March Music Mavens | LC Staff Picks

It’s Women’s History Month so for our March playlist, we asked The Lincoln Center staff, “What is your favorite song by a female artist, girl group, or all-woman band?“

Read about the songs that were chosen then check out our Spotify playlist to listen on repeat!

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“Love on Top” by Beyoncé

“Beyonce is my favorite artist of all time! If I could create my own dictionary definition of female empowerment, I’d just paste in a picture of her face. I love her and this song is so fun and uplifting!” —Megan

“Hallelujah” by K.D. Lang

“I love the way that K.D. Lang sings Leonard Cohen’s ‘Alleluia’.  She brings so much soul to all the songs that she sings.  Absolutely love her voice.” —Ruth

“I Love Me” by Demi Lovato

“Demi Lovato’s ‘I Love Me’ is a reminder that we all need to love ourselves and focus on us.” —Jaime

“I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy

“And I HAVE to put this one…because…I mean really??? An oldie but goodie!” —Jaime

“A Little Wicked” by Valerie Broussard

“My favorite song right now by a female artist is ‘A Little Wicked’ by Valerie Broussard. It’s empowering, catchy, and a little dark, which to me makes a great combination..” —Rachael

“Kingston” by Faye Webster

“I love this song because it is unique and dreamy. It is a song I could listen to on repeat, and Faye wrote the song entirely herself!” —Cierra

“Rock Steady” by Aretha Franklin

“Recorded at the dawn of the ’70s, as part of her landmark Young, Gifted, and Black album, stylistically [Rock Steady] acts as a bridge from her Memphis Soul days to the funk era, a dance tune that also speaks to empowering women at the dawn of the sexual revolution. The studio musicians on this track include Billy Preston, Dr. John, and the great Bernard Purdie on the drums. Not only does she own the vocal track, but this is one of the few hits by the Queen of Soul that she wrote herself. ” —Jack

“She Flies With Her Own Wings” by Kristen Grainger & True North

“It’s about not being afraid to look forward despite setbacks, and accepting everyone, even those with differing viewpoints. The album was #2 in Folk Radio for 2020.” —Steve

“Bachelorette” by björk

“Björk – I will be real with you folks. I had a lot of trouble deciding between Björk and Kate Bush. Both are unique voices that created a genre of music that literally only they inhabit. They also defy music industry norms when it comes to style, be it their one-of-kind attitude, their trend-defying fashion, or their different take on music. In the end, I chose Björk because while I like more Kate Bush songs, the songs I love by Björk are songs I REALLY love.” —Alison

“Jig of Life” by Kate Bush

“I love the poetic evocation of a woman experiencing the time-transcendent nature of her being, where the past, present and future commune.” —Peter

“New Year’s Day” by Taylor Swift

“Not only do we share a name, but there are so many amazing things about Taylor Swift. She’s a songwriter, multi-instrument musician, singer, women’s rights activist and so much more. I find her endlessly inspiring as a person, and love that her music has always so openly portrayed where she is in life. It was nearly impossible for me to choose just one song (seriously I changed my mind at least five times), but this pick embodies so many of the storytelling and musicianship qualities that I love about Taylor Swift; it’s simple yet so beautiful.

Since this is Women’s History Month though, I would definitely be remiss if I didn’t at least mention ‘The Man’ by Taylor Swift. It’s definitely a fitting song for the month and an anthem for the struggles women face everyday as a woman.” —Taylor

“People Have the Power” by Patti Smith

“This track from the eighties still touches my heart and is an apt anthem for 2021.” —John

“East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)” by Diana Krall

“I enjoy Diana Krall. I like the song ‘East of the Sun and West of the Moon’. She did not write it, but when I hear her Live in Paris album it brings back fond memories. A bonus is that she is married to Elvis Costello. Would be fun to have a concert with them both!'” —Liz

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