S Club, originally known as S Club 7, stands as an iconic symbol of late 90s and early 2000s pop culture. In Part 1 of our retrospective, we delve into their formation by Simon Fuller, the mastermind behind the Spice Girls, explore the success and appeal of their first two albums, and discuss their unique integration with a hit TV series that catapulted them to international fame.
References:Miami 7 clips https://youtu.be/MSZN8k-Ji0s?si=J-FjTN8um_y1n3AZ “Bring It All Back” MV https://youtu.be/GLQ0biK-ZgA?si=Y9qb2_ARrHkPyR3H “S Club Party” MV https://youtu.be/MZkgtgr7LhE?si=mqtJU784ERg-0O6K “Two In A Million” MV https://youtu.be/5cQFtr_WwPs?si=kHfMOH8tRy4Nnanu“You’re My Number One” MV https://youtu.be/VmVNOiYdpSY?si=HBDO1G6lFrg-kQMx Brit Awards 2000 Acceptance https://youtu.be/ja6gfsSRjKY?si=31f3QOgKkion4nnf“Reach” MV https://youtu.be/50kP4S0peAs?si=CNVp2XwWla5wfCgw“Natural” MV https://youtu.be/A4Kba6v5fdg?si=pIm97wovfy9Ger2i“Never Had A Dream Come True” MV https://youtu.be/WB9_sf6oV1o?si=wYYdMvUuxh4xA4CT
00:00:00 --> 00:00:18 Viewer discretion is advised. Your fave will be criticized. That's Chris. That's Shannon. And welcome to CCTV, the non-stop pop show. And today we are heading to Pop 101 class and learning about... It's club!
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00:00:47 --> 00:01:17 Yes, we haven't done a Pop 101 in a minute. Our last ones have been NSYNC and Destiny's Child. But yeah, S Club, we've been talking about doing them for quite a while, especially when they announced their reunion in 2023. So yeah, are you a fan of S Club? You know what? I was. I think I was when I was a kid. I think I was way too young to understand what was going on, but the songs were catchy enough. Like I was the target audience and they got me. I was hit.
00:01:17 --> 00:01:41 Yeah. Yeah. Like now that I like look back on things, it's like they were my steps essentially. Like, you know, you're like, Oh, you don't know steps, Shan? Like, now I know them, but like thinking about it, I remember them more than I would remember like an 18, even though they were great. I don't remember 18, but I remember S club more. I remember wishing for S club like throughout the years. And I stole lyrics from them for my song. Okay.
00:01:41 --> 00:02:03 Nice. Yeah, I'm gonna be honest, for some reason, S Club never hit me in the same way that a lot of the other British pop did. Like, I've talked a lot about on the show where like, Steps and Atomic Kitten and like that whole kind of group of artists, like I was like, so taken by them, like from the minute I saw their music videos and stuff.
00:02:04 --> 00:02:21 S Club, not so much. I have seen episodes of the TV shows. I've never seen the full series. And I remember enjoying the music videos when I saw them on the channels, but never enough to actually buy episodes.
00:02:21 --> 00:02:43 the albums, I did buy Don't Stop Movin', the CD single. Oh, okay. And I think my sister maybe bought Never Had a Dream Come True, because I remember having it. But yeah, for some reason, S Club just didn't hit me in the same way. I do like them, and I was excited to deep dive into them, because I had never really heard the albums before. And of course,
00:02:43 --> 00:02:56 I do have tickets to see them in New York as well. So I'm quite excited about. So, yeah, I'm very happy that we did this and excited to talk about them. Word up. So let's get into it. Class is now in session.
00:02:58 --> 00:03:17 S Club, formerly known as S Club 7, is a British co-ed pop group formed in 1998 by Simon Fuller, who is best known for creating the Spice Girls. So after the Spice Girls fired him near the end of 1997, he decided to continue his idea of an accessible group,
00:03:17 --> 00:03:36 with TV shows, movies, and multiple brand partnerships by holding auditions for a brand new group. And it has been said in many reports that he made sure to choose members this time that would be a little easier to mold, let's say, than the very feisty Spice Girls.
00:03:36 --> 00:03:59 Oh, wow. And after choosing the seven members, the name S Club 7 was chosen. And many say that the S represents the first initial in Simon's name, though Bradley has since revealed that S is also the 19th letter in the alphabet and Simon's company is called 19 Entertainment. So yeah, it feels a little less, you know, narcissistic, I suppose. It's still him, though. It's still him.
