“You Don’t Own Me” is a pop song performed by Lesley Gore in 1963, written by John Madara and David White. It stood as one of Gore’s most successful recordings and was her last top-ten single. The song achieved significant commercial success, reaching high chart positions in the US by peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Cashbox Top 100 charts, which underscored its widespread popularity.
The song is recognized for its strong feminist and civil rights themes, even though it was written by men. With its assertive lyrics, the track challenges the ideas of possessiveness and control. In the song, Gore passionately declares her independence and asserts her autonomy, pushing back against being treated as a possession and resisting any restrictions on her freedom.