Barbie Girl
"Barbie Girl" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Aqua | ||||
from the album Aquarium | ||||
Released | 8 April 1997 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:16 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Aqua singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Barbie Girl" on YouTube | ||||
Audio sample | ||||
"Barbie Girl" is a song by Danish-Norwegian dance-pop group Aqua. It was released in April 1997 by Universal and MCA as the third single from the group's debut studio album, Aquarium (1997). The song was written by band members Søren Rasted, Claus Norreen, René Dif, and Lene Nystrøm, and was produced by the former two alongside Johnny Jam and Delgado. It was written after Rasted saw an exhibit on kitsch culture in Denmark that featured Barbie dolls.[9][10] The accompanying music video was directed by Danish directors Peder Pedersen and Peter Stenbæk.
The song topped the charts worldwide, particularly in European countries such as the United Kingdom, where it was a number-one hit for four weeks and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time. It also reached number two in the group's homeland and peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100. It is Aqua's most popular work and was also performed as the interval act in the Eurovision Song Contest 2001. Mattel accused Aqua's label of diluting the image of Barbie, leading to the controversial lawsuit Mattel, Inc. v. MCA Records, Inc.. Twenty-five years later, Mattel licensed the song in the 2023 film Barbie and additionally sampled it for a new song, "Barbie World". Same year, Billboard magazine ranked it among the "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time".[4]
Background and composition
Rene came up with the original lyric Come on Barbie, Let's go party! and we wanted to put voices to the dolls and imagine what they would say to each other.
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.
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."[12] "Barbie Girl" is written in the key of C-sharp minor,[13] using major chords and an upbeat tempo to create an effect Rasted calls "the plus and minus".[14] The song has a tempo of 130 beats per minute.[15]
"Barbie Girl" was released the same year as the pitch correction software Auto-Tune, although it was not yet available when the song was written and recorded. Rasted said that Nystrøm naturally portrayed the high-pitched Barbie voice in the studio.[16][17]
Reception
Critical reception
"Barbie Girl" received critical acclaim. Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that "with her squeaky, high-pitched delivery, Lene Grawford Nystrøm fronts this giddy pop/dance ditty as if she were Barbie, gleefully verbalizing many of the twisted things people secretly do with the doll." He noted that "at the same time, she effectively rants about the inherent misogyny of Barbie with a subversive hand", adding that René Dif is an "equally playful and biting presence, as he embodies male counterpart Ken with an amusing leer."[18] Scottish Daily Record stated, "Love them or hate them, you have to admit Aqua's silly doll song is pure pop and the video is great, too".[19] David Browne from Entertainment Weekly described it as a "dance-floor novelty that alludes to the secret, less-than-wholesome life of every little girl's fave doll."[20] Another EW editor, Jeremy Helligar, commented, "There must be something in that Northern European water. Like recent tunes by their Swedish-pop counterparts Ace of Base and the Cardigans, these Danish newcomers' frothy debut is fun, fun, fun—but oh so disposable."[21]
Kevin Courtney from Irish Times named it Single of the Week, calling it "a supreme slice of cheese which out-hums even the mighty Whigfield" and saying that Aqua had "hit the perfect wally beat, and this awful tune is set to dominate the dance-floor and do kinky things to it."[22] British magazine Music Week gave the song five out of five and also named it Single of the Week, concluding, "Bleached and blonde this bouncy Europop tune may be, but dumb it isn't. Its mix of perky vocals, barbed lyrics and infectious energy has already brought it success in Scandinavia and the US. The video is irresistible."[5] A reviewer from People Magazine called it "the year's best novelty record, a cartoonish anthem you'll need surgery to remove from your head."[23] James Hyman from the RM Dance Update gave the song top score, declaring it as "a Balearic-tinged Euro pop smash hit". He added, "My niece refuses to go to bed unless the video is played several times over; I think that speaks for itself with regard to ongoing single success."[6]
