"Wannabe" was the debut single by the British pop group Spice Girls, widely considered to be their signature song. It was written by the Spice Girls, Richard Stannard and Matt Rowe for the Spice Girls debut album Spice (see 1996 in music).
The single was released in July of 1996 in the United Kingdom, reaching the top of the UK Singles Chart for seven consecutive weeks, and received a double platinum certification by the BPI. In January of 1997 the song was released in the US topping the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks, becoming their only number-one single in that country.
"Wannabe" is one of the most recognisable and successful songs of the 1990s. By the end of 1996 it had topped the charts in 22 nations,

Writing and inspiration
"Wannabe" received mixed reviews from music critics. All Music Guide reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine said "none of the Girls have great voices, but they do exude personality and charisma, which is what drives bouncy dance-pop like "Wannabe," with its ridiculous "zig-a-zig-ahhh" hook, into pure pop guilty pleasure".

Music video
"Wannabe" was released in the United Kingdom on July 8, 1996, debuting on the UK Singles Chart at number three, before climbing to number one the next week,

Chart performance
The song was included in the set list for both the Spiceworld Tour and the Christmas in Spiceworld tour.
"Wannabe" was usually introduced by Melanie Brown. During the bridge ("here's the story...") Melanie Chisholm did some acrobatics as in the video, always earning a big ovation from the public. After Geri Halliwell left the band, her parts were replaced by Bunton, Chisholm and Beckham, this way:
Lift ("tell me what you want..."): Chisholm Verses ("get your act ... if you really..."): Beckham Bridge ("easy V doesn't..."): Bunton The line "easy V doesn't come for free, she's a real lady" was altered for their Spiceworld Tour (for some shows) to "easy V doesn't come for free, 'cause she's havin' a baby!"

Live performances
These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Wannabe".

UK CD1/Australian CD/Brazilian CD/Japanese CD
"Wannabe" [Radio Edit] - 2:52
"Bumper to Bumper" - 3:43
"Wannabe" [Vocal Slam] - 6:20
UK CD2
"Wannabe" [Radio Edit] - 2:52
"Wannabe" [Dave Way Alternative Mix] - 3:27
"Wannabe" [Dub Slam] - 6:25
"Wannabe" [Instrumental] - 2:52
US CD/European CD
"Wannabe" [Single Edit] - 2:52
"Bumper to Bumper" - 3:43
European 12" Vinyl Single
A1 "Wannabe" [Vocal Slam] - 6:20
B1 "Wannabe" [Dub Slam] - 6:25
B2 "Wannabe" [Instrumental Slam] - 6:20
US 12" Vinyl Single
A1: "Wannabe" (Junior Vasquez 12" Club Mix] - 9:20
A2: "Wannabe" [Vocal Slam] - 6:20
B1: "Wannabe" [Junior Vasquez Club Dub] - 9:20
B2: "Wannabe" [Dub Slam] - 6:25
B3: "Wannabe" [Single Edit] - 2:52
2007 Club Remixes
"Wannabe" [Soulseekerz Vocal Mix] - 6:55
"Wannabe" [Soulseekerz Dub Mix] - 6:56
"Wannabe" [Soulseekerz Radio Edit] - 3:32 Formats and track listings
Published by Windswept Pacific Music Ltd/PolyGram Music Publishing Ltd

"Spice Girls" - lead vocals
"Matt Rowe" - producer, keyboards and programming
"Richard Stannard" - producer, keyboards and programming
"Mark Stent" - audio mixing
"Adrian Bushby" - recording engieneer
"Patrick McGovern" - assistant
Credits and personnel

Geri Halliwell has performed live cover versions of the song after she left the group. Cover versions

Chart positions