Your feelings about Valentine’s Day probably vary from year to year. When you’re single, you think about how it’s a holiday made to trap consumers. When you’re newly in a relationship by the time February 14th rolls around, you might have anxiety about whether it’s too soon to celebrate it with your significant other. Finally, if you’re in a long-term relationship, you can’t wait to celebrate the day with your partner and treat them like it’s your anniversary.
If you happen to be single, you can celebrate Galentine’s Day, the other holiday that falls on February 13th, the day before Valentine’s Day. Don’t wallow in self-pity or glare at the couples engaging in PDA, grab your girlfriends and have a spa day or a movie marathon. There’s no better time than the present to unite as women. Despite what your relationship status is, we all need a reminder that we are queens and that we don’t need a king by our side to assert our power. Whatever your plans are for Galentine’s Day, you’ll need this playlist blasting in the background.
1. “Bodak Yellow” – Cardi B
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEGccV-NOm8
This was the anthem of 2017 and while it’s 2018, the hype still hasn’t died down. Cardi B‘s confidence is contagious and it can be agreed that we all strive to wear red bottoms, brush off the haters, and make money moves.
2. “You Don’t Own Me” – Grace ft. G-Eazy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SeRU_ZPDkE
Originally sung by Lesley Gore, Grace and G-Eazy‘s version is a refreshing take on the vocals. The lyrics acknowledge how we don’t have to compromise ourselves just because we’re in a relationship. We make our own bank, aren’t trophies and don’t have to change for you.
3. “Irreplaceable” – Beyonce
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EwViQxSJJQ
This breakup anthem speaks for itself, all you have to do is press play. We may want our significant other, but we don’t need them, and there’s no one quite like Beyonce to remind ourselves of our worth.
4. “Pour it Up” – Rihanna
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehcVomMexkY
The track to blast before a night out, RiRi‘s “Pour It Up” reminds us there’s nothing wrong with a bit of flaunting and materialism here and there.
5. “The Worst” – Jhené Aiko
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEm3lY3trRU
We don’t always choose who we love, even if that person isn’t right for us. “The Worst” captures what we’re all thinking about our conflicting feelings towards someone who’s done us wrong.
6. “Alive” – Kehlani ft. Coucheron
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqpQgp8_ajo
Not all post-breakup anthems are somber, and Kehlani‘s “Alive” is proof of that. Its upbeat melody and lyrics of feeling alive and moving on symbolizes how ending a relationship can be not just the right choice but the best one.
7. “No Scrubs” – TLC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrLequ6dUdM
This classic anthem is something everyone can sing along and relate to, as your gals and you bond over people who weren’t worth your time.
8. “Wannabe” – Spice Girls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJLIiF15wjQ
You might still be holding out hope for a Spice Girls reunion but until then, listening to their hits should hold you over. “Wannabe” reminds us that no one precedes our girls and a significant other will have to treat their approval as equally as yours.
