From Trials to Convictions: The Story of ‘Barbie Girl’, the Song That Pitted Aqua Against Mattel – News – Culture

In the field of music, 1997 will be remembered for many things. For example, it was the year in which the Spice Girls conquered the world, with Radiohead launching their legendary ok computer and in which Daft Punk, a mysterious French duo, revolutionized dance music. topics like torn (Natalie Imbruglia) Bitch (Meredith Brooks) better melodious symphony (Agility), I believe I can fly (R.Kelly) or say what you want (Texas) were ruling the charts at the time. but 97 was also the year Barbie GirlA song signed by Aqua, an unknown Danish group, which became one of the hits of that summer.

It has to be admitted that this tune is sticking like glue in the hair. It seems complicated that anyone who was out in the world at that time and didn’t live in a cave hears “Come on Barbie, let’s party” and doesn’t remember the members of Aqua dressed as Barbie and Ken .

This topic was as much to be hated from the start as it was to be loved. Generational anthem for some, worst song of the nineties for many others (including magazine). Rolling stone, Her critics found plenty of material in the sexually explicit lyrics. “I’m a dumb blonde in a fantasy world”, “You can brush my hair, take me off anywhere”, “or “Kiss me here, touch me there” were some of her pearls. Mattel owned the band. But did not have time to sue, accusing her of damaging the doll’s image.

“I think Mattel saw an opportunity to get attention. Because the song was very innocent and not sexual at all. At least we didn’t intend to make a sexist song. It was more to make fun of the Pamela Anderson model girl that existed at the time and of course still exists. But if you listen to all the shit that’s in there, it’s a very innocent song,” explained the group’s vocalist, Lene Nyström, in an interview with the magazine. nylon Published a few years ago.

The toy company filed a lawsuit in the United States against MCA Records (now part of Universal Music) for trademark infringement. The legal battle went on for years. Eventually, in 2003, the Supreme Court sided with Aqua, ruling that the song did not insult Barbie or Mattel. The Court ruled that it was a parody and, therefore, protected by the First Amendment to that country’s constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression. Mattel tried to appeal, but was unsuccessful. MCA Records, on its part, also tried to sue the toy maker for defamation. This also failed.

Years passed and, after a severe sales crisis, Mattel restructured and hired new management that revamped its most iconic dolls. In this new phase, the company is taking steps to align with Aqua’s song. In 2009 he bought the rights to use it in an advertisement. Of course, the letter is being modified to make it more ‘familiar’.

Whether or not the theme would be heard in the new Barbie movie directed by Greta Gerwig was a big question ahead of the premiere. The answer is, ultimately, yes. The soundtrack includes a version performed by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice, which also features Aqua, although the band does not appear in the song’s video clip.