Summer is right around the corner, and we're celebrating the start of lazy beach days and cool summer nights with none other than a self love playlist filled with self love songs just for you.
If you’re anything like us, music is an escape from the day. It can instantly affect your mood. And, if there’s anything we know about the music industry, it’s that female artists are bad ass boss ladies producing songs for fellow boss ladies (like yourself) to enjoy!
We’re not just creators of the Self Love Pinky Ring. We’re music lovers through and through. Seriously, we sing a lot in the office. We wanted to put together a short playlist of songs old and new by some of our favorite female singers.
ETA: Let's not forget Demi Lovato's I Love Me.
I Love Me by Meghan Trainor
We love Meghan because she has so many songs about loving yourself, no matter who you are. She marches to the beat of her own drum (or dances to the beat of her own songs?). I Love Me hits our motto spot on: we love everyone else, but we love ourselves first and foremost.
Survivor by Destiny’s Child
Unfortunately, we all have problems in some shape or form. And while we might not know the stories of those around us, we all face challenges that test our will. But we are not victims, we are survivors. We’re doing life every damn day, giving it our all, putting our best foot forward, and becoming stronger in the process.
Woman by Kesha
This song is our anthem. Kesha is celebrating herself as a woman, just as we do here at Fred and Far. We have so much innate energy and power that we can harness as women, and we feel like we can do it 5 times as intensely when this song comes on.
Love Myself by Hailee Steinfeld
"Gonna love myself, no, I don’t need anybody else." We couldn't agree with this anymore. Don't get us wrong, there are lots of people we love and care for, but at the end of the day, we have to love ourselves first.
How Far I’ll Go by Alessia Cara
Not only does this song stem from one of the best Disney films to date, Moana, the song features Alessia Cara, who has her own set of empowering songs, like Scars to Your Beautiful. This song is 1. great for belting at full volume and 2. dancing around on your living room furniture when no one is home.
New Rules by Dua Lipa
One, turn up the volume. Two, play this song. Repeat. Feeling like calling your ex or some other person who’s not good for your mental health? This song will be your anthem. Dua Lipa got her starts singing covers on YouTube and only a few years later has been on the charts for 40 straight weeks. You go, girl!
Dancing on my Own by Robyn
If you’ve ever had someone you wanted to be with, but it didn’t work out, this is the song you play. Because even when things don’t work out in the way you wanted to, you just keep on dancing all night long. Robyn has been releasing music since the late 1990’s and we never want her to stop.
Alaska by Maggie Rogers
“And I walked off you, And I walked off an old me.” Whenever you’re feeling like another person is holding you back from being your best self, enjoying life to its fullest or whatever their problem may be, just walk them off. Walk off the old you and walk into the person you want to be. It’s never too late to start when you have this song bumping along in the background.
Cool Girl by Tove Lo
Tove Lo speaks to every woman, who thinks everyone should live their life however they want, because she’s going to do the exact same. The beats in this song make it the perfect tempo to get into with your gal pals on a saturday night this summer.
No Scrubs by TLC
A classic! Women have been belting No Scrubs since the 1990’s, and at least for us we have no plans on stopping. Knowing your worth is one of the biggest steps to self love you can have. Surrounding yourself with toxic people (ahem, scrubs) doesn’t put you in a position to live fully and happily - they definitely don’t deserve your love.
Alive by Sia
This is a song for hard days, when you think it’s just been too much. The reality is that you’re still breathing. and you’ve made it through. You survived, and you’re still breathing. On days like this, remember to be kind to yourself. You’re doing your absolute best and like the song says, you’re alive. That’s something to be grateful for.
Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
Alicia is one of our woman idols. From her incredible music career and talent, to her decision to break social norms and not wear makeup, she does as pleases and makes time for herself. Girl on Fire is like the ultimate power pose in musical form. When you’re in need of a pick me up, sing this one in the mirror and imagine rainbow flames surrounding you in the very best way. You look like a girl, but you’re really a flame.
Shake It Out by Florence + The Machine
When this song debuted, we remember putting it on and never wanting it to stop. Florence’s voice is so powerful, and this song is about personal rebirths. It’s about shaking off the bad and starting new.
Q.U.E.E.N by Janelle Monae, feat. Erykah Badu
Fun fact: Q.U.E.E.N is an acronym for marginalized people as Janelle explained during an interview with Fuse HQ. She says the "Q" represents the queer community, the "U" for the untouchables, the "E" for emigrants, the second "E" for the excommunicated and the "N" for those labeled as negroid. It's for everyone who's felt ostracized," she adds. "I wanted to create something for people who feel like they want to give up because they're not accepted by society." This is the song for for everyone to own themselves, their actions, their beliefs, who they are without caring what everyone else says or thinks.
I’m Every Woman by Chaka Khan and Lew Hahn
We’re throwing it way back with I’m Every Woman. Women have special powers within ourselves, and Chaka and Lew are here to celebrate the magic. It’s probably stuck in your head and you’re swaying side to side. It’s that good. You’re welcome.
Feeling Myself by Nicki Minaj and Beyonce
Queen B and Nicki teaming up, eating burgers, and dancing is my ideal song situation. Plus this song is all about feelin’ yourself (hint: loving yourself). The feminist anthem brings to of the most talented women of color in music in perfect harmony.
Wings by Little Mix
“Don’t let what hey say keep you up at night.” If this isn’t a lesson for us all to learn at some point, we don’t know what is. By spreading your wings, flaunting their beauty, and flying away, you won’t let anyone bring you down or hurt you.
Born This Way by Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga has always marched to the beat of her own drum. She had her own very unique sense of style (throwback to meat dress), she spoke up for her little monsters, and she sang her truth. Born This Way is the anthem for all of us. We’re on the right track, we were born this way. Own yourself, your highs, lows, imperfections and everything in between.
I’m Coming Out by Diana Ross
How could we not include Diana Ross? Beauty, grace, and mom to our girl crush Tracee Ellis Ross. You get to decide what you put out into the world. When you’re ready, you can showcase yourself in the best light in whatever way that comes to you. Come on out, ladies.
Whatever summer plans you have coming to life, we hope you’ll make time to practice self love and self care. Since the days are longer, it’s so much easier to get outside after work or pack more into a given day on the weekend. Whether you choose to indulge in an ice cream cone, more blowouts than you thought possible (thanks to #humidity), or a journaling session on your patio with a side of homemade lemonade, music can be a part of your self love summer. And of course - a self love ring is the perfect accompaniment to your self love playlist, so check out the full collection here.