Spice Girls’ ‘Spice Up Your Life’ is now censored by radio stations 

Spice Girls’ hit song ‘Spice Up Your Life’ is now being censored by radio stations.

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The group’s classic track was first shared back in 1997 and went on to be one of the most recognisable tracks from Mel B, Melanie C, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Victoria Beckham. Upon its release, it stayed in the charts’ Top 20 for six weeks, and then remained in the Top 40 for 12.

However, a controversial line in the song has led to the track now being censored by numerous radio stations.

The original lyric read: “Yellow man in Timbuktu. Colour for both me and you,” although radio stations including BBC Radio 2 are now playing an amended version of the hit with the word “Yellow” removed.

Controversy around the lyric goes back to 2019 too, when reports emerged that the group were considering replacing the word “Yellow” with “Happy” for their reunion tour that year. This decision was later thrown out, and they played the song with the original lyrics.

Metro also highlights that a censored version of the hit song was played during an episode of Doctor Who back in 2023, when characters spoke over the lyrics.

A representative from BBC Radio 2 has shared a statement with The Sun, saying that the edit was not made by them, but is rather an amended version that is being played by numerous stations.

As for Spice Girls, rumours about the group reuniting have been circulating for years now, and reached new heights last April when the members were seen giving a surprise performance of their hit ‘Stop’ at Victoria Beckham’s 50th birthday party.

Individual members have said that they’d be willing to reform too. Mel B, for instance, fuelled the rumours last March by saying that the group would “definitely [be] doing something” for their 30th anniversary.

Then in December, Emma Bunton revisited their discography and shared a Christmas-inspired version of ‘2 Become 1’ with the Budapest Scoring Orchestra.

Mel C has spoken about hopes of a Spice Girls reunion recently too, saying that she feels that “it’s time” for a comeback.

In summer 2023, some fans were convinced that Spice Girls would perform in the Legends’ slot at Glastonbury that year after Mel B alluded to it on The Big Narstie Show. Mel C then shut the rumours down, saying it didn’t work logistically for the group.

Spice Girls last had a reunion tour in 2019, but the line-up did not include Victoria Beckham. The last time they all performed together publicly was at the London Olympics closing ceremony in 2012.

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