Kesha’s song “Woman” is from her 2017 album, Rainbow. Some would say that Kesha and her songs have a “party-girl” reputation, not to be taken seriously. However, this song is a catchy and punchy feminist anthem that directly speaks to the power Kesha derives from her womanhood. The lyrics center around her autonomy and strength, and Kesha demands to be heard. The song is still fun and upbeat though, proving that feminism doesn’t always have to be super serious, and also that being a “party-girl” doesn’t mean you can’t understand and promote feminist ideals. The song also gains more meaning after Kesha reveals she wrote it in response to Donald Trump’s infamous and vulgar “grab them by the pussy” comment. She said in an interview, “That made me so infuriated, as a hardcore feminist. Once I heard that I was like, okay, well, I’m going to write this song about being a badass mother—ing woman who you don’t want to f–k with.”

“I buy my own things, I pay my own bills

These diamond rings, my automobiles

Everything I got, I bought it

Boys can’t buy my love, buy my love, yeah”

This section of the song speaks to the independent and self-sufficient nature Kesha feels as a woman. Kesha is directly attacking the dated and patriarchal ideology that women need to be taken care of by men, especially when it comes to money and material possessions. There was a time when women were defined only in relation to men, and they were not allowed to own anything. This is an example of second-wave feminism.

“Don’t buy me a drink, I make my money

Don’t touch my weave, don’t call me “honey”

‘Cause I run my shit, baby”

Kesha doesn’t want to be patronized or condescended to, especially by men who think that women owe them something for buying them a drink. This is also a call out of Trump and the other men who believe they have permission to touch or violate women.

“I’m a motherfucking woman, baby, alright

I don’t need a man to be holding me too tight”

This is the chorus of the song, with Kesha’s empowering words telling listeners that being a woman makes her tough, and she doesn’t need any men. The words “too tight” also stand out here, and are another example of the oppressive and violating forces women can feel from men who don’t understand.

https://www.popsongprofessor.com/blog/2017/7/13/what-does-woman-by-kesha-mean