Barbie took last summer by storm, and with it came a surge in unapologetic fun in all things girly.
To which we say: Okay. Girls and women should be able to enjoy anything. Yes, even if society considers it inherently feminine, overly concerned with categorizing things (and dismissing “girly” things as trivial or, shall we say, bad) – pumpkin spice lattes, rom-coms, suspenseful vampire sagas… all of it.
Below, we’ve put together a playlist of nine fantastic songs that are as rejected as pink once upon a time, and are perfect for entertaining at your next hen party. Enjoy them in all their chewy glory! (And yes, feel free to wear your previously embarrassing UGG boots, too.)
1
“Party in the USA” – Miley Cyrus
Over the years, Cyrus has undergone several changes as an artist. However, there is one constant throughout: the woman is a natural lifelong performer who can sing to her face. This skill set makes it quite easy to create memorable chart toppers like this one.
2
“Call Me Maybe” – Carly Rae Jepsen
Jepsen is one of the most underrated songwriters of our time. This fizzy worm from 2012 is a perfect example of her prowess, with its light, danceable verses paired perfectly with big, bright choruses. But also, you don’t have to analyze it to enjoy it as hell.
3
“Man It’s Raining” – “Weather Girls”
Yes, musical taste is a subjective thing. But also, anyone who dismisses this song or considers it anything other than stellar is mistaken. Powerful vocals combine with an early 1980s synth-pop vibe to create a danceable spectacle.
4
“Joker” – Spice Girls
If you want to get the attention of a room full of women, just shout, “Hey, I’ll tell you what I want—what I really, really want.” This 1990s classic is all about friendship and prioritizing your female team and their opinions over any male partners you may get involved with.
5
“The Unwritten” – Natasha Bedingfield
When it hit the airwaves in the early 2000s, it became a staple of every all-female a cappella group’s repertoire. As someone who was in college at the time, I remember being made fun of. But in hindsight, why wouldn’t every group want to go somewhere so joyful and hopeful?
6
“You Belong with Me” – Taylor Swift
At this point, it seems to be widely accepted that Swift is both gifted and insightful. An expressive songwriter and savvy pop star who is meticulous in every detail of her work. However, this was true even in her early years – the ongoing success of this song proves it.
7
“Come on” – Christina Aguilera
A gift from the earliest days of Aguilera’s long career, this slick little bop brings an extra flirty energy to our roundup of girly songs. (It also convinced us that Crayola-colored highlights are a good choice—and we think for anyone who wants them, they’re the way to go.)
8
“Before He Cheats” – Carrie Underwood
Here we have a real karaoke classic. Who hasn’t wanted to sing out the pain of a rejected heart in front of a few of your closest friends and a few dozen of your closest strangers? Either way, by the end everyone will be singing along – it’s too much fun to resist.
9
“Girls just want to have fun” – Cyndi Lauper
If there were a physical pantheon of “girly” songs, this song would probably have pride of place at the top of it. This is the ultimate “let women enjoy things” anthem. Let’s Dance. Let’s sing. Let’s go out and have some fun. Let’s play as hard as we work. Let’s take a walk in the sun.