Destiny’s Child is together again

There is a new album by Destiny’s Child in the stores. Okay, it is not entirely new. Titled Love Songs, it is actually the famous trio’s third compilation CD.  Released earlier were # 1’s and Playlist, The Very Best of Destiny’s Child. This one is different from those though because it contains a brand-new recording by the girls.

 That is right, Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, once collectively known as Destiny’s Child, got together again after nine years to record Nuclear, which was produced by Pharrell Williams. Their intricate harmonies and sweet tones sound as great as ever. Not only that. Love Songs is made up of their most romantic recordings, several of them, album tracks that were compiled for the first time.

Now don’t you just wish that all members of music groups would be as nice to one another or as respectful of their roots as these girls are? Then, we can get more welcome reunions like this. Despite some membership problems during the early years, Destiny’s Child had finally found a very good fit with Beyoncé, Kelly and Michelle. They turned out so well that these three, in spite of success as solo artists, are able to become Destiny’s Child again, once in a while.

Destiny’s Child was born in 1996 and made its album debut two years later with Destiny’s Child.  Stardom came easy for these young beautiful girls with the second CD. The Writing On The Wall had the big hits Bills, Bills, Bills and Say My Name. Survivor followed with the hit singles Independent Women Pt. 1, Survivor and Bootylicious. The last album was Destiny Fulfilled with Lose My Breath, Soldier and Cater 2 U.  I have a feeling though that while this one is as of now, the last recorded CD, there remains a strong chance that they might record another one in the future.

The girls announced that they were officially disbanding in 2006. Take note though that long before this, they were already pursuing side projects and these have kept them in the limelight up to now.  Michelle is a gospel music star and theater actress.  She starred in musicals like Elton John’s Aida, The Color Purple and Chicago. Kelly had hits like Dilemma, Daylight, Commander, When Love Takes Over with David Guetta and acted in the movies, Think Like A Man.

Then, there is Beyoncé, Mrs. Jay-Z, first lady of hip-hop and one of the greatest artists of her generation. She is a hit machine, writing and performing songs like Crazy In Love, Baby Boy, Déjà vu, Beautiful Liar, Irreplaceable, If I Were A Boy, Single Ladies, Halo, Sweet Dreams and others. She has also appeared in movies. Among these were Dreamgirls, Austin Powers Goldmember and Cadillac Records.

All that is happening to them individually, however, does not stop them from being Destiny’s Child from time to time. They were that when Kelly and Michelle showed up at a Beyoncé gig to greet her, a happy birthday and sing. They also joined Beyoncé at that famous Superbowl half-time show. And then, here they are singing Nuclear in Love Songs.

Destiny’s Child Love Songs, also includes Cater 2 U, If, T-Shirt and Love from Destiny Fulfilled, 2004; Killing Time and Second Nature from Destiny’s Child, 1998; Heaven from the Kelly album Simply Deep, 2002; Now That She’s Gone, If You Leave featuring Next, Temptation from The Writing’s On The Wall, 1999; Brown Eyes and Emotion from Survivor, 2001; and Say My Name, the Timbaland Remix from This Is The Remix, 2002.

I was checking out the Destiny’s Child bio on Wikipedia when I came across this list of best-selling girl groups. Take note of that modifier, best-selling. That means these are the female groups who have sold the most recordings. This would change a bit if we were to consider cultural impact instead of sales. Like it would surely include the Andrews Sisters and The Supremes would be at a higher level. Must make sure I go in search of that list. But for now, here they are, the girls who made the most money singing together.

On top is the British group Spice Girls with 80 million albums sold. This does not include singles, videos, concerts, etc. The others in the Top 20 are   TLC; Destiny’s Child; Bananarama; AKB48 from Japan; Speed, also from Japan; The Supremes; En Vogue; Morning Musume again from Japan; Salt-n-Pepa; SWV; Pussycat Dolls; All Saints; Atomic Kitten; Sugababes; Girls Aloud; Rouge from Brazil; No Angels from Germany; Girls Generation from South Korea; and KARA, also from South Korea.