Welcome to Charlie’s Olympics, the ceremony where I dish out the bronze, silver and gold medals to the trilogy of films’ respective leading songs. Given the esteem and pressure that comes with being part of the franchise, it definitely takes a certain kind of anthem to hold up against the films. While it’s pretty clear that all the soundtracks pay homage to the badass, unapologetic, female-empowering genesis existing at Charlie’s Angels’ core, how do they compare with each other?
In today’s ceremony, we’re focusing solely on the tunes that served as the main promo songs from each collective soundtrack.
Let’s dive in. Hit it DJ.
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3. Bronze – “Don’t Call Me Angel”, Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, Lana Del Rey
Charlie’s Angels (2019)
I mean, it’s not a bad song… it’s just not… that… good?
Perhaps I’d enjoy the song more if it wasn’t associated with the film and was just a stand-alone single instead. But given that it stands alongside the Charlie’s Angels franchise, which no-doubt adds a lot of pressure and expectation, the song seems to fall a little flat.
Considering how monumental the franchise’s past soundtracks have been, subsequently making for some big shoes to fill, “Don’t Call Me Angel” just doesn’t have the same cultural impact that the following two songs have. Don’t get me wrong, it’s catchy as fuck, the girls body their verses and Lana’s vocals give me shivers – as I said, the tune ain’t bad at all – but I’m just not itching to hulk-smash the replay button.
The appeal here definitely lies in the fact that Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey are collaborating, rather than the song itself.
2. Silver – “Feel Good Time”, P!nk
Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle
“Feel Good Time”, which peaked at #7 on the ARIAs, was initially released as the lead single from P!nk‘s 3rd studio album Try This before being adopted as Full Throttle‘s soundtrack. The song, and subsequent music video, pervades a badass energy that truly pays homage to Lucy, Cameron and Drew’s spirit.
P!nk is the perfect symbol for Charlie’s Angels, with her unapologetic, take-no-prisoners-from-men, be-who-you-wanna-be self. The tune, much like the film, is sporty, sweaty, rock ‘n’ roll and, well, powerful.
Long story short, “Feel Good Time” is actually a such an underrated bop that deserves more credit. Extra points for including the film’s scene at the motocross bowl, which still fucking rocks to this day.
1. Gold – “Independent Women, Pt. 1”, Destiny’s Child
Charlie’s Angels (2000)
Any other decision would have been a pure hate crime. I mean, it’s literally one of the greatest songs of all time. Destiny’s Child‘s highest-selling single reached #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK charts, as well as #3 on the ARIAs, and was later included on their 3rd studio album Survivor.
“Independent Women, Pt. 1” is still played at RnB clubs and throwback nights around the globe, guaranteed to single-handedly attract a swarm of drunk people to the dance-floor, champas in hand, crooning “Charlie, how your Angels get down like that?”
It will continue to remain a power anthem for all the honeys who makin’ money and all the mommas who profit dollars, and I’d argue that we haven’t seen a female-empowering anthem by a girl group the with same cultural impact since. And that’s the tea, Charlie.
