Who Do You Think You Are (Spice Girls song)
"Who Do You Think You Are" | ||||
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Single by Spice Girls | ||||
from the album Spice | ||||
A-side | "Mama" | |||
Released | 3 March 1997 | |||
Recorded | 1996 | |||
Studio | Olympic (London, England) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:59 | |||
Label | Virgin | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Absolute | |||
Spice Girls singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Who Do You Think You Are" on YouTube |
"Who Do You Think You Are" is a song performed by British pop group Spice Girls. It was written by the group members with Paul Wilson and Andy Watkins—also known as Absolute—for the group's debut album Spice, released in November 1996. The song is heavily influenced by early 1990s dance-pop, and has a nu-disco-style beat that resembles the music of the late 1970s. Its lyrics are about the superstar life, and how someone can get trapped in the world of fame.
In February 1997, the group opened the
"Who Do You Think You Are" was a commercial and critical success, with
Background
In December 1994, the Spice Girls persuaded their former managers—father-and-son team
Watkins remembers the first time they saw the group: "I saw Mark Fox. And then I saw these little girls skipping and running around. And they looked about thirteen. This can't be them. No way!".[4] Nevertheless, the Spice Girls managed to impress them. They played a few of their tracks, but neither Watkins nor Wilson particularly liked them, except for a song the group wrote with Richard Stannard and Matt Rowe, called "Feed Your Love", which the duo thought was "dark and cool". A songwriting session was booked within the next days.[4]
Writing and recording
The songwriting session—held at Absolute's studio located on
The thing is when they wrote they were also writing the dance routine, constructing the video, all at the same time as writing the song. And that's when the penny dropped. They say that the mother of invention is copying somebody and getting it wrong. Their sound was actually not getting R&B quite right.[5]
"Who Do You Think You Are" and three other tracks written by the group and Absolute appeared on the
Composition
"Who Do You Think You Are" is an
The song is constructed in a
The inspiration for the lyrics comes from some of the people the group met in the music industry, and are about the presumptuous superstar life, and how someone can get trapped in the world of fame,
Reception
Critical response
"Who Do You Think You Are" was generally well received by contemporary music critics. In a review of the group's debut album Spice, Chuck Campbell of the Star-News said it is "a slamming dance song".[10] Daniel Incognito of Sputnikmusic said that with a "dynamite chorus harmonising the girls voices, 'Who Do You Think You Are' still feels relevant today", he added that "each girl excels in their solo-lines", and believed that Chisholm "provides [a] delicious contrast with her loud and spirited lines".[11] The Daily Mirror called the song "a full-on disco number which would get to No. 1 even if it wasn't by Spice Girls and even if they weren't giving all the money to Comic Relief".[12]
Melissa Ruggieri of the Richmond Times-Dispatch criticised the track, referring to it as "a quick blast of vapid fluff".[13] AllMusic's Jason Elias complimented Chisholm's vocals and called her "the star of the show". He also said that "Who Do You Think You Are" was "one of their strongest and underrated songs", adding that it was "proof that the Spice Girls often had more savvy distilling different genres and styles than their American counterparts".[1] In a review of the group's 2007 compilation album Greatest Hits, Talia Kraines of BBC Music called it "their piece de resistance [...][that] still manages to fill dancefloors".[14] Dave Fawbert from ShortList noted it as "a perfect little funky, soulful pop song".[15]
Chart performance
"Who Do You Think You Are" was released in the UK as a
"Who Do You Think You Are" was commercially successful in Europe. It peaked at number three on the
In New Zealand, it debuted on 23 March 1997 at number ten, while their three first singles were slowly descending from the chart. It peaked at number six and stayed fifteen weeks on the chart.[29] In Australia, it did not perform as well as their previous releases.[30] In July 1997, it debuted on the singles chart at number thirteen, but was unable to reach a higher position and dropped off the chart after fourteen weeks.[31]
Music video
The music video for "Who Do You Think You Are" was directed in February 1997 by Gregg Masuak, and filmed in a theatre located in the north of London.[9] There are two edited versions of the video: the original version[32] and the director's cut.[33] It features the Spice Girls singing and dancing solo in front of various colourful backgrounds whilst filmed with a Steadicam. Other scenes show the group performing on a stage in front of an energetic crowd. In addition, there are many background performers doing unusual tricks.[9] Chisholm wrote about the shoot: "We shot the video for 'Who Do You Think You Are' in a really mad club—a real dive. The toilets were horrible and we had to have our make-up done in a Winnebago. The vibe was excellent, though—I think it was my favourite video because it was such good fun. I felt like a proper pop star. [...] It was just how you imagine it when you're young".[34]
