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Posted by: Spiceboy 5th May 2020, 09:42 PM

'Northern Star'
18th October 1999

1. Go
2. Northern Star
3. Goin' Down
4. I Turn to You
5. If That Were Me
6. Never Be the Same Again (feat. Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes)
7. Why
8. Suddenly Monday
9. Gaga
10. Be the One
11. Closer
12. Feel the Sun

2000 re-issue bonus tracks
13. Never Be the Same again (Single Mix)
14. I turn to you (Hex Hector Radio Mix)

---------------

It's a little later than we intended to post it (should have been last Friday) so apologies but here is the second solo Spice album to review, rate and opinionate!

Released on 18th October 1999 in the UK it debuted at #10. The release of Never Be the Same Again saw the album enter the top 10 again and peak at #5 for 2 weeks in March of 2000, but it was the release of I Turn to You which pushed Northern Star up to its peak position of #4 on 2nd September 2000 (nearly a year after release!).

Northern Star also went top 10 on the Danish, Dutch, Finnish, German, Hungarian, Irish, Norwegian, and Swedish (where it hit #1) charts across the world, while achieving top 40 positions on Australian, Austrian, Belgian, New Zealand and Swiss charts. It has sold between 3-4 million copies worldwide with over 890,000 of those in the United Kingdom alone.

What are your thoughts and opinions on this album? Which tracks do you like, love, hate? What's your favourite? Were the singles the correct choices? Rate the tracks in order of favourite to least favourite.

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https://i.imgur.com/vQyIciG.jpghttps://steveyb.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/Melanie-C/MelanieC-Sing02NorthernStar.jpghttps://steveyb.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/Melanie-C/MelanieC-Sing03NeverBeTheSameAgain.jpghttps://steveyb.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/Melanie-C/MelanieC-Sing04ITurnToYou.jpghttps://steveyb.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/Melanie-C/MelanieC-Sing05IfThatWereMe.jpg

Posted by: Spiceboy 5th May 2020, 09:48 PM

I'll fill my review in later as I'm too tired from figuring out how to post all that... pretty chuffed with myself right now

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 5th May 2020, 11:23 PM

This is a really good album, I still prefer reason, these 2 albums and spiceworld are my 3 fave spice related albums.Going down I wasnt sure of at first, but it grew on me, I always loved when you're gone with Bryan Adam's, but never be the same again is what really got me interested in her as a solo artist and was really impressed when I bought the album. Never sure if goin down was the right lead single or not but I dont think they could have released it any other time either. It served its purpose to get mel c known as not just a spice girl but doesn't represent the rest of the album.

Posted by: Mr.X 6th May 2020, 07:53 AM

This is a really great album indeed. Second best solo record, imo. It's great, experiments with loads of amazing sounds and has some quality tracks that were surprising back then and are even surprising now.

I think Mel had the right producers, at the right time in her career. Feel The Sun and the album version of I Turn To You are instant classics in her discography. She navigates rock, r'n'b and trip-hop quite nicely.

Wish she would have continued to experiment with her sound, and worked with interesting producers like in this record, as she showed that she had a lot to offer with it, hence the success. Think she would have grown into a much better artist if she had continued in that streak rather than go the 'pop' way or safe way or whatever they decided to do with Reason and the albums after. The drop in quality of music is STEEP after Northern Star, really. She never really recovered from it, both in quality of music, and in success (bar First Day of My Life in terms of success but we know why that happened the way it did lol).

Here's hoping her next album proves as interesting as this one, as she seems to hint at.

Here's how I would currently rate it:

1. Feel The Sun
2. I Turn To You (album)
3. Norther Star
4. Suddenly Monday
5. Never Be The Same Again
6. Closer
7. Go!
8. WHy
9. Be The One
10. Ga Ga
11. Goin Down
13. I Turn To You (single mix)
14. If That Were me

Honestly I think some of the singles were the wrong choice. Going Down is cute rock but as a single it was a bit embarrassing. Shoudl have been just an album track. If That Were Me just plods along and I cringe listening to the lyrics written by a multi-millionaire about the experiences of homeless people. I know it's with good intentions but it just reads badly, personally... Didnt clock that as a young fan, but nowadays it just doesnt ring true and it comes across a bit 'oh poor homeless people, here's some coins'..

the Hex Hector mix of I Turn To You is a classic, but I just doesnt really connect with it anymore. It's very 2000/2001 for me, it didnt age well for me and I honestly cant remember the last time I listened to it.

Northern Star, for me, continues to be her best single. What a tune! It deserved much better recognition and I think the main reason why it didnt get to be as big as NBTSA or ITTY is because of the dreadful video and the fact that the media really had it for anything Spice related back then. The song though, is impecable and still resonates today. The quality of the lyrics and production for me has yet to be matched (when it comes to singles) in her outputs.

Final words: RELEASE IT ON VINYL YOU COWARD!!

Posted by: vibe 6th May 2020, 09:58 AM

Melanie's best album for sure!

I love it because it is so varied. Themed albums are not always the best / necessary.

The hex hector remix of I Turn To You really propelled Melanie's career and made it long lasting. I remember rushing down to Woolworth's to buy Reason and was so disappointed because the same quality was not there !! It took me years to love Reason.

1. Go 8/10
2. Northern Star 9/10
3. Goin' Down 8/10
4. I Turn to You 10/10
5. If That Were Me 7/10
6. Never Be the Same Again (feat. Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes) 10/10
7. Why 9/10
8. Suddenly Monday 8/10
9. Gaga 7/10
10. Be the One 8/10
11. Closer 10/10
12. Feel the Sun 10/10

There is not one bad song on the album. I didnt love Goin Down at the time but now i do. It is amazing live and i would include it in every set !!

Singles.
1. Goin Down
2. Northern Star
3. I Turn To You
4. Closer (radio edit)

I do like ITWM but it did not deserve to be the final single. Closer would have been a hit, i think it would have gone top 10! It could have pushed the album 'closer' to 1 million sales.

Posted by: vibe 6th May 2020, 09:59 AM

One final thing i can never tell the difference between album version and single mix of NBTSA!

Posted by: ilovepollo 6th May 2020, 10:35 AM

The instrumental of the begining is different, there's a bit stop after the verse "now I know that we were close before....", and the lenght of the song is different too.

Posted by: Eduardo 6th May 2020, 03:10 PM

Good, but overrated.

Posted by: Spiceboy 6th May 2020, 03:26 PM

BAN

Posted by: Spiceboy 6th May 2020, 03:47 PM

After Spiceworld this is my favourite album of all the Spice related albums

I love how varied the tracklisting is with such a range of musical styles from rock to pop to rnb and trip-hop. It's nothing like I was expecting from any of the girls when it was initially released and it is the album to made me move away from just listening to pure pop acts like Steps, B*Witched etc to exploring acts like Fleetwood Mac and Alanis Morrisette at that time (and tons more going further).

I think every track is brilliant and the varied tracklist seems to work really well. I don't understand why she didn't continue to work with the likes o f William or Rick moving forwards as she created some great sounds with them.

The singles were again an mix of genres which reflects the contrast of the album. Going down was an interesting choice for first single, and not really the strongest choice to launch the album (as I suppose was seen by a #10 debut), however I guess it did it's job and showed she was not just Sporty Spice, I always though Go would have been a nice starter single. I wasn't a fan of going down at the time of release (it was too far removed from Spice Girls for me), it was the second single that connected for me. However I grew to love it pretty quickly and I think it's brilliant live!
The follow up of Northern star was an inspired choice as it was very far removed from Going down and clearly resonated better with the public as it's sales are quite high for a #4 single at that time.
Never be the same again of course is just wonderful, and did it's job giving the album the boost it needed as well as being a huge hit in it's own right across Europe. Shame this was never given a US push, the combination of her and Lisa Left Eye alongside the RnB vibe to it would have fit well in America. I wonder how the album would have charted had she released this as her debut single instead of Going down?
I turn to you is great on the album I love the vibe of it, however I feel like the single version boosts it commerically in a huge way. It's such an uplifting get up and dance to it song I adore it, one of my fave solo Spice releases.
If that were me. I actually think this is a beautiful song I love the music and it has good intentions. Should it have been the 5th single I'm not so sure. It's sales were pretty healthy considering it only charted in the bottom end of the top 20. I feel like it could have been boosted with Suddenly Monday perhaps as an A-side to give it an extra push, and also show another vibe to the album? Closer would have been my preferred final single though I think that song is epic. a Closer / Suddenly Monday a-side please! Again I do like If that were me live and I loved the If that were me / Fragile mix on the Sea tour!

