The Ronnettes

They were good really good.  Name me one person who doesn’t love their most famous hit ‘Be My Baby.’  See, you can’t.  They’re that good.  And their sound was helped a lot by Phil Spector (sure he allegedly killed a woman but how can you put someone in jail who produced such good songs).  The Ronnettes also performed several surprisingly good renditions of holiday classics such as ‘Sleigh Ride’ and ‘Frosty the Snowman.’  (I love Christmas.)

Best songs: Be My Baby, Then He Kissed Me, Sleigh Ride

The Shangri-la’s

In the world tautology there are nice girls and bad girls, and these girls were very bad indeed!  They wore leather (gasp!!!) and go-go boots (oh no!!!).  They sung songs about gang members and – wait for it- runaways! 

Best songs: The Leader of the Pack, Out in the Streets

The Supremes

And as their name implies, The Supremes were the peak of 1960’s girl group perfection. Not only did they have great songs but they were glamorous: big wigs, false-eye lashes, and sequined dresses.  From 1964 until Diana Ross left the group in 1970, The Supremes hardly hit a wrong note, instead moving from strength to strength, hit song to hit song.  Of course, they were lucky to have the songwriting and production talents of  Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland Jr. to provide the goods.

Best songs: Baby Love, I Hear a Symphony, You Can’t Hurry Love, Reflections

Bananarama

A girl group with a twist, unlike their predecessors, none of the members of Bananarama could actually sing.  Still they are credited in inspiring Madonna’s early look (scarves tied around the head, ripped belly shirts) and had lots of hits.

Best songs: Cruel Summer, Venus

The Go-Go’s

Pretty in punk.  The 80’s brought a new DIY spirit to the girl group.  It wasn’t all about hitting perfect harmonies any longer, the girls wanted to play instruments as well.  The Go-Go’s were born out of the Californian punk scene, although their infectious pop melodies would never show it. They may sound mainstream these days, but according to their Behind the Music special, they were really revolutionary at the time.

Best songs: We Got the Beat, Our Lips Are Sealed

The Bangles

Basically The Bangles just followed in The Go-Go’s footsteps.  More chicks playing their own instruments.  However, they did live up to their name and wear lots of jewelry, and cursed the world to the ubiquitous ‘Walk Like an Egyptian’ and the dreadfully sappy ‘Eternal Flame.’

Best songs: Manic Monday, Hazy Shade of Winter

TLC

The largest selling girl group of all time and a true 90’s powerhouse of R&B sass. The only thing that outshined the quality of their hits was the quality of scandal surrounding them. The story of TLC features evil svengali types, bankruptcy, turbulent love affairs, and the smoldering remains of a house.  The girls proved that the attitude wasn’t just in their music.  Unfortunately group member Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopez died tragically in an automobile accident last year but the remaining members are still carrying on.

Best songs: Waterfalls, No Scrubs, Creep

En Vogue

The sugar next to TLC’s spice, En Vogue were not dogged by the scandal and rumors of the other group and that’s probably why they never hit the same immense record sales.  However, En Vogue is the definition of quality R&B and they are still making music today.

Best songs: My Lovin’ (Never Gonna Get It), Whatta Man, Free Your Mind

Salt n Pepa

Raps one and only girl group.  They were rude, a bit crude and really big in the early 90’s. All their hits are now classics, probably because no girl group before or since has been so blunt when talking about sex.

Best songs: Shoop, Short Dick Man, Push It

Spice Girls

What can be said about the Spice Girls that cannot be said already?  Once the representatives of Cool Britannia, their careers quickly went into the toilet after a poor film, Ginger left, and Posh got pregnant. They all still have solo careers, just some of them have decided to go ‘underground’ with it, apparently.

Best songs: Wannabe, Say You’ll be There, Spice Up Your Life

All Saints

Formed in response to the Spice Girls, All Saints were novel because their line-up featured two sisters who couldn’t sing and two non-sisters who could.  I make no secret of it; I intensely dislike the Appleton sisters, and therefore can’t really approve of the group.

Best songs: Never Ever, Pure Shores

Destiny’s Child

The current queens of girl groups, everything these lady’s touch seems to turn to gold.  Formed by the Knowles family because their darling little Beyonce wanted to be a singer, Destiny’s Child have been together for over ten years already and all the members are only in their early 20’s. Although the group is currently taking a break, the girls are still busy, busy, busy.  Beyonce has starred in the latest Austin Power’s installment as well as having a hit record with Jay-Z, ‘Bonnie and Clyde 03.’  Kelly had a mega-hit with Nelly ‘Dilemna,’ and Michelle has recorded a gospel album.

Best songs: Bootylicious, Survivor, Say My Name

Atomic Kitten

Ah bless, these loverly ladies are from Liverpool.  They were brought together by ex-OMD member Andy McClunsky to showcase his songwriting skills.  Already in their short careers, they have had a turbulent time including a change in line-up, in band pregnancies, and a departing of ways with McClunsky.

Best songs: Whole Again, The Tide is High, The Last Good-Bye

Sugababes

After girl groups received years of derision from music critics, the Sugababes finally brought respect back to the genre.  They won the Q Award for best single with ‘Freak Like Me’ last year.

Best songs: Freak Like Me, Round Round, Stronger