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Posted by: Jay ☆ 11th September 2017, 10:30 PM

Which songs do you think were major missed opportunities for the Spice Girls, group-wise and solo-wise? Here are some of mine:



Supposedly 'Never Give Up On The Good Times' was initially planned to be a Double A Side alongside 'Viva Forever' - but sadly this didn't materialise! This is one of their best, most up-lifting songs.



If the Spice Girls had continued promoting the 'Forever' era, I think 'Tell Me Why' would have made the strongest choice.



Mel B releasing 'Lullaby' (a sweet song dedicated to her first daughter) as the final single from 'Hot' was quite a choice, and one which lead to her being dropped. The summery R&B-flavoured song 'Hotter' could have had more potential.



A total gem of a pop song, this was passed on in favour of 'Desire'. Geri later admitted that not releasing 'Love Never Loved Me' was one of her career regrets!



'Burn' became an instant-fan favourite, but this evidently didn't sway Melanie into releasing it. A shame!

Posted by: Jade 12th September 2017, 01:05 AM

'Never Give Up On The Good Times' would be my #1 pick from Spiceworld too. 'Saturday Night Divas' might have worked also.

I would've loved to have seen 'If You Wanna Have Some Fun' as a single from 'Forever'.

Posted by: Jonjo 12th September 2017, 01:07 AM

'Burn' and 'Never Give Up On the Good Times' are two of the biggest injustices in any single campaign ever, imo. Both outstanding and genuinely brilliantly crafted pop songs.

'Spice' album was perfectly handled though. None of the others would've been quite as big as the ones that were chosen.

Posted by: Mr.X 12th September 2017, 01:25 AM

FLAWLESS *oh yes I brought it over to BuzzJack

From Free Me
- No Sign Of Life
- Breathing

From Life in Mono
- Undressing You
- All That Will Be
- Take Me To Another Town

IMAGINE

Posted by: Liаm 12th September 2017, 01:42 AM

If only they went for NGUOGT over Viva Forever Agree with that being a msised opportunity of the album tracks I have heard from them, such a bop in every sense.

I definitely agree with Burn, by FAR the best Mel song and my second fave solo Spice song behind Let Your Head Go *.* It would have been huge for say Kelly Clarkson or someone, I know Mel wouldn't have got a smash at that point in her career but it's just SUCH a fab pop song.

Posted by: Good Old Days 12th September 2017, 06:05 AM

Geri Halliwell

Debut :
Save : Look At Me, Mi Chico Latino, Lift Me Up
Erase : Bag it Up
Add : Let Me Love You

Overall : Good singles selection

2nd album :
Save : Calling
Erase : It's Raining Men, Scream If You Wanna Go Faster
Add : Strength of a Woman, Circles Round the Moon, I Was Made That Way

Overall : Bad singles selection, she took the worst song (It's Raining Men) and did very risky choice with "Scream If You Wanna Go Faster"

3rd album :
Save : Desire
Erase : Ride It
Add : Passion, Superstar (not my favourite, but the rest songs will get the same flop result as "Desire" had in the real world)

Overall : I love this album, but the most tracks sounds well as album tracks all together and couldn't be successful as singles.

Posted by: Fulvio84 12th September 2017, 01:30 PM

with Spice and Spice World they played their cards very well.... Forever is such a nice album and was just trashed away bcs of their attitude...but If you wanna have some fun could have been such a hit and also Oxygen or Time goes by was a good Xmas single choice.

For the Solo works there is a lot of up and downs...Love nevr loved me, Breathing, Beautiful intentions, Hot, many wasted songs

Posted by: Sparrow 12th September 2017, 04:43 PM

SG: Never give up on the good times and Woman

VB: I Wish

Geri: Love Never Loved Me and Love & Light (still hoping it gets mastered and released)

Emma: Free me (Dr. Octavo Seduction Remix)

Mel B: Hotter

Mel C: You'll get yours

Posted by: tommie 12th September 2017, 05:07 PM

To be fair to It's Raining Men - it basically only happened because of Bridget Jones Diary. I don't think it was even supposed to be on the album originally...

