Women Who Changed Music: 8 Must-Read Female Musician Icon Books
- Matt
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
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Inspiring Women Musicians Books That Tell Their Stories
Music history is full of amazing people that define generations. In this group of transformative people are some women who I think had to work twice as hard, often breaking down twice as many doors as their male counterparts.
From folk storytellers to the rock goddesses to hip hop lyrical savants, these books help to shine a light on the female voices that had the power to shape genres.
Whether you’re looking for personal memoirs, cultural deep dives or lyrical reflections, this book list that I have cultivated on female musicians will let you dive into the courage, creativity and determination it took them to make it in the music world.
These books are focused on a single person but I thought it would be a good idea to include two exceptional examples looking at a great group of women.
Contents of Books
Author: Brandi Carlile
Star Rating: Not yet rated
Summary: Brandi Carlile’s memoir is as heartfelt as her songs. She takes readers from her small town childhood home through her rise to the Grammy winning superstar that she is. She shares the struggles of identity, poverty and ambition. With great honesty and humor, Carlile paints a portrait of her resilience and how music can be a great healing power.
Why I Like This Book:
Its a raw and unpolished glimpse into the music industry.
Honest stories about her upbringing and challenges that can be rare in an autobiography.
I found that it was inspiring especially as she was balancing artistry and family.
Author: Various contributors
Star Rating: Not yet rated
Summary: This biography takes a look at the story of The Bangles, the all female band that defined the pop/rock sound in the 1980s. From “Manic Monday” to “Eternal Flame,” this book captures their rise to international fame and also the struggles of maintaining credibility in the male dominated music scene of the time.
Why I Like This Book:
A revealing look at the 80s pop rock explosion from a female perspective.
It Highlights the challenges that female groups faced at the time and how they navigated through it.
I found it a great balance of both nostalgia and critical insight into the band and the time.
Author: Dolly Parton
Star Rating: Not yet rated
Summary: The Queen! Through her own lyrics, Dolly tells her own story. This isn’t just a memoir - it’s a great lyrical scrapbook of her journey from Tennessee to becoming the global icon that she is today. Each song reveals a different little piece of her personality - both her struggles and her unendless optimism.
Why I Like This Book:
Love that Dolly tells her story in her own words, with her own words.
Its a unique mix of an autobiography and her songbook which i've never seen before.
It reminded me as to why she’s one of music’s most beloved and talented figures.
Author: Graeme Thomson
Star Rating: Not yet rated
Summary: Kate Bush has always had a mysterious aura and this biography peels that back and looks at the artist behind that mystique. From her teenage breakthrough song “Wuthering Heights” to her lasting influence on today’s musicians - it follows the evolution of a musician who always chose the art over fame.
Why I Like This Book:
It really explains how Kate Bush redefined creativity in pop music.
It showed me an insight into her reclusive, yet genius, persona.
Its a perfect read for anyone who is a fan of the avant garde artist, or even the style as a whole.
Author: Simon Morrison
Star Rating: 4.5 Stars
Summary: Stevie Nicks is one of the most interesting figures of the 70s for me. This biography details her mystical style that she cultivated, her songwriting brilliance (i couldn't find a better word but if there is one better - she is it) and the turbulent Fleetwood dynamics that made her rise above others at this time. The author really balances his admiration with honest critique - it gives fans a full picture of her life and legacy.
Why I Like This Book:
It captures a balanced view of Stevie - not just the magic and brilliance but also her flaws.
It gives me details on the Fleetwood Mac’s chaos that I had not heard before.
Talks about not just the band but her solo career and lasting influence.
Author: Malka Marom (interviews with Joni Mitchell)
Star Rating: 4.4 Stars
Summary: A bit of a different style of book - it is a bunch of interviews where Joni Mitchell looks back on her songwriting, her influences and her journey as a musician. It’s less of a traditional biography and more of a conversation. I think it lets readers hear her voice directly which is unique.
Why I Like This Book:
Its Joni speaking just speaking for herself which I found pretty unfiltered.
It gave me what i thought was a rare look into her creative process.
A must read for fans of both Joni but also of songwriting itself.
Author: NPR Music contributors
Star Rating: 4.4 Stars
Summary: This is a sweeping history of women’s contributions to music overall. It delves into forgotten pioneers to the global superstars we all know. It puts women at the heart of musical revolutions across all the genres. It really reminds us just how much womens stories in music matter.
Why I Like This Book:
The first book in the list the brings multiple stories together to reach a common point of view.
Shows how women influences the whole history of popular music.
If found it very educational but also easy to read.
Author: Clover Hope
Star Rating: Not yet rated
Summary: Hip hop has had powerful female voices across it's history and this book gives them their applause. We are talking stars such as Roxanne Shanté all the way to Nicki Minaj and Cardi B. This is a guide that documents the women who built hip-hop culture (Finally!).
Why I Like This Book:
The book sheds the deserved light on overlooked artists.
It could be as much used as a reference book or a casual read.
Anyone that wants to explore hip hop history should read this for a female view on the genre.
Summary - The best Female Musician Icon Books
Women have always been, and will be, central to music - even if history tried to push them down and be looked at as 'less than'.
These eight books reveal the highs and lows of female musician across the popular music period.
If I had to pick one standout, for me it’s Dolly Parton: Songteller - because it’s Dolly, no one tells her story better than her and the unique way its done using lyrics.
One Final Shout out - Amazon for me is hands down the best place to get these books. You’ll find fast shipping, easy returns and plenty of reader reviews to guide your choices.
Even if nothing here catches your eye, you can browse the full Amazon Books home page through the banner below and find something that does.
As always - thanks very much for reading and let me know in the comments if you have any questions, opinions or ideas for my next article.
Have a great one!
About The Author
Matt A, Founder and Head Writer @ Music Thought House
I have had a lifelong passion for music. I picked up my first guitar when I was 10 and it's been there, most of the time haha, ever since. I have played and studied music ever since that time, always trying to learn more and get better. There is not one aspect of music that I am still not in awe of.
I have gathered a lot of information over time and now, with Music Thought House, I have decided to release it on the world.
I know that music can be daunting and seemingly complex and I am not a complicated person. The blog posts I write am to keep things simple and straightforward so everyone can get a better understanding of music.
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