"Nightmare," Gaye Adegbalola, Bitter Sweet Blues, Alligator 1999 (Blues) Amazon

A song about incest. See also "You Don't Have to Take It"

"Nina, Fight Back!", Holly Near, Simply Love: The Women's Music Collection Calico Tracks Music, 2000 Order at Amazon

This anthem of the domestic violence movement was originally recorded on Redwood Records Imagine My Surprise. It's great to have it back in print!

"Not to Blame." Joni Mitchell Turbulent Indigo Warner 1994 Order at Amazon

Michelle writes: "In fact, most of this album relates to abuse from one perspective or another, including "Sunny Sunday," "the Magdalene Laundries," and "Sire of Sorrow." "Not to Blame" describes the justification of an abuser: "she was out of line," and he "was not to blame" and in the end,  Joni reminds her that HE was out of line.

"Not Wit a Dealer" MC Lyte, Eyes on This, 1989 (Rap) MP3 at Amazon.com

A woman tries to warn her friend that it's dangerous to "love" a dealer, and that gifts are not worth the ultimate price she's going to pay.

"Oh Father." Madonna, Like a Prayer. Warner Bros. 1989 Pop Order at Amazon // Lyrics

Most people know this as "You can't hurt me now."

"Once Like You", Jackie Tice, Blue Coyote, Saja Maka Music 1997 (Folk)

A song about child molestation in which a mother, remembering her own lost innocence, as she watches her child.

"One Day I Went Out Walking," The Molly's, This Is My Round 1995 Apolkalips Now! (folk) by Nancy McCallion Listen/Order at Amazon

"One day I went out walking on the lonely road to town

in the cracks where the river used to flow a stranger held me down

I used to laugh so loudly so happy to please myself

Now I'm constantly looking for what I might fear and I scarce see anything else "

"One Hit Leads to Another", Connie Kaldor, Gentle of Heart Coyote 1989 Order at Amazon

"Only Women Bleed" Alice Cooper Welcome To My Nightmare ©1975 Atlantic/WEA 1990. Order at Amazon /// Lyrics /// Download this song free at eMusic!

"The song describes the cycle of domestic violence, complete with periods of calm and affection, physical and psychological abuse, and tension building. The fact that it's slow, almost pretty, makes it all the more powerful. Covered by John Farnam, Lita Ford and Tori Amos at different times."

"Out of Range," Ani Difranco, Out of Range, Righteous Babe 1994 (Rock/Punk) Listen/Order at Amazon

About a woman who needs to get "out of range" of an abusive relationship.

"Overwhelming," Everclear, Good Time For A Bad Attitude Part 2. (Rock/Punk) MP3 at Amazon.com

Michelle writes "This song has empowered me and inspired me in some of the hardest situations of my life."

"Pacific Coast Highway," Sonic Youth, Sister , UNI/GEFFEN/DGC 1987 (Rock) Listen/Order at Amazon

Thanks to Rodney for submitting this one. He writes: "Kim Gordon sings about a rape on the highway, but from the perspective of the rapist. Its hard to explain without hearing it, but the effect is really powerful-- Gordon unleashes the rage and fear that the woman is feeling, while coopting and ultimately undermining the power of the male."

"Part Time Mutha" Tupac Shakur, 2Pacalypse Now Jive, 1991 Listen/Order at Amazon

A girl is raped by her father, but her mother doesn't believe her story. "Gotta believe in him, and dissin her own daughter"

"Perfect", Alanis Morissette, Jagged Little Pill Warner Bros. 1995 (Rock/Pop) Listen/Order at Amazon

This song is more about emotional than physical abuse, "conditional love" when a parent who tries to live through a child. "We'll love you just the way you are if you're perfect."

"Pierrot The Clown" Placebo Meds Virgin (Alt Rock) 2007 Listen/download at Amazon

Very literal song about an abusive relationship.

To find lyrics on the web to any song, enter "song title" followed by +lyrics.

"Prince Charming Doesn't Live Here" Gerri Gribi, Womansong Collection CD and also Prince Charming Doesn't Live Here - Cassette Lilyfern 1996 (See also "We Say No" and "The Crafty Maid's Policy") ///Download this MP3

Based on true stories of women who survived both domestic abuse AND the welfare system, Gerri wrote this for the award-winning documentary "Poverty Shock." Gerri's catalog and lyrics.

"Problem Solved" Martin Zellar, Born Under Rykodisc 1995 Order at Amazon.com

A woman decides the "easy" way out when dealing with her bully husband is to surrender. "She's not stupid, she's just scared."

