These girl power Broadway songs brought down the house. For this list, we’ll be looking at musical numbers that best celebrate female independence, confidence, and strength.
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00:00 "1986, the first female American cast in history.
00:06 Suddenly I'm in the cockpit.
00:10 Suddenly I've got my wings."
00:14 Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 best girl power
00:18 songs from Broadway musicals.
00:20 For this list, we'll be looking at musical numbers that best celebrate female independence,
00:25 confidence, and strength.
00:26 "Not too stretchy, I'll step out brave to see if you're crying.
00:31 Such a cry."
00:34 Number 10.
00:35 "I'd Rather Be Me."
00:36 "Mean Girls."
00:37 "So raise your right finger and solemnly swear, whatever they say about me, I don't care."
00:51 The musical adaptation of the 2004 high school movie includes an empowering number performed
00:55 by Janis in the second act.
00:57 Following the Burn Book debacle, the rebellious student takes a stand in front of her peers.
01:02 She commits to being true to herself, even when it doesn't please others.
01:06 "So here's my right finger, is how girls should behave.
01:13 Sometimes what's meant to break you makes you brave."
01:20 Her message inspires many of the other girls at the assembly, who end up joining Janis
01:25 in song.
01:26 The tune is great both in the context of the show as well as on its own.
01:29 With its uplifting melody and assertive lyrics, listening to it always gives us a boost of
01:34 confidence.
01:35 "I'd rather be me than be with you."
01:49 Number 9.
01:50 Rose's Turn - Gypsy
01:51 "Some people got it and make it pay.
01:52 Some people can't even give it away.
01:53 This people's got it and this people's bringing it around."
02:05 This 11 o'clock number from a beloved mid-century book musical goes hard.
02:10 It comes at a turning point for the lead character, Rose.
02:12 Having grown apart from both of her children, the show mom is finally able to admit her
02:17 own desire for the spotlight.
02:19 The song is full of spunk, with a constantly changing melody, tempo and volume.
02:23 "Well someone tell me when is it my turn.
02:26 Don't I get a dream for myself.
02:28 Starting now it's gonna be my turn.
02:30 Gangway will get off of my runway.
02:32 Starting now I've had a thousand."
02:35 It expresses a myriad of emotions, from frustration to confidence to desire.
02:39 Many iconic female actresses have performed the body tune, including Bette Midler, Patti
02:44 LuPone and Bernadette Peters.
02:47 Although we may not sound as good, singing along makes us feel like a powerhouse Broadway
02:51 star.
03:02 8.The Schuyler Sisters - Hamilton
03:15 Lin-Manuel Miranda's famous show based on the life of a founding father includes a song
03:19 reminiscent of Destiny's Child and TLC.
03:22 It introduces sisters Angelica, Eliza and Peggy Schuyler as they explore downtown Manhattan,
03:27 singing in three-part harmony.
03:29 The women take control of the stage, supported by a group of backup singers and dancers.
03:34 Angelica in particular exudes girl power, shutting down Aaron Burr and calling out Thomas
03:39 Jefferson.
03:42 Overall, the number is full of excitement and confidence.
03:57 An empowering solo's always great, but girl groups are on another level.
04:06 7.Take Me or Leave Me - Rent
04:27 Performed by Maureen and Joanne in the second act of Jonathan Larson's beloved show, this
04:31 duet is a favorite among Broadway fans.
04:34 In it, the on-again, off-again couple get into an argument before breaking up once more.
04:54 They call in to question each other's personality traits while defending their own.
04:59 Maureen embraces her charisma, while Joanne takes pride in her responsible nature.
05:12 Although the two women are in conflict, the song feels generally empowering as the women
05:17 articulate what they like about themselves, which is something we could all benefit from
05:21 doing now and again.
05:32 6.Don't Rain on My Parade - Funny Girl
05:49 Act One of the biographical musical closes with an empowered solo from the lead character
05:53 Fanny Bryce.
05:54 Determined to live life to the fullest, she refuses to let anybody or anything get in
05:59 her way.
06:00 Belting is a staple of girl power songs, and this tune is built for it.
