Mix Tape of the Day: March 8, 2015 - Girl Power!

It's International Women's Day!  Let's celebrate with some of the best songs about female empowerment and independence.

1. Respect - Aretha Franklin (1967) Aretha Franklin took this song from Otis Redding, where the original context was about a man complaining about having no respect from his wife.  By switching the roles, Franklin created an anthem for the entire female population.

2. Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves - Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin (1985) Aretha Franklin's iconic status as a role model made her the perfect collaborator for this song.  Celebrating women's history rocks!

3. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor (1978) Many empowering songs feature the narrator's discovery that they are so much more than their relationships.  :I Will Survive" is the poster child for this subgenre.

4. Survivor - Destiny's Child (2001) Serving as a spiritual successor to "I Will Survive," Destiny's Child takes a more proactive approach, claiming that they can move on quickly and without complaint.  And it doesn't just have to apply to relationships.  Any pitfalls in life can be climbed out of.

5. I'm Coming Out - Diana Ross (1980) Also used as a gay pride anthem, "I'm Coming Out" celebrates the freedom of being true to yourself and escaping oppression.

6. Wannabe - Spice Girls (1996) In a market filled with boy bands, the Spice Girls burst onto the scene, claiming "Girl Power!" as their rallying cry.  While the Spice Girls have since moved on, their catchphrase has remained a part of our cultural lexicon.

7. Bitch - Meredith Brooks (1997) Speaking of repurposing words, Meredith Brooks claimed this derogatory slur towards woman as her own, feeling no shame at all.  She's complicated and has flaws.  We all do.  Accept it.

8. You Don't Own Me - Lesley Gore (1963) A powerful song during the second wave feminist movement of the '60s, "You Don't Own Me" takes a stand against all guys who treat their women like property.  And at 17, that's a very bold move on Gore's part.

9. This One's for the Girls - Martina McBride (2003) McBride speaks directly to girls and women everywhere, giving support, letting them know that life can and will get better.  Plus, it's nice to have a song that acknowledges our Spaghetti-O's consumption.

10. Bad Reputation - Joan Jett (1980) A great punk rock song or the greatest punk rock song? No one has to fit into anyone's boxes.

11. Shake It Out - Florence and the Machine (2011) Hey, sometimes, life will get you down.  So when it gets too overwhelming, just shake it out.

12. Skyscraper - Demi Lovato (2011) Raspy-voiced Demi Lovato delivers a powerful performance in this emotionally devastating song.  It really feels like every struggle can be overcome when you listen to this song.

13. Beautiful - Christina Aguilera (2002) Finally, we end with a more direct message to the listener.  While most of the rest of these songs feature empowering statements for the singer that listeners can sing along to and imagine themselves in the role, this is a song specifically about "you."  You are important.  You are worthy.  You are beautiful.

Mix Tape of the Day: February 5, 2015 - Rain or Shine

It's National Weatherpersons Day!  And everyone loves singing about rain when they're sad and sunshine when they are happy, so I had plenty of songs to pick from.

1. It's Raining Men - The Weather Girls (1982) This is the most scientifically accurate song about weather I could find.

2. Blue Skies - Noah and the Whale (2009) I already used "Mr. Blue Sky" on a previous list, so this is my replacement ode to blue skies.  I think you'll find it's just swell.

3. Pocketful of Sunshine - Natasha Bedingfield (2007) I decided to wait on a certain other famous "Sunshine" song.  But you can have a pocketful to tide you over until we start walking on it.

4. No Rain - Blind Melon (1992) Rain is the worst isn't it?  Well, some people are fans of rain!  I happen to like the sound of rain, especially at night or on a lazy day.  As long as it isn't in my face, rain can be pretty great!

5. Rain - Mika (2009) I've held off for a month, but I can't hold it back any longer.  I love Mika, and I've been waiting for the right time to share all of the Mika with you.  This is your first taste.  And it seems as if it's starting to rain.

6. Windy - The Association (1967) And now it's getting a little windy.  Also, this might just be the best song of the '60s.  I've yet to be proven wrong.

7. Rock You Like a Hurricane - Scorpions (1984) Uh-oh, the storm's here!  No other storm songs reach the level of destruction as this one does.  Well, maybe Rossini's "Storm" from William Tell...

8. Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles (1969) Ah, the storm's over and the sun is shining again!  Thanks George Harrison for writing the best Beatles songs!

9. Here Comes the Rain Again - Eurythmics (1983) Ah...well, that was fun while it lasted...

10. Electrical Storm (William Orbit Mix) - U2 (2002) For a song about a storm, this one feels very pleasant to me.  It takes me to a dreary day at the beach, which seems unpleasant, but is somehow comforting.

11. Sandstorm - Darude (1999) Well, now this storm is just getting out of control.  What's this song called again?

12. Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden (1994) Um, this might be the craziest weather day we could ever have.

13. Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In - The 5th Dimension (1969) Perfect time!  Right here in the middle of Aquarius, we have a plea for the sunshine once more, and it seems as if the sun is going to be here to stay!