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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that the Spice Girls were absolute rubbish?

115 replies

ImJustMadAboutSaffron · 20/04/2022 22:13

Just that really. I think some of them could sing, one better than all of them, but their songs and persona, just no. I was about 16 when they appeared on the scene, so I was too old to be their target audience, I suppose. But I've always thought they were very Emperor's New Clothes.

OP posts:
araiwa · 21/04/2022 04:56

EinsteinaGogo · 20/04/2022 22:24

Of course they weren't rubbish.

They were different.
They were entertaining,
Their songs were mainly catchy.
They sold millions.
They made a sell out movie,
Most of them are still wealthy
Some of them are still very famous

What's your definition of rubbish?

You've confused being popular with being talented

Toponeniceone · 21/04/2022 05:19

Everything was a bit rubbish then. I much prefer it to the over polished perfection we have now.

Superhanz · 21/04/2022 05:57

YABU.

They weren't exactly great musicians but they each had something that made them special when they got together, it was the right mix of people and good marketing but I think it created a kind of magic, they wouldn't have had the success they did of it hadn't. I was 14 when they came out and although I hated them outwardly, I kind of loved them at the same time though I wouldn't even have admitted that to myself but I played wannabe to death and think I secretly wanted to be one, I shamefully copied a lot of their style.

I'm nostalgic about the 90s anyway and the Spice Girls are a big part of that. I still think the tunes were catchy too.

The girl power thing was all BS though, just clever marketing. I definitely eye rolled at all the girl power stuff even back then.

LetHimHaveIt · 21/04/2022 06:21

'You've confused being popular with being talented'

No, she hasn't. You've confused her post enumerating the reasons why they 'weren't rubbish', with her saying they were talented.

pilates · 21/04/2022 06:33

Yes, I think they were popular more because of what they represented, girl power and all that, rather than talent. I didn’t realise how bad they were until they did their most recent reunion tour. Let’s hope they don’t do another one.

stayathomer · 21/04/2022 06:34

I always remember saying 'they'll be one hit wonders'. How wrong I was! I think rubbish is way too strong, I thought Viva Forever, 2 become one and Goodbye showed they had some talent. The more I think of it now, the more I just think their mix of voices is a marmite thing but at the time I really liked them.

Bluerose77 · 21/04/2022 07:36

I never understood the "girl power" thing. How were they empowering women?

DickVanDyke26 · 21/04/2022 07:40

I think Emma had the nicest voice.

crackingreward · 21/04/2022 07:55

@pilates

Yes, I think they were popular more because of what they represented, girl power and all that, rather than talent. I didn’t realise how bad they were until they did their most recent reunion tour. Let’s hope they don’t do another one.
.

Anyone with half a brain could see 'girl power' was merely a slogan thrown out by their management. They didn't represent girl power, they were a manufactured pop group who did as they were told.

PurpleToeNail · 21/04/2022 07:59

*"They were managed and marketed. None of their success was down to their talent or ability to make good decisions. They did what they were told.

Girl power my arse, these were like puppets on their managements string"*

This. They were completely manufactured.

PurpleToeNail · 21/04/2022 08:00

Zero empowerment going on

MangoLipstick · 21/04/2022 08:12

I loved them back in the day - even went to see them in concert a few times!
I loved their style and energy, their songs were catchy, definitely not rubbish 😬

the80sweregreat · 21/04/2022 08:14

I agree about they were managed etc, but some of their performances were very slick ( especially those they did for the bbc) and they were just feisty and fun at that time and a bit different with lots of energy.
I loved Stop as it's just a great pop song.
I tend to think of the late 90s with fondness , it all seemed happier back then!

takealettermsjones · 21/04/2022 08:39

Emma Bunton has a gorgeous voice. Just not as powerful as some of the others.

Lhddujvf · 21/04/2022 08:40

I think this about little mix

the80sweregreat · 21/04/2022 08:42

It made a change seeing a new British girl group instead of Take that or Boy-zone all the time on top of the pops!

Barneysma2 · 21/04/2022 08:44

Yes they weren't the best singers but it wasn't so much about that but more about what they stood for and their entertainment value and they did have some great songs. For example out of Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams, Gary has the better voice but who would I rather see in concert? Robbie for sure as he would be so entertaining to watch.

JassyRadlett · 21/04/2022 08:49

The 'hot take/controversial opinion' that the Spice Girls aren't all that has been around since about 10 minutes after Wannabe was released.

I think some of the freshness may have worn off now.

PuppyMonkey · 21/04/2022 08:50

I remember them quite fondly now as a fun part of the era, but I do recall at the time I was getting seriously bored of them - long before Gerry left etc.

crackingreward · 21/04/2022 08:51

@Barneysma2

Yes they weren't the best singers but it wasn't so much about that but more about what they stood for and their entertainment value and they did have some great songs. For example out of Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams, Gary has the better voice but who would I rather see in concert? Robbie for sure as he would be so entertaining to watch.
.

What did they stand for?

Ifailed · 21/04/2022 08:55

What did they stand for?

Doing as they were told.

sst1234 · 21/04/2022 08:58

They were a great brand for their time: a great business move. Like others said, it wasn’t about the singing. Well done Simon Fuller.

RichardsGear · 21/04/2022 08:58

I never liked them but I was about 20 and madly into Britpop when they popped up. My 15 yr old DD is into the TikTok fuelled 90s revival and played Wannabe the other day in the car saying how much she loves it. It was shite at the time and is still shite now 😆.

IncompleteSenten · 21/04/2022 09:00

Yes they were. Most of these groups put together by execs are.
Find some good looking young people, exploit the fuck out of them, chuck them on the rubbish heap and autotune the next lot. 🤷‍♀️

veronicagoldberg · 21/04/2022 09:02

They were brilliant. They really captured the zeitgeist.

What a lot of people miss when criticising artists or bands is that popularity is so much more than an ability to sing or dance. It's a mix of charisma, appeal, being right for the times, capturing the mood of a nation.