1. Never be the same again (both versions) 10/10
2. I turn to you (Hex Hector Mix) 10/10
3. Northern star 10/10
4. Closer 10/10
5. Be the one 10/10
6. Go 10/10
7. Suddenly Monday 10/10
8. Feel the sun 10/10
9. Why 9/10
10. Going down 8/10
11. I turn to you (album version) 8/10
12. If that were me 8/10
13. Gaga 8/10

Another thing the first 4 music videos are fab

Final thing I have huge love for her B-side I want you back from this era too

Posted by: gabry 6th May 2020, 04:32 PM

Never be the same again, i turn to you, if that were me, northern star, be the one

Posted by: Michael Andrew 6th May 2020, 05:29 PM

Northern Star is, of course, an incredible debut album by any standards. Just look at those names.

If they'd gone with a poppier lead single, I think album sales would've been less of a slow burn, and it would've gone to #1. But I can see why Melanie wanted Goin' Down to herald a departure. So from that point of view, props to her.

My dream singles run would've been:

1. Go!
2. Northern Star
3. Never Be The Same Again
4. I Turn To You
5. Ga Ga

Posted by: schizo_spice 6th May 2020, 05:46 PM

Probably my second or third fave solo record (between this and Free Me)

Like Schizphonic it evokes many happy memories of 1999/2000.

I wasn't a big Goin Down fan so wasnt instantly drawn to getting this album. I bought it after the release of Northern Star the single. Fantastic artwork, although the arrangement of the lyrics is absolutely horrendous and still gives me a sore head attempting to read them

The middle 3 singles of this album were all stellar 10/10 moments. Wasn't a huge fan of the other two though.

My fave album track? Probably Closer or Gaga. Why was good but definitely came more alive when she performed it live.

Posted by: Jay ☆ 7th May 2020, 05:41 PM

My favourite solo Spice album

Initially I wasn't into this era. Goin' Down left me cold at the time of its release, although it's a song I came to appreciate a few years later. It was a bit of a shock to the system and I guess 11 year old me wasn't quite ready for it! I don't have particularly strong memories of when Northern Star was a single (somehow I didn't even see the music video for it at the time)... I'm not sure why I wasn't paying attention! S Club 7, Steps and Britney were probably occupying my time musically, ha. I belatedly ended up loving this song though, it's one of her very best. I didn't buy either of her first two singles; years later when I decided I wanted to have a better Spice Girls collection, I found them in charity shops or eBay.

I asked for the Northern Star album CD for Christmas 1999 and I received it (thanks Santa x) but I remember not liking it much at first. Which sames crazy now, but yeah, I definitely dismissed it for a short while.

Never Be the Same Again is when I really came on board with Melanie C the solo artist! I can't remember if it made much of an impression on me in Christmas 99, possibly not, but when it became a single I certainly paid attention and loved it. Then it went to #1! Very deserved. I'm sure around that time I would have reassessed the album, and changed my view on it. I ended up playing it a lot in 2000!

I was obsessed with I Turn to You. Its single mix was totally perfect for summer 2000, and I find it very nostalgic to listen to these days.

I know that If That Were Me is disliked by many fans, but I've always had a soft spot for it. Are the lyrics a bit on the nose, for sure, but it felt well intended and at the end of the day, particularly as it raised money for charity.

Such a fantastic era and obviously Melanie's commercial peak, and I would argue her creative peak too.

Posted by: Jay ☆ 7th May 2020, 06:17 PM

A Smash Hits interview which I assume is from when she was promoting Never Be the Same Again:

Click to read: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EWmbjNHWoAA7IcV?format=jpg&name=large

Lol at "Victoria has a lot of film scripts to get through". Also, Melanie referring to a second solo album, that early on... I wonder if that was more in terms of ideas and a little bit of writing? A bit weird she used that as an excuse regarding why Forever wouldn't be out for a while.


The main thing I wanted to focus on though is the last question, regarding the five "worst awards" she won at the 1999 Smash Hits Poll Winners Party. Looking back, it's kind of crazy to me that a child/teen magazine was actively encouraging youngsters to be mean. Awards like "most tragic haircut" and "worst dressed" are quite cruel and personal. I can't help but wonder whether moments like this were triggering for Melanie and ate away at her self-esteem. It was certainly a different time. If the magazine or awards show existed now, I'm sure it would prompt backlash on social media. Imagine if a member of Little Mix was declared to have won awards like that? It wouldn't go down well at all.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/551816.stm

Posted by: schizo_spice 7th May 2020, 07:12 PM

I remember reading about that gig Mel and Geri both appeared at and had a backstage reunion, I think that was why Mel was so pro Geri collecting the Brit Award with them.

Shame we didn't get a pic would've been strange seeing Geri and Mel pictured together from that era.

Posted by: Spiceboy 7th May 2020, 08:21 PM

I always thought those Smash Hit awards were just uncalled for, don't know who thought it was a good idea... then again the media in general were no better. I remember Christina Aguilera winning worse dressed female and ugliest female, so vile.

Posted by: Mr.X 7th May 2020, 10:06 PM

A lot of the British press are incredibly mean. Smash Hits was awful too. Those awards would have been DRAGGED today (and rightly so!)

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 7th May 2020, 10:16 PM

Smash hits had as many worst categories as best and looking back it most have been a complete confidence killer been voted worst in anything.It ran for years though and no one batted an eye lid.

Posted by: Piers 23rd May 2020, 08:54 PM

The album's all over the place...and I love that about it. Critics are always calling for cohesion for an album. But. Honestly, Northern Star seems to encapsulate who Mel was at that time. Aren't we all inspired by many types of music? Why limit yourself when expressing who you are?

Few thoughts. Despite the...surprising...new look and sound, I've always liked Goin Down, even from first listen. I don't really think it was the best song to launch the album, though. If she wanted to go rock, I think both Go! and Gaga are more obviously radio friendly (though I realize the latter had already appeared on a big movie soundtrack). I get she probably wanted to arrive in the boldest way possible. But...like I said about Mel B's debut, I'm not sure a lot of the girls' attempts to be edgy paid off.

I've always found the song Northern Star to be gorgeous. It was my favorite song from this era on first listen...though the remix of I Turn To You is so epic, I can't really choose between the two now.

I don't hate it...but If That Were Me is my clear least favorite song on the album...which made it even odder for me when it got picked as a single. (though I get it was for a good cause)

Even the b-sides and unreleased material from this era is really, really good. In fact, I think Follow Me, Something's Gonna Happen, and Independence Day were probably too good to be left off the album. She opened her earliest shows with Something's Gonna Happen...so she had to know it was quite good. I like those three tracks better than probably all but three or four songs on Reason.

Posted by: Jay* 28th September 2020, 08:37 PM

Goin' Down was released on 27th September 1999, which means the Northern Star era began 21 years ago!

I really didn't connect with Goin' Down when it was new, 11 year old me was just not here for it considering I was bopping to Steps and S Club 7 I found appreciation for it in later years. It was a risky first single, and I guess it somewhat paid off given it peaked at #4. It certainly got her a lot of attention.

It's a pity that such a successful album still isn't on vinyl.

Posted by: Jay* 12th November 2020, 08:12 AM

The artwork for Northern Star on digital and streaming platforms was finally fixed this week, to the classic artwork we know and love!



It used to use this cover instead:



