For Women’s History Month, I’m selecting some of my favorite songs from some of the most talented and influential women in music. From frontwomen to singer-songwriters to iconic performers, I’m picking one song a day on Mental Jukebox until the end of March.

This was the title track (along with the album at large) where Cat Power’s sound evolved into a more soulful expression. It’s why a song like “The Greatest” immediately grips you and won’t let go. Even at its impossibly slow pace, “The Greatest” is somehow invigorating and hopeful, a space that band lead Chan Marshall excels in. It’s a shining example of how music can lift your spirits without relying on faster tempos or louder instruments.

“Once I wanted to be the greatest. No wind or waterfall could stall me. And then came the rush of the flood. The stars at night turned deep to dust.”