Empowering Women Songs

Only twice have I seen the new afternoon talk show called THE TALK.  Early in the program the ladies were discussing why women listen to those gut wrenching break-up songs, like Toni Braxton's "Unbreak My Heart",  Dolly Parton/Whitney Houston's " I'll Always Love You", and LeAnn Rimes/Trisha Yearwood's "How Will I Live Without You?"

They also discussed some of the empowerment songs for women, such as Gloria Gaynor's " I Will Survive".   I was divorced at 25 years old,  with a two year old daughter to raise.  I had heard "It's Judy's Turn to Cry" and " You Don't Own Me"  by Leslie Gore.  I'd heard The Four Season's tell me "Big Girls Don't Cry".  The song that I identified with, at that time, was the all times, greatest anthem for women, by Helen Reddy, " I Am Woman". 

Daughter # 1 and I sang that song to the top of our lungs, driving in the car and dancing in the kitchen. I taught her to say "I am liberated." Through that first tough year, we were a team and that song helped give us the strength to get through some of the tougher days.

I looked up some of today's song's for women.  I found " I Don't Need a Man" /The Pussycat Dolls.  "Since U Been Gone" and Miss Independent"/ Kelly Clarkson and "Goodbye Earl"/The Dixie Chicks, Before He Cheats/ Carrie Underwood, and "Gunpowder & Lead"/ Miranda Lambert.

 Somehow, maybe it's just me, but I didn't find any song that instilled that "I can do this" thing that "I Am Woman" did.   These songs are still good for our daughters.  They say you can be your own person.  I just don't see the young women of today banding together like we did. There are still issues like domestic violence that needs the strength of numbers.  Now there is women slave trafficking..   That is scary stuff. 

It could be my age.  It could be the times. Helen Reddy's song today would never make it.  It carried the message we women, of that time were trying to get across.  We were liberated, we were united and the world had better watch out.  It's time to pass the torch.  My vote is Pink.