Once, I went through a colossal break-up. It was shocking, and awful, and I’d been dumped. I told my friends I wanted to make a CD for myself of strong women singing empowering songs. I added some songs, they suggested some songs.
There was a lot of range in those songs, from Aretha Franklin to Pat Benetar to Avril Lavigne. They were perfect, because I knew he’d be sorry one day and I knew I would only move forward, even if it did feel like someone was literally ripping my insides apart with a butcher knife and a cheese grater.
Then a friend of mine pointed out that I wasn’t collecting strong women songs; I was collecting angry strong women singing empowering songs. It was true, but I was okay with that.
I’ve decided that I can’t make all of you CDs, because that’s illegal, but I can make a Pandora station. If you’ve ever had your heart broken and know you deserved better, I hope you enjoy it. Or, you know, if you feel like listening to some angry strong people (because Pandora is difficult and won’t let me use gender as a qualifier) singing empowering songs, you might enjoy it as well.
Click to listen on Pandora
*You’ll need a free account
I’ve definitely need strong, angry women songs at some point or another. Thankfully not for a while, but still every once in awhile a day comes along where I need empowerment to survive.
In fact, that’s one of my songs ‘I Will Survive’ by Gloria Gaynor. 😀
Great post!
That’s definitely on the list! It hadn’t occurred to me, but it could come in handy for writing as well.
When I start a new story, I always go to Pandora, put in a few song that match the mood, and then go buy what comes on.