Friendship lasts forever, and so does “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls. The 1996 friendship-first hit turned 25 years old Thursday (July 8), and the Spice Girls aren’t letting the occasion pass unnoticed.
At press time, four of the Spices had taken to social media to spotlight the career-defining song, which spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was ranked the 10th biggest Hot 100 hit on the year-end chart in 1997. And even though the song came out long before there was streaming, the song has registered 541 million U.S. streams, according to MRC Data.
Geri Halliwell, aka Ginger Spice, shared a couple throwback photos in celebration of the song that “changed the lives of five girls from Britain.”
“It’s a special bond that continues to stand the test of time,” she wrote in her caption. “I’m so proud of everything we have achieved together, girls. BIG thank you to our amazing fans from all over the world for your support and loyalty.”
Ginger Spice also revealed a little Spice Girls history: They were all together in Halliwell’s back garden when “Wannabe” climbed to No. 3 on the charts, and she bought each of them an engraved gold ring as a symbol of their friendship.
Two of the girls posted a throwback video of the group performing “Wannabe,” including the queen of high ponytails herself, Sporty Spice. In her Instagram caption, Melanie C took some time to reminisce on performing “Wannabe” and filming its iconic music video.
“So many memories!” she wrote. “The Strongroom, St Pancras, those stairs! And backflipping all over the World!”
“Wannabe” also got some love from Posh and Baby Spice. Victoria Beckham posted on her story that she couldn’t believe it’s been 25 years since the song dropped, while Emma Bunton confessed she was feeling emotional over the anniversary.
“Thanks to our wonderful fans for making 5 girls dreams come true, loving the songs that we wrote, copying our dance routines and embracing our individuality!” she wrote.
Mel B hasn’t publicly weighed in yet on “Wannabe’s” big birthday, but it’s clear from her socials that 25 years later, she’s still proud to be a Spice Girl. The first words the former X Factor judge has in her Instagram and Twitter bios are “SCARY SPICE!”
See their celebratory posts below, then get nostalgic and watch the “Wannabe” music video:
