Maybe (Emma Bunton song)

In 2001, Bunton released her debut solo studio album A Girl like Me; it produced the number-one single "What Took You So Long?", as well as two top 20 singles "Take My Breath Away" and "We're Not Gonna Sleep Tonight", and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales in excess of 100,000 copies.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/48943/emma-bunton/|title=Emma Bunton|publisher=Official Charts Company|accessdate=22 June 2023}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/Search.aspx|title=BPI Certified Awards|publisher=British Phonographic Industry|date=7 September 2001|access-date=27 December 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115055129/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx|archive-date=15 January 2013}} Following the album's release, she left her record company Virgin Records,{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/emma-bunton-bringing-up-baby-76018.html|title=Emma Bunton: Bringing up baby|work=The Independent|date=1 February 2004|accessdate=22 June 2023}} and signed a new deal with 19 Recordings, run by Simon Fuller, who also managed the Spice Girls, of which Bunton was a member.{{cite web|url=http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/EmmaBunton/news/March2002/news24171.asp |title=Baby grows-up|work=Dotmusic|access-date=28 November 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021128170553/http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/EmmaBunton/news/March2002/news24171.asp|archive-date=28 November 2002|url-status=dead}} She then started working on her follow-up album, titled Free Me; the singer described it as "very contemporary, very 60s and very classic. There's a lot of colour in there and I'm very confident of this album."{{cite web|last=Heath|first=Chris|url=http://www.dotmusic.com/interviews/May2003/interviews29404.asp|title=Emma Bunton Interview (2003)|date=15 May 2003|accessdate=22 June 2023|work=Dotmusic|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20031002184850/http://www.dotmusic.com/interviews/May2003/interviews29404.asp|archivedate=2 October 2003|url-status=dead}} The title track was chosen as the project's lead single, peaking at number five in the United Kingdom.

"Maybe" was selected as the second single from Free Me, and was released on 13 October 2003 in the United Kingdom, through 19 Recordings and Universal Records; it was later issued on 14 July 2004 in Germany, while being available on 16 August in Australia. In the United States, remixes of the song were serviced to club DJs in early 2005.{{cite magazine|last=Paoletta|first=Michael|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XBQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA47|title=Baby Emma's All Grown Up|date=5 February 2005|accessdate=23 June 2023|magazine=Billboard|volume=117|issue=6|page=47}}

"Maybe" was written by Bunton in collaboration with Yak Bondy, with production being handled by Mike Peden, who also played the percussion. It was recorded at Sarm West Studios in London by Martin Hayles. Musicians on the track include Paul Turner, who played the bass; Charlie Russell, who played live drums and did the programming; Peter Gordeno, who played the keyboards; and Graham Kearns who played the guitar. Nick Ingman did the orchestra arrangement and conducting, with Isobel Griffiths Ltd being the orchestra contractor for the track. The song was mixed by Mark "Spike" Stent, and mastered at Transfermation studios in London by Richard Dowling.

