Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.
So, just as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’ allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.
This week, we wanna take you back to ‘Wannabe’ – the debut single from history-making Brit girlband Spice Girls. After making a splash on the U.K. side of the pond in late 1996, the single was sent to test the waters in the U.S. at the top of the following year. History would show the girls passed the test with flying colors.
Ending the extensive reign of Toni Braxton‘s ‘Unbreak My Heart,’ the funky song shot to the Hot 100’s top spot after only 5 weeks. Lodged there for the 4 weeks that followed, ‘Wannabe’ may have catapulted the quintet into the pop stratosphere, but interestingly it would be their first and last time occupying the chart’s top slot.
Currently touted as one of the best-selling singles of all time by any female group, the pop cult classic also remains their signature tune. Take a listen after the jump and see what other familiar faces you remember from the top 25 this week in 1997… (more…)