How She Said It
Seven women with lyric-writing prowess
Lyrics by women songwriters can tell stories that resonate across generations, geographic regions, sexualities and other identities. Their musical messages about heartbreak, happiness, frustration, infatuation and fear can touch hearts and minds in new ways by pairing the same sempiternal 12 notes with thoughtful collections of words.
Here are seven women making waves in music by speaking truth to power, lover, femininity and artistry with poetically penned lyrics.
Courtney Barnett
Barnett is a vintage rocker with a poetic streak in her. Her music is the kind of road trip material you put on to pass the time, letting her paint vivid mental pictures with her descriptive, often narrative-driven lyrics.
Her heels are high and her bag is snakeskin
Hair pulled so tight you can see her skeleton
Vickers perfume on her breath
A tortoise shell necklace between her breasts
She looks him up and down with a botox frown
He’s well used to that look by now
(From “Elevator Operator”)
Snail Mail
A stage name for Lindsey Jordan, Snail Mail elicits a kind of nostalgia for something you’re not quite sure of with her simple melodies and introspective lyrics. The smart simplicity of the words and guitar make for a soft and thoughtful indie sound.
June’s glowing red
Oh strawberry moon
You’re always coming back a little older
But it looks alright on you
(From “Let’s Find An Out”)
Kacey Musgraves
The newly crowned queen of modern country music, Musgraves has provoked admiration for the way she’s been able to attract fans from outside the country music world. Her undeniable appeal surely stems from her comforting lyrics that sound like sunshine sung by her sweet voice.
Kiss full of color makes me wonder where you’ve always been
I was hiding in doubt till you brought me out of my chrysalis
And I came out new
All because of you
(From “Butterflies”)
Halsey
The young pop star established herself as a lyric-writing prodigy with her first album, attracting well-deserved attention and rocketing her toward fame. Halsey has an impressive knack for making music that’s lyrically profound yet still accessible enough for pop radio.
You’re dripping like a saturated sunrise
You’re spilling like an overflowing sink
You’re ripped at every edge but you’re a masterpiece
And now i’m tearing through the pages and the ink
(From “Colors”)
Anna of the North
Who says electronic-based music has to be cheesy? Anna of the North blends synth-pop with a coolness of voice and lyrics that’s ear-catching enough to prompt an internet search for more after the first chorus heard.
Stop! Take it slowly, darling
This time I’m feeling a change.
Stop thinking too much about it
Love’s gonna heal us again and again.
(From “Sway”)
Billie Eilish
Youth isn’t a disadvantage for Billie Eilish. In fact, it seems to be an advantage for her, allowing her a kind of new perspective and relatability that’s prompted an almost cult-like following. Her soprano vocals paired with unapologetic lyrics makes each song more interesting than the last.
Call me calloused, call me cold
You’re italic, I’m in bold
Call me cocky, watch your tone
You better love me, ’cause you’re just a clone
(From “COPYCAT”)
Julien Baker
Baker writes the kind of lyrics you can feel weighing on your heart. She speaks to a kind of universal sadness and puts a comforting hand on your shoulder with her songs, telling you you’re not the only one who feels lonely.
So I wrote you love letters
And sung them in my house
All around the silence
The broken strings and amplifiers
Scream with holy noise
(From “Blacktop”)
