The Spice Girls Phenomenon

The Spice Girls Phenomenon

Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm, Melanie Brown and Geri Halliwell. Names that anybody who was around in the late nineties will know. The Spice Girls.

They released their first single “Wannabe” back in 1996, and their rise to fame was meteoric. Nearly every single they released went straight to number one, three of these being consecutive Christmas number ones. They released a film, entitled “Spice Girls the Movie”, photographs to collect and albums to put them in, Barbie dolls, body sprays, bubble baths, books, clothes, cups, pencil cases…the list goes on (more about merchandise later). They won Brit awards, performed at the Brits (Geri in the infamous Union Jack dress).

It’s hard to think that the reign of Girl Power lasted just a little over two years, from 1996 to 1998, and that in that time they only released two albums. They met Prince Charles (even squeezed his bum), they released a Comic Relief single…they achieved so much in so little time…

Perhaps everyone will remember that fateful Lottery night, where the Spice Girls were due to perform? Four of the girls turned up, they said Geri was ill. But it turned out she had decided to leave the band. Posh, Baby, Scary and Sporty decided to carry on without her, but their only real hit after she left was their third Christmas number one, “Goodbye”. The title of the song was particularly apt, as it really was their last hit.

But there is no denying that the years 1996, 1997 and 1998 belonged to the Spice Girls. Their names were known all over the world – everyone had heard their songs. In 1997 when the film was released, their fame soared further, despite the fact that the film did nothing more than show off their shoddy acting skills. Yet the film was a success – and, you have to admit, rather good in a “so bad it’s good” way.

To coincide with the film release, dolls were made, and I am not ashamed to admit that we (that is myself and my two sisters) had the whole collection between us. In fact, we still have the dolls, hidden away somewhere. But this is beside the point. The point is they were phenomenonally successful in the nineties, Girl Power was the ‘mot du jour’, and they were internationally known.

The success of The Spice Girls has yet to be beaten by other British girl bands. Sure, there are those who have tried…but in ten years time, who is it that will be remembered? Atomic Kitten? Mystique? Sugababes? No. It will be The Spice Girls…those loud, platform-wearing, girl power-brandishing Spice Girls.

Long may their songs be played!

All I never wanted to know about the Spice Girls - 50 points.