Spice Girls’ Mel B Stays Mum on Meaning of ‘Zig-A-Zig-Ah’ Lyric from ‘Wannabe’: ‘It’s a Group Secret’

If you want to know what “zig-a-zig-ah” means, you need to call the friends of Melanie “Mel B” Brown.

During an interview on Monday’s episode Today with Hoda and JennaScary Spice was asked to explain a chatty verse from the Spice Girls hit ‘Wannabe’ and decided to keep its meaning to herself, claiming it was a “group secret”.

Mel B, 48, wrote the chart-topping song with fellow Spice Girls members Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie “Mel C” Chisholm and Victoria Beckham, as well as producers Matt Rowe and Richard Stannard – and those are the only people she wants know the meaning of “zik-a-zik-ah.”

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During Today interview, Jenna Bush Hager said that she and co-host Hoda Kotb “have some thoughts” about the meaning of the lyrics, to which Scary Spice replied, “It’s a group secret. But you can make of it what you want.”

“I made that word up and I can’t tell you,” added Mel B. “If I do, I’ll have to kill you, and we don’t want to do that. We love you both.”

Bush Hager, 42, however, was not ready to give up on the inquiry. “Is it what we think it is?” she asked about the possibly risque song.

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Mel B in Los Angeles in November 2023.

Frazer Harrison/Getty

“You won’t stop pushing! I’m not telling you,” said Mel B, who even refused to tell the co-hosts what “zig-a-zig-ah” meant during the commercial break.

“I won’t say that,” ex American talent the judge insisted, mimicking the motion of pursing his lips.

Released in 1995, “Wannabe” soared to the top of the charts in more than 20 countries, winning over listeners with its energetic pop beat and lyrics about valuing friendship over romance.

The Spice Girls in London in February 1997.

Ray Burmiston/Avalon/Getty

The song is written from the perspective of the Spice Girls talking to a would-be lover, telling them in the chorus, “If you want to be my lover, you gotta be with my friends / Make it last forever, friendship never ends / If you wanna be my lover, you gotta give / It’s too easy to take, but it’s true.”

“Wannabe” also has a particularly catchy chorus that includes a cryptic (and potentially sassy) babble: “Yo, I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want / So tell me what you want, what I really, really want / I want, I want, I want , I want, / I really, really, really want zig-a-zig-ah.”

In July 2021, the Spice Girls celebrated the 25th anniversary of the song “Wannabe”, and most members of the group took to social media to reflect on the hit song.

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The Spice Girls in December 2007. MJ Kim/getty

“Zigazigahhhhhh!!! 🎉🎉,” Bunton, 47, wrote on social media. “I’m feeling very emotional, what an amazing 25 years it’s been. Thank you to our wonderful fans for making 5 girls’ dreams come true, loving the songs we’ve written, copying our dance routines and embracing our individuality!”

In her own post, Mel C, 49, mused: “25 years! Can you believe it?!”

“With the help of our amazing fans this song has catapulted us on our incredible journey, so much love and thanks to you today, the wonderful Matt and Biff and my lovely Spice Girls,” wrote Sporty Spice. “So many memories! Strongroom, St Pancras, those stairs! And backflipping all over the world!”

The Spice Girls in London in February 1997. JMEnternational/Redferns

“Happy Birthday Wannabe!” she added. “I can’t wait to Zig a zig again ahh!!!”

In another heartfelt tribute, Geri Halliwell Horner (51) took a walk down memory lane.

“Wow. The song that changed the lives of five girls from Britain,” Baby Spice captioned two throwback photos – one of which was taken of the group in her garden “listening to the radio together that day we went to #3 in the charts!!”

Mel B in Manchester in May 2022.

Karwai Tang/WireImage

Halliwell also shared that she “bought each of the girls a gold ring when we first got together as a symbol of our friendship.”

“It’s a special bond that continues to stand the test of time. I’m so proud of everything we have,” she continued. “I’m so proud of all we’ve accomplished together girls. A HUGE thank you to our amazing fans around the world for your support and loyalty. Love, Ginger.”

Added Beckham, 49, “I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since Wannabe was released!! The song that changed everything…”

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Source: HIS Education