Blog #30 Pump Up the Volume

My life has a soundtrack, how about yours? Music has been a steadfast companion through the highest highs to the lowest lows and back again.

I spent time over the summer curating a playlist on Spotify (WonderCrone #1). The process transported me back to when we used vinyl to cassette transfers to make road tripping and travel tapes. Good times…

The WonderCrone #1 playlist includes tracks with a 60+ year span (like me!) and many genres. Soul, hip-hop, rock, folk, pop, punk, and country all found their way into the mix.  This playlist is more than just a collection of songs— The themes are as diverse as we women who are nearing or in their third chapters.

Each track reminds us that resilience is part of our DNA. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor might be our unofficial anthem—we rise no matter what life throws at us. Nina Simone’s unapologetic delivery of “Ain’t Got No, I Got Life” feels like a battle cry for self-worth and independence. These songs are more than catchy tunes; they are reminders that we’ve already walked through the fire and come out stronger on the other side. Music, in this sense, is a testament to our enduring spirit.

There’s no denying it—women face unique challenges. Ageism, sexism, self-doubt, you name it. But none of us are alone in feeling this way. Aretha, Alicia, Shania, Lizzo, Billie, Joni, Sheryl, and all the others give voice to our challenges that don’t leave us at the bottom—they guide us back to the top. Taken together, these songs remind us of our ability to stand tall, even when the world tries to silence or marginalize us.

If there’s one high note this playlist hits, it’s that women are visionaries. We don’t just live in the moment; we chart a path for ourselves and those who follow. When you listen to Carole King’s “Beautiful,” Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” or Sara Bareilles’ “Brave,” you hear the call to embrace your full potential. These songs remind us to step into our power, dream bigger, and rewrite the narrative society tries to impose. This is about forward momentum—aging doesn’t slow us down; it frees us to truly become who we are meant to be.

Finally, the playlist highlights the power of connection. “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge and “You Gotta Be” by Des'ree speak to the importance of community—whether that’s your biological family or the sisterhood you’ve chosen. These tracks remind us that while we are powerful as individuals, together we are unstoppable.

So, when you press play on this list, you’re not just enjoying some good music. You’re tapping into a collective force of feminine strength, creativity, and vision. Every beat, each lyric, is a reminder that as women, we did not come this far to just come this far. As Sia says: Unstoppable, like you!

Join me at WonderCrone.com, and let’s keep the music going.