00:03:59 --> 00:04:20 Yeah, you know. So, yes, he chose seven members. And we have Tina Barrett, Bradley McIntosh, John Lee, Hannah Spirit, Paul Catermel, Joe O'Meara, and Rachel Stevens. And they all had varied experience across acting, musical, singing, dancing, and modeling.
00:04:21 --> 00:04:47 Yes, they do. It's interesting because he's thinking that they wouldn't be more malleable. But when you have people that have that much experience, they've been through the gamut a little bit. I wouldn't say they're not malleable. They're just green, but not easy to manipulate. I wouldn't go that far. I think they did mean personality-wise. He made sure to find people that didn't seem to...
00:04:47 --> 00:05:09 What do you mean by that? Feisty. He was strong. Yeah. You know, because obviously the Spice Girls are like, we want this, we want this. You know, they were bursting into record labels and, you know, doing everything they could to get what they want. No, this is true. I think he wanted people, kids, that, you know, he could kind of push around a bit and just be like, here's your schedule. And they're like, okay.
00:05:09 --> 00:05:33 Yeah, we're going to be on CD. Yeah, K-pop follows this formula. Now a lot of K-pop acts do this, which is, yeah, so, oof, it's rough. I mean, he's brilliant. I mean, he came up with the Idol series and managed so many awesome groups that we now enjoy. So he definitely has great mindset for business and he has an ear for sure. But again, it's one of those things I'm like, how do you know what's going to be hit? How do you know it's going to work? It's really cool. I think it's Simon's.
00:05:33 --> 00:05:59 career actually is interesting i would love to actually just do an episode about him just because it'd be interesting to research on i do appreciate that he kind of picked himself up so quickly after the whole spice girls firing just to kind of continue his vision because that was what happened you know the spice girls were like yo like our credibility is being ruined because i'm crying we're doing all these brand sponsorships like we're doing everything outside of music
00:05:59 --> 00:06:28 Yeah. Yeah. You know? Yeah. And then here now you have S Club where they didn't really write any of their music. They did eventually write some album tracks and stuff, but they didn't write their music the way the Spice Girls wrote their music. Yeah. And so you can kind of see, like, he was like, I'm not dealing with that again. I'm going to make my life easier. And these kids just have to appreciate my vision, which is interesting. Yeah. I mean, I do remember. I do remember thinking at the time that there were too many members.
00:06:28 --> 00:06:57 I didn't even realize there were that many. Oh, my God. Seven is quite a lot for a Western group. But, of course, now I've gotten used to K-pop, and I'm like, oh, only seven? No, I'm kidding. Yeah, yeah. No worries. But I do remember questioning why they were all needed because Joe really did sing the majority of all their singles, really. Yeah, that was weird. So, yeah, that was interesting. But I guess if you are going to do a TV show, you know, the whole thing...
00:06:58 --> 00:07:23 with the ratio of boys and girls and just having multiple characters and stuff, that makes sense if you want the TV show to be such the big part of the brand. The brand, yeah. And you have a lot of different looks for the potential brand sponsorships as well. So the whole cast of Seven does make sense. Makes sense. But yeah, I guess on first glance though, I will be honest, none of them really stand out to me.
00:07:23 --> 00:07:52 You know, that's so valid. I feel like they were just fresh-faced kids. Yeah, very relatable, fresh-faced kids. Yes. Yeah, just the size of a small battalion. But before releasing any music, the group was quickly whisked away to Miami, Florida to film their first TV series, the one we discussed, Miami 7, which began broadcasting on CBBC in April 1999. The TV show featured the group being forced to work in a hotel as they attempted to find success as a musical act.
00:07:52 --> 00:08:09 It was extremely successful, eventually being sold to networks in 100 countries, including Fox Family in the U.S., BBC Kids in Canada, and Nickelodeon in South America. And then finally, in June 1999, S Club 7 released their debut single, Bring It All Back.
00:08:09 --> 00:08:27 Don't stop, never give up. Hold your head high and reach the top. Let the world see what you have got. Bring it all back to you. Dream of falling in love. Anything you've been thinking of. When the world seems to get too tough. Bring it all back to you.
