Geri Horner (née Halliwell), Mel B, Emma and Mel C - the girls who gave us ‘Wannabe’, ‘Say You’ll Be There’ and many more hits - have just finished the Spice Girls reunion tour, which saw them performing across the country, in Manchester, Coventry, Sunderland, Edinburgh, Bristol and London.
Supported by the amazing Jess Glynne, who’s had hits including ‘Hold My Hand’, ‘I’ll Be There’ and ‘Thursday’, the reunion tour was incredible successful - despite the fact that Victoria Beckham wasn't part of the group's comeback.
The Spice Girls might have only released 11 singles (including two double A-sides), and released three studio albums; but nine of the Spice Girls' songs and two of their albums went to Number 1 in the UK, firmly rooting them a place in pop history. Here are our Top 5 favourite Spice Girls songs.
Looking back at their fantastic songs, we start with the very memorable debut hit 'Wannabe', ending with their penultimate release in 2000, 'Holler'/'Let Love Lead The Way'. If you're fan of Melanie Brown (Scary Spice), Melanie Chisholm (Sporty Spice), Emma Bunton (Baby Spice), Geri Horner, (Ginger Spice), and Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice), then you'll also love to see how they've transformed from 90s gals to glam femme fatales!
Let's take a look at their best-selling songs through the years...
Which are the Spice Girls' most successful songs?
'Wannabe' (1996)
'Wannabe' was the Spice Girls' debut single and released in the UK in the summer of 1996. According to reports, it was written by the group and two songwriters VERY quickly, during their first professional songwriting session together. It was apparently recorded in less than an hour!
'Wannabe' went to Number 1 in the UK, and was certified 2x Platinum in the UK. Six months after the success in the UK in January 1997, it was released in the US, where it went 3x Platinum! Watch the music video, which was filmed in ONE take below.
'Say You'll Be There' (1996)
Four months after the success of their debut single 'Wannabe', the Spice Girls released their second single 'Say You'll Be There', which also went to Number 1. Although it didn't sell as many copies as 'Wannabe', the single did go platinum in both the UK and US.
'2 Become 1' (1996)
Continuing the success of the Spice Girls, they released '2 Become 1' in December 1996 and it became the first of their three Christmas Number 1s in the UK. Moving away from their upbeat pop, '2 Become 1' was a slow pop ballad, which sold over 1,200,000, certifying it 2x Platinum in the UK.
'Mama'/'Who Do You Think You Are' (1997)
The Spice Girls' first UK release of 1997 was a double A-side, 'Mama'/'Who Do You Think You Are'. 'Mama' was another pop ballad, about the girls' relationships with their mums. According to reports, songwriter Matt Rowe credited Mel B - who is famously close with her mum, Andrea Brown - as the one who came up with the song's concept.
In contrast to their previous pop ballads, 'Who Do You Think You Are' was an upbeat track which became the official single of the 1997 Comic Relief. The Spice Girls also performed their fourth Number 1 single at the BRIT Awards that year, which is where Spice Girl Geri Horner wore her iconic Union Jack dress.
'Spice Up Your Life' (1997)
Recorded at the same time the Spice Girls were working on their film Spice World, 'Spice Up Your Life' was a dance-pop track with some Latin influences, including salsa and samba. The girls also mention many different dance styles in their lyrics, singing, 'Yellow man in Timbuktu / Colour for both me and you / Kung Fu Fighting, Dancing Queen / Tribal Spaceman, And all that's in between', and, 'Flamenco, Lambada, But hip-hop is harder'.
The Spice Girls also performed 'Spice Up Your Life' when they reunited for the London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony AKA possibly one of the best moment in the entire Olympics!
'Too Much' (1997)
'Too Much' became the group's second Christmas Number 1. The girls' fifth single went Platinum in the UK selling 682,000 copies and stayed at the top for two weeks. 'Too Much' was the second single to be released from their second album, 'Spiceworld', and became their sixth Number 1 single in a row!
'Viva Forever' (1998)
Released in July 1998, 'Viva Forever' was released just months after Geri Halliwell left the group in May of the same year. Along with songwriters Matthew Rowe and Richard Stannard, Geri Halliwell was the main songwriter on this Number 1 hit.
Despite Geri leaving, the remaining four members went on to perform as a quartet and even performed an adapted version of the song with opera singer Pavarotti, at his charity event Pavarotti and Friends. The very unusual video see the girls (including Geri) as fairies.
'Goodbye' (1998)
'Goodbye' became the group's first single without Geri's vocals. Released in December 1998, it became the girls' THIRD Christmas Number 1 in a row! Achieving this amazing feat, the girls became the first act to have three consecutive Christmas Number 1s since The Beatles in 1965. 'Goodbye' was released with a cover of The Waitresses' 'Christmas Wrapping' as the B-side.