"Maybe" is a bubblegum pop song which was inspired by German pornographic film soundtracks from the 1970s.{{cite web|last=Dobbs|first=Sarah|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a815468/spice-girls-solo-singles-ranked/|title=Spice Girls solo singles ranked: what's made our Top 13?|date=29 November 2016|accessdate=24 June 2023|publisher=Digital Spy}} According to Maurice O'Brien of Hot Press, the track "offers more proof that if there is such a genre as 'sophisticated bubblegum pop' then this girl fits right into it."{{cite web|last=O'Brien|first=Maurice|url=http://hotpress.com/music/reviews/albums/Free-Me/2713098.html|title=Free Me|date=26 February 2004|accessdate=24 June 2023|work=Hot Press|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120613154755/http://hotpress.com/music/reviews/albums/Free-Me/2713098.html|archivedate=13 June 2012|url-status=dead}} Some reviewers also noted that it was influenced by bossa nova;{{cite web|url=https://chart-watch.uk/archives/2003/week-ending-october-25th-2003|title=Week Ending October 25th 2003|last=Masterton|first=James|author-link=James Masterton|publisher=Chart Watch UK|date=19 October 2003|access-date=25 November 2021}} O'Brien and a reviewer from BBC Music also observed the influence of French music into its composition. Billboard{{'}}s Jon O'Brien wrote that "Maybe" transports listeners back to the time of London's Carnaby Street, with its "stylish blend of bossa nova, lounge music and Gallic pop"; Paul Cole of the Sunday Mercury noted Bunton's "jazz-tinged swing vocals", while laut.de's Michael Schuh felt that the singer's love for "old Bond string arrangements" was evident on the song.{{cite web|last=Cole|first=Paul|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/322262606/Record/CA4373708EB46C7PQ/17|title=The Mag: Play: CD REVIEWS: [FIRST Edition]|date=1 February 2004|accessdate=24 June 2023|work=Sunday Mercury|via=ProQuest}}{{cite web|last=Schuh|first=Michael|url=https://www.laut.de/Emma-Bunton/Alben/Free-Me-7753|title=Emma Bunton – Free Me|date=21 February 2005|accessdate=24 June 2023|publisher=laut.de|language=German}} James Masterton, in his weekly UK chart commentary in Dotmusic, felt that "Maybe" resembles songs by The Cardigans. According to Spence D. from IGN, the track starts with "badadada" chants, before switching into a "propulsive pop swagger".{{cite web|author=Spence D.|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/02/28/free-me|title=Free Me|date=28 February 2005|accessdate=22 June 2023|publisher=IGN}} For her part, Bunton described "Maybe" as having a "real retro feel" supported by live instruments, bongos and drums. Lyrically, it is described as a sad love song which deals with missed chances and self-deception.{{cite web|last=McCroy|first=Winnie|url=https://gaycitynews.com/life-after-spice/|title=Life After Spice|date=9 February 2005|accessdate=18 September 2023|work=Gay City News}}

File:Emma Bunton - Maybe TROTSGT 01.jpg in 2007]]

Upon its release, "Maybe" received positive reviews from music critics. A reviewer of BBC Music described the song as "a perfect pastiche of French fluffy '60s bubblegum pop",{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/gdqv|title=Emma Bunton Free Me Review|publisher=BBC Music|access-date=9 July 2018}} while Talia Kraines from the same website said it had a "beehive razzamatazz".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/86cz|title=Emma Bunton Life in Mono Review|first=Talia|last=Kraines|publisher=BBC Music|access-date=9 July 2018}} Music Week staff called the track "adventurous", whose chorus was "memorably infectious", which "should see Bunton back in the Top Five."{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2003/Music-Week-2003-10-04.pdf#page=29|title=Reviews – Singles|date=4 October 2003|accessdate=22 June 2023|magazine=Music Week|page=29}} Leo Christie from New Straits Times also highlighted its "infectious" chorus, which "shows signs as a formidable pop single"; he also called "Maybe" a "sequin-gowned showstopper that other retro-driven acts might kick themselves to cover."{{cite web|last=Christie|first=Leo|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/271809218|title=Cure doom and gloom, Emma's back: [2* Edition]|date=8 August 2004|accessdate=24 June 2023|work=New Straits Times|id={{ProQuest|271809218}} |via=ProQuest}} Sam Rigby of Attitude thought the track was Bunton's masterpiece,{{cite web|last=Levine|first=Nick|url=https://www.attitude.co.uk/uncategorised/which-spice-girl-had-the-best-solo-career-280579/|title=Which Spice Girl had the best solo career?|date=7 September 2017|accessdate=22 June 2023|work=Attitude}} while Justin Myers for the Official Charts Company stated that "Maybe" was "strong enough to make you want to hug your radio every time it comes on", and "there's no maybe about it; this is definitely a Pop Gem!".{{cite web|last=Myers|first=Justin|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-chart-pop-gem-15-emma-bunton-maybe__4566/|title=Official Chart Pop Gem #15: Emma Bunton, Maybe|date=20 July 2013|accessdate=22 June 2023|publisher=Official Charts Company}}

