Piers

Entertainment Weekly is reporting Diablo Cody finished her work on the screenplay and is just moving on to the next project. No riff. Granted, that could be studio spin. But at the same time, I *think* (?) Entertainment Weekly is viewed as a more reputable source than the places reporting Diablo Cody quit because of problems with Madonna. It would certainly help if one of them just came forward and made a comment...put it all to bed. That said, Madonna does have a long history of going to war with her film collaborators. Who knows? Maybe her collaborators deserved it on some of those occasions...but I genuinely hope everything's okay with Diablo Cody. Cody is the element that's giving me the most hope for this project. She's the absolute perfect person to pen this story. While having Madonna collaborate on the screenplay was the right action, I see her directing as likely to be a disaster. Madonna's trended for all the wrong reasons for years at this point. A biopic has a lot of potential to rehab her image and remind the public what amazing music she created. A director like Patty Jenkins would have the right mix of mainstream sensibilities and edginess to pull this off. Madonna the filmmaker? I could easily see this getting perceived as a titanic ego trip, and I don't know how Universal isn't nervous about this considering the reception to most of Madonna's other movies.

Right. Their loss of US radio support could have been a number of things. Simon's firing might be it. I think we may have discussed this before...but my theory's always been that there were a number of US-grown pop groups waiting in the wings...and some powerful people in music might have wanted the Spices out of the way. It certainly felt that way in 1998...with the Spices outselling a lot of acts by a wide margin...yet the new acts were getting all the radio/video play. In terms of their over commercialization, I don't actually think that was as bad here as it was in the UK. We got Pepsi/Move Over...but I think that's about it in terms of commercials. There was a ton of merchandise, for sure, though. I'd also say this. As a kid, I felt there was a very pronounced shift in attitudes toward them when the Spice World movie trailers showed up. Before then, they had a few mostly liked singles. They were fun in interviews. They were badasses in Say You'll Be There. But I don't think the Spice World trailers played well to the US audience. I remember cringing watching them...staring at the trailer and thinking...what is even going on here? Today, I kinda defend that film on a certain level...and could probably write a thesis paper on how I think it was a camp fest intentionally built to be a midnight movie cult film someday. But back then? I remember that being about the time you had to start keeping your Spice fandom a secret. But anyway. You're absolutely right that they're in a better light today. Everything that some considering grating (including the movie) is now overwhelmingly viewed as fun 90s nostalgia.

I've never asked around, but I've wondered what other fans made of the editing of her concert tour releases. I've tried to watch sections of her Rebel Heart release, but it always just makes me wonder...who exactly enjoys this? The editing and effects are total chaos. All her live vocals are practically obscured. Luckily, I got to see and enjoy that show in person. But my general feeling is the way that release is edited actually hides the intricacy and energy of the staging and choreography. It was way cooler to see in person. But. I don't know. Maybe the way I watch things is old fashioned? I tend to like concerts presented somewhat similarly to how most live shows are done. In revisiting the Rebel Heart tour, I've definitely gone to fan videos. Unfortunately, you can't exactly do that as much with the Madame X tour...a show I didn't get to see in person and would very much like to experience...preferably without the chaos? I've kinda wondered the logic in editing like this. Is it an attempt to appeal to the youngest demographic?...the result of an artist who's too critical of her own singing and dancing?

The commercial failure of some of her early films does strike me as an unusual thing. Who's That Girl would be the prime example. That film came out during Madonna's absolute commercial peak with True Blue. The Who's That Girl soundtrack was a huge hit. The corresponding tour was a huge hit. Who's That Girl was a #1 single with the film heavily featured in the video. How does the film get released in the middle of that and get barely seen? As I mentioned earlier, I don't think it's a film that especially works...but considering it starred one of the most famous faces on the planet and seemingly had so much attention, I'd think it'd sell some tickets. And honestly. It's not like a movie's ever had to be good to be a hit. I mean. This is the same era the Police Academy sequels were raking in the cash...

