Victoria Beckham has said it took “a lot of courage” not to join the rest of the Spice Girls on their much-hyped reunion tour in June.
The former pop star was the only member who did not take part in the string of stadium tours around the UK, leaving some fans disappointed.
However, Beckham had long-since said she would not take part, and in a new cover interview with Vogue Germany to celebrate the magazine’s 40th anniversary, she explained that she felt braver for turning down the tour.
“It took me a lot of courage not to go on tour with the Spice Girls again, but to be the one who says: ‘You know, I’m not doing it because things feel different now than they used to’,” she said.
“I’d rather concentrate on my family and my company. I’m 45 now and very happy to be the woman I am… I’m not trying to change, I want to be the best version of myself. Before I turned 40, I wasn’t that confident. I learned to listen to my gut feeling.”
1/10 10) ‘Baby Come Round’
This retro R&B track doesn’t boast the same slick production of some of the more popular Spice Girls songs, but that’s part of the appeal. It could do without Mel B’s rapping, but you can’t have everything.
PA Archive/PA Images
2/10 9) ‘Love Thing
It’s odd that this wasn’t released as a single, because it’s one of the best in the Spice Girls canon: catchy, slickly produced, and with some of the best harmonies the group had to offer.
PA Archive/PA Images
3/10 8) ‘Walk of Life’
Did the Spice Girls pull off a reggae track? Kind of (barely), because it’s a lyrical tribute to “straight-talking London town”, which suited the group just fine.
PA Archive/PA
4/10 7) ‘Spice Up Your Life’
The vivacity of these five young women is arguably only more forceful on “Wannabe”. “Spice Up Your Life” was clumsy in its approach as “a song for the world”, with Latin influences and a Bollywood-inspired video, but the energy of the song is what makes it – the result of the five members recording the track in one chaotic afternoon.
5/10 6) ‘2 Become 1’
Despite the rather bizarre safe-sex disclaimer (“Be a little wiser, baby/ Put it on, put it on”), “2 Become 1” boasts a beautifully textured arrangement and unpolished vocals that capture the group’s unique character.
6/10 5) ‘Viva Forever’
On Spiceworld, “Viva Forever” was a surprisingly moving ballad that reflected on a past love. With the context of Baby Spice (Geri Halliwell) departing from the group with little-to-no warning for fans, many now use it as a fond reflection on what the Spice Girls contributed to pop culture. Those flamenco guitars and heady summer vibes only add to the sense that, however fleeting that time was, certain memories stay with us forever.
7/10 4) ‘Who Do You Think You Are’
This disco-infused number should sound more dated than it actually does. “Who Do You Think You Are” is the Spice Girls at the height of their pop powers; a slick, infectious and superbly produced jam with that brass punching through.
8/10 3) ‘Say You’ll Be There’
Mel C gets the spotlight on this funk-influenced number, which was written during the same session as “Love Thing” and features an excellent harmonica solo from Judd Lander. It was their second number one single in the UK – released just as the popularity of “Wannabe” was beginning to wane – and also a top five song in the US.
9/10 2) ‘Stop’
The Spice Girls cribbed a number of musical influences for their catalogue, but Motown is one that really shouldn’t have worked. “Stop”, however, is an uplifting song telling a significant other to slow down and just enjoy the ride, bolstered by a fantastic brass section and a jubilant bass line.
Alamy
10/10 1) ‘Wannabe’
A war cry that heralded the dawn of the Girl Power movement, and one of the most enduring pop songs of all time. “Wannabe” is the catchiest of all the Spice Girls songs, and through those defiant, half-laughing spoken word moments you understand why so many fans were desperate to be part of the gang. Spice Girls told a generation of young girls that friends are more important than boys.
1/10 10) ‘Baby Come Round’
This retro R&B track doesn’t boast the same slick production of some of the more popular Spice Girls songs, but that’s part of the appeal. It could do without Mel B’s rapping, but you can’t have everything.
PA Archive/PA Images
2/10 9) ‘Love Thing
It’s odd that this wasn’t released as a single, because it’s one of the best in the Spice Girls canon: catchy, slickly produced, and with some of the best harmonies the group had to offer.
PA Archive/PA Images
3/10 8) ‘Walk of Life’
Did the Spice Girls pull off a reggae track? Kind of (barely), because it’s a lyrical tribute to “straight-talking London town”, which suited the group just fine.
PA Archive/PA
4/10 7) ‘Spice Up Your Life’
The vivacity of these five young women is arguably only more forceful on “Wannabe”. “Spice Up Your Life” was clumsy in its approach as “a song for the world”, with Latin influences and a Bollywood-inspired video, but the energy of the song is what makes it – the result of the five members recording the track in one chaotic afternoon.
5/10 6) ‘2 Become 1’
Despite the rather bizarre safe-sex disclaimer (“Be a little wiser, baby/ Put it on, put it on”), “2 Become 1” boasts a beautifully textured arrangement and unpolished vocals that capture the group’s unique character.
6/10 5) ‘Viva Forever’
On Spiceworld, “Viva Forever” was a surprisingly moving ballad that reflected on a past love. With the context of Baby Spice (Geri Halliwell) departing from the group with little-to-no warning for fans, many now use it as a fond reflection on what the Spice Girls contributed to pop culture. Those flamenco guitars and heady summer vibes only add to the sense that, however fleeting that time was, certain memories stay with us forever.
7/10 4) ‘Who Do You Think You Are’
This disco-infused number should sound more dated than it actually does. “Who Do You Think You Are” is the Spice Girls at the height of their pop powers; a slick, infectious and superbly produced jam with that brass punching through.
8/10 3) ‘Say You’ll Be There’
Mel C gets the spotlight on this funk-influenced number, which was written during the same session as “Love Thing” and features an excellent harmonica solo from Judd Lander. It was their second number one single in the UK – released just as the popularity of “Wannabe” was beginning to wane – and also a top five song in the US.
9/10 2) ‘Stop’
The Spice Girls cribbed a number of musical influences for their catalogue, but Motown is one that really shouldn’t have worked. “Stop”, however, is an uplifting song telling a significant other to slow down and just enjoy the ride, bolstered by a fantastic brass section and a jubilant bass line.
Alamy
10/10 1) ‘Wannabe’
A war cry that heralded the dawn of the Girl Power movement, and one of the most enduring pop songs of all time. “Wannabe” is the catchiest of all the Spice Girls songs, and through those defiant, half-laughing spoken word moments you understand why so many fans were desperate to be part of the gang. Spice Girls told a generation of young girls that friends are more important than boys.
Earlier this year, Beckham admitted she would probably feel “a little left out” when the Spice Girls performed.
“I’m sure when I’m there and they are on stage, there will be a part of me that feels a bit left out,” she said.
“Because even after all this, a part of me will always be a Spice Girl.”