So glad it was fixed, the original artwork can’t be beaten & it looks sooo much better on her music pages.

~~~~~

Also we forgot to mark its 21st anniversary last month! Released 18th October 1999!

Posted by: Liam.k. 12th November 2020, 08:22 AM

I’ve been so used to seeing that alternative cover, I thought it was the official one! 🙈

Posted by: Jay* 12th November 2020, 08:36 AM

Technically it is official in that it was used for her USA / Canada releases of the album! In the UK & Australia that image was used as the artwork for CD2 of Goin’ Down.

Posted by: Mr.X 12th November 2020, 10:22 AM

I actually dont mind the cover that was used before, always liked that picture. It looked quite rock'n'roll.

Posted by: Pearll 12th November 2020, 11:04 AM

I want Northern Star to pass 900.000 units in UK.

Is it hard to achieve at this point?

With vinyl release she would achieve that easily.

Posted by: Mr.X 12th November 2020, 12:37 PM

I would like that too! A re-edition would be good, as I believe it is completely out of print for many years now. If she ever gets around to release it on vinyl, that would certainly boost it for a couple of thousand at least.

I was wondering if this year's era has given any of her albums a boost at all. I know it was on 892,935 back in May (thanks Jay you total babestation) and it would be nice to see if with her increase in streaming numbers, if any other sales were made too for her past catalogue.

Posted by: vibe 12th November 2020, 01:53 PM

I much prefer the original cover !!

Posted by: dancinqueen 12th November 2020, 04:01 PM

Same. So iconic.

Posted by: Voodoo 12th November 2020, 05:54 PM

I wonder what prompted the change. Was it Melanie that initiated it or Virgin? But hey, better late than never.

I'd imagine she lost a lot of downloads & streams due to the incorrect (& unrecognizable) artwork being used for 15 years.

Posted by: spiceboy 12th November 2020, 06:23 PM

So glad the proper UK artwork is back up, it's her best (all the solo albums best!) cover ever!

Posted by: dancinqueen 12th November 2020, 07:16 PM

Queen C, best solo album ever. Regardless of the cover.
I listened to it last night and I got goosebumps.

Posted by: Jay* 12th November 2020, 07:20 PM

Posted by: Piers 14th November 2020, 10:37 PM

^ As I bought the album in the US, I actually tend to recognize the blue top as being the Northern Star cover art. The way my album was set up...the blue top was actually a sleeve, and the regular shot of her sitting on the rock was underneath. I don't know this for a fact, but I always guessed that the sleeve came about in the US because Mel C's top is see through on the back of the original album art.

Posted by: tommie 15th November 2020, 06:33 AM

What the f*** is this artwork? Why are her arms so veiny and why is her arm hair so pronounced? Seriously, who the hell thought this cover was a good idea?

Posted by: Mr.X 15th November 2020, 11:34 AM

Whats wrong with having arm hair? And veins? Women have arm hair and veins too you know? I really like this cover, personally. It has a lot of personality and style.

Posted by: tommie 15th November 2020, 11:58 AM

Nothing wrong with having either, it's just weirdly pronounced in this picture as I haven't seen other pictures from that era that had the same thing. Add that Melanie struggled with people calling her "manly" and "butch", so it seems like an odd choice to choose that picture (both are associated with men).

Posted by: spiceboy 15th November 2020, 12:20 PM

I agree with this, we need to stop with projecting things onto men/women. The only thing I don't like about the cover is that it crops the top of her head off that's always bugged me

Posted by: Jay❄ 27th March 2021, 02:29 AM

Never Be the Same Again was the UK’s #1 single 21 years ago this week!

Posted by: spiceboy 27th March 2021, 11:55 AM

Melanie C's golden era

Posted by: SpiceWorldItaly 28th March 2021, 05:53 PM

What a masterpiece this album!

Posted by: spiceboy 28th March 2021, 09:12 PM

Truly is

Posted by: Spice Girls Net 3rd April 2021, 11:56 AM

I Turn To You
Never Be The Same Again
When You’re Gone

A pretty iconic trio of hits for Melanie and I would say still remembered by the public. I’ve heard NBTSA on radio a few times recently which is nice

Posted by: Mr.X 3rd April 2021, 12:40 PM

They might be iconic in the Spice fandom but they are also pretty crap songs

Posted by: Mr.X 3rd April 2021, 12:41 PM

We never give the album version of I Turn To You any credit. Now THAT is a an amazing song, forgotten by the trash that is the single release

Posted by: spiceboy 3rd April 2021, 03:18 PM

🤣 funny you say this because I bet if you asked the general public their favourite solo spice song these three would come up more than nearly every other song. Geri’s It’s raining men is probably the only other song that could compete.

Posted by: Mr.X 3rd April 2021, 03:56 PM

huney, the General Public is consistently lapping up terrible music that is fed to them by the industry, this isn't news and it certainly doesnt mean it is good

Posted by: Chemistry 3rd April 2021, 04:22 PM

Obviously everyone has a different taste, and you may not like these songs, but calling them "crap" is a joke.

Posted by: Mr.X 3rd April 2021, 04:31 PM

Posted by: Mr.X 3rd April 2021, 04:34 PM

This is trash, boring and dated:



This is a gorgeous song:

Posted by: Chemistry 3rd April 2021, 05:00 PM

I'm sure Bimini strongly disagrees with your statement

Posted by: tommie 3rd April 2021, 06:10 PM

Oh, I agree that the Hex Hector mix is beyond dated at this point, just like any Almighty remix. I only listen to the album version these days (well, since it was released tbh I was never a fan of the HH remix).

Posted by: Mr.X 3rd April 2021, 09:04 PM

I love Bimini and I trust she would have good taste and agree with me

Posted by: Mr.X 3rd April 2021, 09:05 PM

It is the only version worth listening to Like, I get it, it was fun back in 2000 but it was so 'of its moment' that it just sounds cringe nowadays ah

Posted by: spiceboy 3rd April 2021, 09:31 PM

That to me is the worst argument ever, I mean 80's new wave is not suddenly crap because it's of it's moment, neither is Motown because it's of it's moment, 70's glam rock isn't either and so on... It's fair enough if you don't like these songs however the fact all three are in the top 5 most streamed and downloaded songs in the solo spice discography say's a lot about the quality of the songs. Fair enough if it's a one off novelty song like Mr Blobby or Teletubbies yeah they are crap and of their moment but to have three says a lot about the quality of the songs... The entire of the Northern Star era was very high quality.

Posted by: Mr.X 3rd April 2021, 09:42 PM

Northern Star was a great album indeed, but to me NBTSA and IITY (HH mix) where not it, specially ITTY...

ITTY specially feels stuck in time and it is not a mix that works well outside its very specific year 2000, same with Out of Your Mind. Like, it's fine if you like that type of pop/dance music but I always found it quite crap and in the case of ITTY, a cheap take on a great song.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 5th April 2021, 02:54 AM

I'd love if mel could have an album that could even manage a quarter of northern stars success.

Posted by: spiceboy 5th April 2021, 10:10 AM

Wouldn't we all! I mean 200,000 is actually a big selling album nowadays

Posted by: schizo_spice 5th April 2021, 11:48 AM

Getting a silver album (60k) is an achievement nowadays.

Posted by: Mr.X 5th April 2021, 12:12 PM

#JusticeforLifeinMono

Posted by: tommie 5th April 2021, 12:14 PM

Life in Mono isn't Silver.

Posted by: Mr.X 5th April 2021, 12:16 PM

Should be 10 x platinum babes

Posted by: spiceboy 5th April 2021, 01:03 PM

Certainly is I’d say a silver album is a successful album now. 100k is a big seller and 200K+ is a huge campaign 🙈 how times have changed.

Posted by: Nina West 18th October 2021, 10:26 PM

Posted by: Voodoo 18th October 2021, 10:59 PM

The album version is not forgotten. It is doing very well on Spotify.

Posted by: spiceboy 19th October 2021, 06:13 AM

Omg closer is NOT a filler track it’s stunning!! 😱

Posted by: -Jay- 19th October 2021, 09:53 AM

That’s the first time I’ve seen Closer disregarded as filler! It’s a highlight 😱 A great review overall though.

Maybe a coincidence that you reviewed it on the album’s 22nd anniversary!

Posted by: Mazon Mount 19th October 2021, 11:40 AM

Loved that review except calling Closer a album filler I agree with the rest.

Posted by: dancinqueen 19th October 2021, 02:39 PM

One of the best albums of those years. Best solo album ever. IMHO part of the trinity (Spice, Spice World, Northern Star).

I don’t agree with Closer being called a filler, but I can get some people not being into long outros and stuff.

Posted by: Babyboy 19th October 2021, 08:58 PM

Fantastic album.
Did she do a track by track review?

Posted by: Voodoo 19th October 2021, 09:03 PM

Yes, see https://twitter.com/search?q=(%23TBTNorthernStar)%20(from%3AMelanieCmusic)&src=typed_query&f=live.

Posted by: Alberto! 19th October 2021, 10:52 PM

Closer is easily one of my fave tracks on NS, the production in particular is flawle$$.

Posted by: Lukuzz 20th October 2021, 02:08 PM

22 years, wow I feel ancient ! Such an iconic album

Posted by: vibe 20th October 2021, 04:00 PM

Closer (edit) should have been the 5th single

Posted by: Nina West 20th October 2021, 05:48 PM