Posted by: Michael Andrew 12th September 2017, 05:44 PM

'Forever' – Spice Girls

I think the 'Forever' era was sadly, too short-lived.

Had the girls been interested, I'd have liked them to release the following singles:

1. 'Holler' and 'Let Love Lead The Way' – perfect come-back.

2. 'Pain Proof' – It has more of the familiar Spice attitude than most of 'Forever'.

3. 'Time Goes By' – a perfect Christmas number one.

4. 'Get Down With Me' and 'Weekend Love' double A-side. Although Mel B's rap is a bit too jarring in the latter. So I'd cut that – amazing though it is :-P

Posted by: Michael Andrew 12th September 2017, 05:58 PM

'Life In Mono' - Emma Bunton

Lead single 'Downtown' gave the impression of a covers artist. But she has so much more to offer. And 'All I Need To Know' is lovely, but it was never gonna grab the attention she needed.

I wish Emma could've released 'Take Me To Another Town' as her comic relief come-back single.

Followed by 'Undressing You' and/or 'He Loves Me Not'.

Posted by: breezyspice 12th September 2017, 08:26 PM

I was obsessed with Tell Me Why - definitely my choice for most missed opportunity.
I think Get Down With Me would've been solid too.

Posted by: Michael Andrew 14th September 2017, 12:39 PM

I have just listened to the 'Tell Me Why' radio edit for the first time (from Jay's original post).

Removing the awkward intro from Victoria (as on the album version) is definitely an improvement.

The only other thing that bothered me about it, as a potential single at the time, was that Mel B had released 'Tell Me' so recently. They pretty much have the same title and same general vibe.

But in it's own right, a great song!

Posted by: breezyspice 14th September 2017, 09:58 PM

I will listen to awkward intros from Victoria, any day.

Posted by: SamJudd 15th September 2017, 01:41 AM

For the Spice Girls, I think they're first album and single choices were absolutely perfect, wouldn't change anything there. But for Spiceworld, yeah do agree that 'Never Give Up On The Good Times' should have been a single and would have been perfect alongside the stunning 'Viva Forever'. I dunno why they didn't include it on their Greatest Hits album, they included the average 'Move Over', 'NGUOTG' would have been a million times better.

Their 3rd album 'Forever' had some of the biggest missed opportunities on there. I think that 'Right Back At Ya' in it's original pop form would have been a more fitting choice for their comeback single, but do love 'Holler' has well which was an interesting direction for them. 'If U Wanna Have Some Fun', 'Oxygen', 'Tell Me Why' & 'Weekend Love' were also great tracks as well. It's a shame that they didn't go any further after 'Holler/Let Love Lead The Way', because there were some real potential in these songs and could have maybe helped the album back into the charts, with some decent promo for each release and some great music videos, the era could have at least had a better chance. Here's what I would have gone with =

Mel B

Never been a fan of her solo stuff, I did buy her first album and found it pretty dreadful apart from a few select cuts 'I Want You Back', 'Feels So Good' and 'Hotter', the latter should have definitely been made a single instead of the awful 'Lullaby', and perhaps could have been another hit for her and could have saved her from being dropped by the record label.

Emma Bunton

I do actually like her solo stuff, her 2nd album was by far her best and she did release the best songs from it, so no complaints there. Her debut was pretty decent as well, but don't think 'We're Not Gonna Sleep Tonight' was a good choice, even the single version wasn't very good either. 'A Girl Like Me' would have been a better choice in my opinion.

Geri Halliwell

I used to love her stuff back in the day and her first album she got it totally right with picking the singles as they were fabulous.

