It’s A Woman’s World – Part I

Before you start thinking I am turning feminist right from the very first line, let me tell you that this is just the name of the compilation that I have come up with this time. You see, for me to like a song, I need to like both the music and the lyrics. And this anthology is extremely intuitive, and is purely based on the lyrical content of the songs, rather than them falling under a particular genre musically. Women reading this and then listening to the songs will relate to those moments in our lives, some time or the other, when we wish guys knew exactly what goes on in our mind, without us having to tell them. And men, do take note. Sometimes what we keep singing under our breath actually could turn out to be a clue to our elusive thoughts. Also since we are mushy enough to say out loud all the good things we feel, I figured it would be a good idea to just take a glimpse at what I call “the other side”.

Also, since this is the first time I am trying to put up a list together, let me tell you that this is definitely not exhaustive. I mean, I am sure if I pick other’s brains on this they would come up with a lot many songs, maybe even more relevant. But this is just me, you know. And how did I come up with this? Oh well, because these are the songs I find myself belting out on days I feel like all men come from moron-land.

Believe (Cher): I must have been just a teenager when I heard this song for the first time, and I clearly remember asking my worldly-wise elder sister what kind of a woman sings, “I can feel something inside me say, I really don’t think you’re strong enough now“. It also took me years before I could perceive the notion of “life after love”. But that was the first song ever that made me realize that at the tender age of fourteen that a woman can choose too. And that she can decide not to be with a man if ever she feels taken for granted, or even simpler, if she just doesn’t need him anymore. Add to it the fact that Cher’s powerful and intense voice makes you “feel” even if you don’t quite share the same sentiments.

Strong Enough (Sheryl Crow): By the time I heard this song I was old enough to understand the importance of a woman loving herself before she can be loved by another man. And “Strong Enough” was forever my “fall back upon” song. “Are you strong enough to be my man?” is something I believe any girl would want to ask to her guy. Because all women, bar none, have their own quirky insecurities, and yet wouldn’t want to be loved any less for them. That Crow later on croons for the guy to lie to her rather than leave her is also something I can understand, although it is not very ego-boosting I guess.

I’m A Bitch (Meredith Brooks): This is one song my mother never lets me sing out loud, because of the simple reason that she hates the very concept of a girl calling herself the B-word. But well, I love the idea of a woman being one-in-all. “I’m a bitch, I’m a lover, I’m a child, I’m a mother, I’m a sinner, I’m a saint, I do not feel ashamed” is just so liberating. Plus this song in reality is about helping men understand women better, so it is not like we don’t get it that men don’t “get it”. They just need to be told in so many words at times about how we really are!

So What (Pink): Now this is one song I love singing again and again, and Pink just happens to be my personal favorite because I am completely in love with her voice. When I first saw the video of this song, truth be told I was a little distracted from the song itself (as anybody who’s seen this video would understand). But then I listened to the song really carefully later on, and well, if “So, so what, I’m still a rock star, I got my rock moves, and I don’t need you tonight” is not empowering, I don’t know what is. Never before had I heard of a woman wanting to pick up a fight, or wanting to drink her money instead of paying her husband’s share of rent. But yes, any woman who’s had an achy break-up and is still not over it might want to sing this song to herself till she actually starts believing in every word of it. Take my word for that.

Hot N’ Cold (Katy Perry): A little bit of history to this first, because I love to talk about Katy Perry. Or rather, her song “I Kissed A Girl”, which would raise anybody’s eyebrows. I mean, I enjoy the shocked look on people’s face each time I sing this song, cause as you might have guessed it, is about a girl confessing she kissed another girl, and liked it. So yeah, I started having high expectations from Katy Perry after listening to that song, and I admit, “Hot N’ Cold” didn’t disappoint a bit. This song is for all men who think only women change their minds because they don’t know what they want. “Cause you’re hot then you’re cold, you’re yes then you’re no, you’re in then you’re out, you’re up then you’re down” is not what only men can say for women. And although the video is about an almost psychotic bride stalking her not-so-sure groom, “Hot N’ Cold” is not about a woman forcing her will upon her man, and instead asking him to have a will of his own! The song in itself is a little too techno for my taste, but I could listen to this song just for the sake of singing along with it a hundred number of times.

So long for this time. Coming up with the second part of the list in the next issue!

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