Jon O'Brien from Billboard commented that "no other solo Spice track exudes as much joy", as Bunton "sounds like she’s having the time of her life" on the song.{{cite magazine|last=O'Brien|first=Jon|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/the-spice-girls-20-best-solo-singles-ranked-8475079/|title=The Spice Girls' 20 Best Solo Singles, Ranked|date=14 September 2018|accessdate=22 June 2023|magazine=Billboard}} According to The Spinoff{{'}}s Sam Brooks, "a few good years before Duffy ‘Mercy’d her way onto the charts, Bunton was giving us a perfect 60s pastiche" with the track, noting her "vocals so light they’re brushing the ceiling, an impenetrable wall of sound, and a wry, nearly Austin Powers-ish sense of humour."{{cite web|last=Brooks|first=Sam|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/12-03-2019/spice-up-your-solo-career-ranking-the-solo-careers-of-the-spice-girls|title=Spice Up Your Solo Career: Ranking the solo careers of the Spice Girls|date=12 March 2019|accessdate=22 June 2023|work=The Spinoff}} Ben Gilbert of Dotmusic wrote that although Bunton "has produced little of worth as a solo star", "Maybe" was "an absolute flaming stormer, driven by freewheeling bossanova beats, flashes of 'Austin Powers' drama, [and] hypnotic 'badaa-badaddaas'".{{cite web|last=Gilbert|first=Ben|url=http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/EmmaBunton/reviews/October2003/reviews31149.asp|title='Maybe' – Emma Bunton|accessdate=22 June 2023|work=Dotmusic|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20031104024926/http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/EmmaBunton/reviews/October2003/reviews31149.asp|archivedate=4 November 2003}} Dorian Lynskey from The Guardian also agreed, stating that its "camp Carnaby Street romp" was "pure Austin Powers".{{cite web|last=Lynskey|first=Dorian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2004/feb/06/popandrock.shopping1|title=Emma, Free Me|date=7 February 2004|accessdate=22 June 2023|work=The Guardian}} {{subscription required}} Christopher Rosa from VH1 deemed the song as one of the key tracks from her career;{{cite web|last=Rosa|first=Christopher|url=https://www.vh1.com/news/et21si/spice-girls-solo-albums|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621225557/https://www.vh1.com/news/et21si/spice-girls-solo-albums|url-status=live|archive-date=21 June 2023|title=The Spice Girls' Solo Albums Are Actually Bomb as Hell|date=7 November 2015|accessdate=22 June 2023|publisher=VH1}} while Billboard{{'}}s Chuck Taylor selected it as key song from Free Me on his review for the album.{{cite magazine|last=Taylor|first=Chuck|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZxQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA33|title=Essential Reviews|date=29 January 2005|accessdate=22 June 2023|magazine=Billboard|volume=117|issue=5|page=33}} For Azeem Ahmad of musicOMH, "Maybe" was "what we can expect if the Cheeky Girls release something in five or 10 years."{{cite news|last=Ahmad|first=Azeem|title=Emma Bunton – Free Me|url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/emma-bunton-free-me|work=musicOMH|date=9 February 2004|access-date=22 June 2023}} {{subscription required}}

In the United Kingdom, "Maybe" debuted at number six on the UK Singles Chart for the week ending on 25 October 2003. In June 2017, it was revealed that the single was Bunton's fourth biggest selling solo single in the region.{{cite web|last=Copsey|first=Rob|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-ultimate-official-spice-girls-solo-chart-all-their-singles-ranked-by-sales-__19520/|title=The ultimate Official Spice Girls solo chart: all their singles ranked by sales|date=29 June 2017|accessdate=24 June 2023|publisher=Official Charts Company}} Across Europe, "Maybe" attained moderate success. The single reached number 19 on the European Hot 100 Singles, and peaked at number four in Scotland, and charted inside the top 20 in Ireland and Italy, and within the top 40 in Hungary and Sweden. It also peaked at number 56 in Australia, on the week starting on 23 August 2004. The remixes of "Maybe" also managed to reach number six on the US Dance Club Songs chart, compiled by Billboard.

