“Wannabe” by the Spice Girls is a bold, energetic pop anthem released July in 1996 as their debut single from their debut album “Spice” —and it instantly became a global phenomenon. The song introduced the world to the group’s message of “girl power” with an infectious blend of pop hooks, rap-style verses, and a whole lot of attitude.
Musically, “Wannabe” is fast-paced and playful, combining a dance-pop beat with cheeky lyrics and a spoken-sung vocal style. It kicks off with Mel B’s iconic shout, “Yo, I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want,” and from there, it’s an unapologetic celebration of friendship, fun, and independence.
Despite (or perhaps because of) its brash simplicity and over-the-top energy, “Wannabe” became a massive hit, topping the charts in 37 countries, including the UK and US, where it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became the best-selling single by a female group in history and launched the Spice Girls into global superstardom. The music video for “Wannabe” was filmed in Midland Grand Hotel in St Pancras, London, UK.