I finally sat down to watch Bloodhounds of Broadway the other night...and I think you summed it up really well. Wow, does this thing get off on the wrong foot. The first few scenes try to introduce about 30 characters at once. It does help that nearly everyone in the movie is a recognizable face, but I would have needed a flow chart to keep up with all the connections and relationships being immediately dumped on the audience. It certainly doesn't help that the audio is oddly murky in that early scene in the diner. My understanding is all of this is based on some beloved series of stories. So. I'm just going to assume it was all a lot more engaging on the page. As it was presented here, I really couldn't care less about these characters or their plights. I do think the Razzie nom for Worst Supporting Actress was a pretty silly thing. While the movie has issues, Madonna's clearly not the problem. In fact, I probably found her the single most interesting thing about it. Her performance with an oddly bored (?) Jennifer Grey has some cute mannerisms. M's scenes do inject a little life into things. I'll add this. Her pairing with Randy 'Cousin Eddie' Quaid has to be one of the most random movie couples ever. I won't spoil the movie (though...is anyone going to watch this thing?...), but I'm a little surprised that her character's resolution didn't make Madonna just gag.

On an international level, no. They weren't a flash in the pan. You can get into the weeds in terms of sales/chart expectations, but ultimately, members were scoring top ten singles in several markets for more than a decade. That's a longevity that doesn't qualify as a flash in the pan. In the US music market, I think the question's a bit more complicated. Because they arrived here in 1997, the US essentially just got a year and four months of the classic five-piece lineup. The group absolutely owned 1997. By 1998, the group's radio/MTV support was gone...but they remained huge throughout the year due to the movie release, Geri's leaving, and the tour. However, the drop in interest for anything Spice related in 1999 could not have been more steep and abrupt. Despite the group being so massive a few months earlier, Geri couldn't manage a top 40 album. Mel C's didn't even make the top 200 in the first week. Then, Forever just barely scraped into the top 40...a wild thought considering the group had two albums in the top ten at the same time in 1998. Of course, dramatic falls have happened before. Cyndi Lauper and Paula Abdul spring to mind. But actually, the Spices soared higher and fell quicker and harder than either of them. As big a fan as I am of the Spices...how suddenly, quickly, and dramatically they fell in the US after THAT start...does seem rare. Who even compares? Granted, there are lots of reasons for the drop...between the girls' lack of promotion in the US market and the near total absence of radio/MTV support. But that's not so much excuses as much as reasons for such a swift and sudden fall. They ARE unquestionably very well remembered, though. They're a permanent, substantial part of 90s nostalgia. And if that saves them from being considered a flash in the pan, then there ya go. (to be clear...I voted 'no')

^ That's actually interesting that Swear It Again managed to chart that high in the US. #20. I was keeping up with pop radio quite a bit at that time, and I never heard it. Westlife is an unknown group here. With the Spice Girls, I'd say the cultural impact actually outpaces the sales in the US. They completely owned 1997. They were hugely popular throughout 1998. To this day, Wannabe's still a staple of parties and karaoke bars. Every 90s Party I've ever seen (they're big in my age group) has had someone dressed up as a Spice Girl. I see people dressed as Spice Girls every Halloween. The uniqueness of their image made them a lasting brand. Yes, their success dropped here at a certain point, but the group wasn't even doing the bare minimum to support their efforts...so... Anyway. I'm not trying to make it sound like the US music market is the be-all and end-all or anything. But it IS the biggest music market...and that has to count for something in a conversation of which of two groups is bigger. I realize I just wrote quite a lot in response to a discussion that probably wasn't serious to begin with...

Maybe this is a bit of a sore subject in a Madonna forum...considering how nastily critics treated Madonna the actress. But. I've watched a chunk of her filmography, and I'm curious what other fans make of her movies. The ones I've seen: Dick Tracy. I actually really love this movie. The cast. The comic book aesthetic. The score. The songs. All great...and I'd venture to say this is my favorite Madonna role. She's so good in it. Desperately Seeking Susan. I think she's at her most natural here. I realize the plot's a bit bonkers, but I'd love to live in this movie...if that makes sense. It gives me a nostalgia for a time I never lived in. Evita. I do think this material works a bit better on stage. The film feels a bit like a long montage for me at times. But the songs and music are gorgeous, and that's what matters. M's excellent. Who's That Girl. Beats me if this has ever been said, but I genuinely do think M is good in this. She creates a character, a living cartoon, and commits to it. I think she and Griffin Dunne are two of the only positives in a film that's a mess. I think my issue with it is I'm not clear on the rules of this world. Is this a standard comedy where wacky (yet plausible) things can happen?...or an exaggerated world (like The Naked Gun) where literally anything can take place? To me, it veers inconsistently between the two. And I find parts of it to be desperate in its attempts at comedy. The tied up bridesmaids spring to mind... Body Of Evidence. I think she does what the role calls for here and, to me, the star quality's on display. It's not a great film, but it's pretty in line with the other fun, smutty erotic thrillers of the early 90s. Shanghai Surprise. This is the only one I've seen where I thought her performance flat-out didn't work. I kinda understood the logic in her casting...with her resembling Hollywood starlets of the era when it's set. But she's just not comfortable with this part...and I think she's probably the weakest link in an otherwise unmemorable film. Other than that, I've seen Four Rooms and Die Another Day, but not recently enough to have opinions. I have not seen A Certain Sacrifice (...if that counts?), Bloodhounds of Broadway, A League of Their Own (surprisingly), Dangerous Game, The Next Best Thing, Swept Away, or Arthur and the Invisibles (or any number of small cameo films). Any of them I need to give a shot?

