Dust off your record players, because I’m about to drop some knowledge on you: these are the 21 best vinyl albums by female rock stars. You need them in your life. Because who run the world? Girls.
These badass rockers span decades, but they all have one thing in common: they’re all fierce as hell, sound epic on vinyl, and if you play them loud enough you’ll get to finally meet your neighbors! Bundt cakes were so last year.
First things first, you need a record player. If you wanna be twinsies, get this Victrola from Amazon. It’s got great sound for a portable turntable, it’s under $50, and it comes in every color wave from turquoise and hot pink to match-your-old-Caboodle purple and are-you-actually-stuck-in-the-90s tie dye. (Blink twice and we’ll send help.)
Now that that’s covered, get your credit cards out and your Amazon cart ready, because it’s time to expand your musical horizons and get ready to get some new vinyl. Ready to be the girl at the rock show (in your living room)? Let’s do this.
The 21 Female-Fronted Rock Albums You Need on Vinyl
Bikini Kill, Pussy Whipped
Kill Rock Stars, 1993
Punk rock bands Bratmobile and Bikini Kill pioneered the feminist riot grrrl movement that was all about smashing the patriarchy. Apparently, this takes a while. Get it here.
Stevie Nicks, Bella Donna
Modern Records, 1981
When I was small, I wanted to be Stevie Nicks when I grew up. Now that I’m grown up, I put Bella Donna on and dance around with my tambourine and pretend to be on the edge of seventeen. No, not like the movie; we do have taste.
Florence and the Machine, Lungs
Island, 2009
I was today years old when I realized Florence Welch and I are the same age so if that isn’t motivating, I don’t know what is. I’m going to go listening “Dog Days Are Over” and actually put away my laundry.
No Doubt, Rock Steady
Interscope Records, 2001
Hey, baby, hey! Rock Steady is the album to listen to when you’re really feelin’ hella good and you want to keep on dancing. Those are just Gwen Stefani’s song lyrics. What, you wanted an actual review?
Blondie, Parallel Lines
Chrysalis Records, 1978
“One Way or Another” is my morning anthem when my cats keep me up brawling and knocking over the trash can to get at my dental floss. One way or another, cat, I’m gonna get ya, get ya, get ya, get ya. Just kidding. I don’t actually floss.
Santigold, Santogold
Atlantic, 2008
Former A&R exec turned rocker Santigold has collaborated with everyone from the Bad Brains’ Darryl Jenifer to Diplo to Karen O, Q-Tip… and many more. Thanks, Wikipedia!
Joan Jett, Bad Reputation
Blackheart, 1980
Jett broke the mold when she self-published the now iconic Bad Reputation. If you’re ready to dance on a table in your leather jacket like the badass that you are, grab your copy now and say hi to everyone at Applebee’s for us!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, It’s Blitz
Interscope Records, 2009
Make the walls shake with this loud, gritty, anthemic album by rock goddess Karen O. If this doesn’t get your blood pumping, you are probably literally dead. But, hey, look at the bright side. Now you get to hang out with Bowie.
Alanis Morissette, Jagged Little Pill
Maverick, 1995
Alanis Morissette wrote the ultimate breakup song “You Oughta Know” about Dave Coulier from Full House. “Did you forget about me, Mr. Duplicity? / I hate to bug you in the middle of dinner / It was a slap in the face / How quickly I was replaced / And are you thinking of me when you fuck her?” Love is great, kids!
Patti Smith, Horses
Arista Records, 1975
You can’t have a collection of the best vinyl records without the punk rock poetry of Patti Smith. Don’t believe us? Check clause 12 in addendum B.
Liz Phair, Exile in Guyville
Matador Records, 1993
You might know Liz Phair for “Supernova,” but it’s on Exile in Guyville where the indie rocker is at her best, with unapologetic guitar-forward tracks about casual relationships, lust, and fury.
Heart, Little Queen
Portrait Records, 1977
The ultimate I’m pissed-off-at-the-world track lives on Little Queen, and it goes by the name of “Barracuda.” Not so bad for a song about a fish.
Janis Joplin, Cheap Thrills
Columbia Records, 1968
With her sophomore release, Janis Joplin leaves it all on the floor with “Piece of My Heart,” gets blissed-out and psychedelic on “Summertime,” and seduces our eardrums on “I Need a Man to Love.” Ok, fine, our earlobes too.
Paramore, Riot!
Fueled by Ramen, 2007
Raise your hand if you were a scene kid in the early aughts and idolized Hayley Williams. Now raise your hand if you still spin Riot! when you want to pretend you’re still a scene kid as you get ready for your day job. (Black hair dye, wallet chains, and jelly bracelets not included.)
Tina Turner, Private Dancer
Capitol Records, 1984
Tina Turner knows a thing or 12 about music — considering she’s a little bit pop/rock/soul/R&B/this/that/everything. She’s the best kind of slashy. Throw on “What’s Love Got to Do With It?,” follow it up with La Roux’s “Bulletproof,” and finally break up with your hairdresser for convincing you bangs were a good idea.
Pat Benatar, Crimes of Passion
Chrysalis Records, 1980
“Hit Me With Your Best Shot.” Good song. Great album. The fastest way to spend Saturday in bed nursing a hangover.
The Pretenders, Last of the Independents
Sire Records, 1980
Chrissie Hynde just gets it, you know? Release all the tension from this week by playing it so loud your walls literally shake. And by literally we mean figuratively, because the dictionary is a book of lies.
Hole, Live Through This
DGC, 1994
Long before Courtney Love mostly became known for picking fights with… well, everyone, she was a star in the alt rock scene. Live Through This, Hole’s second record released a week after her husband’s death, was a scruffy, noisy album filled with raw lyrics that touched on everything from violence against women to societal beauty standards to mental health. We’d say more but we don’t want to end up on her sh*t list.
The Sounds, Dying to Say This to You
New Line, 2006
Maja Ivarsson and crew have been releasing Blondie-inspired rock albums, but this one, filled with its fist-pumping with songs like “Queen of Apology” and “Ego” is arguably their best.
Metric, Fantasies
Metric Music International, 2009
It’s a mixed bag when it comes to the gifts Canada has given the rest of the world. Justin Bieber, meh. Ryan Reynolds, yes, please. Metric, led by Emily Haines, goes in the hell yes, thank you, Canada pile.
Gossip, Music for Men
Columbia, 2009
Listen, this album did really well in Germany, and you know what else does really well in Germany? Beer. Gimme Beth Ditto and a beer and we good.
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Ahh yesss so many good ones!!
Ok…. am I the only one that didn’t know that Alanis Morissette was talking about Dave Coulier in her song??? Cut… It… Out!
I OWN the Patti Smith, Heart, Stevie Nicks AND Blondie on vinyl that you have on here…and I swear I am only 40, lol, despite maybe seeming like I am older. One thing – I have AF taste in music, and so do you!