Aqua, Barbie Girl | Wacky Wednesday

In the 23rd edition of Wacky Wednesday (2025), we break down the unique song, “Barbie Girl,” performed by Danish-Norwegian pop collective, Aqua.

Do you know what day it is? It is Wednesday, folks! Do you know what that means? Why, it is Wacky Wednesday! In the spirited column Wacky Wednesday, we analyze, break down, and explore songs from various musicians of various genres that can be considered unique, unusual, or ‘wacky.’  These songs can be new or old; the only requirement is that they ‘catch the ears’ because of their distinctiveness.  So, with the background established, in the 23^rd edition of Wacky Wednesday (2025), we break down the unique song, “Barbie Girl”, performed by Aqua. Wacky Wednesday vibes commence!

“I’m a Barbie girl in the Barbie world / Life in plastic, it’s fantastic.” Woo! Aqua earned a big-time, triple platinum hit with “Barbie Girl” in 1997. The Barbie-driven bop appeared on the Danish-Norwegian pop collective’s multiplatinum album, Aquarium. In the U.S., “Barbie Girl” peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, their most successful showing on the pop charts. Notably, Aqua would reach the top 10 26 years later as the featured guest on the Nicki Minaj / Ice Spice collaboration, “Barbie World” (also number seven on the Billboard Hot 100). Claus Norreen, Johnny Jam, Karsten Dalhgaard (Delgado), Lene Nystrøm, René Dif, and Søren Rasted wrote the exuberant track.  Johnny Jam, Delgado, Rasted, and Norreen produced it.

Like much of Eurodance/Europop music, “Barbie Girl” sounds bright, bubbly, and sparkling in sound.  In this relentless, driving rhythmic cut, the beat pounds while the synths sizzle.  The vocals are tongue-in-cheek – playful to the nth degree. Nystrøm channels her inner Barbie with her distinct, high-pitched vocals. This is a big part of the charm of this pop classic. “I’m a blonde bimbo girl in a fantasy world,” she sings in the first verse, continuing, “Dress me up, make it tight, I’m your dolly.” Sexual lyrics, for sure! Beyond Nystøm, René Dif brings it, channeling his inner Ken. To Lene, aka Barbie, he asserts, “You’re my doll, rock and roll, feel the glamor in pink / Kiss me here, touch me there, hanky-panky.” Oh, snap! Aqua was sued by Mattel.  The famed toy company took issue with what they deemed copyright infringement (using Barbie) and, unsurprisingly, the sexual references. Mattel lost, and, since then, as mentioned earlier, “Barbie World” appeared in Barbie.  Yes, “You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere” rightfully raised eyebrows at the time, but “Barbie Girl” should be taken with a grain of salt. After all, “Imagination, life is your creation!” Well, something like that! No deep analysis necessary.  This joint speaks for itself!