Retrospective response
Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic called "Barbie Girl" "one of those inexplicable pop culture phenomena" and "insanely catchy", describing it as a "bouncy, slightly warped Euro-dance song that simultaneously sends up femininity and Barbie dolls."[7] Insider stated that the song is "sugary sweet" and "totally catchy", viewing it as one of the best songs of the 90s.[24] In a retrospective review, Pop Rescue wrote that "this song is fun, undoubtedly catchy, and bouncy, with the personas of Barbie and Ken fitting perfectly with the vocal contrast."[25] The song ranked number 88 in a VH1 countdown, "VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders".[26] In 2017, Billboard ranked it number nine in their list of "The 100 Greatest Pop Songs of 1997", writing, "'Barbie Girl' was like the cartoon rendering of Jill Sobule's more obviously snarky 'Supermodel', so over-the-top in its kitschiness that you could be forgiven for not noticing its impressive self-awareness."[27] Same year, BuzzFeed ranked it number 76 in their list of "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s".[28] In October 2023, Billboard ranked "Barbie Girl" number 220 in their "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time".[4] They praised its "magic moment"; "Put on your best Ken voice — René Dif, not Ryan Gosling — for every "Come on Barbie, let's go party!" shout-along." In 2024, MTV 90s ranked it number two in their list of "Top 50 Rhythms of Eurodance".[29][30]
Commercial performance
"Barbie Girl" has sold more than eight million copies worldwide.[31] It went on becoming a huge hit on several continents, remaining the most successful song by the band. It reached number one in more than 10 countries. In Europe, the single peaked at the top position in Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100. In the band's native Denmark, the song debuted and peaked at number two.[32] In the United Kingdom, it debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number two and reached number one the next week, on 26 October 1997.[33] It stayed at that position for four weeks and has sold and streamed 2.4 million units in the United Kingdom as of September 2023.[34] Outside Europe, "Barbie Girl" peaked at number-one in Australia and New Zealand, number four in Canada and number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100. On the latter, it debuted at that position. It sold 82,000 copies in its first week and debuted at number five on the Billboard Hot Singles Sales chart.[35]
Music video
The accompanying music video for "Barbie Girl" was directed by Danish directors Peder Pedersen and Peter Stenbæk,[36] and depicts the band members in different scenes that a Barbie doll would be in. It has Nystrøm dressed as various Barbie dolls skulking around her swimming pool at home after Dif, dressed as Barbie's love interest Ken, accidentally pulls her arm off.[11] The video was also the number one most requested video in the US, having shot from 30 to number one on The Box.[11] The video was uploaded to their official YouTube channel in August 2010 and reached 1 billion views in February 2022.[37][38]
Controversies
Mattel lawsuit
In September 1997, six months after the release of the song by Aqua, Mattel, the toy manufacturer of the Barbie doll line, sued MCA Records, Aqua's North American record label. The company claimed that "Barbie Girl" violated their trademark and turned the doll into a sex-object, and referred to her as a "blonde bimbo".[39] Their case also alleged that the song infringed its copyrights and trademarks on the Barbie doll and that the lyrics had ruined the longtime popularity and reputation of their trademark, impinging on their marketing plan. Aqua and MCA Records claimed that Mattel injected their own meanings into the song's lyrics, contesting Mattel's claims and countersuing for defamation, after Mattel had likened MCA to a "bank robber".[40] The lawsuit filed by Mattel was ultimately dismissed by the lower courts, with this dismissal upheld and a certiorari petition denied by the Supreme Court of the United States.[41]
In 2002, a Court of Appeals ruled that the song was protected as a parody[42] 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 thus: "The parties are advised to chill."[43] The case was dismissed.