00:08:27 --> 00:08:55 This was the theme song from Miami 7 and it went straight to number one in the UK and featured lead vocals from all four female members, plus ad-libs from all three boys as well. Yes, ad-libs! Come through! And the single went on to find success across the world. Yes, I mean, the reason I emphasize that is because this might be the only single that has actually all seven of them, like, featured in some way. L-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-
00:08:55 --> 00:09:23 This is very true. Yes. So yes, the TV show. So you do remember watching, I guess, the eventual reruns of it. Yeah. I unfortunately couldn't find a full stream of it. I know it's on BBC in the UK, but we are here in the US and it's not available anywhere. So I couldn't do the full rewatch that I wanted to, but I did watch a bunch of the clips that I could find on YouTube. So thank you to the fans who have uploaded those. But yeah, what do you remember of the TV show or what do you think of the TV show?
00:09:23 --> 00:09:50 I remember being confused because of the camera style. The way they shot it was kind of sus. It didn't look like a regular three-camera sitcom. It felt like... Not only was it low-budget, but the way it was filmed, it was like, I don't know how I feel about this, but I used to watch it and remember the antics. Did they have a dog? Was there a dog involved? I feel like there was a dog involved. I don't remember. I don't know. I just feel like it just makes sense because there's a dog. But it doesn't have to be. But yeah.
00:09:50 --> 00:10:15 I think the whole idea of having the sitcom is a good idea because at the time what like Friends was really popping at the time, right? You think about the whole co-ed situation. So like you were saying, it just made sense in the sense of a silhouette. And then they have the song, which is new because we're used to seeing singers make variety shows like the Jacksons and Cher and whomever. The Osmonds even like all were singers that then made shows. But this is like kind of like the reverse. So I like the song.
00:10:15 --> 00:10:45 that came with it. I think I remember hearing S Club, like the name place song, not Bring It All Back as the theme song. Or maybe, I don't remember, but I do appreciate how the songs like seamlessly were like interwoven in the show. Cause I can remember certain ones. I'm like, oh, duh, this song. Oh, this happened. Bringing it back to Bring It All Back. It reminds me of The Hustle by Van Nikoy.
00:10:45 --> 00:11:15 I know there's like a Jackson 5 like influence behind it. Sure. Totally. I just think of the hustle too. It definitely sounds like I want you back, but it also sounds like the hustle. But they both came from the same era. And I think the whole theme of the lyrics being like remembering your true self and believing yourself and you're up against the world is sweet. It's simple. I think because of the simplicity of the lyrics, things came across as really cheesy. Yes. I still appreciate the meaning and hearing the boys' voice, like you said, in those adlibs was nice. So yeah.
00:11:15 --> 00:11:36 Yeah, with Bring It All Back, it really is cheesy pop kind of at its finest, I would say. It's so interesting because obviously listening to it back, I'm like, oh, this is so Disney. But we have to remember, actually, Disney was like not a thing then. Like, this is pre-Hannah Montana, pre-Camp Rock. Like, it's so interesting because I do...
00:11:36 --> 00:12:00 feel like this is maybe actually a huge influence on what eventually happened with all of those. So it did kind of start a revolution, I guess. And so, yeah, Simon Fuller, yes, brilliant mind for sure, because it definitely did start kind of this whole trend. But yeah, from the clips I watched of the TV show, you know, it's entertaining enough for kids. You know, they're very charismatic.
00:12:00 --> 00:12:30 There's good chemistry, I would say, among the seven of them as well. You know, some of them are clearly not actors. I think it's really only Hannah, right? Hannah and maybe John that had kind of any real acting training or experience kind of before this. But they all did a good job, you know, fully committed to it. And it is a cool opportunity that they kind of went straight to getting a TV show, I guess. It definitely is unique. The word. Yeah, with the music video.
00:12:30 --> 00:12:48 for Bring It All Back. I do love it. It's very effective, but very simple. Like them on the beach in Miami, you get the clips from the TV show. They come off really, really well in it. Very charismatic again. The dance is fun. So yeah, I think it works for sure.
00:12:49 --> 00:13:17 I agree. I think they would appreciate that because apparently it was like 100 something degree weather out there. Oh, boy. Yeah. I guess here, should we start talking, I guess, about the vocals a little bit? Oh, yeah. Because we do get to hear kind of all four ladies and the boys get their little moments as well. So obviously, Jo is the lead singer. Yeah. She gets the most in the song and in most of their songs. She does have a really good tone for this type of...
00:13:17 --> 00:13:38 pop music, I would say. Yeah. Yeah, very, very pleasant and very adaptable as well. Oh, yeah. Yeah, she's got a lot of different... Yeah. I will say among the four ladies, though, she definitely has maybe the least stage presence. Ooh. So that's kind of interesting that she's kind of the voice, but then...
