It’s International Women’s Day and I have decided to mark it by creating a 10 song playlist of songs by female artists.
I note that until I was quite old – I am VERY old now – my record collection consisted almost entirely of music by men. An occasional woman made it into my collection – Carole King, Carly Simon, Judee Sill – but they were the exception, not the rule. And now, having seen the light, my collection is, as we are supposed to say these days, far more diverse.
My overall record collection, as anyone can see by looking at my weekly on-line music shuffle, remains overwhelmingly male, but I am getting there and I reckon I now buy as much music by women artists and bands as I do by men.
Anyway, here’s a random playlist, made up on the hoof. I hope you listen to all the tunes by clicking on the song title and enjoy what you are hearing.
Happy International Women’s Day.
- Been To Canaan by Carole King. Absolutely beautiful from Carole’s absolutely beautiful 1972 LP Rhymes & Reasons.
- Worry With You by Sleater-Kinney. Girls can rock, as this banger from 2021’s Path of Wellness proves.
- Charity by Courtney Barnett. Live version of this great song from 2018’s Tell Me How You Really Feel.
- Sunset by Caroline Polachek. Probably my favourite female singer of them all. She’s great live, too. Buy her album from 2023, Desire, I Want To Turn Into You.
- Eden by Avalon Emerson and the Charm. I am so looking forward to her album, Written Into Changes, which is released later this month.
- POP by Miso Extra. Gorgeous from 2025’s Earcandy album.
- Jesus Was A Cross Maker by Judee Sill. Simply beautiful from her 1971 album Judee Sill.
- Berghain by Rosalia feat. Björk & Yves Tumor. Rosalia’s album Lux was one of the best of 2025. Magnificent.
- Relationships by HAIM. I’m running out of superlatives, aren’t I? The Haim sisters are just great. Please buy I Quit from 2025.
- C’est Si Bon by Say She She. These three classically trained singers make the best old skool disco. This from their essential 2023 album Silver.
You might know one or two of these songs. But if you don’t, why not try them?
