BitchTapes: Nevertheless, She Persisted

Mavis Staples, looking very persistent.

The music industry is not kind to women. Politics is also not kind to women. Nevertheless, women persist in both. This week, while letters are read and t-shirts are made, I put together a mix by women who have stuck around. Over the course of their careers, I’m willing to bet all of these women were warned about things and were given an explanation about things at some point. (Probably many points.) But, in the minimum quarter century each of these women has been making music, they have all persisted.

Track List

1. Both Sides Now - Joni Mitchell

2. Shakin’ All Over - Wanda Jackson

3. I’m Every Woman/ RESPECT - Aretha Franklin

4. Carry it On - Buffy Sainte-Marie

5. All Alone With Something to Say - Bonnie Raitt

6. River Deep Mountain High - Tina Turner

7. Hanky Panky - kd lang

8. Ray of Light - Madonna

9. Our Bright Future - Tracy Chapman

10. Head Over High Heels - Dolly Parton

11. Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News - Diana Ross

12. Annabell Lee - Stevie Nicks

13. Make it Look Good - Mariah Carey

14. Le Danse de la Joie - Emmylou Harris

15. Unbreakable - Janet Jackson

16. One Fine Day - Bette Midler

17. Dressed to Kill - Cher

18. Sexercise - Kylie Minogue

19. I Know, I’ll Never Love this Way Again - Dionne Warwick & Gladys Knight

20. Naked - Neneh Cherry

21. High Note - Mavis Staples

22. I’d Much Rather Be With the Girls - Ronnie Spector

by Katie Presley

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Katie Presley is a writer and editor currently based on the East Coast (help, how did this happen??). She's been with Bitch in one form or another since 2010, when she started as a New Media Intern, and most recently served as Bitch's first and only Music Editor, from 2016-2017. Past resume lines include Assistant Producer for All Songs Considered at NPR Music, panelist on Pop Culture Happy Hour, and bylines at NPR and Ms. Katie is also a doula and herbalist, and writes a blog on herbal medicine, "The Herbal Apprentice." She also co-founded the first full-spectrum doula organization in Texas, The Bridge Collective. She is also a late-comer to being a Dog Person, but currently lives with four cats.