In 1998 while the Spice Girls were touring and Missy Elliott called her to ask if she was interested in singing a song called "I Want You Back", which went on to become part of the soundtrack to the film Why Do Fools Fall in Love. The song was recorded in one afternoon and went on to sell 218,000 copies. It was the 82nd best seller of 1998 in the UK, giving Brown her first and only #1 in her own country. She became the first Spice girl to release a solo single. and the first to get a number one solo single. The news came the day that the Spice Girls played their last concert of the World Tour at the Wembley Stadium in front of 52,000 fans.
A week earlier, on September 13, Brown became Melanie G, having married dancer Jimmy Gulzar (father of her then unborn child). He was also featured in the video to "I Want You Back" and went on to direct Melanie's second solo video for the single "Word Up", in 1999.
Brown hosted the 1998 Edition of the Music Of Black Origin (MOBO's). She also started working on her first solo album with producers such as Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson, Prince) who also worked on the Spice Girls' third album: Forever. On the 19th of February 1999, her daughter Phoenix Chi was born.
Melanie's second solo single, "Word Up" (a cover of a song by Cameo), was released in May, and due to her pregnancy, Brown didn't appear in the video. It was animated and was considered too explicit by some. It was censored in a few countries. The song was part of the soundtrack to Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and the singer had to shoot a different version of the video for the American market, in which the character of Mini-Me (Verne Troyer) is featured. The single charted at #14 in the UK. The disappointing results were partly due to a problem that made the weekend sales of all the singles released in that week not be counted.
In the same year, Brown hosted a TV Show called Pure Naughty about black music. She interviewed artists like Usher, hosted the 1999 Edition of the MOBOs with Wyclef Jean, and took part in a short film called Fish. She kept on working on her debut album and was dealing with marriage problems; by summer she had filed for divorce, which was finalized in January of 2000. The custody battle for her daughter was highly publicized; Brown won custody but large as large alimony settlement was awarded to her ex husband.
In September of 2000 she released the first single from the it, "Tell Me". The single went to #4 in the UK charts with about 40,000 sales in its first and ultimately sold approximately 100,000 copies, and was the 158th best seller of 2000. "Hot", Melanie's first solo album was released one month later, October 3, and it only sold 8,000 copies in its first week, limping in at a disappointing #28 and falling out of the top 50 the next week.
Following the release of Feels So Good, which was only a relative hit, rumours started circulating that if her next single flopped, Melanie would be dropped by her record company, Virgin Records. In May Melanie performed a small set at the London G-A-Y Astoria club, her only solo performance until 2004. Eventually a 3rd single was released in June 2001, "Lullaby", a pop number dedicated to her daughter which was accompanied by a very simple video shot in Morocco and featured Brown and Phoenix Chi. The media criticized Brown's child's participation in the video and artwork; they labelled Brown as "Desperate Spice", intimating she was using her child as a marketing tool.[citation needed] The single peaked at #13 and Virgin promptly dumped Brown from their label.
From 2001 to 2004 Melanie B concentrated on a variety of projects. She hosted a number of TV shows such as This Is My Moment (a talent show) and shot a documentary called Voodoo Princess which got many good reviews[citation needed]. She took part in a British drama, Burn It and shot her first movie, Lethal Dose, released on DVD in 2004. She also took part in smaller projects such as Top Of The Pops and The All Star Animal Awards. She has appeared in an advert for the Yorkshire tourist board in a series which included contributions from other Yorkshire-born celebrities. She also played a long run of shows as part of the cast for the Vagina Monologues which was a big success in the UK.[citation needed] In 2003 she moved to the US with her daughter and has stated she plans to reside there permenantly.[citation needed] She shot another movie there, The Seat Filler, directed by Will Smith and starring Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland.
In 2002 she released her autobiography, Catch A Fire, which reached #7 in the official books chart and saw her touring the UK to promote it with a run of booksignings.
In April 2004 she was approached to take part in 'Rent'. She played the role of Mimi, a drug-addicted young girl, and achieved positive reviews.[citation needed] A few weeks later she played her second and last gig to date with the cast of 'Rent' in a New York club showcasing some new songs she had written. The songs received positive feedback[citation needed] she decided to release them a year later through an independent label called "Amber Cafe".
The first single from the album, "Today", was released only in the UK in June 2005. It made the singles chart at a highly disappointing #41 selling around 1,000 copies in its first week. The album, L.A. State of Mind, was released the 27th of June 2005 in a double edition (regular edition and a limited edition which came with a DVD featuring a 30 minutes documentary of Brown in L.A.) charting at an even more disappointing #453 selling just 670 copies in its first week and dropping down to number #1,581 the next week.
