We can safely now refer to Melanie C as an English singer songwriter, but she is undoubtedly best known for being ‘Sporty Spice’ in the global girl band ‘The Spice Girls’.

However, it's during her impressive 20 year solo career, that she has sold over 20 million albums, singles, collaborations and has gained over 40 silver, gold and platinum certifications. She has always sung about her anxieties and issues with self acceptance, she sings about self love and refusing to change for anyone, celebrating the fact that everyone is different. In 2019 ‘The Spice Girls’ did a reunion tour, she saw it as a celebration of nostalgia and bringing everyone together. 

What an introduction to this track! Synths that could be from an 80s hit, then a beat that will drive many dancefloors. The lyrics, as many of Melanie C’s are, are honest, they are not hiding anything and you can feel the sense of passion in her mind as she was writing them on the paper. The journey of the Spice Girls post their heyday in the 90s has been interesting, but of all of them, Melanie C has stayed very loyal to her fans and developed her abilities as a writer. She has always had a strong voice and this sits quite high in this mix, there is certainly no hiding and why should there be. Whilst her vocals were good and took many leads in the Spice Girls, they have matured and whilst distinctive, they are also more soulful now and can carry a tune with raw emotion like ‘Who I Am’ really well. 

The use of synths and the dropping in and out of other instruments make this a perfect pop record. There will be many loyal fans who will love this, but it will get many doubters on her side too. Melanie C can write a great song and the production of ‘Who I Am’ is nice, it gives the well crafted song an edge and whilst I may not be one of the Spice Girls biggest fans, I know a great song when I hear it.

 Singer-songwriter     Pop 

Author: Phil Arnold

Phil Arnold is a musician, producer and music reviewer from Devon, in the South West of England. Whilst not writing music reviews, Phil also writes and records under the name of Ugbrooke.