In 2009, as part of a marketing strategy to revive sales, Mattel released a series of advertisements and a promotional music video featuring the song, with modified lyrics.[44][45] In 2023, with the global release of the Mattel-produced film Barbie (starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken), a new song entitled "Barbie World" (performed by rappers Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice) was included on the film's soundtrack.[46]
Eurovision Song Contest 2001
As the interval act during the Eurovision Song Contest 2001, Aqua performed a medley of their singles along with percussion ensemble Safri Duo.[47] There were several complaints due to the profanity used during the performance, both at the beginning and end of "Barbie Girl".[48]
Track listings
|
|
Credits
Credits are adapted from liner notes of the "Barbie Girl" CD single and Aquarium.[49][58]
- Written by Claus Norreen, Lene Nystrøm, René Dif, and Søren 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
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
All-time charts
|
Certifications and sales
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[116] | 3× Platinum | 210,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria)[117] | Platinum | 50,000* |
Belgium (BEA)[118] | 4× Platinum | 200,000* |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[119] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
France (SNEP)[120] | Diamond | 750,000* |
Germany (BVMI)[121] | Platinum | 500,000^ |
Italy | — | 100,000[122] |
Italy (FIMI)[123] sales since 2009 |
Platinum | 100,000‡ |
Netherlands (NVPI)[124] | Platinum | 75,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[125] | Platinum | 10,000* |
Norway (IFPI Norway)[126] | 2× Platinum | |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[127] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
Sweden (GLF)[128] | 3× Platinum | 90,000^ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[129] | Platinum | 50,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[34] | 4× Platinum | 2,400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[130] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000‡ |
Summaries | ||
Worldwide | — | 8,000,000[31] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref(s). |
---|---|---|---|---|
Denmark | 8 April 1997 | CD | Universal | [131] |
Europe | 14 May 1997 | [132] | ||
United States | 12 August 1997 | MCA | [133] | |
19 August 1997 |
|
[131][134] | ||
Japan | 21 August 1997 | CD | Universal | [135] |
United Kingdom | 13 October 1997 |
|
[134][136] |
Cover versions and parodies
The song has been covered by several artists over the years. Alternative metal band Faith No More covered the song live in 1997 during their Album of the Year tour.[137] Identical twin sisters Amanda and Samantha Marchant, better known as Samanda, released their cover of the song on 8 October 2007, and it entered the UK Singles Chart at number 26.[138] Girls' Generation's Jessica Jung covered this song as her solo performance during the first Asian concert tour Girls' Generation 1st Asia Tour: Into the New World. 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.[139] In 2013, Ludacris sampled the song in his single "Party Girls" featuring Wiz Khalifa, Jeremih and Cashmere Cat.[140] In 2016, Caramella Girls released a version called "Candy Girl" on iTunes,[141] as well as a YouTube music video.[142] The most recent rendition of the song was recorded by Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj, accompanied by Aqua, titled "Barbie World". The track was released as the fourth single on the official Barbie soundtrack Barbie the Album in June 2023, ahead of the film's release on 21 July 2023.[143]
There are also many parodies of the song, including a parody called "Ugly Girl", with an unverified author (often wrongly credited to "Weird Al" Yankovic, Adam Henderson, or Jack Off Jill) [citation needed]. German duo Lynne & Tessa made a lip-synched Internet video of the song in 2006, and on British Indian sketch comedy show Goodness Gracious Me, where a version titled "Punjabi Girl" was featured in the radio series and later on television, performed by Asifa Lahore.[144] 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.[145] In 2014, the song was used in the South Park episode "Cock Magic". Ava Max recorded a version with new lyrics, titled "Not Your Barbie Girl", in 2018.[146]
Kelly Key version
"Barbie Girl" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Kelly Key | ||||
from the album Kelly Key | ||||
Released | 15 August 2005[147] | |||
Recorded | 2004 | |||
Length | 3:19 | |||
Label | Warner | |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) | DJ Cuca | |||
Kelly Key singles chronology | ||||
|
In 2005, Brazilian recording artist Kelly Key recorded a version in Portuguese for her third studio album Kelly Key,[148] which was released as the album's second single on August 15, 2005.[147] Key said she loved the song and wanted to cover it as a tribute to the original, stating: "I've loved this song ever since I heard it. I made a point of recording it, without worrying about whether it was for my audience or not."[149]
Barbie Girl received generally negative reviews from music critics. Vinícius Versiani Durães of IMHO felt it was humorous and would later become a hit.[150][better source needed] Marcos Paulo Bin of Universo Musical commented that the song was significantly different from her previous releases, which were known for explicit lyrics, but ultimately give it a positive review.[149] Rodrigo Ortega of Pilula Pop said Barbie Girl was sensational and funny, calling it the best song on the album. He also stated that Key should have released Escuta Aqui Rapaz as her first single because "the song was boring", but "Barbie Girl" saved the album.[151] Carlos Eduardo Lima of Scream & Yell said the song was "childish, silly and boring" and killed Kelly Key's status as a sex symbol.[152]
The music video for "Barbie Girl" was directed by Ricardo Vereza, Bidu Madio, Rentz and Mauricio Eça. It was filmed on August 17 and August 18, later premiering on August 30.[153] The video features Key playing a determined and feminist woman.[154]
A YouTube video of Czech model Dominika Myslivcová lip syncing to the song became a viral video worldwide. Due to its success, it has often been wrongly attributed to Myslivcová.[155]
Track listing
- "Barbie Girl" – 3:20
- "Barbie Girl" (Cuca Mix) – 5:12
- "Barbie Girl" (Music video) – 3:23
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
Brazil | 15 August 2005 | Mainstream radio[147] | Warner Music |
References in media
Environmental movements, like Fridays for Future, when trying to bring attention to the heavy amounts of plastic thrown by humans into the seas, have referred the song lyrics in their slogans with the words "Life in plastic is not fantastic".[156]
In 2022, British singer Tom Aspaul named his album Life in Plastic after a line from the song.[157]
References
- ^ "Aqua Greatest Hits Tour | The Powerstation". www.powerstation.net.nz. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
- ^ "The 100 Greatest Pop Songs of 1997: Critic's Picks". Billboard. 29 June 2017.
