14th December, 1998
The annual "Spice Girls Christmas Number One" issue. You don't like 'em, press "back" now...
Have you voted in our end of year poll yet?
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"Goodbye" by Spice Girls
Whether it's about a romantic split, Geri's departure or the imminent end of the group itself; it matters not a jot, as "Goodbye" is typical Spice Girls Christmas single material (practically a genre
in itself). Lush orchestration, shimmering strings and sweeping vocals (Mel C and Emma shine
particularly brightly here): all add up to another surefire chart topper, complete with a chorus
that rounds things off like a particularly sassy fairy atop a Christmas tree. Deep down, you love it too...
This has been a funny old year for the girls. Pregnancies, marriages, departed members becoming - of all things - UN envoys (who predicted that one then..?), solo outings from everyone apart from Victoria (it's difficult to base an entire career around pouting, I suppose) - the Spice Girls were as ubiquitous this year as ever. Despite some criticisms and a certain loss of credibility in 1998, they have proved themselves to be the best of the current Pop acts, only just now beginning to be threatened by the likes of Steps. And when you compare them with the studied and boring cool of All Saints, the Spices have more to offer than a pair of combat trousers and a streetwise attitude. Ninety-nine will be their last year, I'm sure, but the Spice Girls' chapter in pop history is assured - and deserved. Once again, HeadCleaner salutes them at the end of the year, and thanks them for being so damn shiny. 
On to the b-sides. Of course I got both CDs (4 free postcards - I was powerless to resist...) First
up is the seasonal cover of The Waitresses' "Christmas Wrapping", an upbeat and irresistible ditty
that is destined for future best-Christmas-album-in-the-world-evers. The first CD closes with an orchestral version of "Goodbye" that retains the vocals, but strips away everything else apart from
the strings, making it a delicate and romantic thing, perfect for winter nights in front of a
roaring log fire (fuck me, I've turned into Val Doonican...)
CD2 has an (allegedly) different version of the a-side on it, then 2 live songs recorded at Wembley this year. Amidst the pre-pubescent screaming, the unmistakable sounds of "Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves" played on electric guitars crunch out the speakers and the Spice Girls transform into hard rockin bitches from hell (sort of) in a rifftastic bit of disposable nonsense. Then "We Are Family" continues the girl power theme with a big disco biscuit of a stomp through the party favourite. I just wish I'd been there... And isn't Sporty looking damn fine these days... 
Rating: 10/10
The RestThe rest, which ranged from Girls Night Out to Belle And Sebastian (via Jane MacDonald and South Park's Chef), were all bollocks. |
