The Spice Girls, the 90s pop phenomenon, weren’t just a girl group; they were a cultural reset. Bursting onto the scene with “Wannabe,” they injected a potent dose of girl power, catchy tunes, and unforgettable personalities into the music landscape. Love them or hate them, their impact is undeniable, and their discography is a fascinating journey through pop history. But with a catalog spanning albums, B-sides, and even a few unexpected tracks, which Spice Girls Songs truly stand the test of time?
This article dives deep into the Spice Girls’ musical universe, ranking every single song they officially released, from the depths of forgotten B-sides to the dizzying heights of their chart-topping hits. We’re not just listing; we’re analyzing what made each track tick, its place in Spice Girls history, and why some songs are certified “zig-a-zig-ah” classics while others are best left in the 90s archives. Get ready to spice up your life as we count down all the Spice Girls songs!
43. Spice Invaders (1997)
Kicking off our list is “Spice Invaders,” a B-side that’s more spoken-word novelty than actual song. Imagine the Spice Girls, at the peak of their fame in 1997, riffing wittily over a cheesy spy-movie soundtrack. Lines like “Our songs are full of valid information, like never wee with your knickers on” are delivered with playful irreverence. It’s a testament to their cultural dominance at the time – they were so big, they could release anything. However, as a piece of music, it’s a fun but ultimately lightweight entry in their discography.
42. Sleigh Ride (1996)
“Sleigh Ride” is the Spice Girls’ festive foray, tacked onto the B-side of “2 Become 1.” This drum machine-heavy rendition of the Christmas classic feels like a perfunctory attempt to snag the Christmas number one spot. While undeniably Christmassy, it lacks the charm and warmth of truly great festive songs, and certainly doesn’t hold a candle to iconic versions like the Ronettes’. It’s a seasonal novelty that’s more likely to gather dust with your Christmas decorations than become a holiday staple in your playlist of spice girls songs.
41. Power of Five (1997)
The Spice Girls were pioneers of band-as-brand, masters of merchandising, and product endorsements. “Power of Five” is a prime example of this, created for the launch of Channel 5. This rewrite of Manfred Mann’s “5-4-3-2-1” (“1, 2, 3, 4, 5”) is undeniably catchy in a very jingle-like way, but it’s also utterly forgettable as a Spice Girls song in its own right. It underscores the reality that even the Spice Girls couldn’t always deliver gold for their corporate sponsors.
Spice Girls: Power of Five – video
40. Bumper to Bumper (1996)
As the B-side to their debut smash hit “Wannabe,” “Bumper to Bumper” highlights that the Spice Girls weren’t wasting their best material on flipsides. This pop-R&B track is rather bland and unmemorable. Its main point of interest lies in Geri Halliwell’s spoken-word segments, which inject a dose of Watford-esque charm into an otherwise unremarkable song. It’s a forgotten track for a reason within the spice girls songs collection.
39. Time Goes By (2000)
“Time Goes By” from their Forever album is a slow-paced MOR ballad that feels like it drags on for an eternity. The kettledrum-heavy arrangement contributes to its ponderous, almost funeral march-like quality. Spice Girls songs should be energetic and fun, but this one is hard work to listen to, missing the lighthearted spark that defined their best music.
38. Get Down With Me (2000)
“Get Down With Me” is a Rodney Jerkins production from their final album, Forever. Jerkins, a noted R&B producer, tries to inject some energy with distorted call-and-response vocals. However, the track struggles to overcome the sense that the Spice Girls, now a four-piece with solo careers looming, weren’t fully invested anymore. While competently produced, it lacks the genuine Spice Girls spark and feels like a group going through the motions.
Spice Girls at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2000, showcasing their vaguely R&B era.
37. Right Back at Ya (2000)
“Right Back at Ya,” another track from Forever, was reportedly described by its co-author, Elliot Kennedy, as “plodding, boring, bottom-of-the-drawer R&B.” It attempts to position the Spice Girls as pioneers of female-fronted pop, but the comparison to contemporaries like Britney Spears and “Oops!… I Did It Again” from the same year only highlights its shortcomings. It’s a limp and uninspired track that fails to capture the energy and innovation of the best spice girls songs.
36. Headlines (Friendship Never Ends) (2007)
The Spice Girls’ 2007 reunion was a massive concert success, but their new music, starting with “Headlines (Friendship Never Ends),” struggled to connect. This ballad, intended as their comeback single, is bland and uninspired. It became their first single to miss the UK Top 10, suggesting that the magic of their best work was difficult to recapture a decade later.
