Saturday marks International Women's Day, an event that has been observed since the early 1900s.

The day aims to celebrate the achievements and contributions of woman in society.

To celebrate, here are 10 songs by some of music's most inspirational women.

Walking on broken glass

Annie Lennox

Taken from her 1992 album Diva, this track is about a woman who is trying to get over a break-up. The video was based on the 1988 film Dangerous Liaisons and starred John Malkovich and Hugh Laurie.

Because the night

Patti Smith

This track was written by Bruce Springsteen, who gave it to Smith in 1976 because he thought it would suit her voice. Smith wrote the lyrics one night while waiting for her husband to call.

Like a Prayer

Madonna

Appearing on her 1989 album, this track was Madonna's seventh US number one. The video features actor Leon Robinson, who later went on to play Derice Bannock in the film Cool Runnings.

9 to 5

Dolly Parton

Written for the 1980 film 9 to 5, this track won two Grammys in 1981, including Best Country Song. If you listen closely you can hear tapping and a bell at different points in the song made by a typewriter.

Winter Waltzer

Evelyn Glennie and Philip Sheppard

This track is on the duo's album Winter Wonderland. Glennie has collaborated with many musicians during her career, including performing a duet called My Spine on Bjork's album Telegram.

Strange fruit

Billie Holiday

This track was written by school teacher Abel Meeropol as a poem. The song aimed to expose American racism, particularly the lynching of African Americans. It was originally titled Bitter Fruit.

Chasing Pavements

Adele

This track about lost love and regret was described by Adele as "it's me being hopeful for a relationship that's very much over. The sort of relationship you hate when you're in it, but miss when you're not."

Wuthering Heights

Kate Bush

Based on the Emily Bronte novel, this track was originally dismissed as a novelty before it became UK number one, launching Bush's career. The singer also share the same birthday as Bronte, July 30.

Run the World (Girls)

Beyonce

The first single from Beyonce's fourth album, this track samples the martial drum beat from Major Lazer's 2009 track Pon de Floor. The video was filmed in Los Angeles and the Mojave Desert over three days.

Big Yellow Taxi

Joni Mitchell

Mitchell wrote this track in 1970 during her first trip to Hawaii. The line about the tree museum refers to Foster Botanical Garden in Honolulu, which is a living museum of rare and endangered tropical plants.