1998 Melanie B featuring Missy Elliott: I Want You Back

Though first of the Spice Girls to notch up a solo number one, 'I Want You Back' is hardly one woman's work, even less so Mel B's. Being written, produced and co-sung by Missy Elliott, her presence is all over the song and adds the genuine hip hop edge that the Spice Girls dallied with but never fully embraced. Mel acquits herself well but relies heavily on her co-star's presence to fill the gaps between the sparse beats, a helping hand that leaves no doubt as to who's in charge here. Bandwagon jumping it might be, but at least this one had a fully qualified driver who knew the road; whilst not something from Elliott's top drawer, 'I Want You Back' is hardly barrel scrapings either, and despite the erratic, Russian roulette trigger pull of the rhythm, it's a far looser and carefree affair than virtually anything that came out under the Spice Girls banner.