I gave 'Closer' another listen & rexamed it, hope u guys like it?

Posted by: vibe 20th October 2021, 08:17 PM

👏

Posted by: Voodoo 20th October 2021, 08:30 PM

Now that's better.

I recommend watching this unofficial video that brings to life the beauty of 'Closer':

Posted by: tommie 20th October 2021, 08:39 PM

See kids, bullying someone into liking something works.

Posted by: spiceboy 21st October 2021, 06:21 AM

Posted by: dancinqueen 21st October 2021, 09:23 AM

Boys by former Little Mix Jesy. I dare you 😂

Posted by: Lukuzz 21st October 2021, 09:24 AM

Listened to this yesterday for the first time in a while, got to admit I love the singles but the album tracks aren’t very memorable to me

Posted by: dancinqueen 21st October 2021, 09:33 AM

How dare you! 😂 Northern Star is the Bible.

Posted by: Mr.X 21st October 2021, 09:57 AM

Northern Star has great songs!

Northern Star (the song), I Turn To You (album version), Go, Closer, Gaga, Why, Feel The Sun are all stellar tracks. Most of the singles were rubbish, imo though...

Posted by: dancinqueen 21st October 2021, 12:01 PM

Maybe, you are wrong
Ba-da-da-da-da, ba-da-da-da-da-da

NBTSA is the best solo song. Goin’ Down is 100% energy. I agree with ITWM being not single material. But the whole album is great.

Go back and listen to Emma 😂 (I choose All I Need To Know, my favorite song of hers).

Posted by: dromeda 21st October 2021, 12:33 PM

Northern Star and MELANIE C... are the only albums I can listen to without skipping any songs.

GaGa should have been a single instead of ITWM.

Posted by: Mr.X 21st October 2021, 12:47 PM

Goin' Down is embarrassing. It sounds so fake to me, like she is trying something that is just not her at all. ITWM is also pretty bad. It works in the context of the album but as a single? Jesus...

I think the album is really good, and it all works together. Just my preferences lay somewhere else other than most of the singles (bar Northern Star. That's a wonderful song, probably Mel's best to this date!).

All I Need to Know is Thanks, Im gonna listen to Life in Mono again right now

Posted by: dancinqueen 21st October 2021, 02:38 PM

Same. Love Northern Star the song. And Life in Mononucleosis is still one of my fave solo albums.

I don’t agree on Goin’ Down, I think she was really unwell at the time and she tried whatever she could to find an identity. She was the one in the back, she struggled all her career to find a voice. To me, the most honest she’s been is Melanie C the album.

Posted by: Mr.X 21st October 2021, 02:51 PM

Oh yeah, agree too! Going' Down does sound like someone trying to find a voice. It just doesnt sound very good to me, but thats ok. It's still a great album!

Posted by: vibe 21st October 2021, 04:08 PM

Melanie totally owns GD when she performs it live. Not fake at all !!

She kills it !!!

I did not adore this song until witnessing it live.

Posted by: Voodoo 21st October 2021, 05:11 PM

I hope for a 25th anniversary edition of Northern Star. It has the potential to have an a-m-a-z-i-n-g tracklisting.

Posted by: -Jay- 16th February 2022, 05:56 PM

This is finally being released on vinyl in April as part of Record Store Day

Posted by: Voodoo 16th February 2022, 06:11 PM

Melanie has just posted about it herself!

I think it's worth editing the topic title, by the way.

https://recordstoreday.co.uk/rsd-list/melanie-c/



According to Record Store Day USA, only 2,500 copies will be made!

https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/14791

Posted by: -Jay- 16th February 2022, 07:42 PM

I’m a little disappointed that Side D isn’t being used for more songs (they could have used more B sides - or even spread the 15 tracks across 4 sides instead of cramming them onto 3)… although I guess the etching could look cute.

I’m looking forward to it anyway!

With it being a “RSD First” release, that means it’ll get a wider pressing afterwards, so I don’t think any fans will struggle to get a copy eventually.

Posted by: Lukuzz 16th February 2022, 07:53 PM

Might have to get this one !

Posted by: Mr.X 16th February 2022, 08:09 PM

It does look cute but the idea that a whole side of a vinyl doesnt have any music, is weird... I will get it of course, and will pop over one of the shops to see if it is available, but if not I shall wait for a wider release...

Posted by: Voodoo 16th February 2022, 09:33 PM

Already listed on Rough Trade: https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/melanie-c/northern-star

Posted by: Herbs 16th February 2022, 10:34 PM

Oooooh I am tempted by this one - asides from the singles I looooooove Closer & Feel The Sun

Posted by: Jade 16th February 2022, 10:35 PM

Definitely one of my top wants for RSD this year - my favourite solo Spice album!

Posted by: sammy01 16th February 2022, 10:56 PM

That side D is a massive missed oppurtunity to have put some extras on it. Good it is getting a vinyl release though, I'm sure I'll pick up a copy.

Posted by: schizo_spice 17th February 2022, 12:15 AM

Nice to see it finally get the treatment.

Hope Schizophonic is next

Posted by: Chemistry 17th February 2022, 06:26 AM

Very good news! RSD releases always stress me out a bit, as usually they are quite exclusive, so I hope I'll manage to get a copy.

Posted by: Blond 2.0 17th February 2022, 04:58 PM

Awesome and closer is a masterpiece I can't believe some of you don't like the album cover it's her best album cover and it's so stunning and fits the vibe

Posted by: tommie 17th February 2022, 05:30 PM

Shizophonic was set to be re-released a few years ago, but Geri put a halt to it because she was going to release new music herself and didn't want it to be overshadowed

Posted by: sammy01 17th February 2022, 07:12 PM

I'm still baffled at them leaving a whole side blank. I love NS, have always wanted it on vinyl so will buy it but it is still mind boggling to not include at least the b-sides.

Posted by: Voodoo 17th February 2022, 09:52 PM

UMC didn't put ANY bonus tracks on the various vinyl releases of Spice, Spiceworld, Forever & Greatest Tits.

The fact that they included Follow Me as well as the single versions of NBTSA & ITTY is a bonus in itself.

I'm sure the etching will be a nice touch.

Posted by: Mr.X 17th February 2022, 11:04 PM

I SCREAMED

But in all seriousness, no it isn't *a nice touch*, it actually is quite wasteful and a clear bad decision. If they didnt want to put more tracks on, they could have easily spread the already existing tracklist over the 4 sides and the quality of the sound would be objectively better.

Further to that, vinyl production is already quite tough and bad for the environment so not making the most of it sounds awful to me.

It is quite a baffling decision, imo... I might wait for the wider release and see how that compares actually...

Posted by: sammy01 17th February 2022, 11:12 PM

Then they would have needed to add a 2nd vinyl and make it more expensive for the Spice Girls releases. It is exactly why they didn't add the extra tracks to the spice25 vinyls to keep them at a reasonable price. This NS being a double vinyl is likely to be £30 or more already and has 1 side of a vinyl completely empty. It is a waste and we will also be paying for the wasted side too.

Posted by: vibe 18th February 2022, 06:33 AM

This will be a lively item to have !!

Posted by: Voodoo 23rd February 2022, 07:15 PM

Also on Banquet Records: https://www.banquetrecords.com/melanie-c/northern-star-%5Brsd22%5D/3889368

Do we know how many copies are (roughly) needed in order to crack the Albums Chart Top 100 these days?

Posted by: -Jay- 23rd February 2022, 11:27 PM

Recently 1,300 - 1,400!

Approaching 900 to go Top 200... hopefully she can at least do that. If it re-entered the album would finally achieve its 100th week in the UK Top 200!

Posted by: pippa 24th February 2022, 12:58 AM

This release should easily return the album for its 100th week Top 200.
That said I think it will comfortably make a Top 100 return.

Posted by: sammy01 24th February 2022, 01:57 PM

Emma released her album on record store day in 2019 and I see to remember it making the album market much stronger that week.

Posted by: Mr.X 24th February 2022, 04:08 PM

Yeah it was a mistake as some albums that were released that week as part of the Record Store Day campaign did prevent My Happy Place from going Top10

Northern Star should easily get into the Top200 for sure, if lucky it could go Top100

Posted by: sammy01 24th February 2022, 06:19 PM

I think the price and availability will have a big deciding factor on if it charts or not tbh.

Posted by: Voodoo 24th February 2022, 06:54 PM

I didn't know that!

Hopefully, with a fan-driven campaign that will be assisted by streaming & downloads, we can get it to spend another week in the UK Top 200.

Posted by: Babyboy 14th March 2022, 08:46 PM

It's on Amazon France.

Posted by: Skankhunt43 15th March 2022, 08:11 PM

Shame she couldn't keep up the quality Imagine 3-5 albums of this quality!!! She would have been the female Robbie.

Posted by: Mr.X 15th March 2022, 08:15 PM

Yeah it was such a nose dive after this, she never quite recovered in terms of quality. I guess the latest album is her best since, but after 20 years of middle of the road pop, that isnt saying much...

I will buy this vinyl for sure!!

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 16th March 2022, 12:22 AM

Ya the nose dive was big after this album, while I prefer reason I was really disappointed with chart run and sales at the time.