00:13:38 --> 00:14:03 they do kind of need the others just like performance wise just to kind of keep the attention up yeah um yeah what do you think of all of their voices i feel like the boys could sing a little bit better than the girls in some instances as a whole yeah totally and now it's like oh snap this is a complete opposite of like what i was expecting because steps no offense to them but like yeah you know mm-hmm
00:14:03 --> 00:14:22 Clara was doing a lot of the heavy lifting from it, and then Faye would jump in, you know what I'm saying? And then Lisa kind of got shafted a lot, you know what I'm saying? And then all the other guys, you know, Age and Lee. But you didn't think, like, their voices. I can think of a couple songs, like, oh, Bradley singing here. Oh, this is, you know, sorry, guys, sorry, guys. Love you.
00:14:22 --> 00:14:48 Yeah, they can all do ad-libs. They're kind of soulful. They can all do runs. Yeah. Yes. I will say Tina is probably the—I don't know. I'll say Tina and Hannah are the weakest for sure. Tina was hot. I'll give her that. But she was just a weak singer, and her tone just wasn't there. Rachel could actually sing, but she sounded a little bit lighter, like Joe Light. Yeah, she's like sultry. Yeah. She's like sultry, less belty Joe.
00:14:48 --> 00:15:09 Yes, thank you. Not light like it tastes worse. Light like it's still just as good. Yeah. But it's just for different reasons and different songs. You know what I'm saying? So, yeah. And Hannah, I don't remember her voice. I'm so sorry, Hannah. It's kind of just like thin and... It wasn't memorable, so I'm trying to say. I didn't want to be rude with her. No. Yeah. Yeah, I will say Tina...
00:15:09 --> 00:15:36 Tina makes me laugh because I do think she has a very recognizable look. So maybe that's kind of a big part of it. But yeah, the vocals are... And we'll talk about this more as kind of their career goes. It gets highlighted a couple times. But yes, I do question her vocal ability. She actually was in Mystique before she was in S Club, which I find even more interesting. So she's actually in... Yes, Scandalist.
00:15:36 --> 00:16:01 which if you'd like us to do a deep dive on mystique let me know because i would love to i would love to the comments y'all yeah list but you know yes yes gotta add to the list gotta keep adding to the list um anyway so yes look she's been in multiple groups so like i just don't understand because her voice is just very unstable but you know maybe she was there for the looks and the dance like you know the visual like they have in k-pop
00:16:02 --> 00:16:20 Sure. I mean, yes, she does have a recognizable look for sure. But yes, I agree. I think that boys in general are very, very good. Like, I wish within their discography that there'd be more of just the three of them. Oh my God. Actually, having the three boys lead a track would be really, really good. Yeah. Because I like all three of their tones are all very different too. Yes.
00:16:20 --> 00:16:41 just very interesting and it yeah it all kind of works so it did work i agree with you very interesting but yeah so let's keep going because after bring it all back s club seven quickly followed up with their second single s club party in september 1999 right before the debut album s club was released in october
00:17:00 --> 00:17:25 With huge producers such as Stargate and Spice Girls collaborators Absolute and Elliot Kennedy, the album achieved success around the world, hitting number two in the UK and high positions across Europe and Australia. The group ended the world one year with a release of a double A-side single, Two in a Million and You're My Number One. Again, hitting number two in the UK single chart. That was not the melody.
00:17:38 --> 00:18:00 We should stop, we'll still have each other And no matter what, we'll be forever as one You're, you're my number one I'd do anything for you Free from sky to home
00:18:03 --> 00:18:21 I have said on the show before, I think in another pop one, maybe the NSYNC one, I love self-referential songs. Oh, yeah, totally. Like all the pop groups were doing it back in the day, in the 90s, 2000s. And it's so cheesy, but it's just so much fun. Yeah. And this one's up there as one of the best ones.
00:18:21 --> 00:18:44 I think it's a perfect second single. It's so catchy. The chanting of the chorus is so good. The as well. It's just great stage and concert interaction with the fans. I love the verse about each of them doing their thing. Oh, my gosh. I feel so bad for Hannah. Hannah's screaming out for Moe.
00:18:44 --> 00:19:10 Why is she screaming out for more? She got a little ad-lib, though. I know, but thank God she did. Good for her, because right after Paul doing her thing and then she's screaming out for more, I'm like, y'all, why is that the lyric? Again, John and Bradley have great little ad-libs as well. They did, yes. I will say, though, the bridge chant is just the most bizarre. You know, the ghetto boys and the hoochie mamas. My God.
