OK girls we're getting into the solo trenches here 🥲

The third solo albums were at the point that everyone - bar Mel C - who hadn't given up yet, moved on from their solo careers at least for over a decade... It is also from here onwards that the group started to talk again properly and came around to the idea of a reunion! The failures of their solo ventures really brings the group together, everytime without fail 😋

Anyway, after the flop of Scream If You Wanna Go Faster, Gerita Halliwell was dragged back into the studio to finish her recording contract and release a final album with Virgin/EMI. At first, she wanted to create this 'disco diva' type of sound that she believed would bring her back to the top. However, after the first single Ride It failed to go #1 (a constant sour point for Geri!) and her Geri Live tour being cancelled for lack of ticket sales, the record lable sent her back to the studio and demanded a more 'Geri Halliwell' type of record. The result was a mess, and Desire sadly was the first single from her to totally miss the Top10, stalling at #22, and made no noise whatsoever. It did however tap into a sound that was quite popular at the time by the likes of Goldfrapp and Rachel Stevens.

On the other hand, Mel C was head on with the first campaign as an Independent Artist, having set up her own record lable after being dropped from Virgin. While the first single from her third album, Next Best Superstar got to #10, the album stalled outside of the Top20 and she cut her costs with her second single, Better Alone, which as an angry ballad, by only releasing it on her website (thus not counting towards the charts) after radio support fell through... It is a Mel C-favourite though as she re-released it and even recorded a new video for it its German release (only for it to flop completely again!).

Finally, Emma was riding high initially on the back of an initially successfull campaign with Downtown getting to #3 and she seemingly being everywhere. However, the album stalled at #60 (at the time, the lowest of all Spice-related chart positions!) and Emma was then enthrusted with the task of turning her album's fortunes around. All I Need To Know opens the album and it was seen as Emma's take on a more orchestral sound. Critically successful, it barely made a dent in the charts either, and Emma closed shop as a solo artist for the next 12years!

What do we think girlies? Which single do we overall prefer?

Geri Halliwell - Desire

B-sides

1. True Love Never Dies | Listen

Remixes:

1. Desire (Bimbo Jones Remix Vocal) | 6:30 | Released in Desire UK CD2

2. Desire (Bimbo Jones Remix Edit) | 3:23 | Released in Desire (Bimbo Jones Remix Edit) Digital Single

3. Desire (Shanghai Surprize Remix) | 7:10 | Released in Desire UK CD2

Melanie C - Better Alone

Bsides

1. Warrior | B-side to Better Alone | Listen

2. Runaway | B-side to Better Alone & First Day of My Life | Listen

Mixes:

1. Better Alone (Pop Mix Edit) | 3:24 | Released in Better Alone European Maxi CD, 2005

2. Better Alone (Pop Mix) | 3:54 | Released in Better Alone UK Maxi CD, 2005

3. Better Alone ('Amazing' Dub) | 7:44 | Released in Better Alone UK Maxi CD, 2005

Emma Bunton - All I Need To Know

bside:

1. Midnights & Martinis | B-side to All I Need To Know | Listen

 

Remixes:

1. Downtown (Element Remix) | 6:23 | Released in Downtown CD1, 2006

Better alone in all 3.

Not really a fan of any.

I actually really like 'Desire' and its slightly cringy video, so I'm gonna give it to Geri on all 3. 'Love Never Loved Me' may have been a wiser choice in hindsight, but I genuinely believe at this point it probably wouldn't have made any difference anyway.

'Better Alone' is a fabulous song, even if it is essentially just whinging about being dropped.

I was never that keen on 'All I Need To Know', it's nice I suppose but 'Take Me To Another Town' is so much better (although I probably would have used that as the CIN song anyway)

01 Emma

I love the song, but it might not be suitable as a single.

02 Geri

The video has a story and goes well with the song.

03 Melanie C

There are many versions to collect in each country. The UK and Italian versions are my treasures.

Better Alone

Desire

Desire

It's Desire on all three for me, a catchy bop, a cheesy as hell but cute video and the overall package was the best with 3 formats available!

I do like both Better Alone and All I need to know too, both are lovely songs but terrible single choices, the fact Melanie tried AGAIN in Germany after FDOML was bizarre... especially when she had Last Night On Earth RIGHT THERE!

Desire in all 3.

Emma ❤️

I went with Emma for favourite song, but Geri for video and overall package (although shout to to Better Alone for having good B Sides!)