So Tell Me What You Want

by Nicki Chapman

1987. Armed with a Filofax, a brick of a mobile phone and steely determination, 20-year-old Nicki Chapman is walking through the seedy streets of Soho towards her first job in the music biz.

But how did Nicki go from being a looked-over assistant running promo packages over to BBC Radio 1 to a judge on Pop Idol with 15 million viewers tuning in for the nail-biting moment Will Young triumphed over Gareth Gates?

Everyone knows there were the kingmakers in the heady days of 90s British pop music, but this is a queen's side of the story; a down-to-earth, no-nonsense team player who fought to make it in an industry that was very much a man's world.

Empowering, entertaining and sprinkled with stardust, Nicki's inspirational behind-the-scenes story takes in the rocketing highs and heart-breaking lows of promoting, managing and touring with the Spice Girls, Amy Winehouse, David Bowie, Take That, Billie Piper, Phil Collins and S Club 7, all whilst confronting chauvinism and smashing through the career glass ceiling.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 29, 2024

Reviews

[Emma Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audio version. Nicki had some great stories to tell, from where her career in the music industry started, working with groups like Take That and the Spice Girls as well as other big pop acts of that time and being a judge on Popstars and Pop Idol. For me it was a nostalgic look back at that time. I loved how each chapter was named after a song title. Easy listen and would recommend to anyone who grew up in that era.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a nostalgia bomb! Trevor and Simon anyone? #swingyourpants

[Kirsty McCluskey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting if you’re in to 90’s pop.. I would have liked to have heard more about her time with take that

[Jessica Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find Nicki to be intelligent, hardworking, ambitious and exactly the kind of woman I model myself on. What struck me most about this book, is how Nicki's integrity and instinct has always come forth. This isn't a book filled with platitudes or self importance, just a really interesting inside experience. I relate strongly to her story, as I found myself within broadcast at the age of 19. Learning the ropes from a young age, forced to hold my own in an industry dominated by men. Though I have had difficult times, like Nicki, I have lifelong friends and mentors. It's a privilege to hear of her trials, tribulations and to feel like this isn't one big pat on the back. I think Nicki is brilliant, I made it through her book in only a few days. I'd love to hear her speak or to work alongside her one day. If she ever chose to write another book, I'd read in a heartbeat.

[Philip Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really interesting stories. Would have liked more detail in places, especially around Hear'say. Some more personal reflections rather than "here's what happened". Overall a really good read though. Nicki comes across so friendly and lovely. Super supportive but also nuanced about the perils of being famous alongside a drive to succeed.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone who was/is a fan of any of the bands mentioned in the listing or anyone who has an interest in the pop industry of the 1990's and early 2000's because Nicki was central to it all. I knew of Nicki from when she was a judge on Pop Idol in the early 2000's and so was expecting the book to be a memoir of what it is like to work behind the scenes in the music industry but it was so much more than that and also so much better than I was expecting and I had quite high expectations to begin with.

Nicki talks in depth about her time doing PR and management for many household names, I would say the book has more focus on Take That and the Spice Girls than some of the other names mentioned and there were some really nice, amusing, anecdotes about both bands that I hadn't heard before. As well as this there were lots of anecdotes about many other artists such as Billie Piper, Kylie Minogue, Hear'say, S Club 7 and even ZZ Top!

One thing I really liked about the book and that I hadn't really considered before reading it was that I came away from it feeling quite empowered, it seems obvious to me now that Nicki would be a positive role model having been an integral part of the Spice Girls PR machine and also having had to make her way in a very male-dominated industry but it was something that I hadn't really thought about before reading and it was a pleasant surprise to read. Reading her anecdotes about feeling maternal towards Billie Piper whilst working with her during her pop career and her trying to help alleviate negative behaviours towards food made me feel the pop industry of that time needed more Nicki's, this is further backed up by the quote from Robbie Williams on the cover "When it comes to the music industry, Nicki was part of the medicine not the illness".

I know it's been a good book when I find myself pacing the final chapters because I don't want to get to the end of the book, it rarely happens but it did with this book. It's a fun, nostalgia trip for any fans of 90's and early 2000's pop. I loved this book and I loved that Nicki seemed like a girls-girl but also someone determined and gritty enough to smash her way through the glass ceiling, which whilst you wouldn't think that to be rare, it is. I'd love to read any further books that she writes.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this on Audible and loved it. Nostalgic trip back to the 90s and 00s, with interesting stories about the pop acts I loved as a child! Told in a humerous way by someone that clearly cared about the acts she worked with. Love that she stood up for herself and to powerful men along the way.

[Marc Godfrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

AUDIOBOOK: 3.5 stars. If you love 90s pop, you’ll probably really like this.

[Philip Carman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn’t put this book down - very inciteful of her career and how it panned out.

[Natasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish
Very boring

[Susan Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable & very well written. Interesting look into behind the scenes of the music industry.

[Jennifer Noakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicki comes across as so friendly and positive, not a bad word to say about anyone, not even Bobby Brown!! I really enjoyed this book and her insight into the music industry. Lovely lady ❤️

[Tracey Pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not the kindle version but a paperback that i got from library that is 275 pages long.

This is not a autobiography by a memoir about her rise to fame in the music/media industry. I am not a big fan of her but i am a fan of take that, david bowie and especially Spice Girls and S Club 7 which she worked for. She didnt want to write a biography but when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour she decided to write about her rise. Quite enjoyable although when she was describing roles within the industry it felt bit patronising (it was like Noel Fitzpatrick writing to children in previous review). Apart from that very enjoyable book. Took me 2 nights and full day to raed.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark & Lee recommended. A great book I read really quickly. Great stories about her time working in the music industry with the likes of the Spice Girls and S Club 7.