On The Horizon sooo doesn't deserve the ire it gets. I didn't get Here It Comes Again when it first came out. All her Northern Star stuff was so interesting. I couldn't believe Mel had taken that long a break to come back with something so bland. HICA has grown on me majorly over the years. I like it now. But. Putting myself in my 2003 mindframe, it was On the Horizon that won me back over to Mel and got me interested in Reason. I was convinced OTH *had* to at least perform better than HICA on the charts. It was just that much more commercial.

Before the release of Hot, Sisqo was angry that some elements of his productions were changed on the two songs he did...Hell No and Hotter. I can't remember his exact quote...but it was something to the effect of "if she doesn't change it back, I'm taking my name off the songs." So. He didn't exactly do that. But I did notice those songs seem to be credited to "Mark Andrews" (his real name) as opposed to the known "Sisqo". From what I can tell, he sometimes went as Mark "Sisqo" Andrews on his own writing credits. Anyway. This is total speculation on my part. But I did wonder if Mel decided not to release it out of concern of reigniting some bad blood. Tag to that, she'd been vocal about not getting along with Teddy Riley, so she basically had a bad experience with her collaborators for half the album. So. In her mind, maybe it was safer to go with a track written by longtime collaborator Richard Stannard and produced by the Darkchild team (who were always positive about their Spice collaborations)? I do think she was bound to take a slide no matter what she released at that point. I think Tell Me and Feels So Good were more obvious hits than Hotter. But I'd agree that Hotter was probably the next most obvious in line...and was certainly a more commercial choice than Lullaby. Maybe it could have made the top 10? Anyway. Back on topic. Which of these do I wish made the top ten? Headlines. The reasons it all went wrong for Headlines have already been discussed in here, so I won't get into it all. But while I found the one TV performance and the video to be surprisingly unimaginative for what should have been a big pop culture moment...I've never been disappointed in the song itself. I thought it was gorgeous from the first listen, and I've never changed my mind about liking it. I guess you could argue that declaring your love through newspapers isn't the most relatable perspective...but I'll defend it as a kinda unique take...and certainly an experience they'd been living for a while. All the girls and their collaborators had evolved so much since 1997, I actually think it's cool their team somehow recaptured that very specific Spice sound from ten years previous. I don't hold it in the same regard as Viva Forever or anything, but I do think it deserves a place alongside their other singles. Other than that...On The Horizon. It sooo doesn't deserve the ire it gets. (Mod Edit: 'Reason' discussion moved to 'Reason' thread: http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?s...t&p=6803892 )

The big thing is...I'm super appreciative of Geri and her team releasing a full song without interruptions...and with the lyrics. The new version's pretty. I continue to think Without Love is among the best three or so songs she's done in the post-Passion era...and one of her prettiest ballads just in general. I wonder if it's about anyone in particular. Robbie sprang to mind. But that's all total speculation on my part. Totally honest. I do prefer the leaked version from a few years ago. There's a certain haunting quality about that one. I also prefer her vocal take on that one...which isn't as reliant on the vocal fry. I don't mind the fry in general, but I think a little really goes a long way with it. But minus the number of vocal fries, I think she sounds really nice on this. So. Yeah. I definitely prefer the leaked versions of both Man on the Mountain and Without Love. But, whatever. These are Geri's songs, and if this is how she wants her work to be interpreted and heard, cool. I'm glad I get to hear this one in full.

