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Never Be the Same Again!
The era of "Never Be the Same Again" is an era that's low key a big print in Pop Culture and a staple for girl groups, high key slept on by the majority music industry!
Melanie Chisholm (a.k.a. Melanie C. a.k.a. Sporty Spice) is 1/5 of the greatest selling girl group worldwide, The Spice Girls. After releasing and promoting their sophomore album, 'Spice World', that helped sent them over the top, in 1999, the group decided to focus more on solo endeavors while going in for their third album, 'Forever'. This was while TLC was promoting 'FanMail'. Melanie C. stayed with their then label, Virgin Records, and record her first of now 9 LP's, entitled 'Northern Star'.
Melanie started working on a song called "Never Be the Same Again" with the producer, Rhett Lawrence, and felt something was missing. Melanie said The Spice Girls loves TLC and were inspired by them. Lisa was her favorite. When it came to crafting the song, they reached the middle 8th (also known as a bridge, for some a break down). Melanie felt Lisa would be the perfect feature to do it, nervous to ask her at first as she thought Lisa would reject her. Rhett said he worked with TLC before and could give them a call. He said to Melanie that Lisa actually loved the song and would absolutely want to work with Melanie C! It was different than anything else she had been doing and had done. She sat with Papí (Marshall Lorenzo Martin aka Larry) and sent her verse in!
Melanie C. would reveal the news to the world via a 1999 Radio One interview before her album came out. Fans would first hear it after her album was released. "Goin' Down" and "Norhern Star" were released as the first 2 singles. They started working together to prepare to promote the single in January 2000 while TLC was on the last leg of the 'FanMail Tour'. Melanie said they would finally meet each other when it was time to do the Ron Davis photo shoot days before shooting the music video. This part of the shoot was highly intentional. Lisa was wrapped in the New York Post while Melanie was wrapped in The News of the World. This stemmed from them being rumored and such in tabloids, taking the power by just wearing the press like an outfit with all smiles. Melanie said this was the day they started hanging out as Lisa invited her to her hotel room after the shoot and treated her to a huge order of seafood and white wine! Lisa mostly quit alcohol as she was cleansing and fasting a lot. However, it was a special occasion!
They shot the music video to the song, which was directed by Francis Lawrence, filmed in Malibu, California. The video is centered around "fitness and well-being." Melanie said Lisa took the longest to get ready for the shoot, reminding her of her fellow Spice Girls. They decided their scene would be them doing tai-chi inspired movements together, which was on brand for Lisa as she was doing martial art styled choreography in previous music videos. However, this was more suttle and smooth. Photos from the shoot were taken by Blake Little.
It wasn't until March 20th of 2000 that "Never Be the Same Again" was released as the third single.
"Never Be the Same Again" debuted at #1 on the UK Singles Chart, and it stayed there for around 10 weeks. It became Melanie's first solo #1 on that chart, while it was Lisa's first and only #1 on that chart as TLC has yet to make this milestone. Fans noticed the song never really charted in the U.S. Lisa did not know either, however Melanie said it was because her album was not released in the US and was only released and promoted overseas. What they did in effort to maintain it's #1 position in the UK though was Melanie and Virgin Records asking Lisa to join her promo run for the single in the UK. Lisa agreed and joined the promo run. I remember reading/hearing that Virgin Records offered Lisa more money to do it, too.
Later on, after the touring, Melanie went to promote her album with a 'Northern Star Tour' before joining up with the group again for their next album, 'Forever'. Lisa was unable to join her as she, herself, started her process for her debut solo LP, 'Supernova'. She wanted Melanie C. on the album, however, it never happened even though they found the next song. She tried to get Melanie on her sophomore album as N.I.N.A. with Tha Row Records, but unfortunately, she passed away while doing the project.
Melanie still grieves over Lisa's passing after spending such a wonderful time with someone she truly admired, that inspired her, and called a friend. Their promo run together was the last time they performed together. This was the first time a member of the Top 2 HIGHEST selling girl groups of all time worked together, made a smash hit, and did promo together, without any drama as well! An era to embrace, an era, to cherish, and an era to love, especially if you're in a girl group yourself.
(made by Pop Doodle)
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Never Be the Same Again Era
Never Be the Same Again Era
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Melanie C ft. Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes - Never Be The Same Again (official music video)
04:16
Melanie C and Lisa" Left Eye" Lopes Saying Thank You To Fans
00:24
Mel C featuring Left Eye - "Never Be The Same Again" on TOP
04:16
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