@JJ - Not quite sure how to take your comment. I believe you may have misread my tone… Bitch, in this sense, is not negative. It’s empowering. It’s nice not to have to fit into a perfect little ladylike box. Also, sorry to disagree, but I highly doubt that there is any culture anywhere that has women or men who are not bitchy.

“Bitch” is a term spat at women who display certain character traits: Strong, assertive women get labeled as bitches because they are not submissive pushovers. Take the cliché: a businesswoman at work, dressed in a power suit, making tough decisions, delegating tasks… she’s often called a bitch because of her no-nonsense attitude. Her male equivalent is just a good businessman. [In fact, some might classify this response as bitchy, as I am standing up for myself, asserting my opinion, and not acquiescing to you.]

Of course, the above is not true in all cases, as no generalization is. But insofar as I understand it, Brooks’ song attempts to take the term “bitch,” and turn it around to make it a positive one. She’s not referring to the what you referenced: as I said, such behavior can be better described with other nouns and adjectives. Brooks, and I, use the noun in this case to describe a woman who does not allow herself to be walked upon: a woman who is confident, strong, and independent. A woman who doesn’t fit into the description of a “perfect lady.” And there’s nothing wrong with that.