It was announced on February 24,2012 that Brown was planning on releasing her third studio album in Summer 2012 along with a Second Season of It's A Scary World. Brown also revealed that the Spice Girls will be having some projects later in the year dealing with the musical
Today
Melanie B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can feel it in my bones it's gonna happen
Yeah, this feeling I'm feeling
It's incredible to me, and so strong
Don't ask me how I know, I can't explain it
It's so wonderful that I don't wanna change it
Yeah, it's so strange, it's so strange
Today's the day that something great I know is gonna happen
Today, today, no I can't wait, I know it's got my name on
Today (something will happen today, something great will happen today)
Yeah yeah (something will happen today, something great will happen today)
It's gonna happen today (something will happen today, something great will happen today)
Something will change...
No today won't be the same as any other
There is something left for me here to discover
Maybe these dreams that we dream
Are all possible to reach, you'll see
Today's the day that something great I know is gonna happen
Today, today, no I can't wait, I know it's got my name on
Today (something will happen today, something great will happen today)
Yeah yeah (something will happen today, something great will happen today)
It's gonna happen today (something will happen today, something great will happen today)
Something will change...
The lyrics to Melanie B's song Today express a feeling of anticipation for something great that is going to happen. The singer describes feeling this excitement in her bones and being unable to explain how she knows that something wonderful is on the horizon. She expresses her faith and belief that something amazing is going to happen today and that things will not be the same as they usually are. The lyrics suggest that there is something still to be discovered, and that the dreams that we dream can be reached.
The overall message of the song is one of hope, optimism, and excitement for the future. Melanie B's vocals, along with the upbeat and catchy melody, create a sense of energy and positivity. The lyrics remind us that sometimes we just have to believe that good things are going to happen to us and to approach each day with the mindset that something great could be just around the corner. The song is a reminder to be open to new experiences, to have faith that things will work out, and to never give up on our dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Something beautiful today is gonna happen
Today, I have an inner feeling that something wonderful is going to occur, and it will be a beautiful experience.
I can feel it in my bones it's gonna happen
My intuition is so strong that I can sense that something is bound to happen.
Yeah, this feeling I'm feeling
The emotion I am experiencing right now is unique and exceptional.
It's incredible to me, and so strong
This feeling is so intense and amazing that it's beyond belief for me.
Don't ask me how I know, I can't explain it
I am unable to express how I have this foreboding, but I strongly perceive that something remarkable is going to happen.
It's so wonderful that I don't wanna change it
The positive feeling is so great that I don't want anything to alter it.
Yeah, it's so strange, it's so strange
The feeling I'm having right now is a weird and obscure one.
Faith is knocking at my door once more
I feel that my trust system has strengthened, and I have firm belief that something great is coming my way.
Today's the day that something great I know is gonna happen
I am sure that today is the day where an important event will occur, and it will be amazing.
Today, today, no I can't wait, I know it's got my name on
I am so eager and excited for today because I know that this event involves me and it will be great.
Yeah yeah
Expressing agreement and enthusiasm towards the upcoming event.
It's gonna happen today
I'm positive and certain that this great event will happen today.
No today won't be the same as any other
Today is exceptional, and it will not be an ordinary day.
There is something left for me here to discover
I am expecting that today, I will uncover something important that will add value to my life.
Maybe these dreams that we dream
It's possible that the goals or ambitions that we have may become a reality.
Are all possible to reach, you'll see
It's achievable to reach our aspirations, and we should hold onto that belief.
Something will change...
I am sure that there will be a positive transformation that will occur.
Today (something will happen today, something great will happen today)
Today is the day that an extraordinary event will happen and it will be amazing.
Yeah yeah (something will happen today, something great will happen today)
My excitement towards this event is growing.
It's gonna happen today (something will happen today, something great will happen today)
I am continually affirming that this fantastic event will happen today.
Contributed by Aria T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
AllKnowingOracle
Such an uplifting feel good jam. Should've been a Top 10 hit single. 💓
ragbforever
I always love this song!! really true fan!! a very positive song and different style! it makes my day really happy when I hear this song! I really love L.A. state of mind! a good vibe album!
lmo222
Wow! Great song to lift up your spirit!
ragbforever
still one of my fav songs of her!! soooo positive!! luv it!!
Pant-Hooting Chimp
I think this is Mel's best solo single by far. Shame the video is in such low res quality! is anyone able to release an HD version of it? I wish Mel had recorded more music like this, it really suits her. So catchy.
kate fevre
love this song, so positive, upbeat and always puts me in a great mood.
The Freaky
LA State Of Mind is my favorite Spice Solo album. It deserved to be a visual álbum
Brian
Yeah someone who can sing about something positive and happy. This song really brightens up peoples day. I'm glad she feels that she can sing about things other than sex and crap like that unlike most other artists.
Phoenix Gee
She's gorgeous! I had the biggest crash on her as a teen! What a positive uplifting song this is!
Roberto Zaleta
Had she followed this path in her life the whole Stephen drama would never have happened. I love her.