Madonna and modern pop music are almost synonymous. The diva doesn’t even need a last name—there is only one Madonna! She’s made countless strong impressions (to put it lightly) throughout her career, but above all she has always stood for confidence and self-expression. Check out Madonna’s five most empowering anthems below!
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1. “Jump” (2005)
Madonna hit the 21st century with music for the new millennium. But it was still true to the messages she’d always communicated. Her third album of the 2000s, Confessions on a Dance Floor, featured “Jump,” a catchy club dance song. The piece was meant to be a rallying anthem for the queer community, calling them to “jump” at the chance to follow their true paths. Eventually, it morphed into a song of empowerment for everybody. The message and infectious beat make it the perfect music for lifting your spirits when you’re feeling down.
2. “I Rise” (2019)
Madonna’s 2019 song “I Rise” took inspiration from many different sources. The song opens with an excerpt from a speech by X Gonzalez, who survived the shooting at the Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. Following this trend, “I Rise” is both about recognizing one’s power and decrying gun violence. It might seem like it goes in too many directions at once, but ultimately, this powerful pop song parallels the challenges Madonna herself has faced with the resilience of all humankind.
3. “Veni Vidi Vici” (2015)
You probably know that “Veni Vidi Vici” means “I came, I saw, I conquered.” Madonna’s 2015 song turned it into a rallying cry for everyone who knows how much they’ve accomplished. The diva also took the chance to reference her past work. Everything she has already done is proof of her victory. You don’t have to be as famous as Madonna to feel empowered by this song, which is all about defeating any challenges that come your way.
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4. “Over and Over” (1984)
“Over and Over” was featured on Madonna’s 1984 album, Like a Virgin. It sometimes gets overshadowed by the other significant tracks on the album, including the title track. But this under-appreciated song is worth a replay, as it is all about conquering challenges even when you’ve experienced setbacks. In other words, Madonna was doing I get knocked down, but I get up again long before Chumbawumba did it.
5. “Express Yourself” (1989)
Madonna released “Express Yourself” on her 1989 album, Like a Prayer. This funky song encourages women to know their worth and not settle in love. Madonna points out that if you don’t express what you need, you’ll never be fulfilled. The song subtly advocates not just for women but also for other marginalized persons; it has been called the original “girl power” song. Feeling encouraged and strengthened by this energetic anthem is inevitable.
Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
