Spiceworld (album)

This article is about the album. For the film of the same name, see Spice World (film).

Spiceworld
Studio album by Spice Girls
Released	3 November 1997
Recorded	1997
Genre	Pop, R&B, dance, pop rock
Length	38:47
Label	Virgin
Producer	Matt Rowe, Richard Stannard, Absolute
Spice Girls chronology
Spice (1996) Spiceworld (1997) Forever (2000)
Singles from Spiceworld
"Spice Up Your Life" Released: 13 October 1997 "Too Much" Released: 15 December 1997 "Stop" Released: 9 March 1998 "Viva Forever" Released: 20 July 1998

Spiceworld is the second studio album by British pop group the Spice Girls, released in 1997 (see 1997 in music). It is also the name of their tie-in film. It was released in Britain the same year their first album, Spice, was released in the US. The album became a huge hit worldwide, lengthening the so-called "Spicemania" fever at that time. It produced 4 singles all of which saw commercial success. It has sold 4.4 million copies in the U.S. and over 20million Worldwide.

Background

Due to the success of one of the best selling albums and best selling albums in the United Kingdom, the group later announced they would be in the works of a second studio album. But before production had started for the album, a lot of media and worldwide attention had started over the group. The group had started there concert Girl Power! Live in Istanbul which they travelled to Turkey. It only spanned two shows in the country. They were also sponsored by Pepsi throughout the tour. After this, They announced a film called Spice World. Despite negative reviews from film critics, the film was a box office success. Girl Power! was the group's first book published and sold over 200,000 copies in one day, becoming a success.

However, with all the Spice Girls receiving media attention, came some controversies. The group performed their first live British show, for the Royalty of Great Britain. At the show, they breached royal protocol when Mel B and then Geri Halliwell planted kisses on Prince Charles' cheeks and pinched his bottom. Because of this, it received ultimate controversy throughout the media. The group were criticized in the United States, because of the album just releasing nine months after its debut. They were later criticized because of the impact and amount of sponsor deals they had signed... Over twenty in total. They later sung their "future-then" song "Spice Up Your Life" at the MTV Europe Music Awards. The also made a decision to fire their manager Simon Fuller, receiving media backlash. But after a while through all backlash, it all became better over the year of the album production and releases. Geri Halliwell, member of the group and known as Ginger Spice had departed from the group in 1998, when the last single "Viva Forever" was released. The tabloids and media had criticized the group and released controversy of the leaving of Halliwell.

Composition

The album consists of pop music with R&B elements. The album also contained very strong teen music with some pop rock and lots of dance-oriented music. According to Allmusic, they had said that most of the music was "catchier" and had an "intoxicating sense of fun". The album was also used as a possible soundtrack of their 1997 movie "Spice World".

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Robert Christgau
Entertainment Weekly	(B+)
Rolling Stone

Spiceworld had received mixed reviews from music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from Allmusic gave it a praising review, awarding it four and a half out of five stars. He mostly praised the new fun formed of the groups new album, saying it is "intoxicating sense of fun" and "even catchier". He even praised the group for improving there vocal skills, as he concluded "The girls -- Mel C. in particular -- are actually turning into good vocalists, and each song plays to their strengths, giving each Spice a chance to shine. Best of all, each song has a strong melody and a strong, solid beat, whether it's a ballad or a dance number. It's a pure, unadulterated guilty pleasure and some of the best manufactured mainstream dance-pop of the late '90s". David Browne from Entertainment Weekly gave it a B+. He had said "Trading verses in this and other songs, they transform the numbers into audio pajama parties full of sisterly advice, support, and warnings. Part heart, part mind, all cotton candy, Spiceworld may just be the answer to one of life's most vexing quandaries."

Commercial response

Spiceworld became another Spice Girl success. The album had topped the charts in 13 countries, although some countries less than the groups previous album Spice. The album went to number one in most European countries, including the United Kingdom. The album was certificated 5X Platinum in the UK, shipping over 1.5 million copies. It also made an impact in Asian countries, peaking at number one in Japan. It was certificated 2X Platinum by Oricon. It sold over 420,000 copies in Australia, certificated 6X Platinum by ARIA and peaked at number 2 on the charts. The album is currently number 39 on Australia's Best Of All Time. The album peaked at number one in New Zealand, being certificated 3X Platinum by RIANZ, and shipping over 45,000 copies in the country. Prior to the positions and charts, the album became a success.

Singles

The first single from the album was "Spice Up Your Life". The song became an instant worldwide hit, although it received negative reviews from music critics. In the United Kingdom, the song peaked at number 1, certified Platinum from BPI. The song became an instant hit in the Australasian part of the world, peaking at number 8 in Australia and number 2 in New Zealand. The group performed the song at 1997's MTV Europe Music Awards, the same night they announced they had fired their manager Simon Fuller. The single was released as a digital download on 27 October 1997 and remixes were released on 30 June 1997.