Posted by: -Jay- 16th March 2022, 09:19 AM

Just a little over 5 weeks to go until the Northern Star vinyl is released. I'm so excited for it!

I wonder if it'll appear on all Amazon countries soon

Posted by: Blond 2.0 19th March 2022, 05:54 PM

why follow me

Posted by: Voodoo 19th March 2022, 06:09 PM

It was a bonus track on the Japanese edition of Northern Star.

Posted by: spiceboy 19th March 2022, 08:30 PM

The b-side I would want is I want you back always thought that should have made the album!

Posted by: pippa 20th March 2022, 09:29 PM

Do you expect Mel to promote the vinyl release?

Posted by: Blond 2.0 20th March 2022, 11:35 PM

I see

Posted by: Blond 2.0 20th March 2022, 11:36 PM

I don't think so she'll post about it and that is it

Posted by: Voodoo 14th April 2022, 08:27 PM

Only 9 nights to go!

Posted by: pippa 14th April 2022, 11:26 PM

The time for its arrival has come around quickly.

Posted by: vibe 14th April 2022, 11:42 PM

Looks good !!

Posted by: -Jay- 15th April 2022, 06:43 AM

So excited for this!!

Posted by: Mr.X 15th April 2022, 09:39 AM

Gosh Im going to get it next week!!

Posted by: spiceboy 15th April 2022, 05:53 PM

I am so hoping I can grab a copy of this, while I am selling my spice girls stuff this is an essential for me, I’ve kept a basic vinyl and cd of each album! ❤️

Posted by: spiceboy 15th April 2022, 05:53 PM

Oh apart from My Happy Place because let’s face it… it’s a big shit 🤣

Posted by: spiceboy 15th April 2022, 05:54 PM

Oops 🙊 meant to type but not big 🤣🤣🤣

Posted by: spiceboy 15th April 2022, 05:54 PM

BIT ffs 🤦‍♂️

Posted by: hermespice 15th April 2022, 06:26 PM

I’m freaking out because I’ve got to work next Saturday. Probably will miss this.

Posted by: Blond 2.0 15th April 2022, 06:30 PM

Looks amazing dame

Posted by: Mr.X 15th April 2022, 08:39 PM

That's karma for not keeping your Baby Bunton vinyl, bitch

Posted by: -Jay- 21st April 2022, 08:38 PM

Only a couple of days to go, although I will either be getting it from eBay or ideally trying to remain patient for the independent store online sales on 29th April

Posted by: spiceboy 21st April 2022, 09:11 PM

How can you buy it online? Sadly I cannot get out to purchase it ion Saturday.

Posted by: -Jay- 22nd April 2022, 06:56 PM

Friday 29th April from 8pm, lots of choice:

https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/melanie-c/northern-star

https://www.resident-music.com/productdetails&product_id=88365

https://www.juno.co.uk/artists/Melanie+C/

https://assai.co.uk/products/melanie-c-northern-star-vinyl-lp-rsd-2022?_pos=15&_sid=923c6a775&_ss=r

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 22nd April 2022, 11:23 PM

If this was released last Friday I think it could have went top 40 this week or close to it at the least.

Posted by: Chemistry 23rd April 2022, 05:15 AM

I'm going to go to my local record store at 9 sharp! Very curious to see if they'll have this, fingers crossed.

Posted by: Babyboy 23rd April 2022, 06:25 AM

A lot of stores in Italy have it... Loads of copy.

Posted by: vibe 23rd April 2022, 09:00 AM

I queued this morning but no ‘Northern Star’ luckily a friend up north got me a copy!

Posted by: spiceboy 23rd April 2022, 09:56 AM

Will have to keep my fingers crossed some are still available!

Posted by: vibe 23rd April 2022, 11:16 AM

^ they will def come available dont rush to ebay and pay over price.

Posted by: spiceboy 23rd April 2022, 01:25 PM

Oh I won’t no chance if I don’t get it normal price then I’ve missed out 🤣 my collecting days are behind me I collect things for the house now like plants for the garden and a new *iamspamspamami🤣🤣🤣

Posted by: spiceboy 23rd April 2022, 01:26 PM

Why is it changing to iamspamspamami

Posted by: Yobnedor 23rd April 2022, 02:35 PM

Are you trying to say the room where you cook things?

Posted by: spiceboy 23rd April 2022, 06:23 PM

yes I am.

Posted by: sammy01 23rd April 2022, 06:44 PM

Didn't get it today, had a busy day. Can hopefully pick up a copy online or another time.

Posted by: Mr.X 23rd April 2022, 07:37 PM

I walked past some vinyls shops in Porto today and went in to check and was pleasantly surprised about them having the NS vinyl but then SHOCKED that they were selling all RSD released at €38!! I cant give that much for a new vinyl, sorry...

I will wait to see if it gets more widely available.

Posted by: Yobnedor 23rd April 2022, 07:41 PM

That word autocorrects to iamspamspamamibecause a lot of spam accounts joined in quick succession with spam posts all talking about (that room) so they put a filter block on the word haha!

Posted by: michael319 24th April 2022, 02:08 AM

Why was this not available in the US?

Do we think a wider release is coming.

Posted by: spiceboy 24th April 2022, 02:39 AM

It was available in some stores. It comes down to the stores ordering in time or not wanting to order.

Posted by: masahiro 24th April 2022, 06:20 AM

I just ordered my copy!
HMV Japan online store has it!

Posted by: vibe 24th April 2022, 07:41 AM

It was def released in USA , seen americans post in Spice Circle!!

Posted by: -Jay- 24th April 2022, 11:42 AM

I'm so anxious to wait another 5 days to try and get this, but unfortunately it's not convenient for me to be able to go to a store.

I'm determined to not surrender to the scalper prices though! It's a bit ridiculous that the cheapest eBay UK price for a 'buy it now' is £70. People are so opportunistic

Keeping my fingers crossed I'll have good luck on the 29th anyway. I'm not sure why the UK stores need to wait 6 days to put them online, I'm pretty sure previous years it was on the evening of Record Store Day. I've seen that European stores have already been selling stock online.

From the pictures I've seen, the vinyl looks really good! Love the gatefold and all the pictures used. I'm still not wild about the etching on Side D when that could have been used for more music instead, but never mind.

Posted by: -Jay- 24th April 2022, 11:45 AM

Melanie's tweet about the vinyl, from yesterday:

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 25th April 2022, 04:46 PM

Doesnt seem to be top 40 in mids revealed so far,, I thought it may start the week if nothing else in the top 40. I'm starting to doubt it will make the top 100 this week now although not all orders will be shipped yet so those sales may have to be added in.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 25th April 2022, 04:51 PM

Its number 82

Posted by: -Jay- 25th April 2022, 05:03 PM

There isn't any shipping this week, the only vinyl sales it'll achieve are from people going to the stores to buy it! Online sales are from Friday 29th.

I don't think #82 is disappointing. I'm assuming that might be 600+ copies sold? As far as I'm aware only 950 copies were made available for the UK.

Posted by: Spice Girls Net 25th April 2022, 05:11 PM

Hey Jay

As you’re the chart expert would it also help if any of us were to download or stream NS this week?

Posted by: -Jay- 25th April 2022, 05:16 PM

It certainly wouldn't harm!

I unfortunately don't have any midweek sales data today, so it's difficult to tell whether it has a realistic chance of remaining Top 200. I mean it could be 700+ sales or even 800+ sales that have been sold, normally it wouldn't be that high for #82, but you never know this week with all these RSD releases in the chart.

Posted by: tommie 25th April 2022, 05:23 PM

Did anyone really expect it to do big numbers? I kind of just assumed it wouldn't even chart because it's a solo Spice album, even if it's the best-selling one.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 25th April 2022, 05:24 PM

I didnt expect big numbers I just thought it would get a top 100 re entry.

Posted by: Voodoo 25th April 2022, 05:51 PM

Can we organize a Northern Star streaming party for tomorrow to help its chances?

Posted by: vibe 25th April 2022, 06:36 PM

How does the person know that 950 copies were available to UK only?

Posted by: Voodoo 25th April 2022, 06:40 PM

It says so here: https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/melanie-c/northern-star

Posted by: -Jay- 25th April 2022, 07:47 PM

We should do it Spice Circle people need to too!

Well the midweeks aren’t as much as I’d hoped, in fact oddly the sales are about the same as normal even with all these RSD albums in there.

Northern Star has sold 578 units so far. 564 is vinyl, 7 downloads (surprised at that), 6 streaming units (☹️) and 1 CD. It sold 46 copies yesterday.

Sadly I don’t think there’s much chance of it staying Top 200 by Friday. Lots of albums below it are “selling” 100+ or 200+ per day from streaming, so they’ll all surge ahead of Melanie over the next few days. Last week’s #200 sold 846. So Melanie really needs to sell another 300 this week to have a fighting chance of remaining in the chart.

The annoying thing is that clearly there are a few hundred copies still out there in various indie stores. But they could be located in small stores where she hasn’t appealed to many of the customers. I noticed that it sold out quickly in Resident in Brighton (they have a spreadsheet that can be tracked, it’s marked as sold out). That is one of the more known indie stores. I reckon they didn’t have enough stock there for the amount of interest.

Lol I guess we should be used to Spice related stuff not charting now, apart from Spice 25 which was quite a major outlier. Spiceworld, Greatest Hits in black and Forever all missed the chart.

Posted by: Mr.X 25th April 2022, 10:44 PM