00:19:10 --> 00:19:27 That just doesn't fit them at all. It just comes out of nowhere. Yes, it's giving white men writing. I don't know. I don't go with that. Honestly, all the lyrics, I usually don't care if people change lyrics. I'm like, whatever. Like the Paramore lyric, whatever. I don't really care. But that one?
00:19:27 --> 00:19:46 Yep, show your nanas, hoochie mamas. The hoochie mama thing, I'm kind of like, but the ghetto boys, they gotta go. They gotta go. They gotta go. They gotta go. What's that even mean? It's so good. What did you think of the album as a whole? It was very sugary.
00:19:46 --> 00:20:02 But it's not bad. Like, you're, you're my number one. I'm singing it right now. Now you're trying just to prove that you remember the song. Yeah. Of course I am. Anyway, Friday Night is a standout on the album for sure. Oh, yeah. Good job, Bradley.
00:20:02 --> 00:20:29 come on thank you bradley got the recognition he deserved which i so appreciate not because of his color but because we talk about all the time western groups don't know how to divvy up lines and it's so irritating so i think it was nice that he could actually hold that he'll his own as well um but also it's nice to see what i do in the group um yeah i think i really miss you sounds like a backstreet track um yeah like honestly the way i feel about this album is not bad but it feels
00:20:29 --> 00:20:51 one of those every country has one of those like you know how every country needs a representation in the style slash genre that's popular this album was that for me it wasn't bad but it sounded like other people's work but just cater to the group which isn't a bad thing because they were following the trend and luckily they had like a vocalist like joe to kind of like hold it down um but
00:20:51 --> 00:21:14 I feel like the big band disco-y kind of thing that they had going on was great. Yeah. That's what helped set them aside. But like the B-sides kind of just felt a little bit like derivative for me. But not in a bad way where I was like, wow, I'm never listening to this again. But just like, oh, I recognize the sound. It's from this or it sounds like McLaurin or something. It wasn't like terrible. But yeah. Yeah. I think the album is fine. Yeah.
00:21:14 --> 00:21:42 Yeah, I think the singles are the clear standouts for sure overall. I do think it's funny. There are these two kind of like Samba-esque tracks as well, like Viva La Fiesta, and it's a feel good thing. And I was like, okay, Simon clearly was like, we need more Spice Up Your Life-esque. We need more Spice Up Your Life. But overall, I think it is cohesive. It is all very cheesy, very bubblegum. But again, the target was little kids.
00:21:42 --> 00:22:09 So in that sense, it's good. Like in that sense, they accomplished what they were going for. They set out to do, yeah. But yeah, I can't, I don't think any of the album tracks in this one really stand out in any way, to be honest. Not in a strong way. It was a sad factor. I do enjoy the AA side though. Like I like Two and a Million and You're My Number One. Yeah. You know, they both kind of have a Motown-esque kind of thing going on for them. Yeah. Joe.
00:22:09 --> 00:22:15 the singing lead on the whole thing, and she sounds really good on both tracks. I will say, though...
00:22:15 --> 00:22:42 If you're going to have seven members, like at least give them some cool, dynamic background vocals. Absolutely. That's what I'm saying. You know, like throughout their whole catalog, there's not really much creativity with the background vocals or like harmonies and things like that. It's just like, and even the way it's all processed as well. And I think we remember, I think we said this about the First Steps album as well, when we did that review.
00:22:42 --> 00:23:09 Like, the way it's done, it almost sounds like session singers more than the other members, or just session singers mixed in with the other members. Like, I don't know. Like, there's no point where I can listen to Two and a Million and be like, oh, I hear John, you know, singing that harmony, or I hear, you know, Rachel doing— Like, I can't pick any of the other six out at all, so that's my only kind of complaint, really. Right, right.
00:23:09 --> 00:23:33 yeah yeah i don't know that makes sense though like they're on it but like are they really how do you know it's not fair to them totally i get it i get it yeah um but you know what luckily this album was good enough for the general public because less than a year after their debut the group won a british breakthrough act at the 2000 and simon's plan to build their brand was underway
00:23:34 --> 00:24:02 with partnerships including Hasbro and, of course, a second TV series, LA7. This time, featuring S Club 7, struggling to make it in LA after leaving their management in Miami. Wow, not him writing the story of the Spice Girls. Yeah, the group was extremely busy. So in between filming the new series, the group was doing endless promo and also recording their next album. And they've said since then that their schedule was absolutely relentless.
