Get Affirmations for a Positive Mindset

Feel Stronger, Steadier, and More Confident.

    We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

    woman in a recording studio to sing songs that empower women.Pin

    65 Top Inspiring Songs that Empower Women

    In celebration of Women’s History Month 2025, I am updating one of my first Sassy Sister Stuff articles that I wrote to empower women.  

    Every year, March 8 is officially designated as International Women’s Day, so we are going to look at female singers of all genres who have broken through the glass ceiling in the music industry to sing, and in some cases write, women’s empowerment songs.

    These are the best songs that have been sung by women artists and girl groups, filled with empowering lyrics that encourage all women to find their confidence, resilience, and joy in life.  

    woman listening to songs that empower on her headset.Pin

    You can add these songs to your Spotify playlist, iTunes playlist, Amazon playlist, or wherever you listen to your music. I have chosen to only list songs that are mostly clean and can be enjoyed by women and girls of all ages and walks of life.

    I’ve also included some personal history about my relationship with music and how it has inspired and empowered me.  So let’s move on to the 55 top inspiring songs that empower women today!  



    How Music Empowers and Inspires

    Music has always been especially important in my life. I have been going to concerts since I was a teen and thoroughly enjoy this pastime with family and friends.

    Many of my favorite singers are from the country genre but I also enjoy everything from Shaggy to Enya. Music has a special place in my soul for every mood and life experience.

    records and turntable with orange vase and candlesPin

    My Personal History with Songs that Empower and Inspire

    Even as a child, I would retreat to my bedroom to listen to vinyl records by my favorite artists. Often, I chose songs that matched my mood or feelings. Even back then, it was my mental health therapy before I even knew the meaning or importance of good mental health.

    My teen idol, Bobby Sherman, went on a Teen Idol Tour from 1998-2002 when I was in my thirties. I was fortunate enough to follow him around the country to 23 concerts during those years. I had the best experiences meeting other fans who were thrilled to see him.  

    The experiences took us right back to our childhood or teen years and nothing could compare to the joy we experienced. Bobby Sherman posters covered my walls for years, and now I have more than a dozen photo albums of photos from his concerts, when “I Was a Grown-Up Groupie.” 

    In a drama class in college, we were given an assignment to create an audio compilation of songs that described our lives.

    As you might imagine, technology was much different in those days so a blank cassette and tape recorder, vinyl records and a turntable, and the radio were our only tools.

    Others complained, but I was delighted about the assignment.  I had done this exact assignment in my head many times throughout my 21 years. That cassette tape has likely disappeared by now but it sure would be interesting to listen to it today. 

    woman playing a guitar and singing songs that empower women.Pin

    An Emotional Experience with Music

    When I was in my mid-thirties, a dear friend died from breast cancer. At her funeral, a guitarist and singer performed a compilation of songs that she had put together to describe her life—from birth to death.

    It left an impression on me. I brought the funeral program home and saved it with the intention of creating my own list for my funeral someday.

    A few years later, when we got our first computer and music became much more accessible, I started working on my list!

    That was 28 years ago. I continued that list through all of life’s challenges through the years. I told my grown daughter where I kept the list just in case we ever needed it. 

    Music for the Soul

    So here we are today and I can proudly report that I have survived the worst years of my life from 2012 through 2025 with lots of help from music.

    From sitting in hospitals listening to my iPods to dancing around my kitchen cooking dinner, I have used music to help me find my strength.

    How Music Helps Me Survive

    I won’t go into details about the many circumstances and events that made it such a rough time of my life, but I could not have survived it without the blessings of my family and friends, and as you probably guessed—music!

    Empowering and inspirational songs became “anthems” for my journey back to happiness, confidence, resilience, and self-worth.

    I play these songs while taking a shower, cooking, driving, resting. Whatever. I play them all the time.

    Playlists of these songs, also known as my “power anthems,” are on my iTunes and Amazon Music playlists. I have a special connection to the lyrics and feel empowered while I am listening to them—or screeching them at the top of my lungs:)

    close up image of an old fashioned turn table play a red vinyl albumPin

    Music For All Women

    I started taking my daughter to concerts when she was six years old. Today she enjoys music and uses it for inspiration and empowerment, too.  

    In fact, so does her daughter (my granddaughter).  We have had incredibly memorable experiences at concerts from Justin Bieber to New Kids on the Block to Toby Keith and Shania Twain.  

    Some of my favorite memories go back to the days of The Judds at concerts with my daughter, who was a little girl.  Today, she loves Wynonna—and Naomi, may she rest in peace—as much as I do. 

    Music has always played an key role in my life. It inspires me, empowers me, and gives me all the feels. I have speakers and music in every room of my house.

    The songs on my playlists are by a variety of artists from different eras and genres but they are mostly all clean music—very few bad words and no inappropriate content. 

    You’ll find a wide variety of women empowerment songs in the list below: 

    • pop songs that empower women
    • uplifting songs for women 
    • strong female anthems
    • rocks songs that empower women
    • R&B songs that empower women
    • rock songs that empower women
    • country music songs that empower women 
    • songs for strong independent women
    • songs that inspire resilience and strength 
    • songs about gender equality 
    • female power ballads
    • girl power songs 
    • breakup songs 

    While I enjoy some of the music from artists who choose to use foul language or adult content in their music, it tends to be more of a distraction to me, so I mostly avoid them.  

