Barbie Girl

"Barbie Girl"
Single by Aqua
from the album Aquarium
Released	14 May 1997
Format	CD single 7" single 12" single cassette
Recorded	1996
Genre	Eurodance, bubblegum dance
Length	3:16
Label	Universal, MCA (US)
Writer(s)	Søren Rasted Claus Norreen René Dif Lene Nystrøm
Producer(s)	Johnny Jam Delgado Søren Rasted Claus Norreen
Aqua singles chronology
"My Oh My" (1997) "Barbie Girl" (1997) "Doctor Jones" (1997)
Music sample Barbie Girl

"Barbie Girl" is a song by the Danish-Norwegian dance-pop group Aqua. It was released in May 1997 as their third single overall, and the first United Kingdom release, it is included on the album Aquarium. The song was written by Søren Rasted, Claus Norreen, René Dif, and Lene Nystrøm, and it was produced by Johnny Jam, Delgado, Rasted, and Norreen.^[1] It was written after the group saw an exhibit on kitsch culture .

The song topped the charts worldwide, particularly in European countries such as the UK, where it was a number-one hit for three weeks. It was also on top of the charts in Australia for the same length of time, and debuted and peaked at No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on 6 September 1997 and it remains Aqua's biggest hit single in the US to date, and their only one to reach the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. It is Aqua's most popular work. The song became the subject of the controversial lawsuit Mattel v. MCA Records.

Background

The lyrics of the song are about Barbie and Ken, the dolls made by Mattel. Both the song and its music video feature Lene Nystrøm as Barbie and René Dif as Ken. As such, the lyrics drew the ire of Barbie's corporate owners, and a lawsuit was filed by Mattel. It is a melody consisting of baroque chords mixed with dance rhythm.

A footnote on the back of the Aquarium CD case precisely stated that "The song 'Barbie Girl' is a social comment and was not created or approved by the makers of the doll."

The song was performed as the interval act in the Eurovision Song Contest 2001.

Reception

Critical reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic called the song "one of those inexplicable pop culture phenomena" and "insanely catchy," described it as "a bouncy, slightly warped Euro-dance song that simultaneously sends up femininity and Barbie dolls."^[2]

The song was voted the fourth "Best Number One of All Time" in a VH1 poll, and was featured in spot No. 32 on VH1's "Most Awesomely Bad Songs... Ever" countdown. In an unrelated VH1 countdown, VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders, it was featured at #88.

In 2007, Rolling Stone named "Barbie Girl" as one of the 20 Most Annoying Songs.^[3] But in 2007, MuchMoreMusic featured the song at No. 27 on the list of the 50 Guilty Pleasures. In 2009, Same Difference voted it No. 2 in their Ultimate Cheese-Fest Top 20 on 4Music. Five years before, Blender magazine voted it at No. 33, as one of the 50 Worst Songs Ever.^[4] In 2011, Rolling Stone readers voted it the number one most annoying song of the 1990s.^[5] The song was even included in a WatchMojo.com countdown for the Top 10 Most Ridiculous 1990s Music Videos.^[6]

Rob Swire has said that "'Another Night' by Real McCoy and 'Barbie Girl' by Aqua are pretty much the same tune."^[7]

In 1999, it was placed as the fourteenth worst music on MTV special 25 Lame.

The song won the 1998 NME Award for Worst Single.

Commercial performance

In the United States, the song debuted at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. It sold 82.000 copies in its first week and debuted at number five on the Hot Singles Sales chart.^[8]

"Barbie Girl" has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide.^[9] It has sold 1.83 million copies in the United Kingdom as of November 2012, making it the thirteenth best-selling single in the UK.^[10]

Music video

The music video, which was played repeatedly on MTV, was directed by Peder Pedersen and Peter Stenbæk.

Controversy

In December 2000, toy manufacturer Mattel sued MCA Records, Aqua's record label. Mattel claimed that "Barbie Girl" violated their trademark and turned her into a sex object, referring to her as a "Blonde Bimbo".^[11] They alleged the song had violated their copyrights and trademarks of Barbie, and that its lyrics had tarnished the reputation of their trademark and impinged on their marketing plan. Aqua claimed that Mattel injected their own meanings into the song's lyrics and MCA Records was not about to let their hit single be suppressed without a fight. They contested Mattel's claims and countersued for defamation after Mattel had likened MCA to a bank robber.^[12]

The lawsuit filed by Mattel was dismissed by the lower courts, and this dismissal was upheld, though Mattel took their case up to the Supreme Court of the United States, but that appeal was later rejected. In 2002, a Court of Appeals ruled the song was protected as a parody^[13] under the trademark doctrine of nominative use and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution; the judge Alex Kozinski also threw out the defamation lawsuit that Aqua's record company filed against Mattel, concluding his ruling: "The parties are advised to chill."^[14] The case was dismissed, and in the process, it garnered lots of media attention for the song and the band.

