Spice Up Your Life

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“Spice Up Your Life”
“Spice Up Your Life” cover
Single by Spice Girls
from the album Spiceworld
B-side "Spice Invaders"
Released October 13, 1997 (UK)
October 21, 1997 (US)
October 22, 1997 (Japan)
Format Vinyl record (12"),
cassette, CD single
Recorded 1997
Genre Pop
Length 2:53 (Album Version)
2:55 (Stent Radio Mix)
3:01 ( Music Video)
Label Virgin Records
Writer(s) Richard Stannard
Matt Rowe
Spice Girls
Producer Richard Stannard
Matt Rowe
Certification Platinum (BPI)
Platinum (ARIA)
Gold (RIAA)
Spice Girls singles chronology
"Mama" / "Who Do You Think You Are"
(1997)		 "Spice Up Your Life"
(1997)		 "Too Much"
(1997)


Spice Girls North American singles chronology
"2 Become 1"
(1997)		 "Spice Up Your Life"
(1997)		 "Too Much"
(1998)
Alternate covers
UK CD 2 cover
UK CD 2 cover
UK Promo CD cover
UK Promo CD cover
UK "Impulse" Promo CD cover
UK "Impulse" Promo CD cover

"Spice Up Your Life" is a pop–samba song by the Spice Girls. It was released as the first single from their second album Spiceworld in October 1997. After its first appearance on British radio, the song received an overwhelmingly positive initial reaction.

It became the girls' fifth consecutive number-one single in the UK and was very successful in Europe reaching the top five in most countries. In the US it was less successful than their previous singles, peaking at number eighteen, their first single that had not reached the top five.

Contents

[edit] Writing and inspiration

The song was written by Richard Stannard, Matt Rowe, and the Spice Girls. Stannard and Rowe, who had previously collaborated with the girls on their debut album, Spice, also produced the track.

 

"Spice Up Your Life" is known as the first track of the Spice Girls to further their sound, from bubble gum pop to a more samba/spanish-influenced rhythm.

The song is also known for the girls having a single-line solo in the third verse, whereas the rest of the track is sung by all five of them. This song can be considered to be their second signature song along with Wannabe.

[edit] Critical reception

"Spice Up Your Life" received mixed reviews from music critics. Sputnikmusic referred to the song as "one of the least entertaining songs on the album" and that it "sounds rather cacophonous and attempts to combine too many layers and the whole thing ends up sounding overblown", adding "try not to pay attention to the background or you will want to throw your CD player out the window every time the referee whistle comes in".[1] Rolling Stone called the song "a global call to arms and legs with a distinct carnivallike flavor and a message of Up With Spice People positivity".[2] Entertainment Weekly describe the song as "a ha-cha-cha slice of tropical-boat-cruise frivolity",[3] and Allmusic said that the song "consolidates and expands the group's style, adding Latin flourishes".[4]

[edit] Music video

Spice Girls as alien invaders in "Spice Up Your Life"
Spice Girls as alien invaders in "Spice Up Your Life"

The video itself is one that the girls themselves were far from happy with (in Melanie B's biography it was stated they wished it had a carnival theme but were too tired to fight this theme at the time).

It was directed by Marcus Nispel who also directed music videos for No Doubt, Gloria Estefan and Elton John.[5] With a multi-million dollar budget, the self-aggrandising promo sees the group in a futuristic setting possibly inspired by the 1982 film "Blade Runner", controlling every aspect of society.

The group stated that the video was a reaction to the press who criticized the group for selling out to a number of worldwide brands in the Summer of 1997, including Pepsi, Walkers, Cadbury's, Chupa Chups, Impulse, ASDA, Polaroid, and Channel 5.

The video shows the girls in a spaceship going through the city and looking at themselves on the various billboards. There are also shots of rooms and bars where there is a television showing the videos for "Say You'll Be There" and "Wannabe". The girls then fly aimlessly around the city on flying boards.

