Oh, the Spice Girls. How I loved thee.
Sadly, I know they happened before some of my audience was born or they were too young to remember the epic Girl Power movement that dominated the globe. Yes, before being #1 on iTunes meant being #1 on the charts, before Billboard was making up records for pop stars to break every week, before Diddy was stealing money from Danity Kane, before Beyoncé was randomly killing off members of Destiny's Child like The Walking Dead, the Spice Girls were the great pop force in the music industry. Since, no other "British Invasion" has matched their overall success.
I shouldn't have to tell you this, though. If you don't know about the Spice Girls then your life, up to this point, has been insignificant.
I chose their Greatest Hits album only because I couldn't possible choose between their first two, though if you choose for this compilation to be your first taste of Spice, you're missing out on gems like "Naked" and "Do It." Still, the hits album offers of some of the most iconic pop songs from my youth. They were the first anything I stanned for. You couldn't tell me that Baby Spice was, in fact, the Queen of Pop and the greatest thing to happen to music since instruments. This album is a giant breath of nostalgia for anyone who grew up in the 90s and knew what pop music was.
If you look at boy and girls bands in the past, it's rare that you find one that can have both ballads and dance hits (aside from the major league groups like Backstreet Boys or Destiny's Child), but the Spice Girls dazzled in any tempo. Songs like "Who Do You Think You Are" or "Spice Up Your Life" would probably fill up a dance floor faster now then they would back in the day. Slower classics like "Too Much" and "2 Become 1" allowed each girl to show off the fact that they weren't just sexy dancing queens.
Of course, when you grow up your music tastes change a bit. Some things you listened to when you were a kid sound a bit awful now (*side-eye to Ricky Martin*), but hearing the songs now make you realize that this particular girl group was, in fact, amazing. 75 Million Albums. The greatest girl group of all time.
For those of you who loved the Spice Girls growing up, what's your favorite song? Who was your favorite member? Favorite video? I want to know everythign!
For those who didn't... The world ends in December. Get to it!
My favorite songs are "Stop" and "Too Much!"
ReplyDeleteUgh! My favorite was Baby at first, but now I love Scary.
The Spice Girls were my #1 until Britney came along. I still listen to them. My favorite song would have to be "Say You'll Be There" because of all the fun memories of my sister and I singing and dancing to that track.
ReplyDeleteBest band ever. Stanned for them since Xmas 96 and still a fan today. Been lucky enough to see them on tour 10 times, both back in 98 and the reunion tour. Victoria was always my favorite and no other song has ever matched the level of amazingness of 'Viva Forever'.
ReplyDeleteWhat's your take on their solo ventures?
10 Times? I'm so Jealous!!!
ReplyDeleteI love "Viva Forever" and "Say You'll Be There" both!
Solo, I didn't really follow them. I was devastated when they broke up.
Yes, I was lucky enough to be livinig in London during winter 2007-2008, when they played 17 nights at the O2 Arena, so I just couldn't say no! LOL!
DeleteYou should check out Melanie C's 5th solo album, 'The Sea'. She released it last year and it's her best effort to date IMO.
Love your blog BTW!
OMFG CHRIS YOU DID NOT JUST BRING BACK THE ENTIRE MEMORY OF MY CHILDHOOD
ReplyDeleteGINGER SPICE = LIFE WHEN I WAS YOUNG
my fave song by them would probs be 'Wanna Be'
favorite was and always will be Baby Spice (Emma Bunton)
ReplyDeletefavorite Song - Viva Forever/ Stop
Favorite Video - Let Love Lead The Way
Saw them twice live. I am such a spice boy! lol
Had/ ok still have all the dolls and dvd's and a signed poster framed in my room.
WILL NEVER STOP LOVING THEM!
Best selling girl group in history for a reason
reunion tour sells out in 3 second flat!
Spice Girls = Betta than your favs!
This write-up is why I read Martian leaks. Gah. I could tear up over it. My favorite Spice was Baby as well...I think anything the Girls did I would fawn over. I listen to them even now and think "WHY are there only three albums of Spice Girls music?!" They never came close enough to my hometown that I could afford to see them, but I damn sure saw all the TV specials I could (taped the Istanbul concert on HBO? You bet.) This music, as well as BSB, defines my preteen and teenage years and is likely the only music I'll listen to that will never get old. <3
ReplyDeleteA lot of people love Viva Forever.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely an amazing track!
You're asking me to choose a favorite Spice Girl song? That's so tough!
ReplyDeleteIf I really had to choose only one ...
Last Time Lover. That was my jam at 8, and still is.
Do it is a serious second.
GINGER SPICE! Geri Halliwell was my original pop idol prior to Britney Spears hitting the scene. I have followed her throughout her entire career, supporting her book and solo career.
"Say You'll Be There" is my favorite video because of Trixie Firecracker & Baby's blue gloves.
I love Viva Forever, Too Much & Say You'll Be There
ReplyDeleteI still have my Posh Spice barbie doll :D x
Damn..you're taking it BACK! Spice Girls truly were the first thing that I stanned for in my life. Baby Spice was my girl! I guess she started my propensity for blonde pop gurls. lol It's so hard to choose a favorite song. Denying, Stop, Say You'll Be There...so hard to choose just one.
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOD THE SPICE F*CKING GIRLS!! My life was slayed when they first came out, I was like 5 years old and I LOOOOVED THEM! I still love them. My fav was definitely Baby Spice and its amazing how they did everything, and i mean EVERYTHING! From breaking records everywhere to making a movie and just be amazing and marking a generation. Thanks for making me remember amazing times Martian! Cheers my friend =)
ReplyDelete