25 perfect songs for the ultimate girls night out

Cydni Lauper’s 1983 track “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” is one of those timeless songs that never gets old and truly puts listeners in their feelings. It’s a feel-good track that embodies the freedom and liberation that women desire. 

If you listen to Babyface’s discography, he knows exactly how to make a hit song that caters to women. In fact, in 2022, he teamed up with several of the hottest women in R&B and hip-hop on his album Girls Night Out. He worked with Doechii on the title track, which highlights the perspective of a woman celebrating her newfound singledom and just wants to party with her friends.

In 2023, Victoria Monét released her debut album Jaguar II, which featured the single “Party Girls.” Monét teamed up with Buju Banton to highlight a different take on partying. On the track, she describes having a late-night party with a potential lover. 

In 2022, Beyoncé shook the dance world when she released her hit album Renaissance. She brought more of a disco and funk feel to her single “Cuff It,” in which she describes a night of partying and falling in love with a partner. 

Saweetie and Doja Cat play the ultimate hype women on their single “Best Friend.” The track is all about keeping a circle of friends around you that continue to uplift and celebrate you. Saweetie and Doja highlight how their best friend is an independent woman who doesn’t always need a man to fulfill her. 

In 2006, Kelis released her fourth album Kelis Was Here, which was led by the hit single “Bossy.” On the track, Kelis ensures that listeners know about her contributions to the music industry. It’s the type of song that showcases how sometimes people need to toot their own horn and root for themselves.

When it comes to club anthems, any song that’s produced by Lil Jon should always be in the rotation. In 2004, Lil Jon teamed up with Ciara on her hit debut single “Goodies,” which helped put the singer on the map as the next big thing in the subgenre crunk&B. The song has the crunk beat and exudes a feeling of empowerment as Ciara knows she’s in control of her body and what she wants.

In 2003, Christina Aguilera and Lil' Kim teamed up with producer Scott Storch on their hit single “Can’t Hold Us Down.” The track is a feminist anthem that highlights how women shouldn’t dim their light and how they should have the freedom and liberation without the double standards of the world.

Bruno Mars and Cardi B already know how to make hit songs on their own, so it was a magical collaboration when they came together for the “Finesse (remix).” On the track, the two give a braggadocious style as they highlight their riches. 

In 2013, Rihanna teamed up with producer Mike Will Made It on her hit song “Pour It Up.” The trap beat production is perfect as Rihanna uses the track to describe a night out of partying at the strip club. As she says on the first verse, “Strip clubs and dolla' bills, I still got mo' money / Patron shots can I get a refill / I still got mo' money / Strippers going up and down that pole / And I still got mo' money / Four o'clock and we ain't going home, 'cause I still got mo' money.”

Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg not only made a song for the party girls, but specifically girls based on the West Coast with their single “California Gurls.” On the track, they describe the fun-loving spirit and essence of being a girl from California. The song quickly became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 

Sometimes the perfect girls' night out song is all about celebrating the skin that you’re in. That was exactly the case when Megan Thee Stallion released her 2020 single, perfectly titled “Body.” On the track, she highlights how much she loves her physical appearance and how it can lead to being desirable to other people. 

Nothing says a girls' night out song like an all-female anthem with some of the hottest names in hip-hop. Lil' Kim called on Angie Martinez, Da Brat, and Left Eye on the “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix) single. The track peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard  Hot 100, and prominently samples a song that appears later on this very list. It also helped that there were plenty of cameos in the music video, including Mary J. Blige, Changing Faces, and Queen Latifah as they partied on an island. 

Sheryl Crow came onto the scene in 1993 with her debut album Tuesday Night Music Club, which featured her hit single “All I Wanna Do.” On the track, she describes meeting a guy while she’s out at the bar, and during their conversation, they realize they just want to live a fun life. 

In 1979, Kool & The Gang knew women needed a club anthem when they released the hit single properly titled “Ladies Night.” On the track, the band highlights just how much the vibes are right when a party is centered around catering to women. The song became a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was sampled for the aforementioned Lil Kim track listed earlier. 

In 2019, Ciara released her seventh album Beauty Marks, which featured the deep album cut “Girl Gang.” Joined by her fellow R&B girlie Kelly Rowland, the two use the track to highlight squad goals of having a good friend group around. 

One thing about Lizzo, she knows how to make a song that can easily put listeners in a party mood. It was no different in 2022 when she released her hit single “About Damn Time.” On the track, Lizzo describes the trials she’s dealt with in life, however, she should always take time to celebrate herself. 

Nothing says a girls' night out like playing the breakout single from one of the biggest girl groups ever, the Spice Girls. On their single “Wannabe,” they use the track to describe what a potential lover needs to do to win them over. 

On Taylor Swift’s 2014 single “Shake It Off,” she highlights how people are going to always have opinions, but it’s important for one to not let outside noise get the best of them and to continue to do what they want in life. 

Lady Gaga came onto the scene in 2008 with her essential club anthem “Just Dance.” On the track, Gaga describes a night of a person getting a bit too tipsy at the club but still wants to have a good time on the dance floor. 

In 2001, P!nk switched up her sound on her sophomore album Missundaztood, which was led by the hit single “Get the Party Started.” On the track, P!nk describes how the party doesn’t truly start until she arrives at the function. As she says in the first verse, “Get this party started on a Saturday night / Everybody's waiting for me to arrive / Sending out the message to all of my friends / We'll be looking flashy in my Mercedes-Benz.”

Beyoncé knows how to make an essential empowerment anthem, she did just that in 2011 with her hit single “Run the World (Girls).” In the song, Beyoncé praises women who are thriving in their lives and doing things independently. 

Kelis teamed up with production and songwriting duo The Neptunes on her 2003 single “Milkshake.” On the track, Kelis describes how she has the qualities that make her irresistible to men, and how every woman should feel confident in herself. 

In 1976, pop group ABBA released their fourth album, Arrival, which featured the hit single “Dancing Queen.” On the track, the group describes how the start of the weekend is the perfect time to find the right party to attend. 

In 1999, girl group TLC released their third album FanMail, which was led by the hit single “No Scrubs.” On the track, they describe how every guy who tries to show interest in them doesn’t always come correct.