Melanie C once stated that she almost ruined the filming of the video, since it was filmed during two days, and in the second day she forgot to put the glasses she was wearing on her head during the first day. So in some scenes she is with the glasses and in some others she isn't.

[edit] Chart performance

The original release-date of "Spice Up Your Life" was delayed for seven days to attempt to displace Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997". The tribute to Princess Diana, who had died two months before, subsequently went on to become the world's biggest-selling single of all time. "Spice Up Your Life" reached the top spot the following week, with sales of 321,000 in its first week, although it only spent one week on the top spot - the first Spice Girls single to do so, spending 15 weeks inside the UK Top 75, and became the girls' fifth consecutive UK number-one single.

The Spice Girls performing "Spice Up Your Life" in Istanbul
The Spice Girls performing
"Spice Up Your Life" in Istanbul

Across Europe, "Spice Up Your Life" was largely successful, reaching the top five on most countries, but was unable to top the charts, being blocked off the number one spot by Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997" and Aqua's "Barbie Girl"; these was the case in the Euro Hot 100,[6] and France, where the song debuted at thirteen, reaching a peak position of three (the group's last top ten single) and stayed seventeen weeks on the chart.[7]

In Italy the song debuted at four, reaching a peak of number two for two weeks being blocked off the number-one position by "Barbie Girl"[8]. In Norway the song stayed ten weeks on the chart, reaching a peak position of three.[9] In Sweden the single debuted at number two, but was unable to reached the top being blocked by "Candle in the Wind 1997", and stayed in the charts for fourteen weeks.[10]

In Australia it debuted at number seventeen, it peaked at number eight two weeks later, spending twenty weeks on the chart,[11] and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association.[12]

In New Zealand the song debuted at number two staying in that position for four consecutive weeks, (held off by "Candle in the Wind 1997") and spend fifteen weeks on the chart.[13]

Spice Girls at Earl's Courtperforming "Spice Up Your Life"
Spice Girls at Earl's Court
performing "Spice Up Your Life"

The chart trajectory of "Spice Up Your Life" in the United States, however, was somewhat less successful. Due to the song's idiosyncratic sound—a hybrid of pop and samba—it was unable to fit into a particular musical mould. Hence, the song was seldom played on US radio (peaking at a very low number seventy-two on the Hot 100 Airplay),[14] resulting in it stalling at a lowly number eighteen on the Billboard Hot 100.[15]

Despite its disappointing chart position in the U.S., the track added another U.S. top-twenty to the group's already impressive list. "Life" also helped the Spiceworld LP debut on the Billboard 200 albums chart at number eight (it would eventually climb to a peak of number three after the release of the group's first film, Spiceworld: the Movie). However, despite the track's weak airplay, the CD single sold well, peaking at number eleven on the Hot 100 Singles Sales,[16] and eventually received a gold certification by the RIAA. [17]

It was also a dance hit, reaching number four on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart,[18] but did not succeed on the Hot Dance Singles Sales, reaching number twenty-two.[19] On the Top 40 Mainstream it barely cracked the chart, climbing to number thirty-seven,[20] and reached number twenty-seven on the Rhythmic Top 40.[21]

Overall, despite not being as popular as the Spice Girls' first three releases ("Who Do You Think You Are" couldn't be counted, since it was only released in the United Kingdom), the song was still an international hit, peaking within the top-twenty of the majority of the charts it charted on in the world.

[edit] Live performances

The Spice Girls performing "Spice Up Your Life" at the "Billboard Music Awards"
The Spice Girls performing
"Spice Up Your Life" at the
"Billboard Music Awards"
The Spice Girls performing "Spice Up Your Life" on The Spiceworld Tour.
The Spice Girls performing
"Spice Up Your Life" on
The Spiceworld Tour.

Like much of their second album Spiceworld, "Spice Up Your Life" had its premier during the group's first concert on October 13, 1997 at the Abdi Ipekci Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. The song was included in the set list for both, the Spiceworld Tour and the Christmas in Spiceworld tour.

"Spice Up Your Life" was performed many times in different British television programmes like "Top Of The Pops" and the "National Lottery", they also performed the song in programmes of Germany, Italy, Spain and other European countries.