In 2009, Mattel released a series of advertisements and a promotional music video of the song,^[15] with modified lyrics, as part of a new marketing strategy brought in to revive sales.^[16] Mattel also uses the song in its product Barbie Shopping Time.

As the interval act during the 2001 Eurovision Song Contest, the Danish band Aqua performed with a medley of their singles, with percussion ensemble Safri Duo performing in the medley.^[17] Although enjoyable, people complained about it being a little bit "rude" as there was some swearing during the performance, both at the beginning and end of "Barbie Girl".

Track listings

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Barbie Girl".^[1]

United Kingdom/U.S.[18] CD1 "Barbie Girl" (radio edit) – 3:22 "Barbie Girl" (extended version) – 5:12 "Barbie Girl" (Perky Park Club Mix) – 6:23 "Barbie Girl" (Spikes Anatomically Correct Dub) – 7:55 CD2 "Barbie Girl" (CD-ROM video) "Barbie Girl" (radio edit) – 3:22 "Barbie Girl" (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels 12" G-String mix) – 8:37 "Barbie Girl" (Dirty Rotten Peroxide Radio mix) – 4:10 12" maxi 1 "Barbie Girl" (Spike's Anatomically Correct dub) – 8:01 "Barbie Girl" (extended version) – 5:17 "Barbie Girl" (Spike's Plastic mix) – 8:47 "Barbie Girl" (radio edit) – 3:16

12" maxi 2 "Barbie Girl" (original extended mix) – 5:14 "Barbie Girl" (Dirty Rotten G-String mix) – 8:37 "Barbie Girl" (Dirty Rotten Peroxide mix) – 4:10 Europe CD single / Cassette "Barbie Girl" (radio edit) – 3:16 "Barbie Girl" (extended version) – 5:14 12" maxi "Barbie Girl" (Perky Park club mix) – 6:13 "Barbie Girl" (Spike's Anatomically Correct dub) – 7:55 Australia and Canada CD maxi "Barbie Girl" (radio edit) – 3:16 "Barbie Girl" (Spike's Plastic mix) – 8:47 "Barbie Girl" (Spike's Anatomically Correct dub) – 8:01 "Barbie Girl" (extended version) – 5:14

Credits

• Written by Norreen, Nystrøm, Dif, Rasted
• Performed by Norreen, Rasted
• Vocals by Nystrøm, Dif
• Hair and make-up by Fjodor Øxenhave
• Styling by Aqua, Bjarne Lindgreen
• Artwork by Peter Stenbæk
• Photo by Robin Skoldborg
• Produced, arranged and mixed by Norreen, Jam, Delgado, Rasted

Release history

Country	Release date
Europe	14 May 1997
United Kingdom	1 September 1997
United States

Charts and sales

Weekly charts Chart (1997) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[19] 1 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[20] 2 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[19] 1 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[19] 1 Canada (RPM)[21] 4 Canada Dance (RPM)[22] 1 Denmark (Tracklisten)[23] 1 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 1 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[19] 3 France (SNEP)[19] 1 Germany (Media Control Charts)[24] 1 Ireland (IRMA)[25] 1 Italy (FIMI)[26] 1 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[27] 1 New Zealand (RMNZ)[19] 1 Norway (VG-lista)[19] 1 Spain (AFYVE)[28] 1 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[19] 1 Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade)[19] 1 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[29] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[30] 7 US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[30] 21

Year-end charts Chart (1997) Position Australian Singles Chart[31] 2 Austrian Singles Chart[32] 11 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart[33] 2 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart[34] 2 Canadian RPM Singles Chart[35] 67 Dutch Top 40[27] 3 French Singles Chart[36] 5 Germany (Official German Charts)[37] 8 Swiss Singles Chart[38] 34 UK Singles Chart 2 US Billboard Hot 100[39] 94 Chart (1998) Position French Singles Chart[40] 33 Swiss Singles Chart[41] 19 Certifications Region Certification Sales/shipments Australia (ARIA)[42] 3× Platinum 210,000 Austria (IFPI Austria)[43] Platinum 50,000 Belgium (BEA)[44] 3× Platinum 150,000 France (SNEP)[45] Diamond 1,215,000[46] Germany (BVMI)[47] Platinum 500,000 New Zealand (RMNZ)[48] Platinum 15,000 Sweden (GLF)[49] 3× Platinum 90,000 Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[50] Platinum 50,000 United Kingdom (BPI)[51] 3× Platinum 1,830,000[52] ^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone ^xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Successions

