Melanie B feat. Missy Elliott - I Want You Back

[VoR]

22 years old today, and bless, Missy actually remembers recording it!



She seems genuinely enthusiastic about it too, she's replied to quite a few fans below the line <3

Anyway, clearly streets ahead of anything poor Mel released subsequently. I still live for that bizarre mix of crisp American beats and that FOUL YORKSHIRE DRAWL

 

[Diddy]

Still great

I hadn’t really noticed how little Missy is really in it, after the first 20 second that’s pretty much it, isn’t it? Apart from some grunts and howls anyway

 

[SDF]

It really is one of the most iconic songs a solo Spice Girl released

I still quote it in daily life x

 

[GNL]

It's a shame she didn't do more with Missy Elliot, because this is great.

 

[SDF]

Obviously second to this tunes going to punish you

 

[straightorbroken]

I can't type fluent Leeds, but I too have "burr in fac' ah durn't want ya back ah-all" in my head on a near daily basis.

The production and visual are striking and incisive. Missy's brief call and responce was perfect for showcasing Mel's vulgar yet infectious charisma and set her up so high she couldn't fail. Until the follow ups of course.

Shaz Bags didn't seem bitter about having to pass on this due to scheduling commitments at all. I wonder how true that is, or if it was a Leona recording half a dozen hits first scenario.

 

[straightorbroken]

Still great

I hadn’t really noticed how little Missy is really in it, after the first 20 second that’s pretty much it, isn’t it? Apart from some grunts and howls anyway

The beats are actually her bean flicking you know.

 

[Tisch]

So let me ave this one before ah GURRR.

It's a classic. Sticks out like a sore thumb on Hot (out now x)

 

[COB]

It's a shame she didn't do more with Missy Elliot, because this is great.

I think Missy would've loved to do more with her

This is wonderful of course, such a HOT (not out now) BEAT. It makes me want to have a Da Real World/So Addictive session rather than listen to any of Melb's oeuvre, though.

 

[Loufoque]

Mel has charisma for days on this. As she did on much of the SG output.

In retrospect, she probably had the most potential as a solo artist, if she had been put in the right hands and given the right material. Especially given pop's turn towards R&B at the turn of the century.

 

[Loufoque]

And correct me if I'm wrong, but I always get the impression Mel is actually very popular these days - being gobby and aggressive is perfect for Brexit Britain, while her personal struggles make her more of an endearing underdog than Imperious VB or Lady of the Manor Geri.

 

[Dark Carnival]

Hands down the best thing she put out as a solo act!

 

[Dark Carnival]

That was such a weird time where I wasn’t sure I wanted solo stuff because of what it meant to the future of the band, while still being so excited by their individual sounds.

 

[Loufoque]

Somehow they all peaked with their solo debuts. The declaration of independence mood was a vibe. The sole exception being boring old Emma, who peaked with What Took You So Long (objectively the best solo song any of them did TBH).

 

[Pipo]

Obviously second to this tunes going to punish you

erm.
STOP, slow down,
take a deep breath

begs to differ!

 

[Rita]

I’M THE M TO THE E-L-B (ya know me)
I’M THE M-I-S-S-Y TO THE E

 

[PercyPig]

Did I imagine a recent-ish documentary where she went back to Leeds?