Fun fact, find the answer at the bottom of this email.

This song made it to the #2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for three consecutive weeks. What song kept it from making it to #1?

I’m young, and I love to be young, I’m free and I love to be free

For those who can be free to be themselves

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Read time: 5 minutes

Lyrics

You don't own me
I'm not just one of your many toys
You don't own me
Don't say I can't go with other boys

We lost actress Diane Keaton this week, and of all of her amazing work, the one moment that clearly sticks out in my mind is when she, Bette Midler, and Goldie Hawn sing their hearts out and dance to this song at the end of the movie, “First Wives Club”.

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRLdtDYoVX8

Strange choice for a love song? Well, yes. Let’s look at why it counts.

According to Wikipedia, The song was prominent at the time of its release in 1963 as it symbolized women’s empowerment showing the strength of a woman capable of standing up for herself against a man.Since then, the song has been hailed as an early feminist anthem.

The song expresses emancipation, as the singer tells a lover that he cannot objectify her. She doesn't want to be held to his hypocritical gender standards, such as not being able to see other men, when he sees other women. The song's lyrics became an inspiration for younger women

Can you experience devotion, joy and passion for yourself, and for your life? Regardless of your partner’s belief system about how you should be, you can choose self-love and dignity to be true to yourself and not be less than who you are meant to be.

Some of the lyrics in this song come across as disrespectful to the partner, but I don’t believe the spirit of this song is meant in disrespect (although I could be wrong). A healthy connection is mutually supportive, kind, and respectful even when our opinions differ.

Lyrics

And don't tell me what to do
Don't tell me what to say
And please, when I go out with you
Don't put me on display 'cause

You don't own me
Don't try to change me in any way
You don't own me
Don't tie me down 'cause I'd never stay

Lyrics

I'm young, and I love to be young
I'm free, and I love to be free
To live my life the way I want
To say and do whatever I please

Asserting a boundary is an important step in any relationship. Over the course of history women were expected to be subservient in a relationship. This declaration that a woman will not be tied down, and told what to do, was a necessary reaction to a cultural standard that needed to be challenged.

Think about this…

Are you respected in your relationship?

Do you respect your partner?

Key Take Aways

• A healthy connection is mutually supportive, kind, and respectful even when our opinions differ.

• Women’s greatest fear, and it should be their greatest fear, is being taken advantage of and being taken for granted.

Fun Fact Trivia:

This song made it to the #2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for three consecutive weeks. What song kept it from making it to #1?

Answer: The Beatles “I wanna hold your hand”

Love is the greatest adventure!

~LaDena

Would you prefer to listen instead of read?

Check out my YouTube channel:

Love Song Sanctuary, YouTube Edition