If you are a fan of Barbie, you probably know that there is a new live-action movie coming out in 2023, starring Margot Robbie as the iconic doll and Ryan Gosling as her love interest Ken. The movie, directed by Greta Gerwig and written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, is based on the Barbie fashion dolls by Mattel and promises to be a fun and fresh take on the classic toy franchise
But if you are also a fan of Aqua, the Danish pop group that rose to fame in the late 90s with their catchy and colorful songs, you might be wondering why their most famous hit, Barbie Girl, wasn’t included in the movie soundtrack. After all, the song is a tribute to Barbie and her world, with lyrics like “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”
The song was released in 1997 as part of Aqua’s debut album Aquarium and became an instant success worldwide, reaching number one in several countries and selling over 8 million copies. It also sparked controversy for its sexual innuendos and its portrayal of gender stereotypes, leading to a lawsuit from Mattel, who claimed that the song violated their trademark and damaged their reputation. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2002 by a judge who ruled that the song was protected by the First Amendment as a parody.
So why didn’t the song make it to the movie soundtrack? Well, there are several possible reasons for that. Here are some of them:
The song doesn’t fit the tone or theme of the movie
According to the official synopsis of the movie, Barbie suffers a crisis that leads her to question her world and her existence. She then embarks on a journey of self-discovery that takes her to different places and realities, where she meets different versions of herself and learns to embrace her uniqueness.
The movie is described as a fantasy comedy with elements of romance and adventure, but also as a subversive and feminist story that challenges the conventional expectations of Barbie and her role in society. The movie aims to celebrate diversity, individuality, and empowerment, while also poking fun at some of the clichés and stereotypes associated with Barbie.
The song Barbie Girl, on the other hand, is a bubblegum pop song that plays with the idea of Barbie as a blonde bimbo girl in a fantasy world, who is happy to be dressed up, made up, and controlled by her male counterpart Ken. The song is meant to be ironic and humorous, but it also reinforces some of the negative stereotypes that Mattel has been trying to overcome for decades. The song doesn’t reflect the complexity or depth of Barbie’s character or journey in the movie, nor does it match the tone or theme of the movie.
The song is too old or too overplayed
Another possible reason why the song wasn’t included in the movie soundtrack is that it is too old or too overplayed. The song was released 26 years ago, which means that it might not appeal to younger audiences who are not familiar with it or who might find it outdated or cheesy. The song might also be too overexposed or overused for older audiences who have heard it countless times on radio stations, TV shows, commercials, or other media platforms. The song might have lost its novelty or impact over time.
The movie soundtrack might have opted for newer or more original songs that could better capture the attention and interest of modern viewers. The movie soundtrack might have also wanted to avoid any comparisons or associations with previous Barbie movies or products that used the song or similar songs. The movie soundtrack might have wanted to create its own identity and style that could distinguish it from other Barbie-related media.
The song is too expensive or too difficult to license
A third possible reason why the song wasn’t included in the movie soundtrack is that it was too expensive or too difficult to license. The song is owned by Universal Music Group, one of the largest music companies in the world, which means that it might have high licensing fees or strict conditions for its use. The song might also have legal complications or restrictions due to its history of litigation with Mattel or other parties. The song might require approval from multiple parties involved in its creation or distribution, such as Aqua themselves, their producers, their publishers, their managers, etc.
The movie soundtrack might have decided that it was not worth spending money or time on acquiring the rights to use the song, especially if there were other alternatives or options available. The movie soundtrack might have also faced challenges or conflicts with Warner Bros. Pictures, the studio that distributes the movie, or with Mattel, the company that owns the Barbie brand, regarding the use of the song. The movie soundtrack might have preferred to avoid any potential legal issues or controversies that could arise from using the song.
Mattel Vs Aqua Lawsuit
The fight between Mattel and Aqua for the song Barbie Girl started in 1997, when Mattel sued MCA Records, Aqua’s American record label, for trademark infringement and defamation. Mattel claimed that the song violated their trademark of Barbie and turned her into a sex object, referring to her as a “blonde bimbo”. Mattel also alleged that the song confused consumers into thinking that Mattel endorsed or sponsored the song.
Aqua defended their song as a parody and a social commentary on the unrealistic and oppressive image of Barbie. They argued that the song was protected by the First Amendment and the fair use doctrine. They also counter-sued Mattel for defamation, after Mattel compared them to a bank robber.
The case went to the United States District Court for the Central District of California, where Judge Alex Kozinski dismissed Mattel’s claims and ruled in favor of Aqua. He held that the song was a parody and a nominative use of the trademark, and that it did not dilute or tarnish the reputation of Barbie. He also dismissed Aqua’s counterclaim as frivolous. He concluded his ruling by saying, “The parties are advised to chill.”
Mattel appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, but the court affirmed the lower court’s decision in 2002. Mattel then sought certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States, but their petition was denied in 2003. The case was finally closed after six years of litigation.
Conclusion
These are some of the possible reasons why Barbie Girl by Aqua wasn’t in the Barbie 2023 movie soundtrack. Of course, there might be other reasons that we don’t know about, or maybe there is no specific reason at all. Maybe the song was considered but ultimately rejected, or maybe it was never considered in the first place. Maybe the song will be used in a different way or in a different context in the movie, or maybe it will be referenced or acknowledged in some form. Maybe the song will be included in a future sequel or spin-off of the movie, or maybe it will remain forever separate from the movie.
Whatever the case may be, we can still enjoy both the song and the movie as independent works of art that celebrate Barbie and her world in different ways. We can also appreciate the diversity and creativity of both Aqua and Greta Gerwig as artists who have given us their own interpretations and visions of Barbie and her culture. We can also respect and support their artistic choices and decisions, even if we don’t agree with them or understand them.
We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about Barbie Girl by Aqua and the Barbie 2023 movie. If you did, please share it with your friends and family who might also be interested in this topic. And if you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. We would love to hear from you.
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