It was also used in Award Ceremonies like the 1997 "Smash Hits! Awards", the 1997 "MTV European Music Awards", the 1997 "Billboard Music Awards" and the 2000 Brit Awards.

It was also used during the end of the Spice Girls movie Spiceworld (1997), where the girls performed at the Albert Hall surrounded by media and thousands of fans, there are also scenes of the rest of the supporting cast dancing and singing while the girls performed the song. This was one of two song that was shown as a full-length performance in the film, the other being "Too Much".

Image:Spiceuplife1.JPG
The Spice Girls performing
"Spice Up Your Life" during the finale of
"The Return of the Spice Girls"

It was also used became the opening & closing act in the Spice Girls Reunion Tour since 2007 with the opening having the lyrics upon the screen in masses of colours and speed with a remix for the closing act displaying flags of the world.

[edit] Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Spice Up Your Life".[22]

  • UK CD1/Canadian CD/Australian CD1/Japanese CD/
    South African CD/Taiwan CD1/US CD
  1. "Spice Up Your Life" [Stent Radio Mix] - 2:53
  2. "Spice Up Your Life" [Morales Radio Mix] - 2:48
  3. "Spice Up Your Life" [Stent Radio Instrumental] - 2:53
  4. "Spice Invaders" - 3:48
  • UK CD2/Australian CD2/Brazilian CD/Taiwan CD2
  1. "Spice Up Your Life" [Stent Radio Mix] - 2:53
  2. "Spice Up Your Life" [Morales Carnival Club Mix] - 11:30
  3. "Spice Up Your Life" [Murk Cuba Libre Mix] - 8:05
  • European CD
  1. "Spice Up Your Life" [Stent Radio Mix] - 2:53
  2. "Spice Invaders" - 3:48
  • 2007 Club Remixes
  1. "Spice Up Your Life" [Ralphie Rosarios Vocal Mix] - 9:06
  2. "Spice Up Your Life" [Ralphie Rosarios Dub Mix] - 8:36
  3. "Spice Up Your Life" [Ralphie Rosarios Radio Edit] - 3:39
  • UK 12" Vinyl single
  1. A1:"Spice Up Your Life" [Morales Carnival Club Mix] - 11:30
  2. B1:"Spice Up Your Life" [Murk Cuba Libre Mix] - 8:05
  3. B2:"Spice Up Your Life" [Morales Beats] - 5:51
  4. C1:"Spice Up Your Life" [Morales Drums & Dub Mix] - 11:07
  5. D1:"Spice Up Your Life" [Murk Sugar Cane Dub] - 8:38
  6. D2:"Spice Up Your Life" [Murk Spider Beats] - 3:41
  • US 12" Vinyl single
  1. A1:"Spice Up Your Life" [Morales Carnival Club Mix] - 11:30
  2. A2:"Spice Up Your Life" [Morales Radio Mix] - 2:48
  3. B1:"Spice Up Your Life" [Murk Cuba Libre Mix] - 8:05
  4. B2:"Spice Up Your Life" [Stent Radio Mix] - 2:53
  5. B3:"Spice Up Your Life" [Stent Radio Instrumental] - 2:53

[edit] Spice Invaders

"Spice Invaders" is the b-side to "Spice Up Your Life". It is different from many of their songs in that it is mostly spoken. It also appears to be improvised and unscripted. The girls talk to each other throughout the song about topics such as how Geri is "hugging" a tree, Mel B having ear rot and always talking on the phone, and how Mel C has never been very good at whistling.

