For most women on the planet, Beyoncé is an icon. She is not just someone we look up to because of her looks or talent, but everything she stands for raises us up. Being a woman is a pretty powerful thing and she never lets us forget that. She is a living, breathing representation of feminism. From telling us we run the world and "if you like it, you put a ring on it," to understanding "if we were a boy,” things might be different, she uses her voice to speak up for all of us. In other words, she gives us the voice we don't always remember we have.

Here are some of the Queen’s most powerful songs that empower women all over the world, along with some lyrics that remind us that we are strong and should be proud to be women.

1. Formation

Had its big debut at the Super Bowl, Beyoncé made it clear that women need to stick together. She reminds us we can have high aspirations and achieve great things if we let nothing get us down. No matter what background or heritage we come from, we need to be proud of who we are and how we got to where we are.

I see it I want it…I dream it, I work hard, I grind til’ I own it

This song proves gender roles can easily be broken. Just because she’s a woman does not mean anything can stop her from getting to the top.

If he hit it right, I might take him on a flight on my chopper, I slay

Drop him off at the mall, let him buy some J’s, let him shop up,

‘cause I slay

2. Pretty hurts

Beyoncé attacks society's expectations for women. Defining “pretty” is nearly impossible because beauty is truly in the eyes of the beholder. Telling young girls they have to look a certain way to be valued is another way women struggle to be confident and focus on what truly matters in life.

Mama said, you're a pretty girl

What's in your head it doesn't matter

Brush your hair, fix your teeth

What you wear is all that matters

It is important to remember that external beauty will always fade, but who you are, what you stand for, and your morals will always remain beautiful if you focus on what really matters.

Blonder hair, flat chest

TV says bigger is better

South beach, sugar free

Vogue says

Thinner is better

The media, fashion industry and everything around us portrays “pretty” in a certain (often unrealistic) way. The truth is, beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and colors, and stems from who you are as a person - not the number on the scale or the number of likes on a photo. Being yourself is the most beautiful thing you can be.

3. Sorry

“Sorry…I ain’t sorry” reminds us all women apologize for being too nice, too mean, too prude, too provocative. Women apologize for absolutely everything and Beyoncé is simply not sorry. She speaks for every time a woman has been hurt, mistreated, under-appreciated and underestimated. She encourages us all to pick up our heads and be the stronger person.

Me and my ladies sip my d'ussé cups

I don't give a f*** chucking my deuces up

Suck on my balls pause

I had enough

I ain't thinking 'bout you

I ain't thinking 'bout

Beyoncé knows you don’t need to have “balls” to be dominant but goes back to inverting gender roles to remind, both men and women, that relationships shouldn’t be about dominance anyway. Feminism is not about hating men, it is about equality; she is telling women to stop being sad about inequality and to stand up and take the power they deserve.

Big homie better grow up

Me and my whoadies 'bout to stroll up

I see them boppers in the corner

They sneaking out the back door

He only want me when I'm not there

He better call Becky with the good hair

4. If I were a boy

Every girl has listened to this song and instantly realized how different their life would be if they had the same advantages men have. We walk down the street and are judged for what we wear, how we sit, if we shave, what makeup (if any) we wear, how we talk - the list goes on and on. This is not to say men aren’t judged, but it is really incomparable.

If I were a boy

I would turn off my phone

Tell everyone it's broken

So they'd think that I was sleepin' alone

I'd put myself first

And make the rules as I go

Cause I'd know that she'd be faithful

Waitin' for me to come home

Beyoncé is obviously aware of gender roles that have been pervasive in our society and lays out perfectly how there are some things men can just never see from a female perspective.

But you’re just a boy

You don’t understand…

How it feels to love a girl someday

You'll wish you were a better man

You don’t listen to her

You don’t care how it hurts

Until you lose the one you wanted

Cause you’ve taken her for granted

And everything you have got destroyed

5. Drunk in love

Women are often sexualized and seen as objects to be obtained. Sexuality for women however, does not have to be this way. Beyoncé takes the power of female sexuality and proves how empowering it can be on both sides of the relationship.

I'm on the Cognac, gangster wife

Newer sheets, he'd swear that I like washed rags, he wet up

Boy, I'm drinking, I'm sinking on the mic 'til my boy toys

Then I fill the tub up halfway then riding with my surfboard

We are very desensitized to men singing and rapping about having sex with women but when the roles are reversed it can be seen as quite shocking even though female sexuality is just as natural. She is not afraid to take female equality to every level and remind society that there is no room for double standards.

6. ***Flawless

Queen Bey knows she has earned her success and is proud of herself. She reminds everyone that being married, having children, and living her life does not mean that she is any less than she used to be.

But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage

And we don't teach boys the same?

We raise girls to each other as competitors

Not for jobs or for accomplishments

Which I think can be a good thing

But for the attention of men

We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings

In the way that boys are

Feminist: the person who believes in the social

Political, and economic equality of the sexes

She reminds us that we are flawless on our own.

7. Single Ladies

Beyoncé knows marriage is the ultimate commitment. Women and men should both know a relationship is all about mutual respect and support. But people can’t wait forever so if you like it…well you know. If you liked it then you should've put a ring on it. Don't be mad once you see that he want it

Pull me into your arms

Say I'm the one you want

If you don't, you'll be alone

And like a ghost I'll be gone

8. Who run the world (girls)

This one pretty much speaks for itself but like I said Beyoncé is for the girls and knows who really runs things.

9. Don’t hurt yourself

Beyoncé demands respect from absolutely everyone especially the most important people in her life, including her husband (who may or may not have been unfaithful). She stands up for herself and demands to be treated the way she deserves.

When you hurt me, you hurt yourself

Try not to hurt yourself

When you play me, you play yourself

Don't play yourself

When you lie to me, you lie to yourself

You only lying to yourself

10. Me, Myself, and I

Even back in the day Bey knew being independent will get you far in life. Being alone can be difficult but being your own best friend can be very empowering and she uses that to speak up and urge women to be strong and independent.

Me, myself, and I--that's all I got in the end

That's what I found out

And it ain't no need to cry; I took a vow that from now

I'm gon' my own best friend

At the end of the day Beyoncé is always there to remind us what is important in life and give us the inspiration to keep going. Because after all...who run the world?