“Wannabe” by Spice Girls

In the Spice Girls’ “Wannabe”, the narrator outlines all the qualities she expects from someone who wants to be her lover. She clearly states what she wants to see and give her potential lover a chance to decide if he really wants to be with her.

The first condition she reveals is that he must not judge her by her past if he wants to be with her. She lets him know that she needs someone who knows what he’s about and doesn’t waste her time.

Another condition she speaks about is that her lover must first befriend her friends as their bond is so strong. Again she prioritizes friendship over the affair by saying that their relationship will last longer if they are more of friends than lovers. She also wants a guy who will give more and put more effort in the relationship.

After giving her potential lover these conditions, she now queries him on his thoughts, i.e. if he still wants to continue pursuing her. She further suggests that she will give him some time and a chance to make the relationship work. Finally, she lists her friends (Spice Girls) and their corresponding attributes, as well as their interest in finding someone who can dance like them or generally relate to them, so he knows what exactly he’s getting into.

First-ever single of the Spice Girls

“Wannabe” holds the distinction of being the first single of the Spice Girls’ musical career. It was recorded in 1995 and released in Japan on 26th June 1996 and in Europe on July 8, 1996. The song was officially released in the U.S. in January 1997.

Being the girls’ first single, it was included on their maiden album Spice. It was one of the album’s outstanding songs. Other notable songs from Spice include the likes of:

• “Mama”
• “Say You’ll Be There”
• “2 Become 1”
• “Who Do You Think You Are“

Music Video

The shooting of the video for “Wannabe” took place in London. Swedish music video director, Johan Camitz was responsible for directing the clip.

This video picked up several awards and was also nominated multiple times for various accolades. In 1997, it won the award for Best Dance Video at the MTV Music Awards. In addition, the video was adjudged Best Video at that year’s Comet Media Awards.

At the 1997 BRIT Awards, the clip above received a nomination for the Best British Video. It however, lost the award to another Spice Girls’ song “Say You’ll Be There”.

Other Accolades

This single was selected as the Best Pop Song of 1997 by Billboard magazine. The track was also ranked at No.5 on the Billboard’s list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.

In its release year, the song reached the top of the singles chart in over 20 countries across the world, including the UK. Other countries where this song topped the charts include France, Belgium, the Netherland, Australia, and Spain.

In 1997, this track reached the top of the U.S. charts and peaked at No.9 in Canada.

“Wannabe” has received multiple Platinum statuses in at least three regions, which includes Australia, the UK, and the U.S.

Covers and Sampling

Portions of the American soul singer, Bobby Byrd’s 1987 classic track, “Hot Pants (Bonus Beats)” have been sampled in this tune.

“Wannabe” received various cover versions by a host of recording artists, which comprise versions from the following:

• Megan and Liz (in 2011)
• Why Mona (in 2004)
• MiChi (in 2008)
• Broken Heart College (in 2009)

You can find samples of this track in a number of songs released by various musicians. For instance, the Jamaican dancehall musical duo, Tanto Metro & Devonte’s 1999 tune, “Everyone Falls in Love” features samples of this song in it.

Other tracks containing samples of “Wannabe” in them also include the following:

• “Hater Players” by the hip-hop duo, Black Star
• “Polka Power!” by American singer, “Weird Al” Yankovic
• “Talk Out loud” by reggae artist, Deadly Hunta

Who wrote “Wannabe”?

It was composed by the group members together with the song’s producer Matt Rowe and his musical partner Richard “Biff” Stannard.

What movies/TV series has this song been featured in?

“Wannabe” has appeared in multiple episodes of the American animated comedy series, The Simpsons. It also featured in the trailer for the 1997 crime-comedy movie, Excess Baggage.