- ^ Molanphy, Chris (29 September 2017). "The Great War Against the Single Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ a b c "The 500 Best Pop Songs: Staff List". Billboard. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 4 October 1997. p. 30. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ a b Hyman, James (13 September 1997). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in RM (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 4. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Aquarium – Aqua". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
- ^ Myers, Justin (23 June 2016). "EU referendum special: The biggest selling singles by European acts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
- ^ Aqua: the official book. [S.l.]: Back Stage Watson-Guptill. 1998. p. 38. ISBN 9780823078486.
- ^ Ewing, Tom. "Aqua – "Barbie Girl"". Freakytrigger. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
- ^ a b c Jones, Stephen (30 August 1997). "Aqua — Europop Success Looks To UK" (PDF). Music Week. p. 14. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ Crowe, Jerry (6 September 1997). "Mattel Protests the Image Portrayed in 'Barbie Girl'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
- ^ Johnny, Mosegaard; Claus, Norreen; Lene, Nystrom; Karsten, Dahlgaard; Soren, Rasted; Rene, Dif (22 October 2000). "Barbie Girl". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ Frey, Angelica (7 August 2023). "'Critics wanted us to be a one-hit-wonder': back in Barbie world with Aqua". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ "BPM and key for Barbie Girl by Aqua | Tempo for Barbie Girl". Song BPM. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ "Why We Won't Hear "Barbie Girl" in Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie'". Collider. 18 April 2023.
- ^ Miller, Max (26 September 2022). "Aqua Breaks Their Silence About Barbie Girl's Exclusion From Greta Gerwig's Upcoming Film". Looper.
- ^ Flick, Larry (16 August 1997). "Single Reviews: New & Noteworthy" (PDF). Billboard. p. 62. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
- ^ "Chart Slot; Top 10 Singles". Daily Record. 9 January 1998.
- ^ Browne, David (17 October 1997). "Album Review: 'Aquarium'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
- ^ Helligar, Jeremy (15 August 1997). "Barbie Girl". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ Courtney, Kevin (17 October 1997). "Single Of The Week". Irish Times.
- ^ "Picks and Pans Review: Aquarium". People. 3 November 1997. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- ^ "Best songs from the '90s". Insider. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ "Review: "Aquarium" by Aqua (CD, 1997)". Pop Rescue. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- ^ "VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders". List Challenges. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ Unterberger, Andrew (29 June 2017). "The 100 Greatest Pop Songs of 1997: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Stopera, Matt; Galindo, Brian (11 March 2017). "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
- ^ "50 Rhythms of Eurodance". MTV 90s via YouTube. July 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ "MTV 90s - Top 50 Rhythms of Eurodance". IMDb. 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Aqua's 'Barbie Girl': Worst Song of the '90s?". SodaHead.com. 7 September 2011. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ a b "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 23. 7 June 1997. p. 19. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
- ^ ""Barbie Girl", UK Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
- ^ a b "British single certifications – Aqua – Barbie Girl". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ Eriksen, Jan (28 August 1997). "Ind på toppen i USA" [In at the top in the US]. BT (in Danish). Copenhagen.
- ^ "Aqua". IMVDb.