Her second album was also great and had so much potential. Yes would have stuck with 'It's Raining Men' for the lead single as it was a #1 smash. But instead of the title track being released next I would have went with 'Strength Of A Woman', as I feel it's a much stronger choice. For the 3rd single, yes 'Calling' was beautiful but also think that 'Love Is The Only Light' would have been just as great a choice. Then there should have definitely been a 4th single and my pick would have been 'Circles Around The Moon' which would have been the perfect ending to this era.

Her 3rd album 'Passion' was by far her worst, but releasing 'Desire' was a dire choice and 'Love Never Loved Me' would have been far more suitable and may not have cost her career. To be honest don't think anything else on the album had any potential.

Victoria Beckham

I did actually buy her album and thought it was pretty decent, there were some great tracks on there such as 'Like That' which should have been the 2nd single instead of 'A Mind Of It's Own' which should have been released later. 'Midnight Fantasy' was also another track I liked on this and would have made a great single in my opinion.

Such a shame her 2nd album didn't get released as her planned single 'My Love Is For Real' was brilliant and would have definitely been a hit back in 2004 when it was originally planned.

Melanie C

Only owned her first 2 albums and thought the single choices were fine, but 'First Day Of My Life' should have been given a chance in the UK at least, as it did perform well in Europe and with some decent promo and airplay, could have maybe turned things around for her. Never heard 'Burn' before this and that is a cracking song, why wasn't it released, she should have listened to the fans on that one.

Posted by: cripesdude 15th September 2017, 09:36 AM

Spice Era
Naked - Whilst I think they made the best single choices with Wannabe, Say You'll Be There, 2 Become 1 and Mama/Who Do You Think You Are?, Naked had the potential to be a classy darker single. It's perhaps the closest the Spice Girls ever got to All Saints and with a more edgy video could have been a hit for sure, shoring-up more adult fans.

Step To Me - Sort of a single but not really, I was so relieved when my CD came in the post from Pepsi and the song was great! This would have done fine as a 'proper' single rather than a promotional one.

Spiceworld Era
Never Give Up On The Good Times - Certainly Spiceworld's Who Do You Think You Are?, I remember the rumours it was going to be a double a-side with Viva Forever. I think it's a shame this upbeat number didn't get the single treatment and the video/radio play that would have gone with it.

Move Over - A bit like Step To Me, if this song hadn't been used in the high profile Pepsi campaign it could have been a hit single on its own... Generation Next! Full of girl power attitude.

Forever Era
Tell Me Why - The radio edit had follow-up to Holler written all over it. It might have needed the double a-side treatment to ensure it was a hit, but I think it's a stand out from Forever.

Time Goes By - After Goodbye, certainly the next-in-line ballad release. Perhaps tied up with Tell Me Why this could have produced a 4th Christmas No1.

If You Wanna Have Some Fun - I wasn't too bothered about this at the time, but retrospectively think it could have done well, funk/disco-meets-Who Do You Think You Are vibes for sure. I remember it was played along with tour footage on CD:UK when the album launched and I thought that meant it was headed to be the next single... little did I know we'd be waiting 7 years for Headlines.

W.O.M.A.N. - This HAS to be the BIGGEST missed opportunity. A quality pop number perfectly transitioning the group from girls to ladies. Absolutely criminal it's never been released. Not even an album track, not even leaked. I hope I don't spent the rest of my days with only the Christmas In Spiceworld live audio from it's only ever outing! If only Forever had come along a year earlier... Goodbye in December 1998, followed by W.O.M.AN. in spring 1999, with Holler/Let Love Lead The Way (and the Forever album) in the summer, with finally Tell Me Why/Time Goes By Christmas 1999 would have made for a great Forever era.

Posted by: Michael Andrew 15th September 2017, 11:56 AM

Haha! Don't get me wrong, I'm glad Victoria features more heavily on Forever. It has some of her best ever vocals. It was more the arrangement, than her voice, that bothered me.

And I'm only speaking from the perspective of mass appeal. The radio edit is great for that.

I love Victoria. She is a queen. Obviously.

