Video Hangover: Spice Girls - "Wannabe"
Every week, we dig in the archives for videos that we find noteworthy, memorable, or just unbelievably stupid. And then, Jon McMillan breaks 'em down for you. Why Video Hangover? Because when you watch as many videos as we do, you're going to feel it afterwards.
"Wannabe"
The Spice Girls, 1996
Zig a zig ahh, forget it.
If only they would tell us what they really, really want
Remember Girl Power? Spice Girl's thong-based feminism might not have won over the academics, but it inspired a generation of young women to be both sexy and, like, totally empowered. The stuck-up aristocrats at the Midland Grand Hotel don't stand a chance! One question, though: If the point of Girl Power is equality, then why does the video begin with the girls taunting a homeless person on the street? Is it a homeless Earl, or are the obnoxiously rich and the tragically poor equally un-fun? Not to be overly political, but this strikes me as a mixed message.
How well do you know Posh Spice?
These days, Posh Spice is looking a lot like the Heineken robot lady. If Victoria Beckham's chest were to open up tomorrow, which objects would most likely be revealed?
a) Two mini-kegs filled with saline
b) A Britney Spears Kuato
c) The half-digested remains of three personal assistants
d) Her deformed soul
e) Spice rack
Sporty van Halen?
This video is ridiculous, but it's also quite a technical achievement. First of all, it appears to be one take (supposedly there are two edits, but if that's the case they're awfully smooth). Then you have Ginger Spice walking backward in 8-inch heels, and Posh Spice -- well, Posh doesn't really do much of anything here, does she? But how about Mel C's backflip on the banquet table? No stuntwoman required, thank you very much. That's the most athletic move I've seen since Sammy Hagar's immortal "Backflip of Justice" in 1984.
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Posted at 1:11 PM in Video, Video Hangover
Tags: Spice Girls
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noteworthy, memorable, or just downright stupid
this description should be shortened to just "downright stupid." I haven't seen a noteworthy or memorable video in this section yet.
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i had a big crush on victoria when this came out.
also, do they say "we got Em in the place who likes it on her face?" cause that's kinda naughty...
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I have to disagree with today's selection. That other one where they are in the desert, title escapes me at the moment, is a better candidate.
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The first time I saw this video I was sure I waswatching an infomercial until I realized I'd been watching for a while and nobody had tried to sell me anything.
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"the one where they are in the desert..."
That was "Giving You Everything." Someone please shoot me for knowing that.
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Don't worry Adam, we won't have to shoot you since the title of that song is actually "Say You'll Be There." Now the crosshairs are on me.
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Scary spice is such a bad ass. She's a role model, I tell you...a real role model.
Seriously though? 8-inch heels have got to be a bitch to walk in, so I've got the tiniest bit of respect for that girl.
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Ah yes, the Spice Girls were my youthful introduction to the world of locked bedroom doors and... well, you know. Between them and the US Women's Gymnastics Team, 1996 was a good year for 13-year-old me.
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Did anyone else think about what those kids in the car at the beginning must have thought. They get out of the car and see a homeless man and a bunch of women in strange outfits run up to them and start singing about "making love forever." Just sayin' they sound like musical prostitutes.
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Not to be a pain in the arse and all but that's a flip flop or back handspring which Mel C throws. A back flip - not so much.
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dudes, you all beat me to the punch
but "Say You'll Be There" was definitely far and away the best of the worst
im rocking out to it now and not ashamed to admit it
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the spice girls were brilliant. well, maybe not the girls themselves but as a franshise they were incredible. the production value is incredible and the songwriting top-notch pop writing. it was a brilliant idea that worked out wonderfully
oh... and it's all about '2 become 1' btw
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Does anyone else see a bit of Emily Haines/Feist dancing between Emma and Victoria towards the end? So thats where they got it from...
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