Spice Girls: Headlines (Friendship Never Ends) – video
35. Weekend Love (2000)
“Weekend Love” attempts to inject some late 60s/early 70s Motown flavor with a faux-sitar sound. While this is a nice touch, the song overall is restrained and polite, lacking the Spice Girls’ usual sass and energy. Only Mel B’s typically energetic rap verse provides a spark of excitement in an otherwise underwhelming track.
34. Wasting My Time (2000)
Another Forever production, “Wasting My Time” features decent production with vaguely acid house-inspired synthesizers. It’s a reasonably good song, but it underscores the Spice Girls’ limitations as R&B vocalists. The song feels like it could have been a hit for a group with stronger R&B credentials, like Destiny’s Child, who were dominating the genre at the time.
33. My Strongest Suit (1999)
“My Strongest Suit” comes from Elton John and Tim Rice’s musical Aida. While not Elton John’s finest work, there’s a cleverness in casting the Geri-less Spice Girls, with Victoria Beckham now in the spotlight, to sing a song about a fashion-obsessed character. It’s a novelty track, interesting for its context but not a standout spice girls song.
Elton John makes a cameo in Spice World (1997), highlighting the band’s cross-media appeal.
32. Let Love Lead the Way (2000)
“Let Love Lead the Way” feels like the Spice Girls’ initial era ending with a whimper. This polished, Heart FM-friendly ballad is decent but unremarkable. It lacks the explosive energy of their early hits, making “Wannabe” seem like the work of a completely different group. It signals a shift towards a more mature, but less exciting, sound for the group.
31. Last Time Lover (1996)
“Last Time Lover” is notable for being the only track from their debut album, Spice, that the Spice Girls never performed live. This has cemented its status as pleasant but forgettable album filler. Originally conceived as “First Time Lover,” a song about losing virginity, it might have been more impactful in its original, bolder form.
30. Voodoo (2007)
“Voodoo,” the other new track from their Greatest Hits reunion album, is superior to “Headlines.” A catchy leftover from the Forever sessions, it still doesn’t reach the heights of their 90s hits. It suggests the reunion music was primarily driven by nostalgia rather than a desire to break new ground musically within the realm of spice girls songs.
29. Tell Me Why (2000)
“Tell Me Why” showcases the tougher, more experimental side of Rodney Jerkins’ production on Forever. This sparse, uptempo R&B track features chattering electronic elements, hinting at a more contemporary sound for the Spice Girls. It’s a more adventurous track compared to some of the album’s ballads, though still not a standout hit.
28. Move Over (1997)
“Move Over” became heavily associated with Pepsi, one of the Spice Girls’ many endorsement deals in the late 90s. This commercial tie-in makes it hard to hear as a song independent of its advertising context. Compounding this, the song itself is flimsily constructed, making it sound more like a jingle than a fully realized spice girls song.
27. Christmas Wrapping (1998)
The Spice Girls weren’t known for their cover versions, often leaning towards karaoke staples. However, their rendition of the Waitresses’ “Christmas Wrapping” is an inspired choice. It arguably helped propel this 1981 song into the canon of beloved festive classics. It’s a fun, quirky Christmas track that stands out from typical holiday fare.
Spice Girls: Christmas Wrapping – stream Spotify
26. Oxygen (2000)
“Oxygen” is a super-smooth ballad that evokes the kind of mellow tracks you might hear on late-night radio. If you appreciate the idea of the Spice Girls venturing into sophisticated, adult contemporary territory, this track might appeal. It’s a departure from their usual high-energy pop, offering a calmer, more laid-back vibe.
25. Denying (1997)
“Denying” revisits the G-funk-influenced sound of their debut album, Spice. It unexpectedly paraphrases Ice Cube’s “Check Yo Self,” a nod to girl power from Compton’s leading exponent. As album filler goes, “Denying” is a surprisingly solid and interesting track, blending their pop sensibilities with a hint of hip-hop edge.
Spice Girls celebrating 21 years of the Prince’s Trust in 1997, showcasing their broad appeal and royal connections.
24. Take Me Home (1996)
“Take Me Home” is an interesting reflection of the musical trends of its era. There’s a clear trip-hop influence in its sparse breakbeat, sawing strings, and echoing wah-wah guitar and sax. It’s a more experimental and atmospheric track than much of their early work, showcasing a willingness to explore different sonic textures.
