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She Changed the Tune

 

She Changed the Tune: A Timeline of Women Who Helped Shape Rock History

Long before stadium anthems and platinum records, women were already laying the foundations of rock. They pioneered new sounds, challenged conventions, and inspired generations of musicians. This journey doesn't follow the biggest hits—it follows the hidden corners of rock history, where deep cuts, overlooked album tracks, and forgotten gems reveal just how influential these artists have been.


1940s – The Spark That Lit the Fuse

Sister Rosetta Tharpe – "Strange Things Happening Every Day" (1945)

Armed with an electric guitar and unstoppable energy, Sister Rosetta Tharpe blended gospel with blistering riffs years before rock and roll had a name. Many historians point to this recording as one of the genre's earliest blueprints.


1950s – Rock Finds Its Voice

Wanda Jackson – "Funnel of Love" (1961)

Though released just after the 1950s, this eerie, swaggering track captured the rebellious spirit of early rockabilly and proved women could be every bit as wild and uncompromising as their male counterparts.


1960s – Breaking Through the Mainstream

Grace Slick – "Rejoyce" (1967)

Hidden on After Bathing at Baxter's, this psychedelic deep cut showcases Grace Slick's fearless experimentation and helped expand rock's artistic horizons.


1970s – The Trailblazers

Fanny – "Think About The Children" (1972)

One of the first all-female rock bands signed to a major label, Fanny proved technical skill and hard-rock muscle knew no gender.

Heart – "Mistral Wind" (1977)

An overlooked epic that grows from gentle acoustic beginnings into a thunderous finale, showcasing Ann Wilson's extraordinary voice.

Patti Smith – "Land" (1975)

A sprawling, poetic album track that fused punk attitude with literary ambition and expanded what rock lyrics could achieve.


1980s – The Underground Revolution

The Pretenders – "The Adultress" (1981)

Chrissie Hynde's razor-sharp songwriting shines on this underrated post-punk gem.

Siouxsie and the Banshees – "Night Shift" (1981)

Dark, hypnotic, and atmospheric, this album track became hugely influential on gothic and alternative rock.

The Go-Go's – "Lust to Love" (1984)

Overshadowed by the band's pop hits, this energetic rocker demonstrated their musicianship and songwriting depth.


1990s – Alternative Takes Over

Hole – "Plump" (1994)

Raw emotion, distorted guitars, and fearless intensity made this one of the era's essential hidden tracks.

Sleater-Kinney – "The End of You" (1999)

An intricate and restrained performance that highlights the trio's inventive guitar interplay.

PJ Harvey – "The Garden" (1993)

A haunting deep cut illustrating why PJ Harvey became one of alternative rock's most respected innovators.


2000s – Reinvention Never Stops

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – "Dull Life" (2009)

A ferocious mix of dance-punk and rock that rewards listeners who venture beyond the singles.

The Donnas – "Take It Off" (2002)

Although known to fans, it remains underrated in the wider rock conversation and captures garage-rock exuberance perfectly.


2010s and Beyond – New Voices, New Directions

Brittany Howard – "Short and Sweet" (2019)

An intimate solo performance revealing a different side of the powerhouse behind Alabama Shakes.

St. Vincent – "Happy Birthday, Johnny" (2017)

A beautifully understated album track demonstrating Annie Clark's gift for inventive songwriting and emotional storytelling.


Playlist: Hidden Tracks from the Women Who Shaped Rock

Strange Things Happening Every Day – Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1945)

Funnel of Love – Wanda Jackson (1961)

Rejoyce – Grace Slick (1967)

Think About The Children – Fanny (1972)

Land – Patti Smith (1975)

Mistral Wind – Heart (1977)

The Adultress – The Pretenders (1981)

Night Shift – Siouxsie and the Banshees (1981)

Lust to Love – The Go-Go's (1984)

The Garden – PJ Harvey (1993)

Plump – Hole (1994)

The End of You – Sleater-Kinney (1999)

Take It Off – The Donnas (2002)

Dull Life – Yeah Yeah Yeahs (2009)

Happy Birthday, Johnny – St. Vincent (2017)

Short and Sweet – Brittany Howard (2019)

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Closing Thoughts

Rock history wasn't built by a single generation or a single sound. It was shaped by pioneers willing to experiment, challenge expectations, and push guitars into unexplored territory. From Sister Rosetta Tharpe's groundbreaking riffs to Brittany Howard's modern soul-infused rock, women have continually redirected the genre's course.

And perhaps the best part? Many of their most fascinating contributions aren't the songs that topped the charts—they're the deep cuts waiting to be rediscovered by curious listeners willing to flip the record over and explore the other side.

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