Wake up ladies!! The situationships, toxic exes and all the drama is in the past. The Valentine’s season is dreaded no more – cupid’s couples are out and celebrating your girls is IN for 2023! As the brilliant author Dolly Alderton once said: “Nearly everything I know about love, I’ve learnt from my long-term friendships with women.”
February 13th is officially Galentine’s Day, a day to get together with your best mates and celebrate all the non-romantic, long(er)-lasting love in your lives in a wholesome and official way.
And an important PSA: Just because we are ditching the lads, doesn’t mean we have to ditch the chocolates, roses and dinners dates!
Our 2023 Galentine’s song recommendations are 13 absolute tunes – we have a mix of upbeat bangers and sultry, sexy numbers, from ‘00s throwbacks to modern classics. Whether you and the girlies are going out or staying in this Galentine’s, we have the perfect tracks for you!
Ariana Grande – 7 Rings
This song and music video is an infamous celebration of Ari and her tight-knit girl gang from the Thank U, Next era. If a Tiffany Diamond doesn’t say that you are as committed to your ride-or-die besties than you would be to a romantic other, I don’t know what does. If Miss Ariana can thrive in the company of her girls during the tough times she’s been through, we know we can do the same! (On a slightly smaller budget of course).
Gwen Stefani – Hollaback Girl
If one of the girlies is being enticed out of Galentine’s plans by someone crusty, musty, dusty… they better be reminding their dates they ain’t no hollaback girl. The dating scene these days really is B-A-N-A-N-A-S, so this noughties karaoke moment is a very cathartic sing-along to let out some pent up frustration and remind us of our worth.
Nicki Minaj – Feeling Myself feat. Beyoncé
The energy of Nicki and Beyoncé on the same track is simply unmatched. A top-tier anthem to jam to alone or with the girls, this song is big slay and was an undeniable cultural reset for all baddie playlists in streaming history. Our very own Paris Goebel choreographed the Tidal-exclusive official music video too – so we just know this project has a touch of us Kiwi girls in there to relate to.
Selena Gomez – Me & My Girls
The title really says it all for this one!! We have a catchy, Spanish-influenced melody and vocals that are often layered in chorus, making it the perfect anthem to sing along to with your girl gang. When recording this track, Selena invited her besties into the studio with her, so the laughing and shouting you hear on the track is real-life friendship captured in the production! It’s no wonder the vibes are so good.
Taylor Swift – New Romantics
You can’t have a collection of tunes for the girls and not include a crowd-favourite deluxe track from the 1989 era. Synonymous with New York, friends and fun – 2014 was the year of Swift’s infamous celebrity squad, an iconic juncture of pop culture including the likes of Cara Delevingne, Gigi Hadid, Selena Gomez and more. This taste of upbeat, dance dream pop is the perfect soundtrack for female friendship.
Fergie – Fergalicious
‘Fergalicious’ is simply in a league of its own. The song, coining the eponymous iconic pop adjective, was a mid 2000s cultural renaissance. The opening lines, “Definition: make the boys go loco” sets the tone for embracing you and your besties looking and feeling good, and living your best lives. After all: “boys just come and go like seasons.”
Lady Gaga – Telephone feat. Beyoncé
‘Telephone’ really is that girl. She tells a story, she’s got the drama. You and your girls are in the club, and you just want to dance. As you should!! I’d argue that this Gaga and Beyoncé track is gagging for number one collab of the century. There’s a reason this bridge was trending on TikTok and also won an engineering award (just believe me don’t fact check) for having zero faults.
Rihanna – Bitch Better Have My Money
RiRi has so many badass songs, it’s hard to narrow down. It was a tie between ‘BBHMM’ and ‘Rude Boy’. I’m sure we all know some rude boys, and it’s time to put them in their place. This song is the energy we need to do just that! On Feb 13th the girls call the shots. Look it up. 🔥
Fifth Harmony – That’s My Girl
Girl groups like Fifth Harmony have a specialty for producing killer girl’s night tracks. This track is about knowing what you and your besties deserve, and going after it together through whatever tough times you’ve faced. There’s just something about listening to songs like this that makes it feel like you’ve got your girls right there hyping you up.
Katy Perry – California Gurls
The rumours are true… the girls really are fine, fresh, fierce and they do in fact have it on lock. ‘California Gurls’ really is just all round good vibes, an impeccable summer tune, and a timeless throwback. And it’s not just California Girls, this song is very much applicable to our Kiwi girls – there just wasn’t enough syllables to have that same ring to it. 💔
Lorde – Perfect Places
The second single off of Lorde’s insanely incredible sophomore album Melodrama , ‘Perfect Places’ is the epitome of finding joy in dancing and partying with your friends amidst the messiness and imperfection of our everyday lives. We deffo don’t have to have it all together all the time – and we always deserve a night off to let loose with our girls!
Madonna – Material Girl
“We are living in a material world and I am a material girl.” These may be the lyrics from this incredibly well-known hit, but you wouldn’t be mistaken for thinking it was in fact ancient scripture because it really is just so true. And with the music video being inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s performance of ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’, the girls really are serving a history lesson in essential pop culture. And seeing this track is about material slay, it’s only right you put on your best outfit, your best accessories and have fun!! 💅🏽
Shania Twain – Man I Feel Like A Woman
All I have to say is…ICONIC!! No matter what your music taste is, every single one of the gals is guaranteed to absolutely peak when this comes on. As a woman, it’s just a fact that you come out of the womb with the instinct to bust a mf’ing move when you hear those opening chords. I don’t make the rules.
Now none of the girls need to stress about being on aux this Galentine’s Day, it’s all about incredible music, incredible vibes and celebrating incredible friendships. Happy listening!! 🕺🏽
