Girls add spice to Billboard charts

The Spice Girls, new shooting stars of the pop world, have supplanted the Beatles in American pop history.

Thirty-two years ago "I Want To Hold Your Hand" entered the US Billboard chart at No 12, the highest new entry for a UK act. It took the Fab Four another two weeks to enter the Top 10, at No 7. Last week the Spice Girls entered the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart at No 11, tying with Alanis Morissette for the highest new entry by a debut act. This week the Spice Girls' "Wannabe" shot to No 6, the fastest one-week rise ever for a new act.