Kelly Key version

"Barbie Girl"
Single by Kelly Key
from the album Kelly Key
Released	August 15, 2005[53]
Format	Airplay CD single
Recorded	2004
Genre	Teen pop
Length	3:19
Label	Warner
Writer(s)	Claus Norreen Søren Nystrøm Rasted Gustavo Lins Humberto Tavares
Producer(s)	DJ Cuca
Certification	Platinum
Kelly Key singles chronology
"Escuta Aqui Rapaz" (2005) "Barbie Girl" (2005) "Papinho" (2005)

In 2005, Brazilian recording artist Kelly Key recorded a version in Portuguese of Barbie Girl in her third studio album Kelly Key.^[54] The version was released as second single on August 15, 2005.^[53] Key said she loved the song and wanted to do a version for honor: "I really like this song since I heard. I wanted to record without thinking about whether my fans will like it or not".^[55]

Critical reception

The song received generally negative reviews from music critics. Vinícius Versiani Durães of IMHO said that that version was funny and a future success.^[56] Marcos Paulo Bin of Universo Musical commented that the song was really different from previous releases – known for explicit lyrics – but was positive and said the version was good.^[55] Rodrigo Ortega of Pilula Pop said "Barbie Girl" was sensational, funny and chose as the best of the album. He also said that Key was wrong to released "Escuta Aqui Rapaz" as first single, because "the song was boring", but "Barbie Girl" saved the era.^[57] Carlos Eduardo Lima of Scream & Yell was negative and said the song was "childish, silly, boring" and killed Kelly Key sex-symbol.^[58]

Music video

The music video for "Barbie Girl" was recorded on August 2005, between 17 and 18. It was directed by Ricardo Vereza, Bidu Madio, Rentz and Mauricio Eça.^[59] The video was released on August 30. Kelly plays a determinate and feminist woman, who doesn't need a man.^[60]

In popular culture

This song is internationally notable to be wrongly attributed to Czech model Dominika Myslivcová as she uploaded a video in YouTube lip-synching to this song and, later, it became a viral video.^[61]

Track listings

1. "Barbie Girl" – 3:20
2. "Barbie Girl" (Cuca Mix) – 5:12
3. "Barbie Girl" (Music video) – 3:23

Release history

Country	Date	Format	Label
Brazil	August 15, 2005	Mainstream radio[53]	Warner Music

Cover versions and parodies

The song has been covered by several artists throughout years, including U.S. electric duo Velva Blu,^[62] Rob Mayth (2006, released as single ;^[63] in summer 2006, German Eurodance project Bangbros played live the remix of this version in a DJ set), Andrea featuring Sergio (Eurobeat cover for Super Eurobeat Vol. 199 ~Collaboration of Eurobeat~), Electric Chairs (2001, melancholy and down-tempo version). Other covers have been performed by bands Home Grown, My Favorite Band (MFB), Mars Moles and Ben l'Oncle Soul. An Easy listening version also exists by Axel Boys Quartet (1999) which was featured in a Dior television ad.

There are also many parodies of the song, notable made by The Dog House (a "gay" version in which Barbie is insulted behind her back by Garrett and Raoul with gratuitous words because they pine for Ken, however the conclusion of the song sees Barbie approach the pair who proceed to assault her and run off. This song is featured on their 2000 album, How Many People Must Get Dissed?), German duo Lynne & Tessa (a lip-synched internet video of the song, May 2006), British Indian comedy sketch show Goodness Gracious Me (titled "Punjabi Girl" both in the radio series and later on television), Ome Henk - Dutch song "Neem Een Ander in de Maling (Barbie Girl)", WPLJ (entitled "Jersey Girl", using stereotypes of Jersey girls as the basis for the whole song). In 2000, in India, a parody of this song "Chalu girl" was published by Times Music in the album "PatelScope I" by musician Devang Patel.

Identical twin sisters Amanda and Samantha Marchant, better known as Samanda, who came to fame appearing on the eighth series of Big Brother, released their cover of the song on 8 October 2007, and it entered the UK Singles Chart at number 26.

