In November 1997 the Spice Girls released their second studio album, Spiceworld. Preceded by the single “Spice Up Your Life”, the album proved to be an instant global best seller. It set a new record for the fastest-selling album over two weeks when it shipped 7 million copies. Gaining favourable reviews, the album went on to sell over 10 million copies in Europe, Canada, and the United States alone. Criticised in America for releasing the album just nine months after their debut there and suffering from over-exposure at home, the Spice Girls began to experience a media backlash. The group was criticised for the number of sponsorship deals signed – over 20 in total – and they began to witness diminishing international chart positions. Nevertheless, the Spice Girls remained the biggest-selling pop group of both 1997 and 1998. Further singles released from the album included “Too Much”, “Stop” and “Viva Forever” – with “Stop” being the only track not to hit number 1 in Britain (it entered and peaked at number 2). The track remains their only single not to go to number 1 in the UK.