True but Spice25 had more promotion than any of those, by a big margin. Those other group vinyls promo came mainly from the group's social medias. I bet if the group does more promo for those releases, then it will sell ok.

I hope Spiceworld25 has similar levels of promotion!!

Posted by: sammy01 26th April 2022, 07:00 AM

NS charting was always a long shot, it was going to get basically nothing from streaming, downloads or cd sales so it is a big ask for a niche album to do 850 copies on vinyl.

Posted by: Voodoo 26th April 2022, 08:30 AM

I wouldn't classify a triple-platinum album as 'niche'. If the vinyl was widely available (at HMV, Amazon, etc.) and not so limited, it would definitely shift more than 850 copies in one week.

UMC definitely underestimated Northern Star's selling power. They allocated 2000 copies of 'Remembering Dolores' to the UK, but it is below NS in the midweeks.

Posted by: sammy01 26th April 2022, 08:36 AM

It was triple plat in its day but it is hardly a go to classic album for anyone outside a very niche fanbase.

You say it would have sold more with a regular release but it then wouldn't have the big promo of RSD or the pull of it being limited. It also wouldn't be stocked in a lot of these record stores either.

Posted by: Mr.X 26th April 2022, 09:24 AM

I guess Northern Star is still being released under a major label, so if it has been widely available AND cheaper (I mean, I didnt get a copy cos it was €38!!!!) it would have probably sold better.

But yes, it was triple platinum but no, it is not an iconic album out of a very small fanbase, sadly. Sure it deserves better but the vinyl was never going to be this huge hit was it?

Posted by: sammy01 26th April 2022, 12:56 PM

Chart or not I'd like to see NS released properly after this. I'm sure the Spice Girls albums being released on vinyl has helped their sales this last few years. Having these albums on a physical format still is a must especially vinyl with the vinyl boom.

It is a good way to continue the Spice Girls legacy as a whole.

Posted by: Mr.X 26th April 2022, 12:58 PM

Agree. I would buy it for sure (specially if it is cheaper lol)

Posted by: vibe 26th April 2022, 02:36 PM

My vinyl has been delivered and it is beautiful 😍

Posted by: spiceboy 26th April 2022, 05:40 PM

I’m such a good co-mod I went and bought Jay his copy! ❤️

Posted by: Mr.X 26th April 2022, 08:10 PM

WHERE'S MY VINYL BITCH??? JAY MIGHT BE YOUR CO-MOD BUT I AM YOUR f***ING FAVOURITE

Posted by: -Jay- 27th April 2022, 12:12 AM

Thank you soooo much again

Posted by: Voodoo 27th April 2022, 08:11 PM

Is the album still Top 200 in the latest midweeks?

Posted by: -Jay- 27th April 2022, 08:45 PM

There's been no Top 200 updates since Monday unfortunately!

Posted by: spiceboy 27th April 2022, 09:33 PM

Howling at this post ... and the fact you think you are favourite

Posted by: -Jay- 29th April 2022, 06:19 PM

Northern Star reached these positions in various charts:

#26 - Scottish Albums Chart Top 100
#32 - Vinyl Albums Chart Top 40
#45 - Physical Albums Chart Top 100
#47 - Albums Sales Chart Top 100

Might be a while until I find out whether or not it made it into the official album chart top 200, but I would assume it hasn't.

Posted by: Yobnedor 29th April 2022, 06:55 PM

The UK only had 950 copies though (confirmed by my local record store) so I don’t think that’ll be enough to make the Top 200 overall.

Posted by: Chemistry 29th April 2022, 07:05 PM

Ah so it was 950 copies for the whole of the country? Rough Trade listed 950 on their website so I assumed that was the amount they had, just tried to get one in their RSD sale but everything was sold out. Which makes sense when there were so few copies in the country.

Posted by: Yobnedor 29th April 2022, 07:29 PM

Yes, I think Rough Trade always list how many there are overall - but I might be wrong there. It certainly was 950 in the country for Melanie though. The rest went overseas.

Posted by: sammy01 29th April 2022, 08:06 PM

950 sales would easily get you top 200. It is usually about 850 copies to make #200.

As we can see from this evening it just didn't sell those 950 copies this week as there was plenty to be snapped up online tonight. Those have been snapped up quickly though which maybe tells you Mel C fans aren't the type to be shopping in store in indie record shops.

Posted by: Yobnedor 29th April 2022, 08:11 PM

My apologies, thought it was higher than that.

Posted by: -Jay- 29th April 2022, 09:32 PM

It’s such a pity that Record Store Day and online sales didn’t fall within the same chart week. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Posted by: Liam.k. 30th April 2022, 01:44 AM

#47 on sales is very low for it to be Top 200 officially isn’t it? I’m going to assume it didn’t hold on.

Posted by: vibe 30th April 2022, 10:04 AM

2500 copies worldwide ! Sure to be a collectors item!

Posted by: Voodoo 30th April 2022, 03:28 PM

More than 3,000 people tried to secure a copy from Banquet Records' website yesterday night.

Universal would be crazy not to give it a full release.

View this post on Instagram

Posted by: pippa 1st May 2022, 12:20 PM

Northern Star should have wide availability.
Thousands more vinyls could have been sold last week.

Posted by: -Jay- 1st May 2022, 03:31 PM

The views isn’t 1 per person by the way, people will refresh continually before the order went live just to make sure they were on it as soon as it went up. Though regardless there were certainly many more people looking than what Banquet had available (but not 3000 😅)

Posted by: Yobnedor 1st May 2022, 04:20 PM

While it was a popular grab for RSD, I don’t think going on a widespread release would do much more for it.

Posted by: Voodoo 1st May 2022, 04:47 PM

Source: https://www.fimi.it/top-of-the-music/classifiche.kl?fbclid=IwAR2caxZdlxxvI_xyi9n3D6O0eiFT4P5khOaWI9qrQUCrB3k6uj-VkB9Lboo#/charts/1/2022/17

Posted by: Voodoo 1st May 2022, 05:04 PM

Love it!

View this post on Instagram

Posted by: Blond 2.0 1st May 2022, 06:57 PM

Cute art

Posted by: -Jay- 1st May 2022, 11:21 PM

Good taste from Italy!

Posted by: Babyboy 2nd May 2022, 09:59 AM

Did it chart inside welsh chart?

Posted by: spiceboy 2nd May 2022, 05:09 PM

Nice to see it went top 40 in Scotland!

Posted by: -Jay- 3rd May 2022, 11:55 PM

Hopefully I'll be able to find out soon but that info isn't available until Thursday at the earliest!

Posted by: Voodoo 27th September 2022, 08:35 AM

Posted by: Voodoo 2nd October 2022, 07:24 AM

Were you able to find out?

Posted by: -Jay- 2nd October 2022, 07:26 AM

#64 in Wales

Posted by: spiceboy 2nd October 2022, 08:00 AM

What a shame it did not make it in the U.K. after going top 75 in both wales and Scotland

Posted by: pippa 2nd October 2022, 04:23 PM

It is disappointing.

Posted by: Voodoo 2nd October 2022, 04:28 PM

It wasn't possible technically, as UMC allocated only 950 copies to the UK.

Posted by: pippa 2nd October 2022, 04:35 PM

That is very limited.

Posted by: Voodoo 18th October 2022, 08:55 PM

Happy 23th anniversary!

Posted by: -Jay- 18th October 2022, 09:00 PM

I wonder if the vinyl will ever be more widely released, or will remain as being that RSD exclusive.

Posted by: Voodoo 29th October 2022, 10:53 AM

The Northern Star documentary, which shows the making of the album in LA, has been uploaded to YouTube in HD quality:

Posted by: Scary Spiceboy 29th October 2022, 01:07 PM

I wish whoever uploaded it had enabled closed captions... I've always wanted to watch this.

Posted by: dancinqueen 29th October 2022, 01:43 PM

Loved that doc
It shows Melanie’s love for music is real

Posted by: Equinox8 30th October 2022, 06:30 PM

Absolutely.

I still remember waiting by the TV for the premiere of the Goin' Down video here in Canada, and I remember the VJs saying multiple times during the build up to it; things like "this is unlike any Spice Girls product" or "Sporty Spice is maaaaad at someone!"

Then, the time came. The video starts. My jaw dropped. After it ended, my first thought was, sadly: "the group is done."

And I fully admit that Goin' Down didn't do it for me initially because I was so attached to the group's music still. But the more I saw the video, the more I liked it, and the song.

Then when I got to see her do it live...icing on the cake for me. Just the gutteral rawness of it. It's just interesting how differently Melanie C and Geri "buried" their Spice Girl personas in the videos for Goin'Down and Lok At Me.

Goin' Down is now one of my favourite solo Spice singles.

Posted by: vibe 30th October 2022, 07:04 PM

^ completely agree didnt get GD for years seeing it LIVE makes it so much better

Posted by: sammy01 30th October 2022, 07:17 PM

I know ITTY and NBTSA are her big hits but I wish she would show the rest of the album more love in terms of performances and setlists ect.

Posted by: Scary Spiceboy 30th October 2022, 08:55 PM

Tbf northern star always gets performed too, and she has done be the one, going down, suddenly Monday and if that were me on several tours, there is only so many songs she can do really.

Posted by: vibe 31st October 2022, 11:03 AM

why and go have made lots of set lists too!

the only songs that have been not played in years are closer and feel the sun!

Posted by: Scary Spiceboy 31st October 2022, 01:45 PM

Both songs that truly deserve to be

Posted by: Mr.X 31st October 2022, 01:49 PM

Feel The Sun and the original/album version of I Turn To You are her best tracks ever, and I would love it if she ever plays them live again! now THAT is a Mel C concert I would go to!!

