"Wannabe" turned the Spice Girls into superstars nearly overnight, and 30 years after its release, the tune returns to multiple charts and almost hits No. 1. LONDON - DECEMBER 18: *** EXCLUSIVE ACCESS *** (L to R) Melanie Chisholm, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown, Victoria Beckham and Geri Halliwell of the Spice Girls perform on stage during The Return of Spice Girls World Tour at the O2 Arena on December 18, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by MJ Kim/Spice Girls LLP via Getty Images)

Spice Girls LLP via Getty Images

The Spice Girls only recorded and released new music as a quintet for a few years. As is the case with so many stars in the music world, the group burned incredibly bright, but only for a very short period of time.

The outfit debuted on the Official Singles chart in the United Kingdom in 1996 with “Wannabe,” its breakout smash and one of the biggest girl group hits of all time. Between then and the Spice Girls’ hiatus in 2000, the act released 10 singles, and nine reached No. 1. Only “Stop” missed out on ruling, and by just one space.

Three decades after that historic run began, “Wannabe” becomes a top five bestseller again on multiple rankings in the U.K, and it nearly finds its way back to the summit on more than one chart.

The Spice Girls Return to Three Charts With “Wannabe”

“Wannabe” reenters three tallies in the U.K. this week, and it lands inside the top five on all of them. The surge in activity follows the release of a cobalt transparent 7-inch vinyl edition that celebrates the song’s thirtieth anniversary – a milestone that is sure to make millennial fans cringe (though it didn’t stop them from buying).

Diehard Spice Girls supporters purchased the reissue in large enough numbers to send “Wannabe” to No. 5 on the Official Singles Sales chart. The track performs even better on two format-specific rankings, as it returns in second place on both the Official Physical Singles and Official Vinyl Singles lists.

“Wannabe” Reaches a New Sales Peak

Of the three tallies where “Wannabe” appears, it establishes a new high on only one: the Official Singles Sales chart. The ranking combines purchases of songs on physical formats with paid downloads.

Spice Girls, portrait, in the street in Paris, France, 1996. L-R Mel C, Emma Bunton, Mel B, Victoria Adams, Geri Halliwell. (Photo by Tim Roney/Getty Images)

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“Wannabe” first reached the roster in July 2021, when it debuted at No. 36… and then immediately disappeared. The single returned that September and pushed into the top 10, hitting No. 8. Until this frame, the cut had not been seen on the list since – and now, in only its third turn on the roster, it climbs higher than ever.

The Spice Girls Have Charted Only Three Sales Hits

The Spice Girls have placed only three tracks on the Official Singles Sales chart, and “Wannabe” is the group’s sole top 10. “Mama” peaked at No. 31, while “Viva Forever” failed to crack the top 40, stopping short at No. 45.

With three weeks on the ranking, “Wannabe” ties “Viva Forever” for the second-longest run among the trio of bestsellers. “Mama” remains well ahead with seven stays — more than the other two cuts have accumulated combined.

The Spice Girls Nearly Return to No. 1

“Wannabe” misses out on ruling both the Official Physical Singles and Official Vinyl Singles charts by only one space this time around. The smash – which is famous for its insanely catchy melody and odd lyrics – settles in the runner-up position on the two lists, though it has already conquered both of them in the past.

The song reaches a full year, 52 weeks, on the vinyl-only tally. Its run on the slightly more all-encompassing Official Physical Singles chart — which also incorporates purchases on CD and cassette — is twice as grand as only the wax-specific rundown.

“Wannabe” First Ruled in 1996

“Wannabe” debuted at No. 3 on the Official Physical Singles chart in July 1996 and climbed to No. 1 the following week. Across several returns to the tally throughout the decades, the cut has spent eight nonconsecutive frames atop the roster. It was last seen in the peak position in September 2021.

The Spice Girls’ debut single did not make an impact on the Official Vinyl Singles chart until August 2015, nearly two decades after its original release. “Wannabe” eventually rose to No. 1 on that ranking as well in September 2021.

ForbesThe Spice Girls Score A Bestseller Yet AgainBy Hugh McIntyre