Sing it, ladies!
We all know women’s progress took a hit in 2020, but there’s one thing we can do: We can encourage our daughters to be bold change-makers in 2021.
A great way to do that they’ll actually enjoy? A playlist full of confidence-boosting bops.
We thought Joanie Leeds would be the perfect person to ask for an empowering playlist for young women. Known for creating hit children’s jams, her latest album, “All the Ladies,” was nominated for a Grammy. It “was born to lift up women,” she says, which is why 99 percent of those involved are female, including producers, engineers, instrumentalists, guest vocalists, a mixing engineer, a master engineer, graphic artists and even her photographer and publicist. Even better, a percentage of the royalties go to the National Women’s Law Center, an organization fighting for gender equality and justice.
Plus, Joanie is a mom to a 5-year-old daughter, so she’s pretty much the top expert on what girls want to hear. Here are her 10 favorite empowering songs for our daughters, in her own words:
“Can You Feel the Power” by Suzi Shelton
Singer-songwriter Suzi Shelton worked with fellow Brooklynites Amelia Robinson, Katie Mullins and Vered Ronen and recorded this poppy anthem about feeling the power within each of us, harnessing it and taking control. Trust me, you’ll be singing along!
“Real Girl” by Kira Willey
Kira’s smooth vocals, harmonies and driving guitar reminds me of Liz Phair. This gorgeous pop gem reminds girls everywhere “you just gotta be you!”
“Perfectly Imperfect” by Freckleland
Kyler England and Lalo Crane are a musical mom duo from Los Angeles and their girl power album, “I Can Be Anything,” is timeless. This vibraphone-infused ditty, “You are perfectly imperfect the way you are,” is what every girl needs as a mantra.
“My Body” by Pierce Freelon, Rissi Palmer
Singer-songwriter and mom Rissi Palmer joins musician dad Pierce Freelon for a track on his album “D.A.D.” for a tune all about bodily consent. Rissi effortlessly raps (for the first time ever!) on “My Body,” teaching kids about consent culture and giving parents an opening to discuss consent with their kids.
“If Girls Ruled the World” by Joanie Leeds feat. Polly Hall & Carly Ciarrocchi
This is the first track off my Grammy-nominated album, “All the Ladies,” and poses the question… What IF girls ruled the world? What would that look like? I was lucky to have two musical guests perform the song, Ear Snacks podcast host Polly Hall and Sprout and Disney star Carly Ciarrocchi. While I wrote all the songs for the whole female empowerment album, Carly wrote the rap in this tune and it’s absolutely perfect!
“Imagination” by Shine and the Moonbeams
This rockin’ banger is as catchy as “Lady Marmalade” (but totally child friendly!) as songwriter Shawana Kemp shows kids how to use their imaginations to be anything they can dream up. “Imagination” is the second track from her self-titled album, which I highly recommend.
“Redesigning Women” by The Highwomen
This is one of my 5-year-old daughter’s favorite songs! We are huge Brandi Carlile fans and nothing made us happier than when she joined fellow country songwriters Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires to make one of our favorite feminist albums of all time. This tune is 99 percent kid-friendly (because they mention wine!) and explains how women can do it all in the most fabulous way. My favorite line: “Rosie the Riveter with renovations.”
“Real Me” by Erica Rabner
A few months ago, I had the pleasure of meeting songwriter Erica Rabner, who co-wrote and performed 10 original songs for Pinna’s first musical album release. The title track is filled with positive messages and catchy beats especially for tweens (or my daughter who insists she’s a tween.)
“Sister Kate” by Jazzy Ash
Way back in 1921, the song “I Wish I Could Shimmy Like my Sister Kate” was first recorded and has been covered by countless artists since. My talented songwriter-author friend Ashli St. Armant breathes new life into this classic in the best possible way. All I know is the moment Jazzy Ash starts singing about Sister Kate (and those horns), I want to join hands and shimmy right along with her!
“I am Light” by India.Arie
First of all, India.Arie is a goddess, and this tune is one of my favorite songs of all time. I saw her perform it live at the Grammys back in 2018, and I often use this song as my personal mantra when I’m feeling down. Every child, regardless of gender, will be better off after hearing her healing, inspirational lyrics, which ooze self-love.
Family
Sing it, ladies!
Joanie Leeds gets real about the songs every mom should listen to with their daughters.