Posted by: vibe 31st October 2022, 07:57 PM

i agree i love them both!

FTS is a very tough vocal though even back then she struggled with this one

Posted by: pippa 1st November 2022, 01:34 AM

I Turn To You album and single version are both great tracks.

Posted by: Voodoo 24th November 2022, 09:51 PM

23 years ago:

Can't Stop the Pop has written a great piece about it:

Posted by: isanka 6th April 2023, 08:45 AM

I made a revisited version of Northern Star as a bonus CD.

01. I Turn To You [Damian LeGassick Radio Mix]
02. I Wonder What I Would Be Like [Alternative Mix]
03. Northern Star [Full Version]
04. Happy Without You
05. I Won't Leave You Alone
06. Closer [US Promo CDR]
07. Sunddenly Monday [Rough Mix]
08. I Didn't Hear You Leave
09. Show Me The Way
10. You Taught Me
11. If That Were Me [Acoustic version]
12. Feel The Sun [Us Promo CD-R]

Posted by: Jessie Where 6th April 2023, 11:06 AM

Was the success of 'Northern Star' (single) seen as a miraculous turnaround in fortunes at the time after 'Goin' Down' didn't exactly perform well commercially and critically?

Posted by: spiceboy 6th April 2023, 11:10 AM

I don't remember thinking Northern Star was particularly big at the time, it just felt like another small top 10 hit ala Going Down. Clearly it performed a lot better sales wise in the long run as it is up there with I want you back and What I am (which makes it's chart position a little sad considering those two were #1 and #2).

I suppose it was a steady upwards track for her as the following two singles were obviously huge and the album imploded afterwards.

Posted by: vibe 6th April 2023, 12:33 PM

Should have been the debut single !!

Posted by: -Jay- 6th April 2023, 12:47 PM

Goin’ Down was so alienating to me at the time, but a few years later I came around to having appreciation for it! Love it or hate it, it was an incredibly bold choice.

I guess it was kind of a “this is either the first single or it won’t be a single at all” choice. She certainly got attention for it… and #4 wasn’t a disaster, but it did plummet down the chart and then the album only did okay (entering at #10), so it does make you wonder if a different first single would have got her solo career off to a better start. Like, would Northern Star as the first single have made the album enter Top 5? Would Never Be the Same Again still have got to #1 as the first single? We’ll never know!

Posted by: Mr.X 6th April 2023, 01:30 PM

Northern Star was an incredible single, one of her best still today (my fav single from her, for sure!). It did help to balance things out after Going Down was such a strident single. IMO she should have lead with something else other than GD. I guess she/Virgin expected Goin Down to be kind of a statement-single and it just didn't work at all imo... Her 'rock' persona never quite flourished because it never quite felt authentic to me.

Northen Star is gorgeous and deserved more success (certainly more success than lesser songs like Never Be The Same Again and I Turn To You (single mix) imo)...

Posted by: Jessie Where 6th April 2023, 01:52 PM

I actually love 'Goin' Down', I still listen to it every now and then. I can see why she wasn't taken very seriously with it though.

Posted by: isanka 6th April 2023, 01:58 PM

I remember she was everywhere with Goin' Down and her new look on TV. It was a great promotion for her.

Posted by: vibe 6th April 2023, 03:19 PM

I love goin down !! especially LIVE !!

Posted by: Piers 9th April 2023, 01:11 AM

I could say Goin Down wasn't right for the first single because it's not indicative of the whole album...but then, really, no one song on Norther Star is indicative of the whole album. I've always liked Goin Down. Liked it then. Like it now. But I wouldn't have released it as a single. To me, it's one of the songs on the album (like Why, Suddenly Monday, and Be The One) that are really effective at setting a mood and showing another side of Mel's character...but they're best as album tracks.

What should she have led with? If it hadn't already appeared on the Big Daddy soundtrack, Gaga probably would have been my choice. Radio friendly...but also establishes Mel as an artist separate from the Spice Girls. It's a less dynamic statement than Goin Down...but I also think it's the better, more substantial song. But then, the fans had known the song for months because of the Big Daddy soundtrack...and I get the importance of releasing something fresh. I think Go! also had more commercial potential than Goin Down.

Also. People seem to rarely talk about this song...but in some alternate universe where the slickly produced, Bend It Like Beckham soundtrack cut of Independence Day already existed in 1999...I think that would have been a pretty perfect debut single. The version we DID have in 1999 might not have made that big of a splash...but my feeling was always that Bend It Like Beckham version had hit written all over it.

Posted by: tommie 9th April 2023, 06:00 AM

This is pretty much it... Goin' Down was either going to be the first single and chart respectably off that. Had they released it later, it would've completely bombed and probably de-railed the entire campaign.

They also clearly knew it was a risk - Northern Star was released two months later, so they clearly had it in the pipeline, ready to go. Worth remembering it was a December single, so it probably sold more to chart at #4.

Posted by: sammy01 9th April 2023, 09:18 PM

Looking back now ITWM really bombed. I know the album had sold well by then but #18 was very very low. I always thought Be the one would have been the perfect final single.

Posted by: spiceboy 10th April 2023, 12:41 AM

Not really because it sold very well for a #18 hit back them with over 60k sales, plus it kept Northern Star in the charts so some of it's sales went towards the album instead which is the entire aim of a single really.

I thought a Feel the sun Hex Hector remix / New song double a-side should have closed it personally considering we were on the firth single by this point might as well go for broke if they wanted a high charting single.

Posted by: Piers 10th April 2023, 03:47 AM

I was always a bit puzzled by the If That Were Me release just because I view it as easily the weakest song on Northern Star. I don't doubt Mel's sincerity on the subject. Geri's If Only even talks about she and Mel's care for people living without homes. It's just that the song has some genuinely clunky lyrics (that irked me even as a kid)...and doesn't have the punch of most of the other tracks on the album. I actually think she had several songs that didn't make the album cut that are far better than If That Were Me (namely Follow Me), but if the subject was that important to Mel, I get why she'd want it on her record.

Probably what was most irksome was Mel barely promoting Holler (Forever's best new track with major hit potential) to spend her time pushing If That Were Me (Northern Star's worst track that's lucky to have managed #18).

What would I have released instead as a fifth single? I think it would have to be a double a-side. What the four previous releases did extremely well was show different sides of Mel as an artist. So. Maybe Closer/Go! as the final single? I don't know if I'd release them as stand-alone singles, but Be The One and Suddenly Monday do have something of a classic feel to me...and they might have made for nice promo videos or something.

Posted by: sammy01 10th April 2023, 07:51 AM

ITWM had a long chart run at the very lower end of the chart (same with Holler) which suggests at the time they were both overstocked and expected to sell more and spent a lot of weeks after release in the 'reduced bin' which obviously adds sales but probably at a loss at the time.

That would suggest to me Virgin and record stores saw it as an under performance at the time too.

Posted by: tommie 10th April 2023, 08:27 AM

I agree with sammy here - after two number one singles there's no way they expected If That Were Me to bomb in at #18 - it was absolutely a disaster for a pop act where lower top ten could be seen as a failure. I actually doubt they expected it to miss the top five at that point.

Posted by: Mr.X 10th April 2023, 10:38 AM

If That Were Me was a total disaster, from the terrible song and lyrics, to that f***ing awful video.

It was such a bad release, but Mel has form when it comes to releasing her worst album tracks as singles (case in point: Better Alone, I Want Candy, On The Horizon, This Time, Fearless, etc etc etc)...

Posted by: vibe 10th April 2023, 10:49 AM

ITWM had decent enough sales and the album had already exploded so the chart position is not that surprising!!

Choosing this song as a single is most surprising.

Posted by: dancinqueen 10th April 2023, 11:02 AM

She should have included that song as a b-side (Spice World single vs b-side material problem as always) to Closer or Feel The Sun. But I guess her mental health problems kinda change the plans. If I’m not wrong Feel The Sun remix was sent to American radios. Even Suddenly Monday was a better choice. Closer has a Spanish end of summer type of nostalgia and I could see the video being shot in a former corrida arena, without the bulls of course, like one of Madonna’s song.

Posted by: Voodoo 10th April 2023, 11:04 AM

In an alternate universe, Go! (or even Suddenly Monday) would have been an amazing 5th single.

