“Wannabe” by the Spice Girls turns 30 years old today!
On July 8, 1996, the girl group released the debut single from their first album, Spice. The song quickly became a global phenomenon, reaching No. 1 in 22 countries by the end of that year, including on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.
Its momentum only grew in 1997, when it topped charts in 37 countries, eventually setting the record as the all-time best-selling single by a girl group. In 2014, a study found “Wannabe” to be the most recognizable pop song of the previous 60 years among young English speakers.
To celebrate the track that launched their careers, Spice Girls Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, Mel B, Mel C, and Geri Halliwell took to Instagram to mark the occasion.
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“I can’t believe it’s been 30 years since ‘Wannabe’ came out! The debut single that forever changed our lives… I’ll always be grateful to have been a part of that journey,” Beckham wrote. “Thank you so much to our fans for all their love and support over all these years and to my @spicegirls sisters, I love you all so much!!!”
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“30 Years of Wannabe … Thank you to my beautiful spice sisters,” Halliwell added. “And thank you to the fans for joining us #FriendshipNeverEnds … 💕.”
“Happy birthday Wannabe, 30 years! Love you all 💕 thank you!” Bunton said.
“30 years of girl power! Happy Birthday Wannabe🥳,” wrote Mel C. “The song that changed our lives forever 🇬🇧✌🏼❤️.”
Mel B, for her part, posted her tribute to Instagram on June 26, the anniversary of Wannabe’s release in Japan on June 26, 1996 as a maxi CD.
“WOWZAAAA this song changed my life forever… and changed the lives of my 4 spice sisters too… what a journey its been,” Mel B captioned her post. “honestly when we recorded it we could never have imagined what was about to happen…every single day im sooo thankful… thankful for my 4 sisters… thankful for every memory… and most of all thankful for our beautiful amazing fans who have been with us from the very beginning…30 yrs later and your still singing dancing laughing and celebrating with us… thank you thank you THANK YOU ❤️.”
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