The Spice Girls burst onto the scene in the late 90’s with their ‘girl power’ anthem. They were an industry girl group having been selected from hundreds of auditioners. However, there were only five spots open. When all was said and done, the five girls were selected, each holding a different quirky characteristic that appealed to at least one person or another – be it by their chosen nicknames or by their appearance. At any rate, the world soon knew who Scary, Baby, Ginger, Posh and Sporty Spice were. Below are a list of what I feel are their top ten songs, both from beginning to post Ginger’s unfortunate departure from the group.
10. Wannabe
This song and video introduced the world to the Spice Girls and vice versa. The song was just the perfect ‘girl power’ anthem for its time and has remained basically a cult favorite to those who dig dance music. The song in short is about wanting. Requesting, “if you want my future forget my past, if you want to get with me better make it fast.” the girls state quite clearly in the lyrics that if the guy wants a chance with the girl then he has to get with (as in get along, not dating) her friends because a friendship is worth more and should be forever. The song was very popular for its time too and showcases each of the girls distinctive voices and a little quirk of each of theirs, such as “Easy V doesn’t come for free, she’s a real lady.” Wannabe is a child friendly song as well and one that any child can listen to since it doesn’t have any hidden innuendos or profanity. While the first song from the girls, surely not their best.
9. 2 Become 1
“2 become 1” is a more adult sounding love song, talking about “candle light and soul forever, a dream of you and me together..” The song carries a sweet sound by Baby Spice, who has the most innocent sounding vocals in the entire group. A little more directed at an older crowd than children, the girls sing about needing love like never before and the desire to make love to this special man. It also speaks about games the other person was playing and the empty words that both were guilty of saying. Along with that it carries into a desire to work it out. There is also a hint of safe sex mentioned in the song, which makes it even better as they sing, “Be a little bit wiser baby, put it on, put it on..” which is a direct indication to condom use. The mellow, relaxing tones make it a great love song for any couple to listen to.
8. Stop
When I heard “Stop” after purchasing “Spice World” I was utterly floored by this song. “Stop” is about a guy who is rushing into a relationship way too fast. Such as “You just walk in I make you smile it’s cool but you don’t even know me.” The song has a very important message even though it’s considered popish. “Stop” basically gives the message that if you rush something it might not last, so slow down so you can actually SEE where the relations are going. The person rushes and the girls state they want someone with a human touch, not someone who is always on the run. The song never really made much of an impact chartwise, however, it hit personally as one of the better Spice Girl songs out there.
7. Spice Up Your Life
Whomever titled this song nailed it. That’s the first feeling you get when listening to the song – spice. That latin spice feel. The song is definitely a get up and salsa dance type of song. The lyrics are just amazing. They speak to every race and person in the world to spice up their lives, even offering a little dance move in it such as, “Slam it to the left If you’re having a good time Shake it to the right If you know that you feel fine Chicas to the front Uh Uh go round” The song even mentions several very popular dance styles out there such as the lambada, flamenco and foxtrot. The song is full of this energy that you can’t help but feel and have the motivation to dance. Definitely a song worth listening to if you aren’t a fan.
6. Say You’ll Be There
“Say You’ll Be There” carries a hip-hopish sound with a girlish touch. The song is carried in the intro by Baby Spice, but carries over to the others as the song progresses. The song is about a guy and girl deciding they were only friend, however he states he’s falling in love and she doesn’t want that type of relationship. In fact, she states she only wants him to be there AS a friend. The song also gives the clear statement of what will happen if he doesn’t stop, “If you can’t work this equation then I guess I’ll have to show you the door.” The song then goes onto stating the words I love you would be best left unsaid. Perhaps the song is about an unreturned love and his confession of these ‘more than friendly’ feelings are scaring her away from the friendship. But the song, like most other songs from these girls, has a steady beat and is easy to dance to.
5. Never Give Up On The Good Times
“Never Give Up On The Good Times” begins with a very disco-upbeat sound that carries through the entire song. The song is about holding onto the good times in spite of unforseeable events, such as a girl having a baby. The message is quite clear, “never give up on the good times gotta believe in the love you find.” It’s another excellent dance number that even has a flute solo within it, giving a REAL disco sound. There’s no other real in depth message other than just never giving up on things. Which is a good lesson, just because something happens you don’t have to sacrifice having fun.
4. Mama
Perhaps one of the sweetest songs they have, as the title suggests, the song is about mothers. The song begins with a guitar, then carries into a rather slow, yet steady beat. The lyrics are very sweet, expressing the love a daughter and mother have – including the wars that mothers and children have. The visual I receive from the lyrics, “So now that I see through your eyes all that you did was love,” I feel that perhaps the girl became a mother herself and understands everything her mother did. The lyrics even express thought, including realizations of why things were done. “I didn’t want to hear it then but I’m not ashamed to say it now, every little thing you said and did was right for me.” The song goes into expressing the love and care for their mama and how after all is said and done they became friends – that making it all worth it.
3. Viva Forever
What I completely enjoy about “Viva Forever” is the fact the sound carries that feel that you get in a church. The ‘aahs’ the spice girls sing are very intriguing, mingling perfectly with the background instrumentals. The feel is latin sounding, as you pick that up with the guitar entirely that plays. Viva Forever” is flat out a very sad song, one that I relate to being about the lover dying. You can pick that up in the lyrics, “Viva fovever, I’ll be waiting everlasting like the sun live forever for the moment ever searching for the one.” The song goes into the story of how she remembers all his words, how he felt to her touch as well as how he slipped away from her and she holds every memory dear. The song is guaranteed to stir a few heartbreaking feelings, as the voices carry this feeling quite well. I urge anyone who reads this to at least give it a serious listen to.
2. Move Over
This song was solely popular for it’s upbeat sound and obvious use in Pepsi commercials. Yes, Move over is the “Generation Next” song that was overplayed on every commercial for Pepsi for a while. The song is loaded with energy and speaks to every creed. While the message is only merely moving over to the next generation, it has an incredible dance beat. Incorporate this with the ‘Spice World’ video that came out with it, you have quite a visual of the future. A sample of the lyrics to who they reach out to and a minimal message are best summd up with “Well sow me the seed every colour every creed teach never preach, listen up and take heed. The song was swiftly gone as soon as it had come and as far as dance songs, one of the most excellent dance ones out for the time.
1. Goodbye
“Goodbye” featured the four remaining Spice Girls post Ginger’s departure. The song wasn’t too well known, which is why I selected it as a number one. While there were songs on the album that were singles and somewhat popular, this one sort of reflected the feelings of what the girls may have felt when Ginger split. The song carries the story of a girl who goes out into the world to find her way. Keeping up with those feelings when someone leaves, they still feel the person there even though she’s obviously gone. They say to look for the rainbow in every storm, to find out for certain that love will be there for her. The song is extremely sad, but well sung and definitely worthy of the number one spot.
While the Spice Girls were often ridiculed as an ‘annoying’ girl group, they carried a strong message of girls being strong, powerful and independant. This is a very important lesson for girls to learn. While they do sing about love, they also reach out to others because, let’s face it, everyone feels heartache sometime and it’s good to be able to relate.
