Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)

For other songs, see Headlines (disambiguation).
"Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)"
Single by Spice Girls
from the album Greatest Hits
Released 5 November 2007
Format
Recorded 2007
Genre
Length 3:31
Label Virgin
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
  • Richard Stannard
  • Matt Rowe
Spice Girls singles chronology
"Holler"/"Let Love Lead the Way"
(2000)		 "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)"
(2007)
Children in Need singles chronology
"Downtown"
(2006)		 "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)"
(2007)		 "Do Ya/Stay with Me"
(2008)
Music video
"Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" on YouTube

"Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" is a song performed by British girl group Spice Girls for their greatest hits album Greatest Hits. It was written by the Spice Girls, Richard Stannard and Matt Rowe, whilst produced by the latter two. It was released as the only single from the album on 5 November 2007, by Virgin Records. It was also announced it would be the last single from the group until the finishing of their world tour The Return of the Spice Girls. The song was the first commercial single release to feature the group's original lineup since Geri Halliwell left in 1998. The song was also the official Children in Need single of 2007.

"Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" is a midtempo ballad song, which lyrically talks about the group reuniting, and about their friendship throughout two decades together. The song received generally mixed reviews from music critics, with some calling it a "classic" from the group, while others felt it was not good enough. "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" was a moderate success worldwide, peaking at number eleven on the UK singles chart, becoming the group's first single not to peak inside the top ten, or indeed the top two. However, it reached the top-ten in Italy, Scotland and Spain.

An accompanying music video for "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" was directed by Anthony Mandler at Pinewood Studios and premiered in early November 2007. The video depicts the girls in a stately room, with plum colored walls and antique furniture, wearing gowns designed by Roberto Cavalli. "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" was performed by the group at the 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, Children in Need 2007 marathon, as well as on their reunion tour, Return of the Spice Girls, which occured in 2007 and 2008.

Background

"It feels like taking a little bit of the past. You feel that flavor but then it's moving on. The other girls chipped in later, adding lyrics. It's magical. Before we'd even got the final yes from everyone, we kind of started putting words down".

—Geri Halliwell talking about the song's development.[1]

The plan to reform and release a greatest hits had long been speculated by the media,[2] but its planned release was first confirmed by Mel B in June 2005.[3] She stated, "We'll get back together because we all want to. I know everyone is up for it. There is going to be a greatest hits album and we've got loads of new songs that nobody has heard yet."[3] On 28 June 2007, the group held a press conference at The O2 Arena revealing their intention to reunite.[4] During the conference, the group confirmed their intention to embark upon a world wide concert tour, starting in Vancouver on 2 December 2007.[5] "I want to be a Spice Girl again. We are like sisters and we have our arguments, but by the end of the day we get back together", said Emma Bunton, while Melanie Chisholm commented that the tour "will be a proper good farewell to our fans".[6] The group's comeback single, "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)", was announced as the official Children in Need charity single for 2007,[7] and released on radio on 23 October,[8] whilst released digitally on 5 November and commercially on 19 November 2007.[9][10]

Geri Halliwell described the single as a "big love song" and "a Spice Girl classic".[10] Another group member, Chisholm in her 2008 appearance on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, announced that she thought the song was not good at all, and that at least she was against the release of any new material when the record company was trying to market the Greatest Hits release.[11] However in 2014, she would later change her mind saying that the song grew on her during the reunion tour, and that it felt lovely on stage.[12]

Composition
"Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)"
A sample of the song's chourus, with the group singing it together.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" was initially written by Bunton and Halliwell with help from producers, with the other three girls adding later on. Musically, "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" is a midtempo ballad. It is written in the key of C♯ minor, and moves at a slow tempo of 76 beats per minute.[13][14] Lyrically, it talks about the group reuniting, mainly talking about their friendship throughout two decades together.[15] They sing: "Let's make the headlines/loud and true/I wanna tell the world I'm giving it all to you/Let's make the headlines/loud and clear/the best things only happen when you are near".[8] The song is built around acoustic guitar, syncopated rhythms, and lilting croon-styled vocals.[16]

According to Spence D. from IGN, the song "pretty much fits the mold of the Girls previous outings of this down tempo variety", like "2 Become 1" and "Viva Forever". He commented, "if it hadn't been singled out as a new track you'd easily swear that it was a "lost" B-side from one of their previous albums".[16] For Nick Levine from Digital Spy, "The Spice Girls' comeback single is as hip and modern as Jeremy Clarkson's dress sense: the simple drum loop could have been laid down while they were recording their debut album; the flamenco guitar riffs are pure 'Viva Forever'; and, nine years down the line, Mel C is still taking on all the money notes, adding some real oomph to the middle 8".[17]