Posted by: Mr.X 15th September 2017, 04:41 PM

Actually, I would like to add that If You Can't Dance SHOULD have been released back in 1997 as the final single from Spice. It was such a cool song and it would have proven a very 'cool' addition to their streak of singles.

At that time, they were still very much attached to the cool Brit Pop wave across the World, and having them release some 'underground' and hip-hop song like If you Can't Dance would have been the final cherry on the cake!

I would have prefered that than the Mama double a-side tbh

Posted by: JB2o2o 15th September 2017, 07:46 PM

Definitely missed opportunities from the Forever era. TMW, IFYWHSF and Oxygen. WMT maybe, but I also like WL and GDWM


The ball may have dropped at the Forever campaign but it honestly had more single worthy tracks than Spice World.

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn 15th September 2017, 10:49 PM

'Love Never Loved Me' could have been such a great single.

Posted by: Spiceboy 15th September 2017, 11:05 PM

Spice - Nothing this was literally the perfect release schedule from possibly any pop act ever!!!

Spiceworld - It's a real shame Never Give Up On The Good Times wasn't released alongside Viva Forever as a double a-side. They could easily have released just a tour video of the performance mashed up with behind the scenes fun, and it might have helped Viva Forever to sell a few more copies... (Would have looked great on their GH collection)

Forever - Obviously it wasn't on the album but I think Give you what you want / If it's loving on your mind would have been a fantastic follow up to Holler. Otherwise a remixed If you wanna have some fun would have helped shift some more albums.

Northern Star - I always thought Suddenly Monday would have worked well alongside If that were me as a double a-side.

Beautiful Intentions - At the time I thought Last Night On Earth was screaming for a release but I actually think the whole album sounds quite dated now... I still really enjoy it but I think Next Best Superstar and First Day of my Life were the only viable hit singles really.

This Time - Already Gone. Why it wasn't included on the album I do not know I think alongside Carolyna it was the strongest single contender.

The Sea - Stupid Game and Burn were both great tracks worthy of being singles.

Schizophonic - Perfect single releases

Scream if you wanna go faster - I think strength of a woman would have been a better follow up to It's Raining Men and Circles around the moon was screaming for a release too.

Passion - Love never loved me was screaming to be released.

A Girl Like Me - A girl like me the title track was quite funky.

Free Me - Breathing should have been released over Crickets!

Life In Mono - I wish she had released an original track for CIN Take me to another town or Mischievous would have worked well.

Hot - Hotter would have been a much better choice than Lullaby and likely charted alot higher.

LA State of mind - If I had my life again / Say, say, say would have made a gorgeous double a-side

Victoria Beckham - It's a shame My love is for real and the Telstar album didn't come to fruition would have been interesting to see the reaction.

Posted by: LazySpice88 22nd September 2017, 03:30 PM

Spice Girls:

Touch Era - "Do you think about me?" (it's cheesy but i love it )
Spice Era - Last time lover/If U Can't Dance (i love their 90's Urban/R'n'B vibe)
Spiceworld Era - Do it/Denying (apart from Never Give Up On The Good Times)
Elliot Kennedy Sessions - All four songs would have been perfect singles in 1999 (I love Pain Proof but i think that Giving What You Want could have worked better)
Forever Era - If You Wanna Have Some Fun/Oxygen (apart from Right back at ya!)


Melanie C:

Northern Star Era - Be The One/Closer/Feel The Sun
Reason Era - Reason
Beautiful intentions Era - Beautiful intentions
This Time Era - This time (Album Version)
The Sea Era - Burn/One By One/The Sea
Stages Era - Both sides now
Version Of Me Era - Loving You Better


Victoria Beckham:

Victoria Beckham Era - I.O.U.