"Pulling Teeth", Green Day, Dookie Reprise 1994 Order at Amazon.com

About someone trapped in an abusive relationship and can't see a way out by themselves:

"Purple Tatoos," Cathy Jean, Marshall Road Apocalypse 2000 Order at Amazon.com

Clay writes: "The song's about a woman who get beat by her husband on a weekly basis and finally has enough, and has her bruises turned into purple tattos to remind her."

"Push" Matchbox 20. Yourself or Someone Like You. Atlantic 1996 Order at Amazon.com

Amazon calls this "an exhilarating feminist anthem disguised as just another relationship-on-the-rocks song"

"Rap Against Rape" Isis, This Is Isis: Collected Recordings Independent, 2000 (Explicit) Download at Amazon

Chloe writes: "This is a cool rap debunking a lot of rape myths. A very positive song."

"Rat" Train. Train Sony 1998. Order at Amazon.com ||| Lyrics

Describes the abuse a former girlfriend is experiencing, and the fact that it isolates her.

"River Blue" Oh Susanna Songbirds: The Essential Album Vol. 2 , Manteca, 2002 Listen/Order at Amazon

An older sister regrets not having been able to protect her younger sister from abuse.

"Rosie Strike Back", Roseanne Cash, King's Record Shop, Sony Music 1988 (Rock/Pop) Listen/Order at Amazon

This song by Eliza Gilkyson about fighting back against domestic violence has been recorded several times, but this is perhaps the most accessible recording.

"Run", Sweet Honey In The Rock, twenty-five, Rykodisc 1998 Listen/Order at Amazon Also on Respond II

Presents the reality of what happens when women refuse to accept domestic violence...that it's not simply a matter of walking away unscathed.

"Run For Your Life" The Beatles, Rubber Soul 1965 (Rock) Listen/Order at Amazon

Remember this Golden Oldie? "I'd rather see you dead little girl than to be with another man..." A good example of how the acceptance of violence permeates our culture and is even viewed as romantic. Thanks to music journalist Steve Webb for pointing out this is inspired by "Baby Let's Play House," Elvis Presley. He writes, "John, I think, regretted writing "Run for Your Life" for the final 10 years of his own life."

"Runaway Love, " Ludicris & Mary J Blige Release Therapy DTP/Def Jam 2006 Listen/Order at Amazon

A little girl is trapped by her mother's bad choices.

"Russian Roulette," Edwin McCain, Honor Among Thieves 1995 WEA/ATLANTIC/LAVA (Rock) Listen/Order at Amazon

"Pack up your ego and your tantrum, put it back with your anger and your pride, beating up on your girlfriend, ain't gonna change anything inside "

"Safe at Home", Kate Long, Life of My Own Edna (Folk)

A woman celebrates something she's never experienced before: Feeling safe in her own home. "I have a daily miracle - Nobody's pushing me around..."

"Safe Tonight" Alice Di Micele, Searching. -Alice Otter,1992. (Contemporary Folk) Order at Amazon

A friend tries to convince an abused woman that she deserves better.

"Seventeen, " Kristin Graves, Singing for Hope 2010 (Contemporary Folk) Listen/Order at CDBaby

A young woman finds her voice, and the strength to leave an abusive relationship, because she wants to raise her child in a world free of domestic violence.

"Sex Type Thing," Stone Temple Pilots, Core (Rock) Listen/Order at Amazon

The person who submitted this title wrote: refers to how a women deserves what they get because of the way she dressed. The song even claims she wants "what's on his mind"....he can't understand how wrong he is, and that is really the genius of the song.

"She Can't Feel Anything Anymore," Paula Cole, Harbinger WEA/Warner 1994 Listen/Order at Amazon

A woman gets caught in the cycle of violence when she is assaulted by a friend who hasn't resolved his own problems. Lyrics

"She Fell Down the Stairs," Reg Meuross & The Flamingos. Arrested. Also on Reg Meuross, The Goodbye Hat - Special Edition. Round Tower 1996. (Folk/Roots/Country) Available from hatsongs01@aol.com or jameuross@aol.com

A woman makes up stories to explain away her injuries and protect her abusive lover.

"She Sits on the Table", Tom Paxton, Best of Friends (Folk) Listen/Order at Amazon /// Lyrics at Digital Tradition

An abused wife contemplates her lot while sitting in the doctor's examining room.

"She Won't Be Walking", Sally Fingerette, Ghost Town Girl