The groups next single from the album was "Too Much". The single generated moderate success, becoming the least successful single released from the album. The song received mixed reviews from critics, mostly criticizing the R&B music through the song. The single peaked at number 1 and 9 in the United Kingdom and United States respectively. The song was certificated Platinum in the UK. The song peaked at number 9 in Australia, as well as in New Zealand. The song became a slow hit.

The groups third single from Spiceworld was "Stop". The song became a commercial success throughout the world. The song peaked at number 2 in the United Kingdom and number 16 in the United States, certified Silver in the UK. The song peaked at number 5 and 9 in Australia and New Zealand. Critically, the song received mainly positive reviews from music critics, mostly praising the Motown-inspired music and production.

The groups fourth and final single from the album was intended to be a double A-side release of "Never Give Up On the Good Times" and "Viva Forever". However, due to Halliwelle's departure from the group, the plan was scrapped. Instead, "Viva Forever" was released alone. The song was another worldwide success. The song received positive reviews from critics, as some called it "genuine". The song debuted at number one in New Zealand, becoming the bands first number one since "Wannabe (song)". The song peaked at number one in the United Kingdom and also topped the charts in the some European countries. The song peaked at number two in Australia, being certificated Platinum in the country.

Track listing

All songs were co-written by Spice Girls. Additional writers listed below.

#	Title	Time
1.	"Spice Up Your Life" Additional writers: M. Rowe, R. Stannard Producers: Richard Stannard, Matt Rowe Lead vocals: Chisholm, Brown, Bunton, Halliwell, Beckham	2:53
2.	"Stop" Additional writers: A. Watkins, P. Wilson Producers: Andy Watkins, Paul Wilson Lead vocals: Hallwell, Chisholm, Bunton, Beckham, Brown	3:24
3.	"Too Much" Additional writers: A. Watkins, P. Wilson Producers: Andy Watkins, Paul Wilson Lead vocals: Brown, Bunton, Chisholm, Halliwell, Beckham	4:31
4.	"Saturday Night Divas" Additional writers: M. Rowe, R. Stannard Producers: Richard Stannard, Matt Rowe Lead vocals: Beckham, Chisholm, Bunton, Brown, Halliwell	4:25
5.	"Never Give Up on the Good Times" Additional writers: M. Rowe, R. Stannard Producers: Richard Stannard, Matt Rowe Lead vocals: Halliwell, Brown, Chisholm, Bunton, Beckham	4:30
6.	"Move Over" Additional writers: C. Lane, M. Wood Producers: Richard Stannard, Matt Rowe Lead vocals: Bunton, Brown, Chisholm, Beckham, Halliwell	2:46
7.	"Do It" Additional writers: A. Watkins, P. Wilson Producers: Andy Watkins, Paul Wilson Lead vocals: Chisholm, Brown, Bunton	4:04
8.	"Denying" Additional writers: A. Watkins, P. Wilson Producers: Andy Watkins, Paul Wilson Lead vocals:Bunton, Beckham, Halliwell, Brown,Chisholm	3:46
9.	"Viva Forever" Additional writers:M. Rowe, R. Stannard Producers: Richard Stannard, Matt Rowe Lead vocals: Bunton, Brown, Chisholm, Beckham	5:09
10.	"The Lady Is a Vamp" Additional writers: A. Watkins, P. Wilson Producers: Andy Watkins, Paul Wilson Lead vocals: Halliwell, Beckham, Chisholm, Bunton, Brown	3:09

Credits

Additional personnel

• Snake Davis — flute
• Magnus Fiennes — keyboard
• Kick Horns — brass
• Shawn Lee — guitar, bass
• Steve Lewison — bass
• Mike "Milton" McDonald — guitar
• Matt Rowe — keyboard
• Jon Themis — acoustic guitar
• "Munter" Williams — bass

Niamh Walsh

Certifications, peaks and sales

Charts	Peak position	Certification
Australia	2	6× Platinum
Austria	1	Platinum
Belgium	1	2× Platinum
Brazil	1	Platinum
Canada	1	10× Platinum (Diamond)
Europe	1	5× Platinum
Finland	1	2× Platinum
France	2	2× Platinum
Germany	4	Platinum
Japan	1	2× Platinum
Mexico	8	Gold
Netherlands	1	Platinum
New Zealand	1	3× Platinum
Norway	1	Platinum
Poland	1	2× Platinum
Spain	1	3× Platinum
Sweden	3	2× Platinum
Switzerland	2	2× Platinum
United Kingdom	1	5× Platinum
United States	3	4× Platinum

End of decade charts

Chart (1990–1999)	Position
U.S. Billboard 200	82

Preceded by Urban Hymns by The Verve Let's Talk About Love by Celine Dion

UK number one album 15 November 1997 – 28 November 1997 13 December 1997 – 19 December 1997

Succeeded by Let's Talk About Love by Celine Dion

See also

• List of best-selling albums worldwide