00:24:02 --> 00:24:06 And it made 2000 as Club 7 released their first single from the next project,
00:24:32 --> 00:24:46 And Reach, again, hit number two in the UK singles chart and has since become one of the group's signature hits. Yeah. Yes. It's what I know. Again, target audience right here. We have grown up and...
00:24:47 --> 00:25:10 barely remember some of us some of us do remember like you but uh the rest of us that i found them on tv like who's this i remember this song oh my god i think everyone remembers this song honestly i didn't think there was a dance to it but there is apparently like i was just you know rich but me i was just like let me just jig around i never thought there was like an actual reachy thing you know um
00:25:11 --> 00:25:32 I think making the... Oh, jokes aside, sorry. Making the group a media personality without using a messy reality TV show, even though it wasn't the trend at the time, but avoiding a reality show, it's a good idea. Like, for cross-promotion sense. He had an idea, and he wanted to capitalize on that idea, and he did that. Like I said, the co-ed-focused sitcoms were all the rage. So making them do that...
00:25:32 --> 00:25:49 show was great to promote and like you said the accessibility of all the different members and their looks but it must be really tough to do all that acting and spending all your time doing that when all you want to do is sing or all you thought you were going to do was sing um
00:25:50 --> 00:26:04 But yeah, I mean, it is what it is. He's in charge, right? And Reach was a good song. So it wasn't like they were handing them crappy songs for their first bit of projects. But I can only imagine, like, as time went on, like, you're thinking, okay, we have another album. We have the success. Like, what's next?
00:26:04 --> 00:26:34 I mean, I think it's just a lot, right? Like you're learning lines for this TV show. You're also rehearsing for performances as well, because they were obviously performing a song on each episode as well. Plus they're recording the next project, plus they're doing interviews and photo shoots and promotional gigs and stuff like that. It is a lot. Plus, they had to come to the US to film the TV show, but they were still promoting kind of like around the world as well. So it was true. There was a lot of traveling to...
00:26:34 --> 00:26:49 So yeah, you know, a lot of the pop stars at the time kind of all talk about kind of the crazy schedules and their expectations that were put on them. But I feel like S Club were probably on the more intense side compared to everyone because of the added schedule.
00:26:49 --> 00:27:14 thing with the tv show yeah yeah oh my gosh for sure um so yeah reach is great i think i think it's a good progression from the last album it's so catchy it does have more kind of shared lead vocals like paul sounds so good on that bridge john sounds great on that second verse as well yeah yeah but it's just a super well written pop song it's so joyful so positive
00:27:14 --> 00:27:43 perfect song for everyone. Like it's such a good, just feel good song. Like hearing it in like a club or hearing it like played before a concert at a venue. I've heard at a club before. I believe you, she's so funny that she said that. Like, I'm sure, and we see it in concert as well. Like it's just everyone is so happy when the song comes on. And it has great production as well. Like the drums sound really good. The brass is super full. So yeah, I think it's a good track. What do you think?
00:27:43 --> 00:28:11 You know, for me, Reach gives me like Walking on the Sunshine by Katarina and the Wave vibe. It does, you know? It sounds like a soundtrack, a movie soundtrack. That's the thing. And I think what separates the song from being like, like the hit that everyone knows it to be, I think it might be the lyrics. They're a little cheesy, but the top line is good and the vocals are good. So I think that's what kind of like helps the song stand the test of time because it is, again, the lyrics are just so like,
00:28:11 --> 00:28:29 You know, one, two, buckle my shoe, which is fine for the target audience. Yes. You know, but I think that's what kind of holds people back from like being like, oh, you know. And I remember the verses. They remember the choruses mostly. But hey, what can you do? The video itself is so strange. Like it was giving...
00:28:30 --> 00:28:48 Willy Wonka candy, you know, like Wonderland, like any kind of thing, which I can appreciate because Reach, the way the song sounds is giving like, it's giving like youth Christian music and this is the best way to like make it very up, like a video uplifting, like literally uplifting without making like
00:28:48 --> 00:29:03 Jake Jesus, reach in front of the sky. You know what I'm saying? So I definitely, I think it's a good thing to have a whimsical vehicle to make the song's message sign through. Yes. A lot more, you know, fairly, like non-denominal. You know what I'm saying?
