Greetings to all!

As part of my ongoing paper “Passion that Shouts: Women Pursuing Their Voices in Punk and Underground Music Culture,” I would like to ask a brief question to any ladies (or guys) who might be interested in helping me out with this study. Although I would like to incorporate my findings, I will not exactly have a random sampling of people...and it would be problematic. But, I am very interested in how people commonly view women in popular music, and hope to draw in some of the names that might be mentioned!

As a teenager, or even currently, who are the first women in popular music that come to mind when conjuring inspiring images of passion, determination, aggression, or feminism? What is your favourite song performed by these women?

Please respond whenever you are able in response to this thread or by private message with one, or however many names you wish to include. Your responses need not be limited to the genre that I am studying either - I am primarily looking for women in music who inspire you!

****This paper will be presented at a Canada-wide conference next month in London, Ontario.****

Any responses will be greatly appreciated, and be as detailed as you wish. Thanks in advance!

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so...do I have to be a teenager to respond?

Nope, any age! Women who may have inspired you during your teenage years, or who do now, or whenever. I'm covering women over any span of time between the mid-70s and 2010!

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The Spice Girls!!

Girl power n'all that

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Yeah, I grew up with the Spice Girls as well, they were absolutely massive in their day. "Girl Power" was their "slogan" so to speak, and it still continues into other music and also into everyday life.

I would also mention Cyndi Lauper, only because she made that song named "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". It's a classic song and quite well known, and apparently Miley Cyrus has made a newer version of the song, so again another woman that has brought some feminine inspiration.

I think that modern times now include female vocalists and artists because they know that women can, and have gone into the music industry in the past and have been very successful.

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Well.. I'm going to be typical and say my absolute favourite band (who also happen to be Canadian) Tegan and Sara :) I think it's refreshing to have a group that don't feel completely orchestrated by record companies. When I think of other female artists I generally think of pop artists such as Britney Spears, Rihanna, Pink etc etc. and whilst they make okay music n such, I just feel their image and sexuality are completely exploited to an extent. It's nice to have a group who aren't afraid to be themselves and speak out. For those who don't know, t+s are twin sisters and they are both openly gay. They are not only very talented musicians but warm and inviting people, which can be seen through their live shows which they banter and tell stories about themselves on stage. They definitely inspire me far more than any other female artists.

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Watch, with a bit of friction I'll be under your clothes.
With a bit of focus I'll be under your skin.

Awesome!

I grew up in the Spice Girls era as well...what glorious times...haha.

I keep hearing about Tegan and Sara but I haven't actually searched out any of their music yet. I will definitely check them out a little more.

Thanks all :)

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Who are the Spice Girls? Only half kidding. I don't think I have ever listened to one of their tunes.

Here are some names that I do remember... but they are not necessarily punk or underground... Cyndi Lauper, Madonna (Papa Don't Preach... amazing and I had to secretly watch it so my father wouldn't see me watching "that trash"!), Joan Jett, Belinda Carlisle (Heaven is a Place on Earth.. .loved that one!), Tracy Chapman (Fast Car... I still can sing those lyrics!), and who can forget The Cranberries, Bjork and Indigo Girls.

in terms of pop culture -- beyonce. (ahem, fierceness). i don't have a favorite song by her. independence, passion and 'girl power' all come to mind despite the fact that she's married.

Pink (or P!nk) is pretty badass. 'nuff said.

there's also a new pop artist here in the US called Ke$ha, i've only heard a song by her like once (i'm not much of a pop person) and i was reading an article about her which was talking about her taking typical male behavior (womanizing etc.) and turning it on its head. definitely aggressive. not exactly feminism though.


this is coming form an american teenager's perspective.
yeah so i'm not really into pop music, but i listen to the first two on this list and they're definitely talented and conveying that strong, aggressive (moreso P!nk), girl power message.

best of luck.

Thanks all for the input!

I presented my project at the conference last Friday, and received really encouraging feedback! One woman told me that it was the highlight of her day! Now I just need to finalize my paper and submit it...I'll let you guys know when it's posted if anyone is curious. Thanks for all of the encouragement...I had a really amazing experience!

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Congratulations again Casta! Keep us up to date with it :)

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