Posted by: spiceboy 10th April 2023, 11:19 AM

There is a Feel the sun remix?

Posted by: Voodoo 10th April 2023, 11:29 AM

Posted by: spiceboy 10th April 2023, 11:52 AM

Yep THAT should have been the final single from the album!!!!

Loved it, ps how amazing did she sound there!

Posted by: -Jay- 10th April 2023, 11:58 AM

A pity that we don’t have a studio version of that!

Posted by: spiceboy 10th April 2023, 12:07 PM

If it was sent to US radio then we really should!

Posted by: Voodoo 10th April 2023, 12:43 PM

I'm pretty sure dancinqueen's doesn't remember well. If it was true, a promo CD would have surfaced a long time ago.

IF an unreleased studio version does exist, I hope it is included on #NorthernStar25 next year.

Posted by: dancinqueen 10th April 2023, 02:02 PM

I’m sure about that. I didn’t even know about the live version. And I remember hearing that remix somewhere. I’ll try to find it on YouTube - I normally don’t dream about things like that ahhhh

Posted by: Mr.X 10th April 2023, 02:39 PM

I had heard of a remix but only in the live setting, never as an official recorded remix. I'm not sure how I feel about that live version to be honest... It sounds fine for a live setting but I'd hate it if it meant that FTS would have gotten the I Turn To You treatment, which in my opinion killed an almost perfect song.

Feel The Sun album version is Melanie's best song imo, and the album version of I Turn To You is also one of her best but was ruined by the trash-y Ibiza-wannabe single version. Successful as it was, I cant stand it for its trashiness when the original was so perfect and different from the usual Melanie C track.

So in that regards, I am happy we never got a FTS remix as a single

Posted by: Jessie Where 10th April 2023, 04:24 PM

Hold up, what's wrong with 'Better Alone'?

Posted by: tommie 10th April 2023, 04:29 PM

I think a lot of people just don't like the bitterness of it + feel that there's better tracks on the album (I've always liked it to be honest).

Posted by: -Jay- 10th April 2023, 05:00 PM

That remix of Feel the Sun has never been released, I don't think we even know who did that arrangement of it? So I think this is maybe a Mandela effect moment!

Also Mr.X re: I Turn to You's remix:

Posted by: Blond 2.0 10th April 2023, 06:42 PM

OMG that would've slayed just like I turn to you remix

Posted by: spiceboy 10th April 2023, 06:43 PM

Never has there been an opinion so wrong!

I like the album version it’s good but the single version is epic! It’s always one of the last songs I play at any party I have and everyone always dances (I turn to you, stop, tragedy and believe - so fabulously gay lol).

I would have loved a remix like for single, we still have the album versions to listen to alongside them.

Posted by: Blond 2.0 10th April 2023, 06:47 PM

Is that it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GecvgJnk4Hk&t=47s

Posted by: -Jay- 10th April 2023, 07:18 PM

I wonder if that's fan made?

Posted by: Voodoo 10th April 2023, 07:45 PM

It must be. Whoever did it put the Feel the Sun vocals over the Hex Hector remix of I Turn to You.

The live version sounds different.

Posted by: sammy01 10th April 2023, 08:06 PM

I like that live version of Feel the sun (dodgy vocals aside) though maybe it is a bit too ITTY part 2. Still better than ITWM.

Posted by: Jessie Where 10th April 2023, 09:24 PM

As for 'If That Were Me', clunky phone/home lyrics aside even as a kid I remember thinking how tone deaf it came across for a multi-millionaire to be singing a song like that (similar problem I have with songs like 'Where is the Love' and that ilk).

I honestly think it was a misguided decision to even record it, let alone put it on the album and release it as a single.

Posted by: Mr.X 11th April 2023, 12:09 AM

In total agreement with this. It reeks of multimilionaire's guilt

Posted by: Mr.X 11th April 2023, 12:10 AM

That is... not good lol... The live version is better but still neither as good as the original

Posted by: One_For_Sorrow 18th April 2023, 08:55 AM

I actually liked it a lot back when I first heard it over 20 years ago, I’ve gone off it now a fair bit now.

Posted by: -Jay- 13th September 2023, 08:10 AM

Northern Star is back on vinyl for National Album Day, and this time it's in Orange!

Posted by: ___∆___ 13th September 2023, 08:38 AM

Limited to 1,500 I wish they would do a proper reissue of it that would be available for more than a week!

Posted by: Voodoo 13th September 2023, 12:15 PM

Where does it say so?

Posted by: michael319 13th September 2023, 01:51 PM

No link? Where is it available?

Posted by: Babyboy 13th September 2023, 02:00 PM

I was lucky to order it on an italian store. It's sold out already.

Posted by: michael319 13th September 2023, 02:22 PM

Do you mean Amazon Italian? Idgi

Posted by: michael319 13th September 2023, 02:38 PM

Where did you see this? Also is it only available international

Posted by: -Jay- 13th September 2023, 02:56 PM

There's a few UK links:

https://hmv.com/store/music/vinyl/northern-star-(national-album-day-2023)
https://townsendmusic.store/product/121699
https://thesoundofvinyl.com/products/northern-star-vinyl-lp-nad23?_pos=1&_sid=d4694b671&_ss=r
https://recordstore.co.uk/products/northern-star-vinyl-lp-nad23?_pos=1&_sid=e5c8d5762&_ss=r
https://store.udiscovermusic.com/
https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/product/melanie-c/northern-star-national-album-day-2023

but I'm not sure about US sorry

Posted by: michael319 13th September 2023, 03:08 PM

Thank you! I found it on Amazon Uk too! I hope they are as reliable.

Posted by: Jade 13th September 2023, 03:13 PM

Thanks for the links Jay! Ordered as I missed out on the RSD vinyl, happy it's a coloured pressing too.

Posted by: Babyboy 13th September 2023, 03:16 PM

No. On discoteca Laziale. An italian record shop.

Posted by: Voodoo 14th September 2023, 07:08 PM

Melanie posted a story about the upcoming release today:

https://melan.ie/NSOrangeVinyl

Meanwhile, the orange vinyl is riding high on Amazon's chart. It currently sits @ #19:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Northern-Star-VINYL-Melanie-C/dp/B0CHXRP7JR/

Posted by: pippa 17th September 2023, 05:33 PM

Great to see it will be part of the lucrative National Album Day

Posted by: Blond 2.0 19th September 2023, 04:14 PM

the orange looks amazing with the cover

Posted by: Rebel 20th September 2023, 06:14 PM

Ordered since I missed out the last time

Posted by: Voodoo 14th October 2023, 09:23 AM

Today is the day!

View this post on Instagram

Posted by: Equinox8 14th October 2023, 07:57 PM

Interesting to see 'Follow Me" added as the last track!

Posted by: pippa 16th October 2023, 12:21 AM

Big week for reissues.

Posted by: Blond 2.0 16th October 2023, 02:18 AM

fantastic it goes well with the cover

Posted by: Babyboy 16th October 2023, 06:43 AM

I love this record! Such a classic.

Posted by: ___∆___ 16th October 2023, 09:02 AM

Honestly this - I love it as much now as I did when it was released.

Posted by: Equinox8 16th October 2023, 11:49 PM

I agree; it's aged very well!

Posted by: Babyboy 17th October 2023, 05:48 AM

I agree. Probably we were kids and it was so different from Spice Girls music.

Posted by: -Jay- 18th October 2023, 11:45 AM

Released 24 years ago today!

Posted by: sammy01 18th October 2023, 03:04 PM

It really is a great album. She seems to have ignored the orange vinyl release apart from the 1 post to announce it which is a shame.

Posted by: ___∆___ 18th October 2023, 06:12 PM

These continuous anniversaries make me feel like an old hag

Posted by: Lee_his_cheeks 2nd December 2023, 05:58 PM

Recently ordered the vinyl. Very happy as it remained very fresh for me

Posted by: -Jay- 25th March 2024, 12:17 AM

It's possible to get the orange vinyl from HMV for 40% off at the moment, making it £26.99 https://hmv.com/store/music/vinyl/northern-star-(national-album-day-2023)

Posted by: -Jay- 15th April 2024, 07:12 AM

Looks like Amazon have decided to match the HMV deal, you can currently apply a voucher and purchase it for £26.99 there too.

I wonder how much stock there is left of the orange vinyl and whether it might go lower than £26.99 eventually. It’s not a bad price for a 2LP these days but I already own the black version… and I feel like I shouldn’t really get a second copy.

Posted by: Herbs 15th April 2024, 07:29 AM

I will buy this at some point. Closer and Feel The Sun were two of the best album tracks I remember from that era of music (and of course she had some amazing singles on that album)

Posted by: spiceboy 15th April 2024, 04:10 PM

Go on buy it, looks so good in orange

Posted by: Mr.X 15th April 2024, 04:31 PM

I would buy this if it gets to about £10 like Bunton's pointless latest vinyl release

Posted by: -Jay- 21st April 2024, 06:06 PM

Seems to be sold out on Amazon now (in terms of coming directly from Amazon). Fairly high up their charts at the moment - #29 on vinyl and #141 in CD/Vinyl. The price reduced to £22.49 (with a voucher) which seemed to be enough to encourage remaining stock to sell out!

Posted by: -Jay- 22nd April 2024, 09:10 PM

... and I bought it yesterday! It came today. This is news to make Mr.X and Sammy very disappointed at me and my life choices

Posted by: spiceboy 24th April 2024, 10:26 AM

BUT it makes me super proud, and I matter more.

Posted by: -Jay- 24th April 2024, 12:11 PM

The orange vinyl does look great 🤩

Posted by: spiceboy 24th April 2024, 04:30 PM

Told ya.