Cover Blackpink's 'Pink Venom' amassed 86 million views on YouTube in the first 24 hours of its release (Photo: YG Entertainment)
Blackpink's 'Pink Venom' amassed 86 million views on YouTube in the first 24 hours of its release (Photo: YG Entertainment)
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From Blackpink to Miley Cyrus, this is the ultimate list of empowering anthems to celebrate International Women's Day
Whether you prefer the gloriously gutsy vocals of today’s most popular young artists or subtle but savage hits that took the world by storm when they first hit the scene 60 years ago, a well-timed song with a feminist message does so much more than entertain.
Read more: 10 empowering books by women to inspire you this International Women’s Day
From Miley Cyrus’ chart-topping 2023 hit Flowers (which stole the number one spot for six consecutive weeks on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. US charts) to Blackpink’s feisty Pink Venom, the Tatler team shares the top songs that come to mind for female empowerment International Women’s Day 2023 (IWD 2023).
'About Damn Time' by Lizzo
"I love Lizzo and her fearlessness about, well, everything. About Damn Time is a stonking tune, catchy and joyous, and the line I love best is: 'I'm not the girl I was or used to be, b*tch I might be better'."
- Jennifer Choo, editor-in-chief, Tatler Homes Malaysia
'Formation' by Beyonce
"Super Bowl halftime 2016: Beyonce bursts out amongst a marching band on the field and against a background of pyrotechnics. She then dispenses her instructions: 'Okay, ladies, now let's get in formation, cause I slay...' It was triumphant! And that double entendre added more fuel to the empowerment."
- Lynette Ow, editor-in-chief
'Flowers' by Miley Cyrus
"I absolutely love how it is a line-by-line response to Bruno Mars' hit When I Was Your Man. It's written as a dig to her cheating ex Liam Hemsworth who once dedicated the song to her. Response songs are not unusual in the music business but this one is so satisfying when one learns of the context. It's Cyrus taking her control back and declaring her independence, and she got everyone to dance along with her—and reclaiming their own power."
- Brian Cheong, digital editor
'Pink Venom' by Blackpink
"I love the charismatic track and lyrics. It's loud, it's confident, it enforces superiority, and it reminds listeners who's in charge. The outfits (it's a fashion thrill ride) and the powerful choreography are a major plus too!"
- Lainey Loh, digital director
'Dear Mr President' by P!nk
"My choice is Dear Mr President by P!nk. At the risk of getting 'stung' by the BeyHive, I personally think P!nk is a better feminist role model compared to Beyonce (there, I said it.) Plus, what's more badass than using your art for political commentary and against the US president, no less."
- Aaron Pereira, deputy editor
'Don't Think I'm Not' by Kandi
"As the famous saying goes: 'I support women’s rights but more importantly, I support women’s wrongs'."
- Zue Wei Leong, digital writer
'Good as Hell' by Lizzo ft. Ariana Grande
"I love Lizzo's Good as Hell–specifically the Ariana Grande remix because the lyrics really shout about focusing on yourself and not worrying about the weight of the world on your shoulders. It's a great reminder that you have yourself and you are your greatest asset–something women everywhere should always remember."
- Amanda Fung, writer, Tatler Dining
'You Don't Own Me' by Lesley Gore
"Released in 1963 when she was just 17 years old, You Don't Own Me is a soft but stoic anthem of female empowerment. Reacting to the song's overwhelming popularity, Gore herself said it was not as much a female empowerment song as much as a song about empowerment for all, celebrating the moment when you realise that your story is yours alone to steer and no one else's."
- Tania Jayatilaka, senior digital writer
Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