- ^ "Aqua – Barbie Girl". YouTube. 20 August 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
- ^ Greene, Andy (1 April 2022). "'People Probably Want to Kill Us': The Oral History of Aqua's 'Barbie Girl'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
- ^ "Aqua Now Faces Lawsuit Over 'Barbie Girl'". MTV News. 12 September 1997. Archived from the original on 10 June 2007. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
- ^ "Supreme Court rejects ugly fight over Barbie doll". CNN. 27 January 2003. Archived from the original on 27 March 2007. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
- ^ "Mattel Inc v. MCA Records et. al". OpenJurist. US (537): 1171. 2003.
- ^ Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc., 510 U.S. 569 (1994)
- ^ "Barbie loses battle over bimbo image". BBC News. 25 July 2002. Archived from the original on 6 July 2007. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
- ^ "The Barbie Music Video". Mattel. 25 August 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
- ^ Elliott, Stuart (26 August 2009). "Years Later, Mattel Embraces Barbie Girl". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice Will Unite For A 'Barbie Girl' Remake". UPROXX. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ^ Bakker, Sietse (22 December 2009). "The end of a decade: Copenhagen 2001". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
- ^ "Aqua – Eurovision 2001 Performance". 5 November 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2018 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b Barbie Girl (Danish & European CD single liner notes). Aqua. Universal Records. 1997. UMD 85021.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Barbie Girl (Danish & European cassette single sleeve). Aqua. Universal Records. 1997. UMC 80413.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Barbie Girl (UK CD1 liner notes). Aqua. Universal Records. 1997. UMD 80413.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Barbie Girl (UK CD2 liner notes). Aqua. Universal Records. 1997. UMDX 80413.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Barbie Girl (US CD single liner notes). Aqua. MCA Records. 1997. MCADS-55392.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Barbie Girl (US cassette single sleeve). Aqua. MCA Records. 1997. MCACS-55392.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Barbie Girl (US, Canadian & Australian maxi-CD single liner notes). Aqua. MCA Records. 1997. MCADM-55393.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Barbie Girl (US 12-inch single sleeve). Aqua. MCA Records. 1997. MCA12-55393.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Barbie Girl (Tiësto Remix) – Single by Aqua & Tiësto". Apple Music. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
- ^ Aquarium (liner notes). Aqua. Universal Records. UMD 85020.
{{cite AV media}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Aqua – Barbie Girl". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Aqua – Barbie Girl" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Aqua – Barbie Girl" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Aqua – Barbie Girl" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3335." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3344." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- ^ "Aqua Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 46. 15 November 1997. p. 25. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- ^ "Aqua: Barbie Girl" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Aqua – Barbie Girl" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Aqua – Barbie Girl" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
- ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. 13 December 1997. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (26.06.1997 – 02.07.1997)" (PDF) (in Icelandic). Dagblaðið Vísir – Tónlist. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 June 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Barbie Girl". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Classifica settimanale WK 49 (dal 28.11.1997 al 04.12.1997)" (in Italian). FIMI. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 38, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Aqua – Barbie Girl" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
- ^ "Aqua – Barbie Girl". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Aqua – Barbie Girl". VG-lista. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- ^ "Aqua – Barbie Girl". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Aqua – Barbie Girl". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ "Aqua Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Aqua Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Aqua Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Aqua Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Aqua Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Aqua Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ "1997 Australian Singles Chart". aria. Archived from the original on 12 September 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
- ^ "1997 Austrian Singles Chart". Austriancharts. Archived from the original on 14 June 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
- ^ "1997 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart". Ultratop. Archived from the original on 26 June 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
- ^ "1997 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart". Ultratop. Archived from the original on 26 June 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
- ^ "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- ^ "RPM '97 Year End Top 50 Dance Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- ^ "1997 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- ^ "1997 French Singles Chart". Snep. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
- ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
- ^ "Árslistinn 1997 – Íslenski Listinn – 100 Vinsælustu Lögin". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 January 1998. p. 25. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Single top 100 over 1997" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 December 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1997" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- ^ "New Zealand End of Year Chart 1997". The Official NZ Music Chart. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
- ^ "Romanian Top 100 Singles Airplay – Top of the Year 1997" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 22 January 2005. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 1997" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- ^ "1997 Swiss Singles Chart". Hitparade. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
- ^ "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week. 17 January 1998. p. 27.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1997". Archived from the original on 11 June 2009. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
- ^ "The Year in Music 1997: Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 52. 27 December 1997. p. YE-45.
