Whatever happened to the mixed gender pop group?

In the nineties to early noughties these groups ruled. They were at the top of the charts, selling out arena tours and on every television program. They were incredibly child friendly, whilst also singing about adult themes of love and sex. However, all of a sudden they disappeared. The noughties brought indie bands and a lot of sexually charged same sex pop groups. We lost the magic of cheesy pop music with both male and female voices.

Yes we do still have mixed groups in recent years, N-Dubz, No Doubt, Paramore and Black Eyed Peas spring to mind. These are not the same though. Where are the dance moves that we can learn? Where are the fun colour co-ordinated outfits? And where are the open mouthed manic poses on the front of music magazines? Music has gotten to serious. I absolutely hate when someone will describe a band as 'real music' - what is that? What does that mean? Are there rules?

I don't think I stand alone when I say I miss them and that I loved them. I bet my life that we all own at least one CD or tape that one of the above bands have made. They were innocent fun. They are still some of our karaoke favourites - and you know why? It's because they are easy, they are easy to sing along to and easy to mimic. So any record company that reads this blog (and I know you all do) please put a band together! All we need is some older teens or young twenty-somethings, good looking, good singers and some good dancers. We are easily pleased when it comes to cheesy pop.

Below I will write a list of songs to remind you just how great some mixed groups were.

• Steps - Deeper Shade Of Blue
• Steps - It's The Way You Make Me Feel
• S Club 7 - Bring It All Back
• S Club 7 - You
• Hear'say - Pure And Simple
• Hear'say - The Way To Your Love
• Liberty X - Song 4 Lovers
• Liberty X - Holding On For You
• Big Brovaz - My Favourite Things
• S Club 8 - Automatic High
• Allstars - Bump In The Night
• A*Teens - Upside Down

I may not be appearing the most 'coolest' person right now, but at least I am being honest. Be honest with yourself - we loved these groups. I went to see Steps on their reunion tour and they were amazing, we need some more cheesy pop about friendships and love in our lives - we take our music tastes way too seriously. There is no shame in liking these songs, theres only shame in pretending that you don't. We all loved them at one point; Steps sold 20 million records, S Club 7 sold 10 million records and Abba sold nearly 300 million records!

Craig's Big Reunion

So Itv2 have announced there will be a second season of 'The Big Reunion'. First of all they will do a season following the first bunch of bands and then a whole new crop will be announced. I can imagine we will probably see East 17 and a bunch of boy-bands that made the girls cry in the 90's. However, I feel like they should take advice from me. I am a voice that speaks for boys and girls alike after all. So I have picked 7 bands that will make the show epic, instead of a chorus of middle aged woman singing along to 'Stay Another Day' - they could showcase just how much talent has been forgotten. So, my 7 picks are as follows-

1. Spice Girls
These were the 90's, there is no one bigger or better. It would be quite a coup to get these ladies in one room for so long (they are all quite busy) and I am pretty sure they don't need the show as they could announce a tour tomorrow and it would be sold out the day after. Still throw some money at them and we could get some magic.

2. The Pussycat Dolls
Nicole and the girls were amazing. They pumped out song after song that everyone fell in love with (you would be surprised with how many words you know of theirs). The girls can put on a show with legs flailing everywhere and Nicole reaching those notes only she can. It would be nice to have all 6, but 5 will do - it has been 4 years, we have suffered enough without them.

3. S Club 7
I picked these even though I was strictly Steps back in the day. Their songs are catchy as hell and we all know the words. Some of us even know the dance to 'Reach' - just saying. I feel if they don't do something soon people will get over this nostalgia kick we all seem to be on and they will miss out on some serious dollar.

4. All Saints
They tried a reunion not long back but it didn't take off, even though I bought the album and it was really good. They were the smoother, cooler version of Spice Girls. 'Pure Shores' still remains as one of my favourite songs today. After Nicole's recent woes a nice tour would be good to get her mind off things.

5. Mis-Teeq
These were clearly our answer to Destiny's Child, and they didn't disappoint. I fell in love with their music almost as soon as I heard 'Why'. Alesha's MC-ing was amazing and I proudly still know most the words to them. Their songs were cool and slick with a nice RnB edge. I just hope Alesha hasn't got too big to play second fiddle to Sabrina.

6. Danity Kane
You may be asking yourself who these are. Well shame on you. I my self am so immersed in American pop culture I am willing to give you an education. This group was formed by Diddy for MTV's 'Making The Band'. They released 2 number 1 albums in America, but their time was cut short due to conflict with management and themselves. They have since announced they will be coming back as a foursome (without D. Woods) and I think this would be an amazing opportunity to finally make it in the UK. YouTube 'Damaged' or 'Bad Girl' to witness the magic of Danity Kane.

7. Cleopatra
I was in love with these sisters. I bought every single one of their singles and my Dad even stole a cardboard cut out of them from a music store for me. Cleo's voice floored me everytime, she recently tried out for 'The Voice' and got to the semi-finals. I feel this was beneath her and she could be doing so much more. If the group reunites they could show just how much our music scene has missed them. 'Touch of Love' truly shows off their vocals - listen and enjoy.