23. Holler (2000)
Rodney Jerkins was a strong production choice for Forever, though his more avant-garde tendencies were tempered by the need to create commercially viable Spice Girls songs. “Holler” exemplifies this balance. While serviceable and contemporary, it lacks the thrilling edge of Jerkins’ more groundbreaking work, like Brandy’s “What About Us.”
22. Do It (1997)
If “Viva Forever” was the Spice Girls’ take on Madonna’s “La Isla Bonita,” then “Do It” is their equivalent to “Express Yourself.” Lyrically, it’s surprisingly assertive, especially considering their young fanbase (“Keep your mouth shut, keep your legs shut, go back in your place”). It’s a song with a surprisingly strong message wrapped in a pop package within their collection of spice girls songs.
21. If You Wanna Have Some Fun (2000)
Produced by legendary duo Jam and Lewis, “If You Wanna Have Some Fun” is arguably the best track on Forever. It possesses a bounce and vitality missing from the rest of the album. The lyrics even quote Monty Python’s famous Candid Photography sketch (“Wink-wink, nudge-nudge”), an unexpected and quirky touch that sets it apart from their peers’ music.
Spice Girls: If You Wanna Have Some Fun – stream Spotify
20. Saturday Night Divas (1997)
“Saturday Night Divas” starts with an unexpected interpolation of Status Quo’s “Down Down.” Despite its title suggesting a high-energy party anthem, it’s a surprisingly understated piece of slow-motion, small-hours pop-funk. It’s a more mellow and groove-oriented track, showing a different facet of their musical style.
Spice Girls in Paris in 1996, capturing their early global impact and chic style.
19. Something Kinda Funny (1996)
“Something Kinda Funny” is rumored to be the demo track that secured the Spice Girls their deal with manager Simon Fuller. It’s a perfectly competent mid-90s pop-R&B song. However, its lyrics, occasionally echoing the rallying cry of “Wannabe” (“Play my game or get left behind”), might have been what truly caught Fuller’s attention, signaling their potential for pop dominance among spice girls songs.
18. The Lady Is a Vamp (1997)
A kitschy easy-listening revival was gaining traction around the time of Spiceworld, which might explain “The Lady Is a Vamp,” the album’s vaudeville-style closer. It features a very late-90s opening couplet: “Elvis was a Kula Shaker / Marley, Ziggy, Melody Makers.” It’s a fun, theatrical track that adds a unique flavor to their discography.
17. Naked (1996)
Listening back to the Spice Girls’ early albums, their conciseness and consistency stand out. “Naked,” from Spice, exemplifies this. It’s an appealing ballad enhanced with spoken-word vocals and fake phone messages, fitting snugly into the album’s tracklist without any excess.
Spice Girls: Naked – video Spotify
16. Goodbye (2000)
The Spice Girls faced the challenge of continuing without Geri Halliwell. “Goodbye,” their first single as a four-piece, was a decent enough song, though its title was arguably ill-chosen for a comeback single, suggesting defeat before they’d even begun. Musically, it hinted at a more mature direction, but perhaps at the cost of some of their original spark.
15. Never Give Up on the Good Times (1997)
“Never Give Up on the Good Times” underlines the quality of the Spice Girls’ first two albums. This classy slice of flute-heavy faux-disco could easily have been a single. It’s a sophisticated and catchy track that demonstrates the depth of their early songwriting.
14. Too Much (1997)
“Too Much,” a string-laden doo-wop pastiche, teeters on the edge of being schmaltzy. While not as successful as their Motown homage “Stop,” it’s still a charming track. It has a cabaret-like quality, although Mel C’s surprisingly gritty vocals in the bridge add an interesting contrast.
13. Outer Space Girls (1997)
“Outer Space Girls,” a B-side to “Too Much,” arguably outshines its A-side. It reworks the lyrics of Queen’s “Killer Queen” over a backing that sounds influenced by Massive Attack’s “Unfinished Sympathy” – with glowering strings and scratching. It’s a creative and unexpected B-side that showcases their musical experimentation within their spice girls songs.
Spice Girls: Outer Space Girls – stream Spotify
12. Mama (1996)
“Mama,” while a massive hit, is arguably the least appealing of the Spice Girls’ early singles. Corny and sentimental, it was strategically released for Mother’s Day. Its saving grace is a possible post-chorus musical quote from Talking Heads’ “This Must Be the Place,” an odd but intriguing detail.
