a hit for the ladies with "Independent Women (Part 1)." Originally created for the film Charlie's Angels, the song instantly became an anthem, holding the number-one spot on Billboard's Hot 100 chart for 11 weeks straight.(Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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"Respect," Aretha Franklin - Known to be one of the best songs to hit the R&B genre, Aretha Franklin's rendition of “Respect” proves to be timeless. Originally sung by Otis Redding from the point of view of a desperate man yearning for respect, Franklin's version responded with a message to empower women. The song earned her two Grammy Awards, and was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It has been featured in countless films, and dominates in the world of karaoke.(Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
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"Run the World (Girls)," Beyoncé - This funky hit was one of Beyoncé's biggest risks, but it was a risk worth taking. The single spanned several music genres and reignited the ongoing conversation about gender equality. The video picked up an MTV VMA for best choreography and a Soul Train Award for Best Dance Performance.(Photo: Larry Busacca/PW/WireImage for Parkwood Entertainment)
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"Beautiful," Christina Aguilera - Christina Aguilera's single "Beautiful" conveys a clear message: "You are beautiful in every single way." It was picked up heavily by the LGBT community, and earned Aguilera a Grammy Award. It is still recognized as one of her most powerful tracks to date. (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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"U.N.I.T.Y.," Queen Latifah - Queen Latifah set the record straight for anyone with ill intentions towards women with her hit "U.N.I.T.Y." At the time, several outlets, ironically, refused to play the song due to the reoccurring use of the words "b---h" and "h-e," but she hushed all that fuss, too, with a cleaner version. It landed the number-two spot on Billboard's Hip-Hop chart and earned the Queen a Grammy Award. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
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"None of Your Business," Salt-N-Pepa - Salt-N-Pepa's "None of Your Business" is one for the nosy folks with heavy opinions. The song hit the charts, making it to the Top 40, and comes straight off the group's fourth studio album, Very Necessary, which went five-times platinum! (Photo: David Corio/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
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"Superwoman," Alicia Keys - Alicia Keys won a Grammy and two NAACP Image Award nominations for this anthem for the everyday superhero — cape is optional. The single is off her third album, As I Am.(Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS)
Photo By Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS
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"Good Woman Down," Mary J. Blige - This hidden gem from Mary J Blige's The Breakthrough was produced by 9th Wonder, who lays down a hip hop vibe for Blige's vocals. Directed towards "troubled sisters" specifically, the song was also the perfect addition to the soundtrack for the Tyler Perry film I Can Do Bad All by Myself.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Nickelodeon)
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"What's Love Got to Do With It," Tina Turner - Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do With It" is one of the most celebrated liberation anthems for the broken-hearted. The song peaked at number one on Billboard's Hot 100 chart for three weeks and received three Grammy Awards. It has since been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. (Photo: Rob Verhorst/Redferns)
Photo By Photo: Rob Verhorst/Redferns
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"Q.U.E.E.N.," Janelle Monáe Featuring Erykah Badu - Janelle Monáe is definitely one artist who is not afraid to be secure in her own identity, add in some Erykah Badu, and it's a recipe for self-esteem success. The song won Video of the Year at the Soul Train Awards.(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images for BET)
Photo By Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images for BET
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"No Woman, No Cry," Bob Marley - Reggae legend Bob Marley held it down for the ladies with this single. The song has been popularly covered by the Fugees as well as Nina Simone, Sean Kingston and many others. The track has also been included on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Agreed.(Photo: Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns)
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"Superwoman," Karyn White - Karyn White's 1988 hit "Superwoman" set the record straight for women around the world. For her, it was her second to be ranked in the U.S. top 10, and her second No. 1 on the R&B chart. It was later covered by Gladys Knight, and featured on her album Good Woman, and was picked up by Malaysian Idol winner Jaclyn Victor for her album, and translated into Mandarin and flipped by a male Malaysian vocalist, Gary Chaw, for his debut album.(Photo: Bryan Steffy/Getty Images)
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"Unpretty," TLC - "Unpretty" by TLC was originally built off of a poem and eventually dominated the charts, becoming the group's fourth number-one single in the U.S, spending three weeks at that top spot. It was the group's second number-one hit off their album Fanmail, and continues to serve as an impactful pick-me-up. It even inspired J. Cole's "Crooked Smile," which now features the group. (Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage)
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