File:Emma Bunton - Maybe (music video).png

The music video for "Maybe" was directed by Harvey B. Brown and Carolyn Corben,{{cite web|url=https://harveybbrown.com/music-video-showcase/|title=Music Video Showcase|accessdate=21 September 2023|publisher=Harveybbrown.com}}{{cite web|url=https://carolyncorben.com/music-videos/|title=Music Videos|accessdate=21 September 2023|publisher=Carolyncorben.com}} and was premiered in September 2003.{{cite web|url=http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/spicegirls/news/September2003/news30948.asp|title=Maybe it's Emma|accessdate=23 June 2023|work=Dotmusic|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20031104051703/http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/spicegirls/news/September2003/news30948.asp|archivedate=4 November 2003|url-status=dead}} It was inspired by the "Rich Man's Frug" scene from the film Sweet Charity (1969);{{cite web|last=Tharrett|first=Michael|url=https://www.logotv.com/news/geof52/best-spice-girls-solo-songs|title=The 7 Greatest Spice Girls Solo Songs|date=16 September 2016|accessdate=23 June 2023|publisher=Logo TV}} for Bunton, the 1960s decade was a source of inspiration as it had "always been in how I've dressed, down to little short dresses and knee-high boots. I'm always in heels, 'cos I'm only five foot one."{{cite web|last=Eyre|first=Hermione|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/emma-bunton-the-q-interview-93281.html|title=Emma Bunton: The Q interview|date=26 October 2003|accessdate=23 June 2023|work=The Independent}} The video's choreography was inspired by Bob Fosse and was handled by Nessa and Dean, who previously had conceptualised choreographies for West End musicals.{{harvnb|Sinclair|2008|p=354}} Choreographer Jason Gardiner also appeared as one of the 20 dancers in the video.{{cite web|last=Copsey|first=Rob|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/a-spice-girl-and-solo-spice-geek-out-with-emma-bunton__26055/|title=A Spice Girl (and solo Spice) geek out with Emma Bunton|date=12 April 2019|accessdate=23 June 2023|publisher=Official Charts Company}} It starts with Bunton entering a white hall; she is wearing a white hooded trench coat, which she then removes to reveal a black dress with a pink collar and cuffs. Throughout the clip, the singer executes a choreography with her dancers behind white, green and pink backdrops.

Matthew Tharrett of Logo TV stated that "if you ever needed proof that Emma Bunton should have gone on to Broadway or the West End, look no further than the funky video" for "Maybe". According to Ben Gilbert from Dotmusic, the clip was a "masterpiece", while Billboard{{'}}s Jon O'Brien commented that it was a "superbly choreographed video". Justin Myers of Official Charts Company described the visual as a "mini-movie of cocktails, dancing girls rocking obscene amounts of Twiggy-inspired lashes and eyeliner and tuxedo-sporting hunks", which was "a true feast for the eyes". Sam Rigby from Attitude wrote that the clip "gave us Baby Spice like we’d never seen her before, and it was amazing", while also noting its absence from Bunton's official Vevo channel, calling it "an even greater tragedy. Can somebody rectify this immediately, please?".

File:EmmaBuntonXmasRAH061219-2_(50116373726).jpg in 2019]]

To promote "Maybe" at the time of its release, Bunton performed the track on several televised shows and events, such as the 2003 British Style Awards,{{Cite episode|title=2003 British Style Awards|series=British Style Awards|series-link=The Fashion Awards|network=LivingTV|airdate=26 September 2003}} CD:UK,{{Cite episode|title=CD:UK|series=CD:UK|series-link=CD:UK|network=ITV|airdate=11 October 2003}} Top of the Pops,{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp/artists/b/bunton_emma/clips/maybe.shtml|title=From the 00's – Emma Bunton – Maybe|accessdate=24 June 2023|publisher=BBC Online|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20031220205212/http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp/artists/b/bunton_emma/clips/maybe.shtml|archivedate=20 December 2003|url-status=dead}} Miss Italia nel Mondo,{{cite web|url=https://ricerca.gelocal.it/mattinopadova/archivio/mattinopadova/2004/07/01/VT2MC_VT209.html|title=La Miss Italia del Venezuela|date=1 July 2004|accessdate=24 June 2023|work=Il Mattino di Padova|language=Italian}} Deutschland Champions,{{cite web|url=https://www.presseportal.de/pm/7560/583001|title=Das große Finale|publisher=Bayerischer Rundfunk|agency=Presseportal|date=5 August 2004|accessdate=24 June 2023|language=German}} and The View.{{Cite episode|title=The View|series=The View|series-link=The View (talk show)|network=ABC|airdate=16 March 2005}} The song was later performed by the singer on The Return of the Spice Girls in 2007 and 2008; during the performance, she wore an op art dress while doing the frug dance.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/08/arts/music/08spic.html|title=Together Again, With More Sugar Than Tabasco|first=Jon|last=Pareles|date=8 February 2008|work=The New York Times|access-date=23 June 2023}} {{subscription required}} According to David Sinclair, writing for The Times, Bunton gave a "bouncy rendition" of the track on the concerts.{{cite web|last=Sinclair|first=David|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/live_reviews/article2992341.ece|title=Spice Girls review: 'they remain consummate entertainers'|date=4 December 2007|accessdate=24 June 2023|work=The Times|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530132518/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/live_reviews/article2992341.ece|archivedate=30 May 2010|url-status=dead}} Joe O'Brien of Billboard noted that although "Maybe" was only Bunton’s sixth highest charting song in the United Kingdom, her performance of the song on the tour proved "how much more of an impact it made". Matthew Tharrett of Logo TV agreed, saying "the track is so hot, Emma performed it for screaming fans at the group's 2007 reunion world tour."

