In case no one has told you today, you are enough, Sis.
It’s true, you don’t need anyone else to validate you, but it’s always nice when another sister witnesses your light and reflects your resilience back to you. As neo-soul songbird Jill Scott coos on “Ase,” “I see you,” offering a tender reminder of being recognized and affirmed.
That’s the empowering message paid forward by all of the phenomenal female artists assembled here, including Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Willow, Thelma Houston, Olivia Dean and Diana Ross. They sing your praises with lyrics that promote self-love, self-worth and self-acceptance.
Take vocalist, songwriter and Stevie Wonder protégée Shelea’s entry, for example. On “You Are Enough,” she turns the song’s title into a gentle but direct reminder that everything you need to begin is already within you.
While you may strive to grow and evolve in positive ways, it’s also okay to love and accept yourself, as jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall coos on her cover of “Just the Way You Are.” Reframe that Billy Joel classic as a love song to yourself, and even the simple plea “Don’t go changing” takes on new meaning. Similarly, sing along with Macy Gray’s endearing rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” as if you’re serenading yourself as the love of your life.
When it comes to relationships, sometimes you need to hear straight talk from a girlfriend that you can do bad and good all by yourself, with or without a partner. That’s where stellar soul sisters Fantasia (“I’m Doin’ Me”), Coco Jones (“By Myself”) and Jennifer Hudson (“I Got This”) chime in with melodic self-love pep talks.