06:15 Of course, we can't talk about Funny Girl without mentioning Barbara Streisand, who
06:19 originated the role of Fanny on stage and screen.
06:33 She's been deemed the "Queen of the Divas," and her vocal style continues to influence
06:37 contemporary music.
06:38 Female icons Mariah Carey, Adele, and Whitney Houston are just a few of the vocalists who
06:44 have been compared to the Broadway star.
06:54 5.Cell Block Tango - Chicago
07:14 Five of the six merry murderesses of the Cook County Jail find themselves behind bars after
07:19 they decide to take extreme action against the men in their lives.
07:22 While we don't condone their choices, we love the independence, confidence, and strength
07:27 demonstrated by the women in this number.
07:39 The interlaced spoken bits performed by each of them are full of sass, and there's plenty
07:43 of dancing to accompany the singing.
07:59 The all-female chorus gives serious girl group vibes, and we're here for it.
08:04 This is the perfect song to play when we're not in the mood to be messed with.
08:21 4.And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going - Dreamgirls
08:35 Usually girl power embraces female independence, but we think this impassioned torch song embodies
08:40 many of its other important aspects.
08:42 It demonstrates female determination and desire.
08:56 The number shows Effie fighting to stay in her romantic relationship with music manager
09:00 Curtis.
09:01 Facing his decision to break up, she is at once devoted to and defiant of him.
09:06 The tune is traditionally sung by a woman with incredible vocal skill.
09:18 It was performed by Jennifer Holliday in the original Broadway production, and later by
09:22 Jennifer Hudson in the musical film.
09:25 With plenty of vocalizations and opportunities for improvisation, it's a show-stopping and
09:30 empowering solo.
09:52 3.Defying Gravity - Wicked
10:06 For Elphaba, a challenging moment becomes a transformative one when she finds empowerment
10:10 within herself.
10:12 Faced with adversity, the misunderstood woman literally rises above the rest of the Emerald
10:17 City and decides to try things her own way.
10:31 While the rest of the city condemns the so-called Wicked Witch, Glinda offers her support, vocally
10:36 and emotionally.
10:44 The end of the song is especially powerful, full of belted and sustained notes.
10:49 Going into intermission, this Act 1 closers message is inspiring and hopeful.
10:54 Singing along makes us feel as powerful as the Wicked Witch of the West herself.
11:07 2.6.6 - Tutor History - Get Down and I Don't Need Your Love
11:25 It was hard to pick just a single tune from this contemporary retelling of Tutor History.
11:29 The empowering songs "Get Down" and "I Don't Need Your Love," led by Anne of Cleves and
11:34 Catherine Parr respectively, were strong contenders.
11:41 However, in the end, we picked a number that features the six wives singing in tandem.
11:57 In the show's finale, the women rewrite their collective histories to be better than the
12:01 ones they got.
12:14 They imagine becoming free of Henry VIII's oppressive control and forming a band.
12:31 Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
12:35 Watch What Happens - Newsies - Catherine psychs herself up to take a chance in her career.
12:43 Right Hand Man - Something Rotten - Bea knows she's capable of giving more in her marriage.
13:04 I'm Here - The Color Purple - This song is a reminder to find love and satisfaction within
13:20 ourselves.
13:36 Big Blonde and Beautiful - Hairspray - Motormouth Maybel gives a lesson on body positivity and
13:41 self-love.
13:56 The Lioness Hunt - The Lion King - There's nothing quite as empowered as a pride of lionesses
14:01 on the hunt.
14:24, so much better, Legally Blonde.
14:38 This Act 1 finale celebrates Elle's academic and professional achievements.
14:42 It also serves as a turning point for her character.
14:45 After months of non-stop studying, the law student is rewarded when she sees her name
14:50 on the list for Callahan's internship.
15:03 Having set out for Harvard in order to get a guy, she finds reaping the benefits of her
15:07 hard work to be even more satisfying.
15:10 Emmett, the Greek Chorus, and Elle's mom via cell phone demonstrate their support by celebrating
15:15 with her.
15:21 The song radiates the new intern's joy and excitement.
15:25 She takes pride in her own accomplishments, and it's a reminder that we should do the
15:28 same with ours.
15:41 Do you agree with our picks?
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