15 Greatest Protest Songs Of The 21st Century

Key Lyrics:"Okay, ladies, now let's get in formation // You know you that b*tch when you cause all this conversation"

Embrace your blackness. Stand united. And go out and get what's yours. That simple and direct call-to-action runs through one of 2016's biggest (and most controversial) hits.

At first glance, "Formation" may not feel like it fits the standard definition of "protest song", but look a little closer and you'll see it hits all the right notes: 1) It identifies a major societal issue, 2) It advocates for social change, and 3) It kicks just a whole bunch of ass.

Bey uses her family heritage as a jumping off point to address what it means to be an empowered Black woman in today's world. She's worked hard to get where she is, and now that she's "on top" she's not going to forget her roots. And she doesn't care if you don't like that part of her.

But the song isn't just about her, obviously. It's about every Black woman who's been expected to change fundamental aspects of her personality to be accepted by White America.

The repeated directive for like-minded women to "get in formation" was heeded by millions of listeners, and the song made large, lasting waves.