A third version of the video (known as the Sugar Lumps version), which adds the Sugar Lumps—a satirical version of the Spice Girls played by Kathy Burke, Dawn French, Llewella Gideon, Lulu, and Jennifer Saunders—was filmed for the "Red Nose Day" of the 1997 Comic Relief, one of the two high-profile telethon events held in the United Kingdom. The video starts with the Sugar Lumps as schoolgirls dreaming of becoming Spice Girls, and ends with them joining the group on stage, while dancing and lip-synching the song.[35] Halliwell commented about the shoot: "The women were all really warm and funny and nice. The freakiest thing about it was seeing Jennifer Saunders. She looked just like me and everyone said they thought she was me. It was absolutely bizarre–the make-up, everything. It was scary–like, do I really do that?".[34]
Live performances
The song was performed on television in both the UK and Continental Europe, including An Audience with..., Top of the Pops, the Bravo Supershow, the 1997 Royal Variety Performance, and the "Red Nose Day" of the 1997 Comic Relief—alongside the Sugar Lumps.[36][37][38][39][40]
In February 1997, the group performed it at the
In October 1997, the group performed it as the second song of their first live concert at the
Formats and track listings
These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Who Do You Think You Are":
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Credits and personnel
- Spice Girls – lead vocals, lyrics
- Absolute – lyrics, production, all instruments
- Dave Way – audio mixing
- Jeremy Wheatley – recording engineer
- Adam Brown – assistant
- Mary Pearce – additional background vocals
Published by Windswept Pacific Music Ltd/19 Music/BMG Music Publishing Ltd.[59]
Charts
All entries charted with "Mama" unless otherwise noted.
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Belgium (BEA)[79] | Gold | 25,000* |
France ( SNEP)[80]
|
Gold | 250,000* |
Germany (BVMI)[81] | Gold | 250,000^ |
Netherlands (NVPI)[82] | Gold | 50,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[83] | Gold | 5,000* |
Sweden (GLF)[84] | Gold | 15,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[86] | Platinum | 786,000[85] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Germany | 3 March 1997 | Maxi CD | EMI | |
United Kingdom |
|
Virgin | ||
Japan | 16 April 1997 | Maxi CD | Toshiba EMI | |
Germany | 25 April 1997 | Maxi CD (limited) | EMI | |
France | 27 June 1997 | CD[b] |
Notes
- ^ In Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom, "Who Do You Think You Are" was released as a double A-side single with "Mama".
- ^ In France, "Who Do You Think You Are" was released as a standalone single, without "Mama".
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Elias, Jason. "Who Do You Think You Are > Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
- ^ McGibbon, 1997. p. 93.
- ^ Sinclair, 2004. p. 33.
- ^ a b c d e f Sinclair, 2004. pp. 47–48.
- ^ a b Sinclair, 2004. p. 49.
- ^ Sinclair, 2004. p. 50.
- ^ De Ribera Berenguer, 1997. p. 46.
- ^ a b c d e f Spice Girls, 2008. pp. 54–59.
- ^ a b c Spice Girls, 1997. pp. 44–45.
- ^ Campbell, Chuck (19 February 1997). "Britain's Spice Girls come to the rescue of ailing pop scene with the release of "Spice"". Star-News. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
- ^ Incognito, Daniel (5 October 2006). "Spice Girls: Spice". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
- ^ "See the Spice Girls Live in Scotland!; Ticket Contest". Daily Mirror. 2 March 1997. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
- ^ Ruggieri, Melissa (6 February 1997). "Spice Girls' Album is Surprisingly Bland". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
- ^ Kraines, Talia (12 November 2007). "Spice Girls Greatest Hits Review". BBC Music. Archived from the original on 14 March 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
- ^ Fawbert, Dave (19 July 2017). "29 classic songs that are somehow 20 years old this year". ShortList. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ a b Sinclair, 2004. p. 298.
- ^ The Official UK Charts Company. Archivedfrom the original on 14 September 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
- ISSN 0265-1548.
- ^ a b "Spice Girls: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ McGibbon, 1997. p. 128.
- OfficialCharts.com. Archivedfrom the original on 28 May 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
- ^ "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. 1 March 1997. Archived from the original on 17 January 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ a b "Spice Girls – Who Do You Think You Are / Mama" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Spice Girls – Who Do You Think You Are / Mama" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 14, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ Les classement single. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. 17 December 1997. Archived from the originalon 9 September 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ a b "Spice Girls – Who Do You Think You Are / Mama". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ "Discography Spice Girls". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
- ^ a b "Spice Girls – Who Do You Think You Are / Mama". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ "Spice Girls - Who do You Think You Are". YouTube. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ "Spice Girls - Who do You Think You Are (Director's Cut)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ a b Cripps, Peachey, Spice Girls 1997. p. 97
- ^ "Lulu Nose the Score". Daily Record. 14 March 1997. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
- ^ "Red Nose Day – 1997 Small change, big difference". Comic Relief. 3 March 1997. Archived from the original on 6 August 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
- ^ De Ribera Berenguer, 1997. p. 38.