I remember when articles were claiming this was going to be a three-way chart battle...between Kylie, Victoria, and Michael Jackson's comeback single (which ended up being You Rock My World). Of course, it didn't happen that way. I think MJ ended up releasing later than expected if memory serves correctly. Totally honest. I remember hanging around and posting in the fan forums a lot during that time...and a lot of us did think we were going to get a legitimate chart battle with Kylie. I knew CGYOOMH was the better song...and I knew it was likely to win. But. Keeping in mind, the year before, Out of Your Mind outsold all of Kylie's Light Years singles by quite a lot. Everything Victoria touched had huge sales to that point. The only true disappointment in that department was Forever, but the group issues were obvious there. Victoria...with a sharp, state-of-the-art video...and a full-speed-ahead promotional campaign? How could her album launcher not be a huge seller? That was the thinking among many then, anyway. Emma and Geri had number ones that same year. Not Such An Innocent Girl was fairly well-liked by the fanbase until people started hearing the sales. The diehard fans hadn't totally realized at this point that the era of a Spice Girl at #1 had ended...and their chances at chart success were kinda collectively lowering at about the same rate. I expected CGYOOMH to win, but I definitely didn't expect the gap in sales.

Oh yeah! Sleeping Beauty. I think that was supposed to be a BBC musical for TV, right? I remember that project getting a lot of attention back in 1999. MTV in the US was reporting on it. I've never seen that Emma screen test. I'm going to have to try to track it down... Ah yes. Fat Slags. One of the only times a Spice Girl gets on the big screen post-Spice World, and it's...Fat Slags. I can't say that much. I've never sat down to watch the whole thing. I've only seen some compilations of Geri's scenes on Youtube. It...doesn't look like my thing. I'll leave it at that. This seriously played at some theaters? And yeah, there's Ab Fab. And Emma and Victoria were sorta kinda in Zoolander (in archive footage). I wish the full five-piece could still make a fun appearance in some A-list movie...similar to Wilson Phillips in Bridesmaids or the Backstreet Boys in This is The End. A super fun cameo to cap off a (hopefully) actual good movie shouldn't be too much to ask, right?..........right?

^ Actually, I'm surprised Northern Star wasn't in her top ten most popular tracks already. After When You're Gone, Never Be The Same Again, and I Turn To You, wouldn't Northern Star be the next biggest hit in line?...by a pretty considerable margin? (...though I know First Day Of My Life was a considerable hit in certain markets...)

Hm. I wonder what role that would have been. Ivana Humpalot? I don't love the second and third Austin Powers films because I think the clever stuff was starting to get outweighed by the dud material...but there's no arguing that The Spy Who Shagged Me was a huge hit. It's interesting in retrospect that Geri would turn down that sort of opportunity...but then again, the Geri doc shows the sort of sky-is-the-limit ambitions she had immediately following the Spice Girls. Honestly, it's too bad the timing didn't pan out for the full five piece at the height of their characters to end up in an Austin Powers film. I know it couldn't happen that way. They hadn't exploded in America yet when the first film was shooting. Geri leaving, touring, and pregnancies would get in the way of any involvement in the second. But. Really, both the Spices and Austin Powers were so big on the union jack imagery and love of retro and camp...in some alternate universe, the group would have fit right in with the films' aesthetic. Granted, they might have ended up with machine gun boobs or something...

Taking a trip down memory lane. None of the girls ever became true film stars...but apparently there was something of a chance of that happening at one time. Wanted to take a look back at some of the film roles that might-have-been. Some of these are rumors. These are the ones I remember... The World is Not Enough. In the Geri documentary, Geri is seen getting ready to audition for this Bond film. It seems as though this would be the Elektra King role (not the part played by Denise Richards). As an aside, Mel C was heavily rumored at the time to be in the running to sing the theme song. While I'm not clear on if that was actually true, my understanding is the song is meant to be the perspective of Elektra...the role Geri lost out on. Charlie's Angels. Victoria's claimed she was runner-up for the role Lucy Liu ended up taking. Also...after Geri left the Spice Girls, the late night talk shows in the US claimed she was in the running to star in this. My guess is Geri's involvement was probably just rumors...an easy story to make up when news of Geri's departure and a Charlie's Angels film in the works were in the news at the same time. Therapy. What was intended to be Geri's starring vehicle...a rom com about a woman who falls in love with her therapist...never happened. If memory serves correctly, David Gordon Green was intended to direct this...until they just couldn't get enough interest to get the financing together. It's interesting he was involved...since he would go on to a lot of success with stuff like Pineapple Express and Halloween (2018). Side note. I've always guessed Geri's Getting Better b-side was meant to be for this movie. Superman Returns. Tabloid articles at the time thought Emma was up for Lois Lane...but on RuPaul's podcast, Emma said she was actually up for Kitty Kowalski. That part makes a lot more sense. The role is very similar to the 1978 Superman's Miss Teschmacher...Lex Luthor's sidekick who has a soft spot for Superman. Emma has something of a resemblance in looks and mannerisms to Teschmacher actress Valerie Perrine (something also pointed out by RuPaul). I've wondered if Emma did get cast, if the role would have remained "Miss Teschmacher" instead of changing the name for Parker Posey (who didn't resemble the original actress). The Pink Panther 2. Emma was rumored to be in the running for this...but I'm not sure this was ever confirmed. Quick note about Hercules. There's a very popular rumor that the girls were going to be the Muses who narrate the story, but this wasn't ever in the cards. They *were* asked to record I Won't Say I'm In Love for the soundtrack album, but the timing didn't work out. Anyway. What'd I miss...?