- ^ "Best of '97: Rhythmic Top 40 Singles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 5, no. 52. 26 December 1997. p. 42.
- ^ "Best of '97: Top 40/Mainstream Singles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 5, no. 52. 26 December 1997. p. 38.
- ^ "1998 French Singles Chart". Snep. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
- ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1998" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- ^ "1998 Swiss Singles Chart". Hitparade. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
- ^ "Ultratop Nineties 500: 1–50". Ultratop (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- ^ "The UK's biggest selling singles of all time". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
- ^ "Austrian single certifications – Aqua – Barbie Girl" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
- ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1998". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Aqua". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ "French single certifications – Aqua" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Aqua; 'Barbie')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
- ^ "Barbie dalle mille vite". la Stampa. 30 January 1998. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Aqua – Barbie Girl" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ "Dutch single certifications – Aqua – Barbie Girl" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 20 November 2019. Enter Barbie Girl in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1997 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Aqua – Barbie Girl". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
- ^ "Spanish single certifications – Aqua – Barbie Girl". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Barbie Girl')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
- ^ "American single certifications – Aqua – Barbie Girl". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
- ^ a b Sandiford-Waller, Theda (16 August 1997). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 33. p. 82.
'Barbie Girl' [...] was released as a single in April in Denmark. The stateside commercial single arrives at retail Aug. 19.
- ^ Mackelden, Amy (14 May 2017). "9 'Barbie Girl' Lyrics That Are More Controversial Than You Remember". Bustle.
- ^ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1209. 8 August 1997. pp. 36, 42.
- ^ a b Ferro, Charles (6 September 1997). "Universal Denmark Act Aqua Makes Global Smash". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 36. p. 127 – via Google Books.
- ^ "愛しのバービー・ガール | アクア" [Dear Barbie Girl | Aqua] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 11 October 1997. p. 29.
- ^ "FAITH NO MORE a comprehensive list of COVERS and AD LIBS". 4 February 2019.
- ^ "Samanda | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
- ^ "Loke tvättar Aquas Barbie girl! – Morgonpasset helg". Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ Spadine, Richard (12 February 2018). "Ludacris ft. Jeremih & Wiz Khalifa – Party Girls". DJBooth.
- ^ Candy Girl – Single https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/candy-girl-single/id1070886422
- ^ Caramella Girls – Candy Girl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQxiDLW2g9c
- ^ "Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice Revive Aqua's Hit With 'Barbie World'". Rolling Stone. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- ^ "BBC Asian Network – Mim Shaikh, Asifa Lahore, "I'm a Punjabi girl, in a Punjabi world"". BBC. 11 August 2016.
- ^ "Eat Lamb This Australia Day". YouTube. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
- ^ "Ava Max is on top of the charts and feeling top of the world". Irish Examiner. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
- ^ a b c "Kelly Key – Barbie Girl". discogs. 15 August 2005. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
- ^ "Kelly Key participa de quadro do programa Zorra Total" [Kelly Key participates in the program Zorra Total]. OFuxico (in Brazilian Portuguese). 12 July 2014. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
- ^ a b "De olho no prazo de validade". Universo Musical. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
- ^ "Bomba! "Novo" sucesso da Kelly Key". IMHO. 8 August 2005. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016.
- ^ "Sim, ela teve a audácia". Pílula Pop. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2007.
- ^ Lima, Carlos Eduardo. "Estou preocupado com Kelly Key". Scream and Yell (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 8 August 2007.
- ^ "5 Recriações Musicais Genuinamente Brasileiras". Pseudo Nerds. 12 July 2014. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
- ^ "KELLY KEY – New ALBUM IS COMING". Musica Sim. 12 July 2014. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011.
- ^ "Conheça Dominika Myslivcová, a Barbie Girl do Youtube!". News e você. 17 April 2015. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015.
- ^ Tadini, Chiara (24 May 2019). ""Agiamo ora o nuotiamo poi?": in piazza per salvare il pianeta con i 'Fridays for Future'" ["Do we act now or swim later?": on the streets to save the planet with 'Fridays for Future'] (in Italian). Ravenna Today. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
- ^ Lewis, Isobel (22 May 2022). "Tom Aspaul: 'I'm trying to learn to be less concerned about what people think'". The Independent. Retrieved 13 October 2022.