It's the season three finale of Can't Stop The Pop, and as befitting such an occasion, we're looking back at 'Viva Forever' by the Spice Girls.

Matty and Craig reflect on how this – the fourth single from the 'Spiceworld' album – marked the end of the group's imperial era as Geri Halliwell quit. We examine what makes the song so sonically and structurally different from any other Spice Girls ballad, how the surrounding context elevated its impact and offer interpretations of the music video featuring those infamously creepy fairies. Matty also gives a thorough critique of the ill-fated 'Viva Forever!' jukebox musical and what went so wrong.

Along with the all-important chart stats, we discuss how Geri Halliwell's departure altered the plans for 'Viva Forever' to be a double A-side with 'Never Give Up On The Good Times' and how the song stacks up in the list of best-selling Spice Girls singles.

To read about 'Viva Forever' on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2019/07/15/spice-girls-viva-forever/

If you like what we do, please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. If you want even more exclusive Can't Stop The Pop content, head over to Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cantstopthepop

You can also follow us on:
Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop
TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop
YouTube: @cantstopthepop

Things take a supernatural turn in this episode of Can't Stop The Pop as Matty and Craig discuss Goldfrapp's 2005 hit, 'Ooh La La'.

We examine how the duo's sound evolved from their earlier material, resulting in a breakthrough that propelled them to new commercial heights and helped shape the charts. It seems only fitting that in approaching the work of such a creative, diverse act, the episode contains tangential references to Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, 19th-century poetry, Rachel Stevens and a well-known Soho sauna. But it's all (mostly) relevant to contextualise and celebrate the quality of 'Ooh La La', its visually striking music video and those all-important chart stats…before closing with a rant about the Grammys.

This episode is anything but Baudelaire!

If you like what we do, please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. If you want even more exclusive Can't Stop The Pop content, head over to Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cantstopthepop

You can also follow us on:
Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop
TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop
YouTube: @cantstopthepop

In this episode of Can't Stop The Pop, two divas join forces to deliver a vocal masterclass as Matty and Craig discuss Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston's superstar duet: 'When You Believe'.

We look at the manufactured rivalry between the two singers and how their duet for the soundtrack to the animated movie 'The Prince Of Egypt' was an almost inconceivable prospect in the '90s. There's some convincingly technical discussion about how their voices complement one another both on the track and in the live performances. Plus, we get into the Oscars drama where Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds – who co-wrote the 'pop' version of the song that Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston performed at the ceremony – missed out on an Academy Award for his contribution.

And, while 'When You Believe' wasn't a chart-topping hit for Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, the track did later reach #1 when Leon Jackson released it as his X Factor winner's single. So, we felt compelled to talk about that, too (be warned: strong opinions are expressed).

To read about 'When You Believe' on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2022/12/05/mariah-carey-whitney-houston-when-you-believe/

If you like what we do, please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. If you want even more exclusive Can't Stop The Pop content, head over to Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cantstopthepop

You can also follow us on:
Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop
TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop
YouTube: @cantstopthepop

The S Club bandwagon comes to a crashing halt in this episode of Can't Stop The Pop as we look back at the bizarre turn of events that was I Dream.

Find out what happens when you merge S Club 8 with five additional aspiring singers/actors, cast them all in a TV show and then release a single featuring just two members of the group. It's fair to say that Matty and Craig have very different opinions on the resulting product that was 'Dreaming (Feat. Frankie and Calvin)'.

As well as the song itself, we discuss the muddled marketing for I Dream, share some first impressions of the TV show, try to work out what the ambition of the project was and vent our frustrations at S Club 8 being thrown under the proverbial bus in such a peculiar manner. Plus, we have the all-important chart stats for both 'Dreaming' and the accompanying album, 'Welcome To Avalon Heights' (brace yourselves for the peak position…).

To read about 'Dreaming' on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2020/11/09/i-dream-frankie-calvin-dreaming/

If you like what we do, please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. If you want even more exclusive Can't Stop The Pop content, head over to Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cantstopthepop

You can also follow us on:
Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop
TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop
YouTube: @cantstopthepop

In this episode, Matty and Craig revisit the electrophonic revolution that was Phixx and their very '80s, very (homo)erotic debut single: 'Hold On Me'.

We're joined by Peter Smith from the group to discuss his dramatic exit from Popstars: The Rivals, how the sound and image for Phixx came together and what went wrong with One True Voice. In a brutally honest interview, Peter also reveals the truth about his experience in the music industry, his departure from the group and what he's been up to since.

To read about 'Hold On Me' on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2023/09/04/phixx-hold-on-me/

If you like what we do, please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. If you want even more exclusive Can't Stop The Pop content, head over to Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cantstopthepop

You can follow Peter Smith on Instagram: @petermsmithofficial and Facebook

You can also follow us on:
Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop
TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop
YouTube: @cantstopthepop

We feel your lips, your fingertips...in this episode of Can't Stop The Pop, Matty and Craig are revisiting 1996 when Louise released her third solo single, 'Naked'.

This is one of those perfect songs that gets everything right in terms of sound, production, styling and visuals. In fact, Craig declares one moment as his favourite in any pop track...ever! And what on earth has Peppa Pig got to do with 'Naked'? Listen to find out how the anthropomorphic piglet landed herself a lawsuit from the songwriters for copyright infringement. Yes, really.

To read about 'Naked' on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2020/05/18/louise-naked/

If you like what we do, please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. If you want even more exclusive Can't Stop The Pop content, head over to Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cantstopthepop

You can also follow us on:
Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop
TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop
YouTube: @cantstopthepop

Are you…ready for it? In this episode, sparks fly as Matty and Craig discuss Taylor Swift's breakthrough (and, for several years, only) hit in the UK: 'Love Story'.

Join us as we look back at the lead single from the 'Fearless' album, a music video that left us both enchanted and a relentless promotional campaign that went out of the woods to include appearances on The Paul O'Grady Show and Loose Women. After running through some crazier chart stats, Matty and Craig each name their favourite Taylor Swift song, plus there's some overdue exoneration for 'Me!'

If you like what we do, please make sure there's no bad blood and leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. If you want even more exclusive Can't Stop The Pop content, head over to Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cantstopthepop

You can also follow us on:
Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop
TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop
YouTube: @cantstopthepop

Presenting Glitter & Gold vs Can't Stop The Pop – LIVE!

This special episode was recorded live at the Here & Now Gala Night pre-show fan event on September 4th 2025, as we set out to determine our favourite Steps single.

The rules were simple (after Craig explained them several times): every Steps single* went head-to-head, with the winner staying on until each podcast was left with their favourite. Then it was down to the audience to choose between them and declare the ultimate Steps single. Which song won? Listen to find out.

Craig, Matty, Shane and Brad also answered some listener-submitted questions, including our favourite Steps B-sides, thoughts on Eurovision, any notable misfires and our hopes for the 30th anniversary.

Thank you to Ultimate Steps and Claire Richards Central for co-hosting the event, Banyan Bar & Kitchen at Spinningfields, Manchester, for being such a welcoming venue, and to all the fans who came along to the pre-show event, helping us raise more than £1,000 for charity.

You can follow Can't Stop The Pop at:
Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop
TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop
YouTube: @cantstopthepop

You can follow Glitter & Gold at:
Linktree
Instagram: @glitterstepspod
TikTok: @glitterstepspod

You can follow Ultimate Steps at:
Facebook
Instagram: @ultimatesteps

You can follow Claire Richards Central at:
https://clairerichardscentral.com/
Instagram: @clairerichardscentral