How many songs can you think of written by women in honor of other women?
I got to thinking about this listening to the great song “Suddenly I See” by British singer-songwriter KT Tunstall. She sings of her admiration for and inspiration by another woman and desire to emulate her. Tunstall was inspired to write the song by the cover picture of Patti Smith’s Horses. More songs like this?
Joni Mitchell’s Amelia, in a way about Amelia Earheart.
Another one that comes to mind immediately isAretha Franklin’s and Annie Lennox’ “Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves”.
ETA: On review, I see that **Johanna **is looking for songs about individual women, at least I guess so. But I let my post stand as a statement about feminine power in general.
One more. Sonic’s Youth’s Tunic (Song For Karen), Kim Gordon’s ode to Karen Carpenter.
Jolene, by Dolly Parton
We Are Family, Sister Sledge
Courtney Barnett has a few. “Ode to Odetta” (I’m assuming the guitarist Odetta). “Pickles from the Jar” is about her partner Jen Cloher, and “Boxing Day Blues” is to her. Jen has written some songs about Courtney but I’ve never listened to her albums so I don’t know which.
the brilliant green - FUNNY GIRLFRIEND!!…Tommy singing about her friend, just as it says on the tin.
Joan Baez - In The Quiet Morning
That was the first thing that came to mind for me as well. But I don’t think I’d consider it to be “in honor of other women”. She compliments Jolene, but Jolene is a huge threat and the singer is terrified of her.
Tinpan Orange - Song For Frida Kahlo
Rita Wilson - Joni
Mary Chapin Carpenter wrote the song “Family Hands” in honor of the women who raised her musical partner John Jennings, according to his obituary.
It’s a beautiful folk-ish song on her little-known first album “Hometown Girl.” It didn’t have any hits, but it’s full of thoughtful, down-tempo folk songs.
Kate Bush
Joanni - from Aerial about Joan of Arc
In the Warm Room - from Lionheart
Lily - from The Red Shoes
Lyra - from The Golden Compass soundtrack
Mrs. Bartolozzi from Aerial
Her most famous song is about a woman, Wuthering Heights, can hardly be said to be admiring.
Sure, but even as a threat the narrator honors her. She is perfect in the narrators eyes, she just pleads she not use her charms on the man she cares for.
I would say that counts.
ETA: Everybody’s posts are great examples of what I was looking for! Thanks!
Mimi Fariña’s lament for Janis Joplin, recorded by Mimi’s sister Joan Baez.* Good call, I was going to post this one too.
I guess I was thinking of songs about specific real women, often but not necessarily in admiration, but let’s open up the thread for various interpretations. I’ll learn more that way.
*Probably everybody recognizes my avatar picture, but FTR that’s Joan Baez.
Australian folk singer Judy Small is probably not hugely famous outside of (or even in) this country, but she’s written simply masses of songs honouring women, of which my favourites are A Heroine of Mine (about philanthropist Jessie Street) and Bridget Evans (about the Greenham Common women)
Ani difranco has written a ton of them, mostly about her relationships with other women. I’ll try to come up with a list of songs, but the woman is so damn prolific it feels like she comes out with new albums quicker than should be possible.
Patti Smith’s cover of “Gloria” comes to mind, as does “Debbie Denise”, a song she wrote for Blue Öyster Cult about a fling she had.
In the classical world, Ethel Smyth’s March of the Women
And Hildegard of Bingen wrote a number of variants on the Ave Maria