[edit] Charts, peaks and certifications

[edit] Chart positions

Chart (1997) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart[23] 1
Spanish Maxi-Singles Chart 1
Danish Singles Chart[24] 2
Dutch Top 40[25] 2
Finnish Singles Chart[26] 2
Irish Singles Chart[27] 2
Italian Singles Chart[8] 2
Latvian Airplay Top[28] 2
New Zealand Singles Chart[13] 2
Swedish Singles Chart[10] 2
United World Chart 3
Euro Hot 100[6] 3
French Singles Chart[7] 3
Norwegian Singles Chart[9] 3
Belgian Singles Chart[29] 4
Swiss Singles Chart[30] 5
Australian Singles Chart[11] 8
Austrian Singles Chart[31] 12
German Singles Chart[32] 14
Chart (1997) Peak
position
Brazil Hot 100 1
Canadian Singles Chart[33] 2
U.S. ARC Weekly Top 40[34] 8
U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play[18] 4
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[15] 18
U.S. Hot Dance Singles Sales[19] 22
U.S. Rhythmic Top 40[21] 27
U.S. Top 40 Mainstream[20] 37

[edit] Certifications

Country Certification Sales/shipments
Australia Platinum[12] 70,000+
France Gold[35] 200,000+
The Netherlands Gold[36] 40,000+
United Kingdom Platinum[37] 800,000+
United States Gold[17] 500,000+
Worldwide 3,500,000+
Preceded by
"Candle In The Wind '97 / Something About The Way You Look Tonight" by Elton John		 UK Singles Chart number-one single
October 19, 1997 - for 1 week		 Succeeded by
"Barbie Girl" by Aqua

[edit] Notes and References

  1. ^ Sputnikmusic Review. Sputnikmusic.com . Retrieved September 28, 2007.
  2. ^ Rolling Stone Review. Rollingstone.com . Retrieved September 28, 2007.
  3. ^ Entertainment Weekly Review. ew.com . Retrieved September 28, 2007.
  4. ^ All Music Review. Allmusic.com . Retrieved September 28, 2007.
  5. ^ Marcus Nispel. Mdvbase.com . Retrieved September 29, 2007.
  6. ^ a b Europarade. Interproducciones.com.ar. Retrieved September 29, 2007.
  7. ^ a b French Charts. Lescharts.com . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  8. ^ a b Italian Charts. Hitparadeitalia.it . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  9. ^ a b Norwegian Charts. Norwegiancharts.com . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  10. ^ a b Swedish Charts. Swedishcharts.com . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  11. ^ a b Australian Charts. Australian-charts.com . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  12. ^ a b Australia Certification. ARIA.com.au . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  13. ^ a b New Zealand Charts. Charts.org.nz . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  14. ^ Hot 100 Airplay. Billboard.com . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  15. ^ a b Billboard Hot 100. Billboard.com . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  16. ^ Hot 100 Singles Sales. Billboard.com . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  17. ^ a b USA Certification. RIAA.com . Retrieved October 2, 2007.
  18. ^ a b Hot Dance Music/Club Play. Billboard.com . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  19. ^ a b Hot Dance Singles Sales. Billboard.com . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  20. ^ a b Top 40 Mainstream. Billboard.com . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  21. ^ a b Rhythmic Top 40. Billboard.com . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  22. ^ Formats and track listings. Spicediscography.tk . Retrieved September 29, 2007.
  23. ^ UK Charts. Theofficialcharts.com . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  24. ^ Danish Top 20. Ukmix.org . Retrieved October 8, 2007.
  25. ^ Dutch Charts. Top4000.nl . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  26. ^ Finnnish Charts. Finnishcharts.com . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  27. ^ Irish Charts. Irishcharts.ie . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  28. ^ Latvian Charts. Lanet.lv . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  29. ^ Belgian Ultratop 50 Chart. Radio2.be . Retrieved October 7, 2007.
  30. ^ Swiss Charts. Hitparade.ch . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  31. ^ Austrian Charts. Austriancharts.at . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  32. ^ German Charts. Musicline.de . Retrieved October 15, 2007.
  33. ^ Canadian Charts. Billboard.com . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  34. ^ ARC Weekly Top 40. Rockonthenet.com . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  35. ^ France Certification. Disqueenfrance.com . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  36. ^ Dutch Certification. NVPI.nl . Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  37. ^ UK Certification. BPI.co.uk . Retrieved September 18, 2007.

[edit] External links

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