7 Female Artists That Belong on Your Rage Playlist
True feminine rage classics are hard to come by. I did all the work for you.
"Bikini Kill -Palladium" by Nfopollenz is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Kool Thing by Sonic Youth
Released in 1990, ‘Kool Thing’ by Sonic Youth expresses a blatant disregard for the patriarchal agenda. Kim Gordon sings, “I’ll be your slave / Give you a shave / I don’t wanna, I don’t think so.” Backed by a grizzly guitar riff, the song continues with its ‘I don't care about you or your stupid rules’ attitude. Possessing a calm singing tone makes these ideas of equality seem within our control. We don’t have to fight for this power, we already have it. Gordon sings, “I just wanna know, what are you gonna do for me / I mean, are you gonna liberate us girls / From male white corporate oppression?” Sonic Youth is not sugarcoating this idea like it’s a radical ideology. Gordan asks this of her male counterpart in the song. He goes on to say, “Fear of a female planet?”, which is the obvious but rarely said response. It’s about time somebody said it! ‘Kool Thing’ was inspired specifically by an interview between Gordan and LL Cool J in 1989. The lyrics make this evident with references to his musical works. Sonic Youth speaks on further pushing their anti-establishment views and expressing the absurdity of not challenging complacency. It’s the cool thing to not care right?
2. Lady Killers by Lush
A story song we have all lived before, the band Lush describes a girls night out with various unwelcome male encounters. Released in 1996, an emo Miki Berenyi lets out her frustration with the words, “I don’t need your practiced lines / Your school rock charm mentality, so / Save your breath for someone else and / Credit me with something more / When it comes to men like you / I know the score, I’ve heard it all before.” A bouncing guitar hovers over smashing cymbals that drive the melody. Three characters are introduced, the toxic boyfriend, the male pick me, and the won’t take no for an answer egomaniac. She begs the listener to see her as more than a prize or object. This song is the perfect euphoric release for anyone dealing with a male stereotype.
3. Carnival by Bikini Kill
This punk classic, released in 1992, has an intro that will leave any idealist disillusioned. If you prefer reality like a smack to the face rather than a look through a veil this song might be for you. A thumping drum beat and scratching guitar make head-banging inevitable. The carnival is a relatable childhood experience but this raw melody shows a darker side to these beloved memories. Singer Kathleen Hanna sings, “I’ll win that Motley Crue mirror / If it f**king kills me.”
4. labour by Paris Paloma
The empowerment anthem shaping a generation, ‘labour’ by Paris Paloma, begins with a death defying escape scene in the first verse. This alternative-folk melody, released in 2023, evokes a feminist rage in anyone who’s suffered from discriminatory gendered abuse. Paloma sings, “For somebody I thought was my savior / You sure make me do a whole lot of labour.” The chorus showcases the hook line and sinker promise of safety and security that lures women in and the slow realization that he is not serving you, you are serving him. This heartbreaking song continues touching on topics like generational trauma, false incompetence and manipulated servitude. Paloma sings, “If we had a daughter / I’d watch and could not save her / The emotional torture / From the head of your high table / … So now I’ve gotta run / So I can undo this mistake.” A siren song calling out hope for a future where women feel free to leave anywhere they don’t feel safe. The treatment described in this song is unacceptable and so many are taught to pretend it is okay, It’s not okay!! Let’s get angry and do something about it.
"Yeah Yeah Yeahs" by Max Knies from New York City is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
5. Groan by Dazey and the Scouts
Singer and guitar player Lea Jaffe howls out a revealing plea to a secret lover as a prickling guitar pulses. Released in 2017, The word Groan is a play on words for the act of physically growing and a sound of pain or strain. Her growls and squeaks throughout emulate her chaotic state of mind on the subject. In between manic laughs we hear her sing, “Won’t you come around in your car in the middle of the night again? / … And if I lied about my age, is it fine? / Would you mind?” Any willing man in this scenario is wrong and speaks on how girls can be affected by early interactions with negative masculine energies. According to the Fourth International Conference on Innovations Social Sciences Education and Engineering, “Adolescent girls with daddy issues often normalize toxic behaviors in relationships, considering them romantic. … Some girls seek affection from the opposite sex in an attempt to fill the paternal void, leading to dependency.“ Jaffe continues with the words, “Sorry, We can blame it on that I’m / Young, naive and really miserable.” This amazingly written track drags into the light an ugly truth of older vultures perpetuating this unhealthy attachment style onto young women.
6. Bad Reputation by Joan Jett
This song belongs on repeat for anyone who wants to carve out their own path. Joan Jett sings, “A girl can do what she wants to do / And that’s what I'm gonna do / And I don’t give a damn ‘bout my bad reputation.” In reality there are always people out there that don’t like you, might as well have fun and be yourself! Jett expresses a definite awareness of social issues with the words, “The world’s in trouble, there’s no communication / … It never gets better, anyway.” With a pessimistic tone we hear an ode to freedom many can relate too. According to an interview with Joan Jett, “When I tried to get a record deal, 23 labels, all the minors rejected our music” She continues to say, “Every label turned me down saying I should lose the guitar or just that they didn’t hear any hits” They were very wrong.
7. Tick by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
You know that feeling when you’re rushing to get ready but it’s just not happening. You are trying and trying but frustration starts boiling into rage. You feel like your skin could be hot to the touch and again you can’t get to where you want to be. Welcome to ‘Tick’ by Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Released in 2003, The song is a ticking timebomb that is a mere echo from your own subconscious. When Karen O sings It's obvious a generous amount of energy was released in the making of these vocal tracks. Karen O sings, “You make me wanna lose / You look like shit.” Forcing a transformation into a porcelain doll of beauty standards makes me wanna scream too.
