Over the past two decades, the British charts have seen many come and go. But what many lovers of pop might notice is the overall domination of girlbands. Although they rarely show true longevity, a big chunk of them have made a big splash over the years. From intensely catchy hooks to emotionally heartfelt ballads, from unnecessarily awful covers to absolutely terrible Flo-Rida features: our dear UK girlbands have done it all.
In this wonderful rate (which is already my 3rd one.. proud) we will pit four of the most powerful and impactful girlbands of the last two decades against each other. Are you all as excited as I am to see which of the following 50 songs will be crowned as the very best one? Let's first take a look at the girlbands featured in this rate.
First off is this fabulous fivepiece that after a string of very succesful singles not only in the UK in the late 90s went on to become the most succesful girlband of all time. Who else other than the Spice Girls could it be? Besides being the most succesful British pop act since the Beatles, the five girls built an enourmous marketing engine around them, expanding their impact to fashion, feminism, and much more.
''Wannabe'' - ''Say You'll Be There'' - ''2 Become 1'' - ''Who Do You Think You Are'' - ''Mama'' - ''Spice Up Your Life'' - ''Too Much'' - ''Stop'' - ''Viva Forever'' - ''Goodbye'' - ''Holler'' - ''Let Love Lead The Way'' - ''Headlines''
Current status: After a succesful performance at the 2012 Olympics closing ceremony, the girls have expressed their wishes to reform if only just for a tour, but things never seemed to take off.
First found as All Saints 1.9.7.5. as early as 1993 to very little success, this second girlband went on to release as astonishing 5 amount of #1 singles in the span of a mere 3 years. In many ways these girls are comparable to the girls named Spice as they also found quite some international success (they had two US top 40 hits) and because they were seen as a more credible, moody version of the Spice Girls.
''I Know Where It's At'' - ''Never Ever'' - ''Under The Bridge'' - ''Bootie Call'' - ''War Of Nerves'' - ''Pure Shores'' - ''Black Coffee'' - ''All Hooked Up'' -
''Rock Steady'' - ''Chick Fit''
Current status: After a dissapointing 2006 comeback, the Saints split up for a second time, with one of them (Mel Blatt) even claiming to want to quit singing forever and focus more on partying on Ibiza...
The third girlband I'm presenting to you is this chavtastic powerhouse of the early noughties otherwise known as Atomic Kitten. After making their debut on the pop scene in late 2000, these girls later went on to have 3 #1 hit singles and many more top tens before their inevitable 2005 split.
''Right Now'' - ''See Ya'' - ''I Want Your Love'' - ''Follow Me'' - ''Whole Again'' - ''Eternal Flame'' - ''It's OK'' - ''The Tide Is High (Get The Feeling)'' -
''Last Goodbye'' - ''Be With You'' - ''If You Come To Me'' - ''Ladies' Night''
Current status: After a 2012 reunion through a reality show, a new single and album have apparently been in the works.
Last and very much least are these five girls. After having formed in 2007, they went on to have thirteen top ten hits, from which an astonishing ONE has made the top spot.
''If This Is Love'' - ''Up'' - ''Issues'' - ''Just Can't Get Enough'' - ''Work'' - ''Forever Is Over'' - ''Ego'' - ''Missing You'' - ''Higher'' f/ Flo-Rida - ''Notorious'' -
''All Fired Up'' - ''My Heart Takes Over'' - ''30 Days'' - ''What About Us'' f/ Sean Paul - ''Gentleman''
Current status: After the underperformance of their latest 2011 album and a failed attempt at conquering the US early this year, their future is far from set in stone, although their rather decent new single (that will not be featured as it hasn't been released yet) might make a difference for them.
Now that you are (moderately) familiar with all four girlbands, it's time to send in ballots.
Rate every song listed from 0 to 10 and send that particular list to me before the 2nd of October. After I received all ballots, a countdown from #50 all the way up to #1 will lead us to the final winner of this very exciting rate!
Have fun everyone!
Participating songs