Yeah. Agreed. I do see the logic of the duet on paper. I'm sure the powers-that-be were very well aware that Mel C had completely turned her album's fortunes around...releasing a single version of her 3rd release off Northern Star that was a bit different than what was on the album (and then a fourth release that completely transformed the album version of the song). I'm sure that also played a role in the remix given to Emma's We're Not Gonna Sleep Tonight...which I think is 'fine'...but I find the album version to have more punch. Anyway. I think the inherent problem is...if there were ever a song that fit Victoria to a T, it was I Wish. It's perhaps a bit surprising that it's one of that album's tracks that she didn't have a hand in writing. I honestly can't imagine that song fitting anyone else better. And because of that, I don't think a duet with someone else was ever going to work.

^ While it did cross my mind that VB had been in a chart battle with Can't Get You Out of My Head, I don't believe that was intentional on Mel B's part at all. I only remember the chart battle because I'm the type of person who would post in a Spice Girls fan forum. But in general...considering how much Can't Get You Out of My Head outsold Not Such An Innocent Girl, I think the "chart battle" is very much a forgotten pop culture moment. CGYOOMH has become one of the definitive songs of its era. Plus, Kylie has worked with some of the same writers and producers as the Spices. I'm sure Mel's far more familiar with the song through all that. Besides. Mel can't even remember she released a cover of Word Up. I have serious doubts she remembers a failed chart battle that another group member had from 20 years ago...

Side note. While I consider I Wish the best thing Victoria recorded solo...and think it's criminal she never released it, I do think that duet version (which was supposedly going to be the single) was a total disaster. Her duet partner (can't remember the name...) is singing circles around her, using this opportunity as a vocal showcase...seemingly unaware that Victoria's cool, straightforward delivery is a large part of the song's appeal. His vocals could not sound more obviously tacked on. The added production elements are beyond unnecessary and are too quirky...interrupting the song's groove and making it very start-stop and awkward. Had they released this duet, it would have been the worst solo Spice single to that point by far. Actually, with the exception of Cosmic Shower (if that counts), I'm not sure there's a solo Spice single just in general that's worse than the I Wish duet...

Had the album sold better, I always thought a singles run of NSAIG - Mind Of Its Own - I Wish - IOU made the most sense. Maybe an IOU/Like That double single for the fourth and final release. But because the album and NSAIG performed below exceptionally high expectations, I do think the wisest course of action would have been to launch the album's best song as the second single...I Wish. If you've seemingly got just one more chance, go for broke, right? I do like Mind Of Its Own, though. I think the chorus is rather strong. People tend to be split over the spoken word bits...but I actually like that. To me, it not only works, it separates this single from the other more adult contemporary solo Spice singles of the time. Makes it unique. And even though I'd rather she released I Wish, I do understand the logic of going for Mind Of Its Own. The Spices were very good at releasing singles that showed the different sides of the group. Mind Of Its Own successfully showed us a different side of Victoria from the previous two singles. It was also the song she would be able to perform live the best. And after the intense choreography of the previous singles, maybe some live performances was the right way to go.