11. If U Can’t Dance (1996)
“Whenever I go out, wherever it may be / Never is there a Keanu but a dweeb lookin’ at me,” Mel B raps on “If U Can’t Dance,” which samples Digital Underground. While her rapping isn’t stellar, it’s a perfect example of how the Spice Girls connected with their audience by reflecting their everyday experiences and frustrations back to them.
The iconic five-piece Spice Girls during the Wannabe era, embodying their girl-power message.
10. Love Thing (1996)
“Love Thing” ended up as an album track, but was reportedly considered as an early single. It’s a superior pop confection that would have likely been a hit following “Wannabe.” It showcases their knack for crafting catchy and upbeat pop tunes, a hallmark of the best spice girls songs.
9. Baby Come Round (1996)
“Baby Come Round” is one of the few Spice Girls B-sides that deserves repeated listens. This R&B-infused track is considerably classier and tougher than the double A-side “Mama”/”Who Do You Think You Are,” to which it played second fiddle. It features another example of Mel B’s endearingly Leeds-accented rapping.
8. Spice Up Your Life (1997)
Spiceworld was famously recorded “in the middle of the chaos,” and “Spice Up Your Life” reflects this. Written and recorded in a single afternoon, it has woeful lyrics (“Yellow man in Timbuktu / Colour for both me and you”) but an undeniable raw energy. Its chaotic creation is part of its charm and enduring appeal as a spice girls song.
Spice Girls: Spice Up Your Life – video
7. Walk of Life (1997)
Yes, the Spice Girls recorded a reggae track, and surprisingly, it’s quite good. “Walk of Life” combines a gritty reggae skank with lyrics celebrating London streets. It even foreshadows Lily Allen’s “LDN” in its fusion of reggae rhythms and urban lyrical themes. Mel B’s toasting might be divisive, but adds to its unique character.
6. Viva Forever (1997)
Released as a single in July 1998, “Viva Forever” was designed to soundtrack fleeting summer romances. With flamenco guitars and “hasta mañana” lyrics, it leans into romantic clichés. However, its dreamy lushness and melancholic undercurrent (despite pledges of forever, you sense it’s temporary) are undeniably compelling, making it a standout ballad among spice girls songs.
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5. Wannabe (1996)
“Wannabe,” the Spice Girls’ signature song, is by far their most enduring hit, boasting over 250 million more Spotify plays than its closest rival. Its brilliance lies in its simplicity: a bassline reminiscent of EMF’s “Unbelievable,” an incredibly catchy chorus, and a lot of shouting. The shouting is key, injecting a unique and powerful energy that set it apart from typical girl-group fare and launched the spice girls songs phenomenon.
Spice Girls: Wannabe – video
4. 2 Become 1 (1996)
“2 Become 1’s” lyrics, including a somewhat clunky safe-sex message, aren’t its strongest point. However, the melody is fantastic, the arrangement lush (with strings by Massive Attack collaborator Craig Armstrong), and the vocals, in a world of Auto-Tune perfection, sound charming and full of character. It’s a sophisticated and emotionally resonant ballad that showcases their vocal blend.
3. Stop (1997)
“Stop” is the Spice Girls’ closest brush with Britpop-era retromania, albeit focused on 60s pop, a genre largely ignored by platinum-selling indie bands of the time. While a Motown pastiche might seem obligatory for 90s/00s girl groups, “Stop” is joyous and infectious enough to transcend any cynicism. Its retro charm and irresistible energy make it a top-tier spice girls song.
2. Say You’ll Be There (1996)
“Wannabe” was branding genius, but “Say You’ll Be There,” its follow-up, was musically more sophisticated. Both verse and chorus melodies are instantly memorable, the G-funk influence is clear in the high sine-wave synths, there’s a Stevie Wonder-esque harmonica solo, and Mel C gets to showcase her vocal power. It solidified their status as more than just a one-hit wonder, demonstrating genuine musical depth.
1. Who Do You Think You Are (1996)
Time has been kind to the Spice Girls, silencing many of their 90s detractors. A new generation of female artists and writers acknowledges their galvanizing influence and credits them with introducing them to feminism through the slogan “girl power.” While some critics argued their image overshadowed their music, “Who Do You Think You Are” refutes this. It’s a perfectly crafted, melodically rich, brass-driven disco pastiche and, ultimately, the best of all spice girls songs. It’s a song that embodies their energy, their message, and their undeniable pop brilliance.
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