My Top 10 British Girl Groups

I just finished watching a 'Top 10 Girl Groups' video on the old YouTube. I was pleased with the results but I kind of feel we Brits were extremely unrepresented. The British music scene has always been at the forefront, we churn out the best and the most talented. If you want to argue; read my list and then come for me. I am about to make a lot of valid points that, and I am sorry, will prove how right I am. Us Brits are unmatched when it comes to pop! I wanted to make a Top 10 list of my own, but it is giving me an anxiety rash trying to think of an order. So, you may not agree with the placement (and neither will I in about 14 minutes), but enjoy and thank me later for infiltrating your ears with the beautiful sounds of these British gals.

10. Neon Jungle

These are the newest girls on my list, but they have made a major impact on my life and playlists. They screamed on to the scene with 'Trouble' just over a year ago. Since then they have had 3 top 20 singles and a top 10 album. I am excited for what they do next because they have such an edge and a style that I really enjoy.

9. Atomic Kitten

Things weren't looking too good for the kittens when they first started out. Given one last chance before they were to be dropped from their record label, they released 'Whole Again'. Then BANG they exploded. Two number one albums and three number one singles in the UK alone. These ladies were fun, had a little bit drama along the way but they came back on 'The Big Reunion' with original member, Kerry Katona, and just reminded us all of the magic - and lets face it they were biggest stars of the show.

8. B*Witched

I may have just broken the only rule I set myself for this list - they aren't British. However you can't deny the connection they had to my fair island. Their first four singles went in straight at number one! This was unheard of for a girl group (except the Spice Girls of course). They made denim on denim cool, and there wasn't one British kid who didn't try the irish jig at the school disco. It was unfortunate circumstances that led them to leave the music industry but thank the gods that ITV2 brought them back for 'The Big Reunion'.

7. Mis-Teeq

I was infatuated with these three ladies. They created a connection from urban to pop music. Alesha Dixon's MCing skills are unmatched. I learnt every single freaking word of everyone of her raps. I can still be found to this day casually rapping 'I said get up, get up it's a one night stand, here I come again ....'. It was infectious. The only reason they stopped making music was because their record company went bankrupt (not the Mis-teeq ladie's fault!) I just hope they take advantage of the nostalgia people are loving and finally reunite.

6. Little Mix

The first band to ever win The X Factor! Two number one singles! Sold out worldwide tour! These ladies are unstoppable. Creating anthemic girl power songs with a style all of their own they have become the face of British girl groups. I had the honour of seeing these ladies live and they are a force. Their vocals are flawless! Don't believe me? Then watch them sing 'Good Enough' from their last tour on YouTube. You're welcome.

5. All Saints

These women were labelled the alternative to the Spice Girls, and as a die hard Spice Boy I wouldn't give them the time of day. However if I am honest to my family and friends (its time) - I was a huge fan, I just kept it on the down low. 'Never Ever' and 'Pure Shores' were and still are some of my favourite songs of all time. I knew all the words to Nicole's little speech at the beginning of 'Never Ever' and I would recite it daily. They had 5 UK number ones, charted in America and had one of the best comeback singles of all time in 2006 (see above). Plus a little side note - How good is Melanie on The X Factor New Zealand? Putting Natalia Kills in her place - yes gawd.

4. The Saturdays

Okay before I start the ass kissing, I just found out 'Higher' was released five years ago - once again age just punched me in the face. Wipe away my tears and away I go. I love The Saturdays. They are a guilty pleasure that I don't actually feel bad about. You name me a good song and I can name a Saturday equivalent. They just created happy, dance music. Everyone knows the words to most of the songs. No they won't go down in the history books for songwriting, but who cares. They were fun and crowd pleasers. 16 top 20 singles proves that.

3. Girls Aloud

Another girl band that should be celebrated for giving us fun, unadulterated instant pop classics. They churned out song after song that could fill a dance floor or give a young lad such as myself a private iPod playlist he could enjoy without fear of ridicule. I have had the honour of seeing these ladies live and they were phenomenal. It was a giant party with the worlds greatest soundtrack. Two number one albums and four number one singles, they were perfect and had an undeniable sound all of their own.

2. Sugababes

Forget the drama with line up changes, that's old news and the jokes are boring. Lets just look at the work these six ladies created. Between them they have two number one albums, six number one singles and a combined 8 million records sold in the UK alone. They also had major success in Australia and the rest of Europe with a Brit award to boot. They have mixed many different genres of music within their discography and there isn't one song I would skip. Right now they are on a 'hiatus' but I think we all know thats it for the babes and its a major shame.

Notable Mentions

Cleopatra

Honeyz

Booty Love

Mutya Keisha Siobhan

Stooshe

Precious

M.O

The 411

Alisha's Attic

Number 1

Spice Girls

How it started

 I mean, who else? Who else has achieved the world wide success these ladies did? They came, they saw and they fucking conquered! You couldn't move for Spice Girls memorabilia in the late 90's. Lets put their success into a nice little list.

Three UK Number one albums.

One Greatest Hits album

Nine UK Number One Singles

Five BRIT Awards 

Three American Music Awards

Three MTV Europe Music Awards

One MTV Video Music Awards

Three World Music Awards

Three consecutive Christmas number one singles.

"Wannabe" is the most successful song released by an all-female group.

$77 Million Dollars at the box office for 'Spice World'

'Spice' is the 18th biggest-selling album of all time in the UK

It is also the biggest-selling album of all time by a girl group, with sales of 28 million copies worldwide. 