I know I just said I find it weird, but really, her playing songs from her latest album isn't necessarily a "bad" thing for me. I guess I'm talking more a public perception thing. The most recent time I saw her was the Rebel Heart tour. That set list basically went...open with four songs the crowd (by and large) didn't know. A few quick lines of Vogue. Two more songs the crowd didn't know. True Blue on a ukulele. And so on. I wouldn't say *I* didn't enjoy it. I'm a genuine fan. I knew everything she brought out. But the people I brought to the show and the people sitting around us were largely bewildered by it. The perception wasn't exactly helped by the fact she went on more than three hours late. I think there's a bit of this. When you're more than a decade and three albums past having hits...and you have pretty much the best back catalogue in pop, I think you kinda have to evaluate the balance of new stuff and hits at some point. Or not. Obviously, she's had an amazing touring career. Her crowds are getting smaller. That could be by choice. But her image has definitely been damaged in the past few years...and I'm not sure her directing her own movie is going to help that. All's I'm saying is...a hit-filled setlist of her doing what she does best might go a long way toward building her back up.

Oh, I completely agree with you. She has a phenomenal discography...though I don't think she'll ever do a full setlist of top to bottom hits. I'm a big fan, but I don't think I've been to a concert by another legendary artist who is quite as uninterested in their most famous material. I didn't get to catch her most recent Madame X tour...but...(sorry other fans), it's super weird to me that more than half of that setlist is made up of Madame X songs/other tracks that aren't her own hits when she has such an incredible background in pop. I'm not saying she shouldn't do any current album material. It's just...these albums aren't impacting the world on the level of Ray Of Light and Confessions at this point. There's been such damage to her reputation lately, I kinda think the way to rehab the image is to lean on the hits and finally give the people what they want. But. She's definitely not going to do that... Aaaaand. I say all that while acknowledging this seems to be an incredibly unpopular viewpoint among the fanbase...similar to my support of solo Spice songs at group gigs. Lol...

Oh. I forgot to give my Encore: 21. Emma and Geri recreate their 1999 chart battle by performing Lift Me Up and What I Am...at the same time. 22. Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins takes the stage and performs all his spoken word bits to a beat. 23. Geri gives a camping tutorial. 24. Special appearance by Sophie Ellis Bextor who dedicates a performance of Groovejet to "someone who couldn't be here tonight" 25. Special appearance by Westlife...who take a seat on barstools on the stage. They don't sing. The girls just stand uncomfortably close over them and angrily sing Voodoo at them. Lights out.

I remember on first hearing this album...I quite hilariously thought that maturity in her sound must just come from her turning 30. Now that I'm a few years past 30 myself, I'm like...yeah, 30...isn't...especially mature. I like Life In Mono overall. All That You'll Be and All I Need To Know are gorgeous. Take Me To Another Town and Undressing You are probably my two favorites. But it just doesn't have the sort of material that could set charts on fire...even in an alternate world that gave a fair shake to solo Spice releases. That's not necessarily a bad thing. She sounds lovely on all of it. Songs are pretty. It just is what it is. Outside of Downtown, Take Me To Another Town is probably the closest thing to having hit potential...but even that's not quite Free Me or Maybe. What's a little curious is potential hits were actually recorded for this era. The unreleased Crazy Beautiful is an ear worm. What we've heard of Ladylike is clearly a demo...but you can tell it was a draft of something that could have been great. There are others too. Yet...to me...the stronger material for this album (that was written by Emma, no less) got dumped in favor of five covers and decidedly more muted offerings. Emma only wrote 7 of the 14 songs on the Deluxe edition. Of course, by the time My Happy Place came along, nothing by a solo Spice was ever going to chart well...but I actually do think Baby Please Don't Stop and Too Many Teardrops sound like hits that just arrived too late.

Lol. Yeah. I mean. I'd agree that a crowd might be a bit lost with Forever album tracks, but several of their solo songs really aren't obscurities. At the very least, Never Be The Same Again and It's Raining Men were among the top 20 best selling songs of their year. If Wikipedia is to be believed, I Want You Back was the first time a female rapper hit #1 in the UK. There seems to be some significance to that. I just land at this...when I saw Fleetwood Mac, they did their solo hits. As I mentioned earlier, when I saw The Rolling Stones, they did their solo hits. So. To me, if the option is to fill up a good chunk of the setlist with album tracks that the girls may or may not remember the lyrics to...or pull from a few of the eight solo number ones, why be shy about going for the hits? But. I'll concede this. I'm basing all this on what I perceive the public remembers. Since I Turn To You was a big UK hit at the time, I assume people my age would remember it. Do they not? I get that some hit songs kinda get obscured over time. My guess was that When You're Gone would be better known to the masses than, say, Something Kinda Funny. If that's wrong, maybe they shouldn't do solo stuff.