Aqua's Barbie Girl might not be as fun as we remember.
Incredibly Dark Meaning Behind The Lyrics Of Aqua's Barbie Girl
In the total mix of hit songs that filled many school dances in the '90s and early '00s, we can't forget to mention those catchy S Club 7 tunes, 'The Ketchup Song', 'Macarena', and 'Cha Cha Slide'. Included in this playlist is Aqua's 'Barbie Girl', of course.
The song from 1997 has become a classic for many and always manages to bring back waves of nostalgia starting from the moment we hear "Hiya, Barbie".
However, what might have been a fun song to sing along to as children might reveal a darker meaning to adults upon closer inspection of the lyrics.
Just taking a moment to read through those lyrics will strip away any remnants of the fun, colorful world of Barbie brought back to life by Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.
We're all pretty familiar with the lyrics by now, but let's dive into that catchy chorus once more:
"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."
When you stop to think about it, the implications of these lyrics can seem a bit unsettling, right?
Ideally, Barbie is describing a happy, loving scenario with a similarly-aged Ken, and that's great if it's the case.
However, it's crucial to remember this is intended as a children's song, and yet, Barbie is suggesting someone 'undress her everywhere'.
Consider the millions of children worldwide singing 'undress me everywhere' – it's a bit alarming, isn't it?
If the song hadn't reached such monumental popularity and become an anthem for countless children, perhaps it wouldn't be so concerning.
Yet, this track has garnered over a billion views on YouTube and countless streams on Spotify.
Moving on to another part of the song: "I'm a blond bimbo girl in a fantasy world.
"Dress me up, make it tight, I'm your dolly. Kiss me here, touch me there, hanky panky."
The use of 'bimbo' here is already problematic, and it's best we don't delve into the possible interpretations of the next line.
Then Barbie continues: "Make me walk, make me talk, do whatever you please. I can act like a star, I can beg on my knees."
For anyone who hasn't figured it out, Barbie is essentially saying Ken can do whatever he wants with her.
It's clear why these lyrics might be considered inappropriate for a children's song.
And then Ken chimes in: "Come jump in, bimbo friend, let us do it again. Hit the town, fool around, let's go party."
'Bimbo friend'? Really, no further comment needed. The final lyric we're examining is: "You can touch. You can play."
If this discussion has spoiled any of your fond childhood memories, we truly apologize.