'Holler'/'Let Love Lead The Way' (2000)
After a break of two years, the girls returned with another double A-side, and yet another Number 1 single! 'Holler'/'Let Love Lead The Way' became the lead singles from the girls' third studio album, 'Forever', and the group's ninth Number 1 in the UK, selling 260,000 copies.
The Spice Girls released 11 singles in total, as well as the nine singles that hit the top spot. The songs that didn't reach Number 1 were, 'Stop' in 1998, which peaked at Number 2, and 'Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)' when they reunited in 2007.
Now, take a look at the Spice Girls through the years, from their dubious hairstyles, multiple BRIT Awards and endless Top 10 singles.
Spice Girls through the years (slider)
1 of 18Spice Girls
The Spice Girls formed in 1994 after replying to an advert posted in a trade magazine looking for singers and dancers.
2 of 18'Wannabe'
In 1996, the Spice Girls released their debut single 'Wannabe' which reached Number 1 in the UK and was certified 2x Platinum in the UK.
3 of 18'Spice'
In November 1996, the debut album from the Spice Girls 'Spice' was released. It went to Number 1 around the world and was certified 10× Platinum in the UK.
4 of 18'2 become 1'
'2 Become 1' was the Spice Girls' first Christmas Number 1. Moving away from their upbeat pop, '2 Become 1' was a slow pop ballad, which sold over 1,200,000 copies, certifying it 2x Platinum in the UK.
5 of 18Geri Halliwell's iconic Union Jack dress
The Spice Girls gave an iconic performance at the BRIT Awards in 1997, singing 'Who Do You Think You Are' - also known as when Geri Halliwell wore THAT Union Jack dress which is influential to this day.
6 of 18'Spiceworld' (album)
'Spiceworld' was the Spice Girls' second studio album to be released in 1997. As before, it was incredibly popular and went to Number 1 around the world, selling over 1.5 million copies in the UK.
7 of 18Spice World (film)
In 1997, Spice World the film was released. The girls promoted their film at the annual Cannes film festival held in the South of France.The film starred all five members of the group along with Richard E. Grant, Claire Rushbrook, Naoko Mori, Meat Loaf, Barry Humphries, and Alan Cumming.
8 of 18'Too Much'
'Too Much' became the Spice Girls' second Christmas Number 1 in the UK. The girls' fifth single went Platinum, selling 682,000 copies and stayed at the top for two weeks.
9 of 18Geri left the Spice Girls
In May 1997, Geri left the Spice Girls. In a statement released through her solicitor, she said, "Sadly I would like to confirm that I have left the Spice Girls. This is because of differences between us. I'm sure the group will continue to be successful and I wish them all the best."
10 of 18'Goodbye'
'Goodbye' was the group's third consecutive Christmas Number 1, this time as a quartet. The girls became the first act to have three consecutive Christmas Number 1s since The Beatles in 1965.
11 of 18Spiceworld Tour
The Spice Girls took to the road on their 'Spiceworld' Tour. Starting in Ireland and the UK with Geri, in February 1998, they continued after she left at the end of May, to mainland Europe and the USA.
12 of 18Christmas in Spiceworld Tour
This eight-day tour saw the Spice Girls (without Geri) perform in Manchester and London in December 1999.
13 of 18'Forever' (album)
The Spice Girls' third and - as yet - final studio album 'Forever' was released in 2000 and spawned singles 'Goodbye' and the double A-side 'Holler'/'Let Love Lead the Way'.
14 of 18Spice Girls won multiple BRIT Awards
Over the years, the Spice Girls have won multiple BRIT Awards including Best British Single for 'Wannabe' and Best British Video for 'Say You'll Be There' in 1997. They also picked up, the Outstanding Contribution Award in 2000.
15 of 18The Return of the Spice Girls tour
In 2007, the Spice Girls reunited as a group of five, and went on their 'The Return of the Spice Girls' tour. They performed across the UK, mainland Europe and the USA.
16 of 18Spice Girls perform at the Olympics
The Spice Girls reunited once again in 2012 for the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics. Their spectacular performance saw them standing on top to black cabs whilst they were singing.
17 of 18GEM - mini reunion
In 2016, on the 20th anniversary of 'Wannabe', Emma, Mel B and Geri had a mini-reunion. They posted a video saying they would be back under a different name - GEM (named after their collective initials). Despite this video, nothing was released.
