Reflection 1: I'm Just a Girl—On '90s Feminist Anthems

The 1990s was a notable decade for a number of reasons, including its relative peace and prosperity and the proliferation of new technologies. It was also the decade in which the third wave of feminists came of age. This time, it was young Gen Xers who embraced a more socially, racially, and sexually diverse feminism than previous generations—and the music industry was quick to take notice. From Pop to Hip Hop to Country to Rock, 1990s female artists saw unprecedented success. Their bold songs about sexuality, misogyny, liberation, sexual assault, and self-worth were soon staples of '90s radio. By the end of the decade, not only had women produced five of the ten best-selling albums, but VH1 celebrated female artists with their annual Divas Live showcase, and the all-woman Lilith Fair blazed trails on the summer tour circuit.

Below is a list of '90s feminist anthems. For this reflection, examine four of the following songs. In your analysis, consider the story they are telling. Who or what are they challenging? Finally, how do female artists in today's musical ecosystem compare to those of the 1990s? Would these songs be so warmly embraced in 2025's political climate?

Notes:

• You are responsible for sourcing the lyrics for your songs. It is recommended you find more than one source per song as online lyrics are notoriously inaccurate. Additionally, you should credit the lyricist—which may or may not be the singer—for the words. Cite the songwriter as follows:
• Lennon, John. Lyrics to “Imagine.” Performed by John Lennon, Ascot Sound Studios, 1971. Accessed September 17, 2024. https://play.spotify.com/344gCuhG4bRPI9bb02f?
• When quoting lyrics, use this form: "You may say I'm a dreamer / But I'm not the only one / I hope someday you'll join us / And the world will be as one." 
• You are highly encouraged to explore artists and songs you're not familiar with—you never know what you might discover.
• Note that some songs are from 1989 and 2000. These are meant to convey both the buildup to the 90s, and the carry over of this music into the new century.
• Some songs may contain profanity and/or adult themes, including sexual assault.
  

Choose four of the following to explore:

• 10,000 Maniacs, "Trouble Me" (released 1989)
• Madonna, "Express Yourself" (released 1989)
• Queen Latifah, "Ladies First" (released 1989)
• Wilson Phillips, "Hold On" (1990)
• Lisa Stansfield, "All Woman" (1991)
• Tori Amos, "Silent All These Years" (1992)
• PJ Harvey, "Dress" (1992) 
• 7 Year Bitch, "Dead Men Don't Rape" (1992)
• Tori Amos, "Crucify" (1992)
• Lorrie Morgan, "What Part of No" (1992)
• PJ Harvey, "Sheela-Na-Gig" (1992)
• Rupaul, "Supermodel" (1992)*
• En Vogue, "Free Your Mind" (1992)
• Whitney Houston, I'm Every Woman" (1992; Chaka Khan cover)
• Mary Chapin Carpenter, "He Thinks He'll Keep Her" (1993)
• 4 Non Blondes, “What’s Up?” (1993)
• Bikini Kill, "Rebel Girl" (1993)
• Queen Latifah, "U.N.I.T.Y." (1993)
• Cyndi Lauper, "Sally's Pigeons" (1993)
• Kate Bush, "Rubberband Girl" (1993)
• Janet Jackson, "You Want This" (1993)
• Sheryl Crow, "Strong Enough" (1993)
• Liz Phair, "Fuck and Run" (1993)
• Salt-N-Pepa, "Ain't Nuthin' But a She Thing" (1994)
• Martina McBride, "Independence Day" (1994)
• 7 Year Bitch, "The Scratch" (1994)
• Des'ree, "You Gotta Be" (1994)
• Madonna, "Human Nature" (1994)
• Hole, "Doll Parts" (1994)
• Jody Watley, "When a Man Loves a Woman" (1994)
• Salt-N-Pepa, "None of Your Business" (1994)
• Veruca Salt, "Seether" (1994)
• Selena, "Si Una Vez" (1994; Spanish)
• Hole, "Violet" (1994)
• Alanis Morissette, "You Oughta Know" (1995)
• Monica, "Don't Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days)" (1995)
• Jill Sobule, "I Kissed a Girl" (1995)
• Annie DeiFranco, "Not a Pretty Girl" (1995)
• No Doubt, "Just a Girl" (1995)
• Neneh Cherry, "Woman" (1996)
• Spice Girls, "Wannabe" (1996)
• Garbage, “Stupid Girl” (1996)
• Lush, "Ladykiller" (1996)
• Natalie Imbruglia, "Torn" (1997)
• Fiona Apple, "Criminal" (1997)
• Meredith Brooks, "Bitch" (1997)
• Shania Twain, "Man, I Feel Like a Woman" (1997)
• Erykah Badu, "Tyrone" (1997)
• Lauryn Hill, "Doo-Wop (That Thing)" (1998)
• Cher, "Strong Enough" (1998)
• Rachel Sage, "Sistersong" (1998)
• TLC, "No Scrubs" (1999)
• The Chicks (née Dixie Chicks), "Goodbye Earl" (1999)
• Destiny's Child, "Bills, Bills, Bills" (1999)
• Le Tigre, "Hot Topic" (1999)
• Missy Elliott, "She's a Bitch" (1999)
• Jennifer Lopez, "If You Had My Love" (1999)
• Tina Turner, "When the Heartache is Over" (1999)
• Whitney Houston, "It's Not Right, But It's Okay" (1999) 
• Christina Aguilera, "What a Girl Wants" (1999)
• TLC, "Unpretty" (1999)
• Destiny's Child, "Independent Women, Part I" (released 2000)
• Toni Braxton, "He Wasn't Man Enough" (2000)

 *Technically, performed by a drag queen