New Barbie movie won’t include original Barbie Girl song and I’m glad

OPINION

Dua Lipa has written a new song for the upcoming Barbie movie with Margot Robbie. Photo / Vogue

Hiya, Barbie 

Hi, Ken 

You wanna go for a ride? 

No, Ken 

Oh? 

Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated film version of Barbie is coming out on July 21st, with Barbie played by Australian Margot Robbie and Ken played by Ryan Gosling. 

The famous Barbie Girl song, made in 1997 by the band Aqua, will not be included in the film.  

Instead, popstar Dua Lipa created a new lead song for the movie, and I pray it will replace the old song in our minds.  

When I was a kid, I loved watching the Barbie Girl music video and singing along, but I can see how it won’t work today.  

Remember these lyrics? “I'm a blonde bimbo girl in a fantasy world. Dress me up, make me tight, I'm your dolly.”  

Now that the lyrics don’t go straight over my head with the fun melody, it’s not so hidden that Aqua was describing Barbie as a sex object.  

The Daily Mail confirmed Dua Lipa would be the one to record the main song for the film Barbie, a brand-new melody as the official theme song of the iconic Barbie doll.  

It’s nice to know we have evolved from the original song since I was a six-years-old, dancing along in my tutu and tiara.  

The kids of today will soon have a new and improved theme song for their beloved Barbie dolls. Hopefully one that doesn’t include misogynistic references.  

In a Variety interview with members of Aqua, the lead singer Lene Nystrøm said using Barbie Girl in the new movie would be too "cheese on cheese". 

"I totally understand why they didn't use it," Nystrøm said, "but it's going to bring us a lot of attention, no matter what."  

Keyboardist Søren Rasted joked about it, saying, "We should say we turned it down. Ryan Gosling is not good enough.” 

However, some fans suspect the real reason Barbie Girl was not included in the soundtrack was because of a lawsuit in 1997.  

When Aqua’s song became a hit, the doll brand Mattel sued the band over them referring to Barbie as a “blonde bimbo”. 

Aqua attempted to minimise the backlash by releasing a statement saying, “The song Barbie Girl is a social comment and was not created or approved by the makers of the doll.”  

Mattel then decided to file 11 claims against the company Aqua was signed with, MCA Records.  

Mattel felt Aqua had tarnished the Barbie image by sexualising her, as well as the song violating trademark and copyright laws.  

The record company filed a defamation counterclaim against Mattel. After almost five years, Mattel’s lawsuit was dismissed, and the song was protected as a parody.  

Whether Barbie Girl isn’t being included because it’s offensive, or because of the 1997 lawsuit, I’m just glad it won’t be there. Period.