It's Flashback Friday! And it's also pretty much a rock-solid fact that the "Wannabe," by the Spice Girls, is, was, and always will be one of the most irritating songs ever recorded. So when they dropped "Say You'll Be there" -- the second single off their debut, unimaginatively titled album, Spice -- it was almost as if Posh, Ginger, Baby, and Mels B. and C. were offering the world "Say You'll Be There" as a mea culpa in song form.

While the "Wannabe" video was pretty much a panning party (although it was done in almost one continuous take, which is pretty amazing) and took place in a hotel, "Say You'll Be There" was shot in the Mojave Desert and featured the Girls as naughty ninjas fighting... something or other... with boomerangs, Chinese throwing stars, and vinyl pants.

One of the best parts about "Say You'll Be There" -- both the song and the video -- is the harmonica hoedown part at the bridge. And if you're a total music geek, you either already know, or you'll be as nerdily thrilled as I was to discover that the harmonica solo was performed by Judd Lander, who also performed the harmonica part in Culture Club's "Karma Chameleon." (Watch that video after the jump.)

Other ways that the Spice Girls were clearly saying "we're sorry" in their "Say You'll Be There" video -- the ridiculous sound effects, cheese-tastic retro "surveillance" equipment, and former Madonna boy toy Tony Ward, who's first shown right before 1:00.

Oh yeah, the Spice Girls also performed "Say You'll Be There" at the 1997 MTV VMAs, which is just another reason I wish I had a time machine. Anyway, enjoy the sounds of 1997... without the burdens of zigga-zig-ah.

+ Watch "Karma Chameleon after the jump!
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+ It's Pete Wentz's birthday today! He just turned dirty 30! May he drink Bacardi... and Caprisun... like it's his birthday. (Twitter)

+ Electrik Red assure you that they're not corny, like the Spice Girls. That'd better be a promise. (Bossip)

+ Soulja Boy Tell' Em is JUST NOW getting around to "getting" Jay-Z. Better late than never, I guess. (MTV News)

+ Method Man and Redman have some choice words for Kanye West. (Buzzworthy)

+ Toronto Raptors' Chris Bosh will be releasing a CD compilation of his favorite songs and music by new artists. Ballin'! (Baller Status)

+ British Band the Horrors blame blogs and Facebook and everything else FUN for ruining EVERYTHING. You know what? SCREW 'EM. It's not like they're reading this anyway! (Independent)

+ Pour some out for polka -- the Recording Academy pulled polka from its list of Grammy categories. We hardly knew ye! (New York Times)

+ Poison, Dolly Parton, AND Elton John will all be performing at the Tony Awards this Sunday. And LAAAAAAYYYYDIES, keep your eyes a-peeled for Constantine Maroulis, who's up for Best Actor in a Musical. Best. Tonys. Ever? (Billboard)

+ This one has me LOLzing. "Back-in-school-cause-I'm-a-serious-writer" James Franco passed the eff out in one of his classes. (TMZ)

+ Kelly Clarkson and I have something in common (besides both of us having real boobs): she won't be crapping out any kids. P.S. her new album dropped today and you really REALLY should go get it. It's All I Ever Wanted. Buh dum dum. (Contact Music)

+ HOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW is Gavin Rossdale 43 years of age and STILL SO HOTTTTTTTTT?????????? SHIRTLESS!!!!! Again. 43, people. (Popbytes)

+ Spice Girl Mel C just released the first official photo of newborn Scarlet Starr (what's up with celebrities naming their children like they hate them??). Mel C looks good -- ScarStarr looks a little ... young? Ish? (MySpace Celebrity)

+ Um. Did I miss the memo that desk girl Chanel from Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory looks like she could book an appointment and then kick your ass, all while looking a perfect 10? Triple threat, indeedy. (Remote Control)

+ Martha Stewart's Chow Chow went kaPOW POW! Makes me wanna frow frow and do a triple salchow. (People)

+ An open letter to Jennifer Hudson. Really. (Candy Kirby)

+ Amy Winehouse is mourning her impending dee-vorce to Blake Fielder-Civil by strutting around in child-sized t-shirts, boozing, and shacking up with a fitness instructor in St. Lucia. We won't even bother taking a pot shot at the sad, sad irony of that "Going Bananas" shirt. (PopSugar - UK)

+ T.I. and Justin Timberlake join an already-amazing Grammys lineup that includes Katy Perry, Kanye and the Jonas Brothers. Perfection! Now, if only we could get Barack Obama to host... (MTV News)

+ The New Kids On The Block have just announced their spring tour dates! Check 'em out, and find out when the aging boy banders will be coming to a retirement home near you. (Celebuzz)

+ This just in: The ABDCrews are gonna be dancing to the musical stylings of comeback queen Britney Spears! You know, kinda like how you do at home, EXCEPT ON TV! And with a little help from Brit's personal choreographer, Andre Fuentes. (Remote Control)

+ Janet Jackson has indefinitely postponed the rest of her international Rock Witchu tour, citing migraines, laziness the "economic crisis." (Usmagazine.com)

+ Hilary Duff to star in a new Bonnie & Clyde remake! Allure, you totally called that Faye Dunaway connex. (E! Online)

+ Thank you, Mischa Barton, for reminding us that one black cape + your grandpa's suit AND TIE + one crazy, floppy sunhat = an unforgivable crime of fashion. (Scandalist)

+ Pete Wentz says Who Framed Roger Rabbit? -- the inspiration for FOB's "I Don't Care" video -- is one of the "most overlooked" flicks in movie history. Also? It's, like, a metaphor for LIFE! "When you're throwing people in the goo," explains Professor Wentz, "you have to realize that you are the person who is scared to get in it." Hey, thanks for ruining the ending, brah! (MTV News)

+ Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell has just gotten engaged to her boyfriend of one month! Now, we ain't sayin' she's a gold diggah ... but dude owns an ENTIRE YACHTING COMPANY -- and gave her a $310,000 engagement ring. (Access Hollywood)

... Take it away, 'Ye...

(Photo via Dailymail.co.uk)

If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my… blatantly retouched press photo! The weirdest thing about this recent Spice Girls publicity shot is that Posh, who's apparently under doctor's orders to gain weight for the newly reformed group's upcoming, years-in-the-making reunion tour, actually looks the most "natural" of the five. And "Posh" and "natural" are two words rarely used together except for when they're used as direct opposites.

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