00:29:04 --> 00:29:19 Yeah, I mean, I think they do a great job. They're super cute and happy and charismatic in the video. Like, they're great on camera. So he did a good job casting, for sure, for that. Oh, I didn't think about it, yeah. That was kind of one of the main goals, for sure. Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah.
00:29:20 --> 00:29:43 All right, so the group then released their second album, Seven, in June 2000, and the album hit number one in the UK, becoming the group's most successful album to date, even being certified gold in the US. And they also released the second single from the album, Natural, in September 2000, which featured member Rachel on lead vocals and the single hit number three in the UK singles chart.
00:29:44 --> 00:30:05 Baby, loving you comes easily to me. It's what I'm living for. It's all in the chemistry. Baby, loving you is how it's meant to be. It's something that is also natural to me. Natural. You know.
00:30:07 --> 00:30:34 Here's the thing. How much more mature can you get? You know, you went from like 10-year-olds, like 10 preteen. Yeah. And now you're like, this is like mature. 12-year-olds. Yeah. No. I'm going to give it at least 13, 14, 15. You know, like, come on. Okay, maybe 13. Maybe 13 at the most for this album. Okay. Oh, for the album. Oh, you mean the single? You're talking about the single? No, you're right. For the album, though. Yeah. For the single, I feel like maybe 14, 15.
00:30:35 --> 00:31:03 Okay, fine. That's valid. Yeah. Okay, thank you. Okay, fine. I appreciate that. But no, you're right. It's definitely going to be like 12 going on 13, like thinks they're grown kind of like age. Yeah. But you know what? I'm not going to roast it. We're not roasting. It's just funny. You know, with this album, you have songs that bring back the old sound, like bring the house down with this awesome bridge. The spice-inspired love train. Is that spice-inspired? It felt spice-inspired to me. Okay. No.
00:31:03 --> 00:31:24 Stop bullying me. We don't have to have the same opinion. No, I'm teasing. I'm totally teasing. And then you have songs that set them back thematically, like Best Friend. And, oh, hang on. There's a cuss word on this project. One of the better songs on the project called All in Love is Fair. She said the A word. And I was like, ooh.
00:31:25 --> 00:31:41 Wait, really? Yeah. She's talking about about your ass and I was like, ooh, yeah, something about the ass. Her ass. Like, something, I forgot the lyrics, but the point is, if you want an album review where I talk about her ass, then let's get into it. We have to have a comment. But yeah, overall, just feels more grown up. Like,
00:31:41 --> 00:32:05 But finally grown up for teenagers who are homeschooled. But it's fun, you know? I love the vocal distribution throughout the album. So I appreciate it. Yeah, I do think the album is a natural progression from the first album. Yes, slightly more mature, I guess. Like there are some more kind of R&B-ish tracks. Like there's I'll Keep Waiting and Cross My Heart. And of course, Natural.
00:32:05 --> 00:32:23 as well. And natural for sure stands out amongst kind of the songs we've heard so far, the singles we've heard so far, like definitely more mature and with the video as well. Like it's a little more sexy, right? They're like on the beach with the boys, like, you know, shirtless in the waterfall and stuff, you know, like pretending to spearfish.
00:32:24 --> 00:32:47 That was weird. The video was too bright for this song. Like, I'm not saying they had to go to the club or anything, but a rooftop on the city with the skyline. Like, that would have been so cool. A little helicopter pal with the skyline in the back. You know, they're sitting there singing their song. I mean, I assume they were in L.A., so they were just like, the beach. Yeah, again. It reminded me of 5, 6, 7, 8, the way it was filmed. Okay, it's a little sexier than 5, 6, 7, 8.
00:32:48 --> 00:33:16 With the bikinis and stuff. Let me start with that. And then they try to make it sexier with them under the waterfall. I just felt gross watching that. I feel like I was watching like... I feel like I was watching my little cousin or something being like, yeah, girl. You're like, stop. You're like 15. Yeah, you're right. Yeah, you're right. That's what it felt like. And I was like, I feel like I was watching, especially with Hannah. She'd be like, I'm sexy. Just kidding. And I'm like, I can't. I couldn't with that weird little jump back and forth.
00:33:16 --> 00:33:35 I did like the waterfall scene. It was really nice to have that black and blue, that deep colors to make it look really pretty. But yeah, the weirdest of them just writhing in the water, under the waterfalls, and in the side of Bradley's abs. Let's get me out of here. I mean, I still enjoy the song, but again, the video is just, I'm so sexy. I'm so sexy.
