[kawhill]

“I thought about all these strong women in my family who had gotten through the Depression and world wars and drunken, abusive husbands,” Reddy told Australia’s Sunday Magazine in 2003. “But there was nothing in music that reflected that. The only songs were ‘I Feel Pretty’ or that dreadful song ‘Born A Woman.’ These are not exactly empowering lyrics. I certainly never thought of myself as a songwriter, but it came down to having to do it.”

[Fiji Hill]

“I thought about all these strong women in my family who had gotten through the Depression and world wars and drunken, abusive husbands,” Reddy told Australia’s Sunday Magazine in 2003. “But there was nothing in music that reflected that.

Yes, Helen, there were songs that reflected that--especially this one, which features graphic descriptions of domestic violence:

Hittin' on Me--Buddy Johnson & His Orchestra (1953)

The men in these songs also pose a challenge to their loverss.

Mean to Me--Ruth Etting (1929)

She's Funny That Way--Gene Austin (1929)

Alone and Afraid--Elsie Carlisle (1931)

Jim--Dinah Shore (1941)