A musical written around their music.

In total they have sold over 85 million records worldwide, making them the best-selling female group of all time, one of the best-selling pop groups of all time, and the biggest British pop phenomenon since Beatlemania.

Bow down Bitches!

Return Of The Girlbands

For a while it seemed like Little Mix and The Saturdays were having to hold the fort down when it came to girlbands. However we can now all take a joint sigh of relief - we have some more girlbands breaking through. There has always been a hole in the music industry where girlbands just couldn't make the cut. Ever since the Spice Girls, Sugababes, Pussycat Dolls, Destiny's Child and Girls Aloud all left us to fend for ourselves we have needed a group of females to come out and kick the boyband's arses. Little Mix and The Saturdays have done a dame good job but they need a little help. And lets face it, The Saturday's next album is a Greatest Hits, this is normally the beginning of the end. They will say that they are going on a break and we all know what that means. The Spice Girl's break lasted 7 years and they only came back with one single and one tour, Girls Aloud's break lasted 3 years and they only came back with one single and one tour and Destiny's Child's break is currently on it's 7th year. 

So now we have a bunch of new ladies ready to take the stage. I have shortlisted 4 girlbands that I am quite excited about. Lets go -

Neon Jungle

This british 4 piece have already made waves with two singles in the top 10 and a 3rd released this week already in the iTunes top 10. I like these girls because they have an edge about them. They aren't singing your generic pop music, they have more of a dubstep vibe about them. Although saying that my favourite song so far is 'Louder', its a pop ballad that really showcases their voices. And yes, all four of them can sing. I was a bit unsure of them when I first heard them with their song 'Trouble' as I wasn't quite sure why they were shouting at me, but I have warmed to them in a big way and I am very excited for their album.

M.O

Another british band we should be taking notice of. Once again they are taking a step away from the happy pop music and they are bringing a more urban vibe. I first heard them as a soundtrack on a TV show and had to find the song instantly. The song was 'Ain't Got Time', the chorus was so catchy and I guarantee that with one listen you will be singing the words as you walk around town. The single didn't do great in the charts but I am happy to say it hasn't stopped them, they are releasing new music and videos as I type.

Fifth Harmony

You may already know who these are as they were finalists in last years The X Factor US. They were put together on the show after all auditioning solo, and what a great idea it was (except maybe Camila, she kind of shines on her own). I fell in love with their voices straight after hearing them sing Shontelle's 'Impossible' - if you get the chance YouTube it. They released a couple of songs after leaving that were extremely pop and sold them to a tween market. However their latest single 'Bo$$' is showing some growth, some may argue too much growth but at the end of the day they aren't stepping on Miley's toes with this song - its fun, very powering for a female and a good time.

GRL

I can almost guarantee that you have heard these ladies sing, or at least one of them. These are the five girls singing behind Pitbull in his song 'Wild Wild Love' and the blonde lady is the singer on LMFAO's single 'Party Rock Anthem'. However they no longer have Feat. infront of their names and they have released music on their own. There has been a lot of comparison to the Pussycat Dolls - it's an easy one to make as they have the same creator, Miss Robin Antin. And to be honest I don't think they should be judged for this, the Pussycat Dolls are no longer around so why not bring 5 fresh faces to come and fill the void. They are fun and I absolutely love their latest single 'Ugly Heart'. I have a feeling these grl's will be around for a bit, I mean Britney Spears has already given her approval and who are we to argue with Queen Pop herself.

I'm With The Band

I am going to lose some major man points (not that I had a whole lot to begin with) but I feel like it is time to make this statement. I love Girl Bands. I own a bunch of their albums, I watch all of their music videos and I pretty much know most the words to all the songs (including some of the dance moves, something I am not 100% proud of).

I am not sure if it is a feminist portion of my brain that loves them so much, but I support them so much. I want to see a girl group do well. When they get a number 1 I do feel proud. For example when The Saturdays got their first number 1 I told people as if it was my own personal news, I wanted/needed people to know. When a girl group enters a talent competition I instantly want them to win (can you imagine my happiness when Little Mix won 'The X Factor'!) Some of my favourite concerts I have ever been to were girl bands (Spice Girls and Destiny's Child in particular).

I often feel alone in my love for girl bands. They aren't a popular thing to admit you like. I will get the occasional 'oh yeah, I liked that one song' but never 'I love their album!'. Girl bands come and go so quickly because it so hard for them to get a fanbase. Younger girls who these bands are marketed for only want to fully support the new hit boy band and then younger boys will never admit to liking them for fear of ridicule. Older folk won't even give them the time of day, instead casting them off as girls being used for their appearance and having no talent.

So as a favour from me to you I thought I would create a little playlist of girl band songs for you to fall in love with and join my crusade to get them the respect they deserve. So here goes -

Spice Girls - Let Love Lead The Way

Destiny's Child - Through With Love

Sugababes - Ugly

Little Mix - Cannonball

Girls Aloud - Sexy! No No No ...

2NE1 - Lonely

Stooshe - Black Heart

The Saturdays - Fall

Atomic Kitten - Someone Like Me

En Vogue - Free Your Mind

All Saints - Pure Shores

TLC - Dear Lie

The Pussycat Dolls - I Hate This Part

B*Witched - Blame It On The Weatherman

Honeyz - Won't Take It Lying Down

Eternal - I Wanna Be The Only One

Cleopatra - Touch Of Love

YouTube them, Spotify them and bask in the girl group goodness. These are probably the more slower songs by these bands but they are some of my favourites.