Jordin Sparks, ‘I Am Woman’ – Song Review

Jordin Sparks asserts 'I Am Woman' on her new single, an infectious dance-pop song likely to appear on her upcoming third album.

Still just 21 years old, the Season 6 'American Idol' queen sounds confident and commanding as she makes a statement about maturity and female empowerment.

This 'I Am Woman' is not the Helen Reddy song from 1971 -- thank goodness. In fact, with its high-energy electro sound, it couldn't be further from that staple of oldies/easy-listening radio.

Oddly enough, this girl-power anthem was written and produced by a guy -- Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, to be specific. But Sparks makes the song her own. "It ain't easy walking in stilettos -- but somebody gotta do it," she declares early on, setting the tone for the track.

The chorus is repetitive, but that's kind of the point. There's no mistaking the message as Sparks yells, "I am woman, I am woman / I'm a woman, I'm a woman, yes I am / Ain't nobody else can do it like we can."

Sparks will perform 'I Am Woman' on 'Idol' on May 12. This summer she'll hit the road as the opening act for NKOTBSB.

'I Am Woman' is expected to appear on the still-untitled follow-up to Sparks' 2009 album 'Battlefield.'

Rating: 9/10

Listen to Jordin Sparks, 'I Am Woman'