Spice Girls – Say You’ll Be There
Far from being a difficult second single, ‘Say You’ll Be There’ delivered on the Spice Girls’ hype and earned them another huge hit.
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Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson – The Best Things In Life Are Free
‘The Best Things In Life Are Free’ brought Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson together for a soundtrack single that’s become enduringly popular in its own right.
Spice Girls – Who Do You Think You Are
‘Who Do You Think You Are’ cemented the Spice Girls as a cultural phenomenon thanks to a memorable Brit Awards performance.
Spice Girls – 2 Become 1
The Spice Girls being Christmas #1 in 1996 was a given, but there’s a reason why ‘2 Become 1’ is their biggest-selling, best-known ballad.
Atomic Kitten – The Last Goodbye
‘The Last Goodbye’ is a perfect example of why Atomic Kitten’s reputation as purveyors of mid-tempo balladry was well-deserved.
Spice Girls – Stop
‘Stop’ is still broadly defined by being the first Spice Girls song not to reach #1, but there’s so much more to it than that.
Spice Girls – Too Much
With sponsorship deals galore, plus a movie and video game in the pipeline, there was no stopping the Spice Girls as they claimed a second Christmas #1
Geri Halliwell – Ride It
Geri Halliwell’s comeback was three years in the making, but was there still room in the charts for a song like ‘Ride It’?
Melanie C – Northern Star
In stark contrast to Melanie C’s debut single, ‘Northern Star’ – the title track of her album – was a beautiful, introspective ballad.
Billie – Girlfriend
‘Girlfriend’ earned Billie her second #1 single, though that was little surprise when it stuck so closely to the formula of her debut.
Stacie Orrico – I’m Not Missing You
Despite the protestations of her comeback single, Stacie Orrico’s comeback was long overdue following a two-year hiatus.
Spice Girls – Wannabe
In just under three minutes, the Spice Girls changed the face of pop music forever with their debut single.
Melanie B – Lullaby
Melanie B’s tender ode to her daughter allegedly came with an ultimatum from Virgin Records: it had to reach the top five, or else!
Emma Bunton – Free Me
Emma Bunton’s ‘60s-inspired reinvention with ‘Free Me’ proved to be a stroke of genius as she launched her second album campaign.
Janet Jackson – Just A Little While
Virgin Records sprang into action when ‘Just A Little While’ leaked ahead of its release. Still, things couldn’t get any worse…right?
Spice Girls – Mama
‘Mama’ is rarely cited as a top Spice Girls track, but that doesn’t stop it being a genuinely lovely (and well-timed) tribute.
Lene Marlin – Where I’m Headed
The final single from Lene Marlin’s debut album is another journey into the depths of a complex, talented teenage mind.
Emma Bunton – We’re Not Gonna Sleep Tonight
‘We’re Not Gonna Sleep Tonight’ was remixed into a Latin-tinged uptempo. But did this girl power anthem sound a bit too familiar?
Melanie B – I Want You Back (Feat. Missy ‘Misdemeanor’ Elliott)
‘I Want You Back’ was a watershed moment for the Spice Girls as Melanie B became the first to break rank and release a solo single.
Emma Bunton – Take My Breath Away
‘Take My Breath Away’ is one of Emma Bunton’s biggest hits, which makes it all the more surprising that it’s so often overlooked.
Atomic Kitten – It’s OK!
The lead single from Atomic Kitten’s second album might have been called ‘It’s OK!’, but they needn’t have been so modest.