Danish-Norwegian Europop band Aqua released their first album, Aquarium, in April 1997. The same month they released their third single off the album, “Barbie Girl.”
“Barbie Girl” was an immediate hit and shot up the charts. It hit #1 in over 15 countries including Australia, Canada and the UK. In the USA it peaked at #7. Along with the popularity came controversy and in Septmeber 1997 Mattel, the makers of Barbie, sued MCA Records and Aqua for Trademark infringement.
Mattel claimed the the song turned Barbie into a sex object and ruined her reputation. Aqua counter sued for defamation. Mattel lost the initial court battle and appealed all the way to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court rejected the case and the lower Court of Appeals ruled against Mattel saying the song fell under parody and fair-use. The judge also threw out Aqua’s counter suit and his ruling concluded saying “The parties are advised to chill.”
The new Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling hits theaters today in the USA and Aqua’s “Barbie Girl” isn’t part of the soundtrack. It seems like the perfect song for a Barbie movie. Maybe Mattel is still hurt about losing the court battle all those years ago.
While I encourage everyone to listen to Aqua’s version of the song, which is at the end of this post, you are here for the medieval and I offer you Bardcore.
Bardcore is a musical genre that gained popularity in 2020. The genre takes popular songs and remixes them with medieval instruments.
The Bardcore group put out a medieval inspired version of “Barbie Girl” just in time for the new movie. It’s a great rendition of the original song.
Enjoy the medieval inspired version of “Barbie Girl” and follow Bardcore on Twitter (@TheBardcore) so you don’t miss any of their songs.