Years later, on 6 December 2019, Bunton made a one-off concert at Royal Albert Hall titled Emma Bunton's Christmas Party, which was her first major solo show in over a decade; she opened the show with a performance of "Maybe".{{cite web|last=Magnocavallo|first=Fabio|url=https://www.inquisitr.com/5780706/emma-bunton-first-major-show-decade-fans-loved/|title=Emma Bunton Performs First Major Solo Show In Over A Decade & Fans Loved It|date=7 December 2019|accessdate=24 June 2023|publisher=Inquisitr}} In 2022, she included the track on the brief Emma Bunton and Friends tour; according to Pip Ellwood-Hughes from the Entertainment Focus, it "had the audience dancing and singing along".{{cite web|last=Ellwood-Hughes|first=Pip|url=https://entertainment-focus.com/2022/12/20/emma-bunton-friends-theatre-royal-drury-lane-london-review/|title=Emma Bunton & Friends – Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London review|date=20 December 2022|accessdate=24 June 2023|publisher=Entertainment Focus}} Regarding performing the song live, Bunton stated, "I LOVE, love, love performing ‘Maybe’. It’s just got that… I just… I can’t wait. I love that song and the reaction people have to that song, it feels special."{{cite web|last=Stroude|first=Will|url=https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/film-tv/emma-bunton-on-drag-race-blowing-up-mince-pies-and-the-enduring-greatness-of-maybe-300281/|title=Emma Bunton on 'Drag Race', blowing up mince pies, and the enduring greatness of 'Maybe'|date=25 November 2019|accessdate=24 June 2023|work=Attitude}}

• UK, European, and Australian CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Maybe|others=Emma Bunton|year=2003|type=UK CD single liner notes|publisher=19 Recordings, Universal Records|id=981278-5}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Maybe|others=Emma Bunton|year=2003|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=19 Recordings, Universal Records|id=602498127858}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Maybe|others=Emma Bunton|year=2003|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=19 Recordings, Universal Records|id=9812785}}

1. "Maybe" – 3:45
2. "Don't Tell Me You Love Me Anymore" – 4:01
3. "Maybe" {{small|(Bini and Martini club mix)}} – 8:13
4. "Maybe" {{small|(video)}} – 3:48

• UK cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Maybe|others=Emma Bunton|year=2003|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=19 Recordings, Universal Records|id=981278-6}}

1. "Maybe" – 3:45
2. "Don't Tell Me You Love Me Anymore" – 4:01
3. "Maybe" {{small|(Bini and Martini club mix)}} – 8:13

• European two-track CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Maybe|others=Emma Bunton|year=2004|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=19 Recordings, Universal Records|id=602498672686}}

1. "Maybe" – 3:45
2. "Don't Tell Me You Love Me Anymore" – 4:01

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Free Me.{{cite AV media notes|title=Free Me|title-link=Free Me (album)|others=Emma Bunton|year=2004|type=UK CD album liner notes|publisher=19 Recordings, Universal Records|id=986615-8}}

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• Emma Bunton – vocals, songwriting
• Yak Bondy – songwriting
• Richard Dowling – mastering
• Peter Gordeno – keyboards
• Martin Hayles – recording
• Nick Ingman – orchestra arrangement, orchestra conducting
• Isobel Griffiths Ltd – orchestra contractor
• Graham Kearns – guitar
• Mike Peden – percussion, production
• Charlie Russell – live drums, programming
• Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing
• Paul Turner – bass

{{Div col end}}

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Citations

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Bibliography

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• {{cite book|last=Sinclair|first=David|title=Spice Girls Revisited|year=2008|publisher=Omnibus Press|edition=2nd|isbn=978-1-84609-068-4}}

{{refend}}

{{Emma Bunton}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Maybe (Emma Bunton Song)}}

Category:2003 songs

Category:2003 singles

Category:Emma Bunton songs

Category:Songs written by Emma Bunton

Category:Songs written by Yak Bondy

Category:19 Recordings singles

Category:Universal Records singles

Category:Bubblegum pop songs