    The songs are in no particular order, but I hope you find your inner strength and confidence as you listen to them. Download them and enjoy them at full volume.

    silhouette of woman exercising at sunrise with an overlay that says empower women together with musical notesPin

    65 Songs That Empower Women Today

    Here are 65 of the best inspirational songs that empower women in 2025! Create a playlist of your favorite songs today to help empower you and unleash your confidence!

    1. Demi LovatoI Love Me
    2. Kelly ClarksonBroken and Beautiful
    3. Dolly Parton9 to 5
    4. Kelsea BalleriniMiss Me More
    5. Gretchen WilsonRedneck Woman
    6. Martina McBrideA Broken Wing
    7. Demi LovatoConfident
    8. Katy PerryRoar
    9. Colbie CaillatTry
    10. Aretha FranklinR.E.S.P.E.C.T.
    11. Carrie UnderwoodThe Champion
    12. Cyndi LauperGirls Just Wanna Have Fun
    13. Jamie O’NealSomebody’s Hero
    14. Reba McEntireI’m a Survivor
    15. Taylor SwiftThe Man
    16. Whitney Houston / Chaka KhanI’m Every Woman
    17. Alicia KeysSuper Woman
    18. Sara BareillesBrave
    19. Shania TwainMan, I Feel Like a Woman
    20. Maren MorrisGirl
    21. Kelly ClarksonMiss Independent
    22. Martina McBrideThis One’s for the Girls
    23. Helen ReddyI Am Woman
    24. Taylor SwiftME!
    25. Miranda LambertGunpowder and Lead
    26. Rachel PlattenFight Song
    27. Christina AguileraFighter
    28. Lady GagaBorn This Way
    29. Destiny’s ChildIndependent Woman
    30. Lauren AlainaRoad Less Travelled
    31. Reba McEntireIs There Life Out There
    32. Gloria Gaynor / Demi LovatoI Will Survive
    33. Spice Girls Wannabe
    34. Danielle Bradbery Worth It
    35. Miley CyrusFlowers
    36. Destiny’s ChildSurvivor
    37. Britney SpearsStronger
    38. Fifth HarmonyThat’s My Girl
    39. BeyonceSingle Ladies
    40. SiaUnstoppable
    41. Hailee Steinfeld Most Girls
    42. Meghan TrainorWoman Up
    43. Christina AguileraBeautiful
    44. Kacey MusgravesFollow Your Arrow
    45. The ChicksNot Ready to Make Nice
    46. Miranda Lambert Mama’s Broken Heart
    47. Kelly ClarksonStronger
    48. Martina McBrideIndependence Day
    49. Alicia KeysGirl on Fire
    50. Jamie O’NealSomebody’s Hero
    51. The JuddsGirl’s Night Out
    52. Taylor SwiftShake It Off
    53. TLCNo Scrubs
    54. Pat BenatarHit Me with Your Best Shot
    55. Meghan TrainorMe Too
    56. LizzoGood as Hell
    57. Taylor SwiftI Did Something Bad
    58. Kristen Chenoweth and Arianda GrandeYou Don’t Own Me
    59. Meghan TrainorMade You Look
    60. RhiannaDiamonds
    61. Avril LavigneComplicated
    62. Kelly ClarksonSince You Been Gone
    63. Taylor SwiftI Forgot that You Existed
    64. Lainey WilsonHeart Like a Truck
    65. Kacey MusgravesJustified

    Music That Lifts You Up: Songs for Every Mood

    Regardless of where you are on your life journey, or what your mood may be each day, these songs will empower you to FEEL—to FEEL strength and encouragement—to CHOOSE JOY and HAPPINESS.  

    You will recognize something special in every empowering lyric—you will probably choose your own female empowerment anthem that makes you feel like you’re on top of the world.  

    Or you might pick an empowering song for times when you are feeling a little down because it helps you get out of a funk.  

    You might find pure pleasure in a song that has timeless lyrics that make you think about something special in your past.  

    You’ll be surprised how many topics these songs cover. From “Shake It Off” to “Follow Your Arrow” to “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” you’ll find the words cover a wide variety of women’s issues!

    If you sit still and actually listen to the words of these songs, you’ll find a theme song (or two) that resonates with you.

    You’ll find one that helps you feel like you have endless power and confidence to go out into the world and do whatever you dream of doing. 

    And it will make you feel like taking the bull by the horns to overcome anything, as in the songs that address domestic abuse, like “Independence Day.”

    close up of young woman singing songs that empower women into a microphonePin

    Final Thoughts

    There are many more songs that empower women than those on this list. And more are coming out all the time.

    Keep adding to your playlist as you hear a song that makes you feel strong and confident.  Pay attention to songs that empower you and make you FEEL great!  

    Remember, I have not included songs on this list that contain a lot of inappropriate or provocative language. I’ve also omitted some songs that I personally feel are controversial, but I’m sure you can find songs that you enjoy if none of these songs speak to your heart and soul.

    I sincerely hope these songs that empower women help you feel confident and joyful like they do for me! Happy listening!  

    You may also enjoy these articles about empowering women and girls:

    Love to all! ~ Susan 

    P.S. I wrote an article about the best songs for travel and adventure too, so you may want to check that out!

    If you found value in my words, please consider sharing it on your socials by clicking the buttons below. Thank you for your continued support! It means so much to me!

    Similar Posts

    pale lavender sassy sister stuff site header with logo and tag line
    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.