- Wright, Matthew (10 November 1997). "We're Spice Boys!; Fab Five make celebrity Wannabes stars of their TV show". Daily Mirror. Archivedfrom the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
- ^ "Geri pops out to meet the Queen". Daily Record. 2 December 1997. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
- ^ "It's Coogan and Bjork!". Daily Mirror. 11 March 1997. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
- ^ Brown, 2002. pp. 259–260.
- ^ McGibbon, 1997. p. 126.
- ^ "Recycled Spice! Geri brings back the Union Jack as 'Golden Girls' kick off world tour". Evening Standard. 7 December 2007. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
- ^ Collins, Nick (16 February 2010). "Brit Awards 2010: Lady Gaga, Lily Allen and Dizzee Rascal among early winners". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 19 February 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
- ^ "Spice Girls Go Pay-Per-View". MTV. 3 December 1997. Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ Spice Girls (1998). Girl Power! Live in Istanbul (VHS). Virgin Records.
- ^ "See the Spice Girls Live in Scotland!; Ticket Contest". Daily Record. 19 March 1998. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ Graham, Brad L. (4 August 1998). "Spice Girls Show Mixes Glitz and Fun". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on 23 December 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ Horan, Tom (6 December 1999). "The Spice Girls wrap up Christmas". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 15 November 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ "Set List; The Return of the Spice Girls". Sunday Mirror. 16 December 2007. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ Spice Girls Live at Wembley Stadium (VHS). Virgin Records.
- ^ Spice Girls (1997). Who Do You Think You Are (Australian CD single liner). Virgin Records. 8941582.
- ^ Spice Girls (2000). Who Do You Think You Are (Brazilian CD single liner). Virgin Records. 8941492.
- ^ Spice Girls (1997). Who Do You Think You Are (European CD single liner). Virgin Records. VSCDF 1623.
- ^ Spice Girls (1997). Who Do You Think You Are (South African CD single liner). Virgin Records. CDVIS(WS)42.
- ^ Spice Girls (1997). Who Do You Think You Are (French CD single liner). Virgin Records. 8944342.
- ^ Spice Girls (1997). Who Do You Think You Are (UK Promotional Vinyl back cover). Virgin Records. VSTDJ 1623.
- ^ Spice Girls (1997). Who Do You Think You Are (Italian Vinyl back cover). Virgin Records. 8941486.
- ^ Spice Girls (1997). Who Do You Think You Are (UK CD2 Single liner). Virgin Records. VSCDT 1623.
- ^ "Spice Girls – Who Do You Think You Are / Mama" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 21. 24 May 1997. p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 August 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
- Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 May 1997. p. 20. Archivedfrom the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
- ^ "Spice Girls – Who Do You Think You Are / Mama" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ "Spice Girls – Who Do You Think You Are / Mama". VG-lista. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ "Spice Girls – Who Do You Think You Are / Mama". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ "Spice Girls – Who Do You Think You Are / Mama". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1997". ARIA. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1997" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ "Rapports annuels 1997" (in French). Ultratop. Archived from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1997" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 52. 27 December 1997. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
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- MegaCharts. Archivedfrom the original on 17 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
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- ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1997" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 1997" (in German). Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week. 17 January 1998. p. 27.
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- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Spice Girls – Mama/Who Do You Think You Are". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
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- ^ "Mama/Who do You Think You Are: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon Germany. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
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Bibliography
- ISBN 0-7553-1063-2.
- Cripps, Rebecca; Peachey, Mal; Spice Girls (1997). Real Life: Real Spice The Official Story. Zone/Chameleon Books. ISBN 0-233-99299-5.
- De Ribera Berenguer, Juan (1997). Colección: Ídolos del Pop-Spice Girls (in Spanish). Editorial La Máscara. ISBN 84-7974-236-4.
- McGibbon, Rob (1997). Spice Power: The Inside Story. ISBN 0-7522-1142-0.
- Sinclair, David (2004). Wannabe: How the Spice Girls Reinvented Pop Fame. ISBN 0-7119-8643-6.
- ISBN 0-233-99165-4.
- Spice Girls (2008). Spice Girls Greatest Hits (Piano/Vocal/Guitar) Artist Songbook. ISBN 978-1-4234-3688-1.