18 of 18Spice Girls reunite in 2018
Earlier this year (2018), Spice Girls fans all over the world went wild when it was confirmed that all five of the Spice Girls had met up at Geri's house, along with their former manager Simon Fuller.Since the initial meeting back in February there have been continued rumours that we could see a full reunion, new music or even a tour, however nothing has been confirmed.
Who is in the Spice Girls?
The Spice Girls was originally made up of Geri Halliwell, Mel C, Mel B, Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham. Although Geri left in 1998, the other four continued with the group until later that year. They returned in 2000 and again in 2007, before reuniting as a full group for the London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony.
What are the Spice Girls' real names?
Mel C's real name is Melanie Jayne Chisholm, or Sporty Spice. Victoria Beckham's maiden name was Victoria Caroline Adams AKA Posh Spice. Geri's maiden name was Geraldine Estelle Halliwell, but since getting married she's now known as Geri Horner AKA Ginger Spice.
Emma Bunton's full name is Emma Lee Bunton and hasn't changed, she's also known as Baby Spice in the group. Mel B's full name is Melanie Janine Brown AKA Scary Spice - whilst she was married to Dutch dancer Jimmy Gulzar she became Mel G, but soon went back to Mel B after their split in 2000.
What family do the Spice Girls have?
Victoria is married to footballer David Beckham. David and Victoria Beckham, who married in 1999, share sons Brooklyn Beckham, Romeo James Beckham and Cruz Beckham, as well as daughter Harper Seven Beckham. Emma Bunton has been in an on-off relationship with singer Jade Jones since May 1999, and they welcomed sons Beau Lee Jones in August 2007 and Tate Lee Jones in May 2011.
Mel C has a daughter, Scarlett Starr, born in 2009 with her property developer ex-boyfriend, Thomas Starr. Geri Halliwell is married to Formula 1 boss Christian Horner, and the pair welcomed son Montague George Hector Horner in January 2017. She's also mum to 13-year-old daughter Bluebell Madonna from her relationship with Sacha Gervasi.
Mel B welcomed daughter Phoenix Chi Gulzar in February 1999 with her ex-husband Jimmy Gulzar, and shares Angel Iris Murphy Brown (born April 2007) with her ex-boyfriend Eddie Murphy. She gave birth to her third daughter Madison Brown Belafonte in September 2011 by her ex-husband Stephen Belafonte.
Which are the Spice Girls' most successful solo songs?
Mel B released 'I Want You Back' featuring Missy Elliott in September 1998, and the song went to Number 1 for one week. Although she released two solo albums, neither made it into the Top 10.
Geri Halliwell had a pretty successful solo career, releasing three solo albums and four Number 1 singles: 'Mi Chico Latino', 'Lift Me Up', 'Bag It Up' and her cover of 'It's Raining Men' by The Weather Girls. She also scored a Number 2 with 'Look At Me'. Her debut album 'Schizophonic' peaked at Number 4 and was her best-performing record.
Emma Bunton featured on 'What I Am' by Tin Tin Out, which scored a peak position of Number 2 in the Official Charts, and her single 'What Took You So Long' released in 2001 scored a Number 1. Of her four solo albums, the first two made it into the Top 10 - 'A Girl Like Me' and 'Free Me'.
Victoria Beckham has only released four singles - but all four made the Top 10: 'Out Of Your Mind', 'Not Such An Innocent Girl', 'A Mind Of Its Own' and 'This Groove/Let Your Head Go'. Her debut self-titled album, released in 2001, peaked at Number 10.
Mel C also had a successful solo career, scoring a Number 3 with Bryan Adams on 'When You're Gone'. Her two Number 1 singles were 'I Turn To You' and 'Never Be The Same Again' featuring Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes from TLC. Of her seven solo albums, Mel scored two Top 10 records with debut 'Northern Star' and follow-up 'Reason'.
Are the Spice Girls releasing new music?
It's not yet been confirmed, but there have been new reports that the Spice Girls have been working on new music after 'meeting with top producers' to discuss a musical comeback. there's even talk of Victoria coming back to work on the songs.
According to The Mirror, a source said, "They have been working in London to gather their thoughts and start recording new material. It’s very exciting and in the early stages but it’s happening. They’ve also been in contact with Victoria to see if she can be involved."
This comes after Mel B revealed that Victoria has apparently suggested they perform at Glastonbury in 2020, to celebrate the festival's 50th anniversary. Speaking to Mo Gilligan on The Lateish Show, Mel B revealed all the details, saying, "My mum was at her [Victoria] mum's summer party and Victoria was there, and she did actually mention to my mum that she'd love to do Glastonbury for their 50th next year.
"It's not just me saying it, she actually did say that to my mum", to which Mo responded, "Victoria's ready to come for de big show, innit!" Mel then said, "I hope so", before adding, "I will make it happen."
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