Reception

Critical response

"Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" has received generally mixed reviews from music critics. Talia Kraines, writing for BBC Music was positive in her review, and called the song a "classic Spice ballad".[18] According to a writer from The Daily Collegian, "for the naysayers, who say the Spice Girls time has passed, two new tunes, "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" and "Voodoo" may grab your attention".[19] Nick Levine from Digital Spy commented in his positive review, "'Headlines' won't be the first tune you skip to on the Spice Girls' Greatest Hits album – or, in all honesty, the tenth – but, as its pretty, gently melodic chorus surges gracefully, the feeling that comes over you is unmistakable. Nostalgia's a funny old thing, isn't it?"[17]

NME gave it a mixed review, saying "while new ballad "Headlines" is functional but lacks a certain, ahem, zig-a-zig aaaaaaargh."[20] Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic gave it a mixed review, as he said that, along with "Voodoo" it was "forgetable and a sleeper hit". He also said that the song "isn't as self-referential or clever as its title suggests".[21] However, Rosie Swash from The Guardian provided a negative review, stating, "the Spice Girls have never been the most sincere bunch of women and between an entirely forgettable melody and lyrics that go round in circles of crap about reaching into your soul and the time being now or never", completing that the biggest sound the song made was "the echo of total hollowness".[22]

Chart performance

The Spice Girls performing "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" during the Return of the Spice Girls reunion tour in 2007

"Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" was first released in the United Kingdom. The song debuted at number twenty on 17 November 2007 on the UK Singles Chart, based on digital downloads.[23] After two weeks, the song climbed and peaked at number eleven on the chart, becoming the group's first single not to peak inside the top ten, or indeed the top two.[24] However, the single managed to go to number three on the UK Physical Singles Chart.[25] The song debuted at its peak of number 90 on the US Billboard Hot 100, only peaking on the charts for the week of 24 November 2007.[26] "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" debuted at number 42 on the Canadian Hot 100, only staying in for one week in the chart. The song became a very minor hit in that country.[27]

The song debuted at number 67 on the Austrian Singles Chart, the group's lowest charting single in that country.[28] The song debuted at number 52 on the Dutch Single Top 100 on the issue date 17 November 2007. The single later slipped to number 93 after one week, thus the single became the group's third single to miss the top ten in that country.[29] On the issue dated 15 November 2007, "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" debuted at number three on the Swedish Singles Chart, the group's highest single since 1998's "Goodbye". The song only stayed on for five weeks.[29] The song peaked at number two in Italy, becoming a success in that country, staying in the charts for seven weeks.[29]

Music video

The Spice Girls as they appear in the music video for "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)".

On the 15 October 2007 episode of Dancing With the Stars, it was confirmed by Mel B that the Spice Girls would be filming a music video for "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" the following week.[30] The filming took place at Pinewood Studios, on 19 October 2007, and was directed by Anthony Mandler. The video was filmed in midst of conflict between the girls, with Bunton crying when the session ran until 3am because of Halliwell's constant meditation. Additionally, Mel B was constantly complaining she was suffering from jet lag, while Victoria Beckham insisted on having an assistant following her around. Mel C also complained about the duration of the shoot.[31] A world exclusive screening of the video, which launched the run up to Children in Need night, aired on BBC One on 2 November 2007.[32]

The video opens on a stately room, with plum colored walls and antique furniture. Bunton opens a large, black door and is followed by Halliwell, Beckham, Mel B and Chisholm. The girls are dressed in beautiful gowns throughout the video, presumably designed by Roberto Cavalli, who designed the costumes for their then-upcoming tour. Vignettes of the girls singing together and separately are sewn together to create a collage. Fading in and out, the music video ends with the girls combined together although they are at different places.

Live performances

In November 2007, the group performed together for the first time in nearly a decade at the 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, held in Los Angeles, California. The group dressed in military-themed outfits performed "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" miming to a backing track, in front of giant glittering lights that spelled out "Spice" in the background; however, the performance was excluded from the TV broadcast for unknown reasons.[33] A taped performance of the group lyp-synching the song, while dressed in blue sailor outfits, aired on 17 November 2007 for the Children in Need 2007 marathon.[34][32] "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" was also performed on their reunion tour, Return of the Spice Girls in 2007 and 2008. Kitty Empire from The Guardian reviewed the performance negatively, saying the song "was so unworthy of headlines that not even their fans have bought it".[35]

Format and track listing

This is the format and track listing of the major single release of "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)".