P.S. Sorry for my english

Posted by: schizo_spice 22nd September 2017, 07:17 PM

Solo ones I've always felt were missed opportunities

Geri - Circles Round the Moon, Love Never Loved Me

Emma - No Sign of Life, Undressing You

Mel C - Beautiful Intentions, You Will See, Burn

Mel B - Hotter

Victoria - Like That, I Wish, Girlfriend

Posted by: KWEEN_DEE 22nd September 2017, 10:29 PM

Circles Round The Moon is a bop

Posted by: Michael Andrew 28th September 2017, 06:40 PM

I really liked 'Last Night On Earth' at the time too.

'Next Best Superstar' never resonated with me. Melanie was obviously feeling betrayed and let down by Virgin. But as a person with real-life problems, it seemed a bit whiney and ungrateful. I didn't buy that single :-O

I'd have preferred any of 'Last Night On Earth', 'Don't Need This' or 'Here And Now'. But I'm not saying they'd have sold anymore copies.

Posted by: vibe 30th September 2017, 03:36 PM

Spice - perfect
Spiceworld - never give up on the good times
Forever - tell me why

Northern Star - Closer (instead of ITWM)
Reason - Nice album which didn't include hit singles
Beautiful Intentions - Little Piece Of Me / You'll Get Yours
This Time - Your Mistake
The Sea - Burn / Stupid Game
Version Of Me - Numb proper release

Posted by: Hide&Seek 30th September 2017, 06:58 PM

Spice - Naked instead of Mama
Spiceworld - Never Give Up On The Good Times
Forever - If You Wanna Have Some Fun

Victoria - Midnight Fantasy / I.O.U

Emma - She Was A Friend Of Mine

Geri - Strength Of A Woman / Circles 'Round The Moon / Love Never Loved Me

Posted by: sammy01 30th September 2017, 07:38 PM

Honestly whoever picked Lullaby as the make or break single for Mel B should have been fired on the spot! Hotter was the obvious choice but anything was better than lullaby.

Posted by: tommie 1st October 2017, 01:21 PM

It wouldn't surprise me at all if it was Mel B herself who pushed for it...

Posted by: LewisTScream 1st October 2017, 01:27 PM

If U Can't Dance or even Last Time Lover should have been singles from their debut.

Posted by: Good Old Days 1st October 2017, 01:28 PM

Am I only the one, who wished about "The Lady Is A Vamp" as single ?

Posted by: schizo_spice 1st October 2017, 03:10 PM

With Spice being such a huge success it's amazing they or Virgin didn't push a 5th single out. It's not like they'd have needed to do much promo in mid 97 when everything they touched turned to gold.

Posted by: sammy01 1st October 2017, 06:26 PM

I had thought that but surely she isn't that stupid? I mean as an album track for your kid ok but single to save your solo career.

A singles run of -

I want you back
Word up
Tell me
Feels so good
Hotter

Would have been an incredible start to a solo career.

Posted by: Blond 2.0 1st October 2017, 07:57 PM

Spice - If you Can't Dance
Spiceworld - Denying , Saturday night divas
Forever - If you wanna have some fun

Northern Star - Closer
Reason - Positively Somewhere
Beautiful Intentions - Little Piece Of Me
This Time - Your Mistake
The Sea - Stupid Game , Drown , Burn
Version Of Me - Version of me , Unravelling


Schizophonic - Goodnight Kiss
Scream if you wanna go faster - Strength of a woman , Circles around the moon
Passion - Love never loved me

A Girl Like Me - A girl like me
Free Me - Breathing , No Sign of Life
Life In Mono - Undressing You , Mischievous

Posted by: vibe 2nd October 2017, 05:50 PM

^ yes another Little Piece Of Me fan 👍🏻

Posted by: sammy01 4th October 2017, 08:33 AM

Whoever mentioned 'Already Gone' for This Time is spot on. How did that song not make the album over the absolute dirge on it.

I'm often of the mind a lot of b-sides are overrated as they arw rarer and a fan only thing so get put on a pedastal but Already Gone is the catchiest song Mel C had done since NS days.