Country music Superstar Keith Urban killed it at the Country Music Awards a few weeks ago, when he premiered “Female,” written by three of Nashville’s top songwriters who were inspired to write it in response to the many women coming forward with experiences of sexual harassment and assault by well known politicians and entertainers– Harvey Weinstein et al.
Singer/guitarist Urban, in town recording a new album, said hearing the powerful words and music of “Female” was “”instant love”—perhaps thinking of his own two daughters with wife Nicole Kidman.
Could “Female” become 2017’s equivalent of “I Am Woman,” Helen Reddy’s proclamation of female empowerment and encouragement from 45 years ago?
Consider: when the anthem is female empowerment, it’s probably better to have a woman do the singing.
Only a woman has walked a mile in high heels–you can hear and feel Helen Reddy’s great passion—to get out of her cage, to show her strengths—and while Urban is touching, and concerned, and caring he lacks juice. More like a father, than fighter.
As Sherlock Holmes would suggest, let’s not overlook the obvious. Forty-five years ago, the refrain was
“I am woman, hear me roar”
Reddy was ferocious and her battle cry was for a seat at the table. Today’s headlines are more specific and sinister –the abuse of male power over women in a world still dominated and controlled by men.
Although it’s been said that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice,” these songs remind us that 45 years is a long time to not have traveled very far.