00:33:35 --> 00:33:56 I'm just kidding. I do enjoy the song as well. I think Rachel sounds good. I think we said before, right? She does have a more sultry tone compared to Joe. And also just having her lead a song is a nice change. Yeah. But then also it's like this song could have used the boys kind of doing some ad-libs and stuff. And it does not.
00:33:56 --> 00:34:24 So that's the only thing. Like, where's the play back and forth? Yeah, just kind of bring it to the next level. I think it could have been good. But yeah, this is very much known as kind of Rachel's song. Like, you know, like in the shows and stuff, like it's like, it's her moment. Which could be Rachel. So, yeah. So in November 2000, S Club 7 received the incredible honor of releasing the official Children in Need single of 2000.
00:34:24 --> 00:34:44 And they released what would eventually become one of the best-selling singles of the year, Never Had a Dream Come True. And the single peaked at number one in the UK and also hit the charts across the world, even hitting number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 here in the US. And following the single's success, the album was re-released to include the track.
00:34:44 --> 00:35:04 I never had a dream come true Till the day that I found you Even though I pretend that I'm through gone You'll always be my baby I never found the worst you say
00:35:04 --> 00:35:16 wanna think about each day and I know the matter where life takes me to a part of me will always be
00:35:21 --> 00:35:49 That's a good song. I love that song. I didn't realize it was a song about a breakup until like listening to it now. I was just sitting there like, I never had a dream. You don't think about it. Because it's just like, I like it. But now that I'm older, I'm like, dang, you effed that up. Dang, one of your lives sucks. You don't say like the baseline of this song where you drive it. Yeah. It has like this nice R&B kind of feel, but it's still like palatable. You know, I let my kid listen to this.
00:35:49 --> 00:36:08 you know those parents um i'm not gonna lie to you because i like the song so much i legit still but never had a dream come true line and put it in my song one of my songs nice i thought it was nice i was like oh i didn't use the same melody so don't come for me songwriters don't come for me i'll try it darling but i remember listening to the song like a couple years ago i was like oh
00:36:08 --> 00:36:36 That should be the song. I did. It's in the verse though, not in the chorus. Yeah. Definitely can't do it. It is so good. It is one of the best kind of pop ballads of that era, I would say. Yeah. Like the melody is really beautiful. The instrumental's very pretty with the piano and the strings and the sparkles. The sparkles. The sparkles. Yeah. You're right. Joe does sound great on it. Again, same comment that I had said before about the background vocals being a little more...
00:36:37 --> 00:37:01 You know, just special for kind of the other six of them. But otherwise, can't fault it. Very, very good track. Deserves all the success that it's had. Totally. And I actually hadn't seen the video in a while. But I had remembered, like, in my mind, you know, they were outside, like, in the snow, in the mountains. And now I'm watching it back and I'm like, no, they were literally in a white studio. And it was all just, like, B-roll. Yeah.
00:37:01 --> 00:37:23 Oh, my God. You're right. And edited in. Yo, whoever was editing was in love with Joe and Hannah's eyes. Those eyes were looking extra blue. Oh, yeah. Very piercing. The video reminds me. It's so romantic. It reminds me of the Sailor Moon Hearts on Ice movie. Oh. Yeah. I love that. But it felt very much like to become one, but like winter version. So I was cracking up about that too. The way it was filmed.
00:37:23 --> 00:37:33 But yeah, I like that. Yeah, and I'm glad the song has done so well as well, just globally. I actually didn't realize it got that high a position in the U.S. either.
00:37:33 --> 00:37:59 I have a friend that knows this song too. And she doesn't really like, sometimes she's like, oh, you listen to like, is that K-pop or something else? I know it's another, you know, like Western group or something. And she's like, okay. Oh, I know this song. I was like, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I think a lot of Americans like realize this song that were the S club, the theme, this or that. I think bring it all back, get some recognition as well. I think just from the TV show, I would say.
00:37:59 --> 00:38:23 I believe you, it's just not the people I asked. I was like, you don't know what I asked for? Is that K-pop? I was like, listen, not everything I do is K-pop. Oh my gosh. But the point is, there was some recognition when I sang the song, you know? So that's good. Very good. Now's the way of people's hearts. And speaking of the way of people's hearts, the group was getting bigger and bigger and the momentum was not stopping.
00:38:25 --> 00:38:33 Time for a recess break. Join us for part two where we discuss the Sunshine album, Paul's departure, the seeing double era, and the first split. We'll be right back.