For a long time I have been obsessed with something I call “Bratty” music. This made-up genre is usually female singers belting out messages of female empowerment. While I have never embraced the ‘Princess’ mentality bestowed upon many girls via Disney movies, many of these songs contain words like “crown”, sometimes “princess”, and often sound like they are teasing or taunting somebody. Sometimes they help broken-hearted girls become stronger, which has been my personal experience with some of these tunes.
Whether these artists are expressing the fact they will get what they want, showing dominance, or just sheer augmentation in saying “screw you”, these are my favorite Bratty tunes by some bad bee-yotches.
1) “I Know What Boys Like” The Waitresses
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You don’t get any brattier than this. The song literally includes “nyah nyah” and sykes you out in one part. Thank goodness my dad introduced this to me via vinyl.
2)“Loubitons” Jennifer Lopez
I put this here because it is actually my second favorite song ever. Originally written for singer Brandy, it is a song that is now extremely hard to find. Nevertheless, when she performed this on the Ellen Degeneres show, I fell in love with Jlo and this song. It’s cheesy, but I partially molded my life around it, and I listen every time I’m ready to move on in life (especially after I am done with a dumb boy).
3) “It’s my Party” Lesley Gore
This song always reminds me of that girl in the movie Problem Child…that girl’s ego needed to be wrecked, little monster.
4) “Sheezus” Lily Allen
I’ve grown up with this lady. There are SO many songs of hers that could and should be included on this list, especially from her album Alright, Still (a major influence in my life)…but I had to go with this one. Just after putting her already bratty single “Hard out Here”, this one comes along and just tops the cake. The lyric that kills me: “Give me that crown, bitch. I wanna be Sheezus.”
5) “Bad Girls” M.I.A.
In all seriousness, I’m pretty sure M.I.A. is one of the greatest thugs ever.
6) “What the Hell” Avril Lavigne
Avril is one of the first people I think of when I hear the word “brat”. She has kept up her image as a punk music princess for years, and I feel like I have seen her wear tiaras multiple times. Like Lily Allen, there are MANY songs I could put on this list—I debated heavily on using “Girlfriend” instead—but this is one of my absolute favorites of hers, and one I relate to.
7) “Whip my Hair” Willow Smith
When you exist in an awesome family, this is what happens. Do more things, Willow, I love you!
8)“That’s not my name” Ting Tings
Even Charlie Day likes this song.
9) “Bad Reputation” Joan Jett
This is one I heavily considered on including due to the fact that Joan is punk, but I think there is some overlapping and this is such a classic “screw you” song.
10) “Swagger Jagger’ Cher Lloyd
I miss Cher’s adorable tooth gap. First lyric: “You can’t stop lookin at me, starin at me, be what I be”.
11) “None of your business” Salt N Pepa
12) “Hollaback gurl” Gwen Stefnai
13) “Look at these hoes” Santigold
14) “10 % dis” MC Lyte
15) “Mickey” Toni Basil
16) “So What” Pink
17) “My World” Iggy Azalea
18) “How to be a heartbreaker” Marina and the Diamonds
19) “Do it like a dude” Jessie J
20) “Did it on ‘em” Nicki Minaj
21) “Boyfriend” Best Coast
22) “Pretty Girl Rock” Keri Hilson
23) “I Don’t Care” Icona Pop
24) “Ladies First” Queen Latifa
25) “Independent Women” Destiny’s Child