July 8th 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the official UK release of the Spice Girls’ single Wannabe, according to sources. This song is a timeless piece about the importance of friendship, especially for girls.
The music is Britpop. The song has an upbeat rhythm. The beat is joyful yet strong, with bold energy. The musicians, more precisely, the programmers and keyboard players, Matt Rowe and Richard Stannard, did an excellent job. The composition remains dynamic while maintaining a timeless sound. The wavy rhythm is incredible, shifting from a slow pace during the verses to a faster tempo during the chorus. The Keyboard solo is a nice touch to this 90s classic. It ends with a great fade-out. The music is bold and inspires one to get up and dance. Every time I hear Wannabe, I remember watching the music video as a kid in the late 90s with excitement. Hearing that song on TV, on the radio, or on my CD (yes, back then it was CDs) marks a part of the 90s. The RAP sequence is so much to hear before going back to Brit Pop.
It boldly starts with Mel B (Scary Spice) singing, then the other members take turns smoothly. It creates a strong contrast between dynamic voices. Mel C, Emma, Geri, and Victoria have unique voices that complement each other beautifully. Mel B does an incredible RAP performance in the third verse. The Spice Girls remain a fantastic girl band, especially for their diverse vocal styles.
The lyrics remain inspirational to this day. The song beautifully celebrates female friendships before relationships. It honours loyalty to one’s girlfriends and the need to respect a girl’s friends before getting into a relationship. Wannabe is ahead of its time in terms of principles. It set standards before they became the concept we know today. Some may even say it is important in the feminist context. It marked the Girl Power era of the 90s. It also celebrates self-respect and self-love before self-love became mainstream. The song’s message still resonates with so many today. The sweetest detail is the homage to each Spice Girls member in the third verse, which adds a personal touch. The question “If You wanna be my lover” ends on a contemplative note, prompting the person to reflect before getting into a relationship.
Happy 30th anniversary to the Spice Girls’ single Wannabe!
Flora Youssef