  1. "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" - 3:28
  2. "Wannabe" [Soul Seekerz 2007 Mix] - 6:56

Credits and personnel

Published by Kobalt Music/Sony/ATV Music Publishing/Copyright Control/Peer Music (UK) Ltd.[37]

Charts

Chart (2007) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[38] 74
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[28] 67
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[28] 11
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[28] 19
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[27] 42
Germany (Media Control Charts)[28] 46
Ireland (IRMA)[39] 29
Italy (FIMI)[28] 2
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[28] 52
Scotland (OCC)[40] 7
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[28] 2
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[28] 3
UK Singles (OCC)[24] 11
UK Physical Singles (OCC)[25] 3
US Billboard Hot 100[26] 90

References

  1. ↑ Akers, Shelley (6 October 2007). "Spice Girls Ready to Make 'Headlines' With New Single". People (Time Inc.). Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  2. ↑ Finn, Natalie (8 June 2007). "A Well Seasoned Rumour". E! Online. Archived from the original on 12 June 2008. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Spice Girls Plan Greatest Hits". Contactmusic.com. 5 June 2005. Retrieved 27 June 2007.
  4. ↑ "They're back... Spice Girls to play London in December (and earn £10m each)". London Evening Standard (Evgeny Lebedev). 28 June 2007. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  5. ↑ "Spice Girls". TheSpiceGirls.com. Archived from the original on 28 June 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2007.
  6. ↑ Norman, Pete (28 June 2007). "The Spice Girls Reunite for World Tour". People (Time Inc.). Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  7. ↑ "Girls' new single adds Spice to Children in Need". BBC. 8 October 2007. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Nudd, Tim (23 October 2007). "Spice Girls' New Single Debuts on U.K. Radio". People (Time Inc.). Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  9. ↑ "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends) - Spice Girls". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Spice Girls to release new single". BBC. 5 October 2007. Retrieved 5 October 2007.
  11. ↑ Levine, Nick (16 November 2008). "Mel C: Spice comeback single was poor". Digital Spy. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  12. ↑ "Melanie C diz que não gostou do single Voodoo das Spice Girls" (in Portuguese). Brasil Diário. 21 June 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  13. ↑ "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)". Alfred Publishing Inc. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  14. ↑ "Singles". Billboard (New York: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 119 (45): 53. 10 November 2007. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  15. ↑ Thomas, Stephen. "Greatest Hits - Spice Girls". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 D., Spence (15 November 2007). "Spice Girls - Greatest Hits Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Nevine, Nick (13 November 2007). "Spice Girls: 'Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  18. ↑ Kraines, Talia (12 November 2007). "Music - Review of Spice Girls - Greatest Hits". BBC. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  19. ↑ "'Spice Girls Greatest Hits'". The Daily Collegian (Collegian Inc.). 7 December 2007. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  20. ↑ "NME Album Reviews - Spice Girls". NME. 9 November 2007. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  21. ↑ Thomas, Stephen. "Greatest Hits - Spice Girls : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  22. ↑ Swash, Rosie (24 October 2007). "Spice Girls' new single Headlines is yesterday's news". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  23. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 - 11 November 2007 - 17 November 2007". Official Charts Company. 17 November 2007. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Official Singles Chart Top 100 - 25 November 2007 - 01 December 2007". Official Charts Company. 25 November 2007. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100 - 25 November 2007 - 01 December 2007". Official Charts Company. 25 November 2007. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Spice Girls' Top 8 Biggest Billboard Hits". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Spice Girls - Headlines (friendship Never Ends) - Music Charts". Acharts.us. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 28.5 28.6 28.7 28.8 "Spice Girls - Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 "Spice Girls - Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  30. ↑ "Mel B recruits Spice Girls in her mission to win Dancing With The Stars". Daily Mail (Associated Newspapers Ltd). 24 October 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  31. ↑ "Spice Girls in tears over video". Stuff.co.nz. 23 October 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 "Spice Girls support Pudsey with new single". BBC. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 9 October 2007.
  33. ↑ Elsworth, Catherine (17 November 2007). "Spice Girls in Hollywood gig sneak preview". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  34. ↑ "Prime time mime? Spice Girls back in black for Children in Need". Daily Mail. 19 November 2007. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  35. ↑ Empire, Kitty (23 December 2007). "Spice Girls". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  36. ↑ EMI (20 November 2007). "Headlines CD Single". Amazon.com. Retrieved 30 December 2010.
  37. ↑ Greatest Hits (CD Album liner). Spice Girls. EMI Music. 2007. 5099951017224.
  38. ↑ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 26 November 2007" (PDF) (925). Pandora Archive. 20 December 2007. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  39. ↑ "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends) by Spice Girls in Irish Chart". IRMA. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  40. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Chart Top 100 - 25 November 2007 - 01 December 2007". Official Charts Company. 25 November 2007. Retrieved 24 April 2015.

External links