Jessica of Girls' Generation covered this song as her solo performance during the first Asian concert tour Girls' Generation 1st Asia Tour: Into the New World. Mattel in 2009–2010 used an edit of the song as the 'theme song' of Barbie.

In 2010, It was used in Just Dance: Summer Party. In the Family Guy episode "Bill and Peter's Bogus Journey," president Bill Clinton is seen singing and dancing to "Barbie Girl" while playing Dance Dance Revolution.

HBO comedy series Mr. Show with Bob and David did a parody of the song called "Party Girl" in the episode "Life is Precious and God and the Bible".

The Swedish artist Loke Nyberg did a new version of this song for the Swedish radio show Morgonpasset. He interprets the song as criticism of today's beauty ideals.^[64]

In 2012, the song was parodied in an Australian lamb advertising campaign, relying on the Australian use of the term "barbie" to refer to the outdoor barbecue popularly held in Australia. The advertisement starred Melissa Tkautz and Sam Kekovich.^[65]

The song was referred to in the 2013 set-up of the musical We Will Rock You. In 2013, Ludacris sampled the song in his single Party Girls featuring Wiz Khalifa, Jeremih and Cashmere Cat. In 2014, the song was used in the South Park episode "Cock Magic", during Randy Marsh's "cock magic" show.

In January 2016, Caramella Girls released a version called "Candy Girl" on iTunes^[66] as well as a YouTube music video.^[67]

References

1. "Aqua – Barbie Girl". Discogs. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
3. "The 20 Most Annoying Songs". Rolling Stone. 2 July 2007. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
4. Archived 9 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine.
5. "Readers Poll: THe Worst Songs of the Nineties". Rolling Stone. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
6. "Top 10 Ridiculous 1990s Music Videos". Youtube.com. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
7. https://twitter.com/rob_swire/status/512637600684064768
8. Eriksen, Jan (August 28, 1997). "Ind på toppen i USA" [In at the top in the US]. BT (in Danish) (Copenhagen: Berlingske Media A/S).
9. "Aqua's 'Barbie Girl': Worst Song of the '90s?". SodaHead.com. 7 September 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
10. Lane, Daniel (27 June 2013). "Daft Punk's Get Lucky becomes one of the UK's biggest selling singles of all-time!". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
11. "Aqua Now Faces Lawsuit Over "Barbie Girl"". MTV News. 12 September 1997. Archived from the original on 10 June 2007. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
12. "Supreme Court rejects ugly fight over Barbie doll". CNN. 27 January 2003. Archived from the original on 27 March 2007. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
13. Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc., 510 U.S. 569 (1994)
14. "Barbie loses battle over bimbo image". BBC News. 25 July 2002. Archived from the original on 6 July 2007. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
15. "The Barbie Music Video". Mattel. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
16. Elliott, Stuart (26 August 2009). "Years Later, Mattel Embraces Barbie Girl". New York Times. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
17. Bakker, Sietse (2009-12-22). "The end of a decade: Copenhagen 2001". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
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19. ""Barbie Girl", in various singles charts". Lescharts. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
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34. "1997 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart". Ultratop. Archived from the original on 26 June 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
35. "Top Singles – Volume 66, No. 15, December 15, 1997". RPM. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
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52. Myers, Justin (24 October 2015). "Quiz: Who sold more?". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
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54. "Kelly Key participa de quadro do programa Zorra Total". O Fuxico. July 12, 2014.
55. "De olho no prazo de validade". Universo Musical. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
56. "Bomba! "Novo" sucesso da Kelly Key". IMHO. August 8, 2005.
57. "Sim, ela teve a audácia". Pílula Pop. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
58. "Estou preocupado com Kelly Key". Scream and Yell. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
59. "5 Recriações Musicais Genuinamente Brasileiras". Pseudo Nerds. July 12, 2014.
60. "KELLY KEY - New ALBUM IS COMING". Musica Sim. July 12, 2014.
61. "Conheça Dominika Myslivcová, a Barbie Girl do Youtube!". News e você. April 17, 2015.
62. "Velva Blu - Barbie Girl (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
63. "Rob Mayth - Barbie Girl (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
65. "Eat Lamb This Australia Day". Retrieved 10 January 2012.
66. Candy Girl - Single https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/candy-girl-single/id1070886422
67. Caramella Girls - Candy Girl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQxiDLW2g9c

External links

• Official Barbie Girl video on YouTube
• Text of Mattel, Inc. v. MCA Records, Inc., the verdict that favored MCA (PDF file)
• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics