deconstruction

"Barbie Girl" by Aqua - Topic 3

Keegan Long-Wheeler

Feb 24, 2023 • 4 min read

Although there were several songs to consider for this topic, I landed on Barbie Girl due to the history of the song. It's popularity was clear as it was played during my high school prom, however I'd never seen the music video until this point. Not to mention I learned there was an exchange of lawsuits that eventually wound up in the Supreme Court of the US as Mattel, Inc. v. MCA Records, Inc. However, 12 years after the song’s release, it was embrased by Mattel for promotional purposed during Barbie's 50th birthday.

Who created this message? This song was created by the Danish-Norwegian music group Aqua. Importantly, Barbie Girl was not created by Mattel, the owners of the Barbie brand.
What creative techniques are used to attract my attention? The song itself is quite an “ear worm.” It is very hard to forget the high energy pop tune. This is reflected in the design of the video as well which represents the imaginary world of Barbie, complete with animal companions and accessories that may have been included with the toys. Additionally, the movement of the characters is stilted and “doll like” in some instances, highlighting the roleplaying of the artists as plastic dolls.
How might different people understand this message differently than me? Until recently, I didn’t know the song was created without any Mattel affiliation. I figured it was a promotional song. But after viewing the video and reading the lyrics I learned it is a parody song. In fact, it contains much more sexual innuendo than I remember from hearing it when I was younger. This was part of the motivation for Mattel’s lawsuit, as they didn’t want negative ideas in the lyrics, like “blonde bimbo girl” associated with the Barbie brand.
What values, lifestyles and points of view are represented in, or omitted from, this message? Although sexualization is at the forefront of this video and the song lyrics, the parody also serves as commentary on the socialization of girls in the modern world. In particular, the recurring line, “Life in plastic, it's fantastic” may serve as a representation of not being genuine in modern life. There are also heteronormative and capitalistic values presented throughout the song and music video.
Why is this message being sent? Since this song is considered parody, and tested in courts as falling under fair use, we know it is legally not intended to be promotional. However, Mattel did eventually use it in some of their own promotional materials. Additionally, according to the Los Angeles Times, the CD packaging included the following disclaimer: “The song ‘Barbie Girl’ is a social comment and was not created or approved by the makers of the doll.”

Lyrics

Copied from YouTube video description

[Intro: Barbie & Ken]
Hiya, Barbie
Hi, Ken
Do you wanna go for a ride?
Sure, Ken
Jump in

[Chorus: Barbie & Ken]
I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world
Life in plastic, it's fantastic
You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere
Imagination, life is your creation
Come on, Barbie, let's go party

[Chorus: Barbie & Ken]
I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world
Life in plastic, it's fantastic
You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere
Imagination, life is your creation

[Verse 1: Barbie & Ken]
I'm a blonde bimbo girl in a fantasy world
Dress me up, make me tight, I'm your dolly
You're my doll, rock and roll, feel the glamor in pink
Kiss me here, touch me there, hanky-panky

[Bridge: Barbie]
You can touch, you can play
If you say I'm always yours
Ooh woo

[Chorus: Barbie]
I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world
Life in plastic, it's fantastic
You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere
Imagination, life is your creation

[Breakdown: Barbie & Ken]
Come on Barbie, let's go party
Ah, ah, ah, yeah
Come on Barbie, let's go party
Ooh, ooh
Come on Barbie, let's go party
Ah, ah, ah, yeah
Come on Barbie, let's go party
Ooh, ooh

[Verse 2: Barbie & Ken]
Make me walk, make me talk, do whatever you please
I can act like a star, I can beg on my knees
Come jump in, bimbo friend, let us do it again
Hit the town, fool around, let's go party

[Bridge: Barbie]
You can touch, you can play
If you say I'm always yours
You can touch, you can play
If you say I'm always yours

[Chorus: Barbie]
I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world
Life in plastic, it's fantastic
You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere
Imagination, life is your creation
I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world
Life in plastic, it's fantastic
You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere
Imagination, life is your creation

[Outro: Barbie & Ken]
Oh, I'm having so much fun
Well Barbie, we're just getting started
Oh, I love you Ken

Lyrics

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