10 Songs That Give Major Barbie Energy, From "Barbie Girl" to "Malibu"
:upscale()/2023/07/20/874/n/1922283/176d6ef264b991feccb562.72568112_.jpg)
If there's one thing people will remember about 2023, it's Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" movie. The film, which hits theaters on July 21, has been making headlines all summer due to its over-the-top marketing. From colorful character posters and a Barbie-themed Xbox to a real-life Barbie Dreamhouse and Barbie hotel, the team behind the movie haven't been playing around. Margot Robbie has also been flaunting so many iconic "Barbie" looks while doing press for the film. To top it all off, "Barbie" has brought together some of the biggest artists around the world to feature on its movie soundtrack.
Since Barbie is such a well-known figure, Gerwig told The Hollywood Reporter that she felt pressured about bringing the doll to the big screen. "It felt like vertigo, starting to write it, like: 'Where do you even begin, and what would be the story?' And I think it was that feeling I had was knowing that it would be really interesting terror," she said. "Usually that's where the best stuff is, where you're like, 'I am terrified of that.' Anything where you're like, 'This could be a career-ender' — then you're like, 'I should probably do it.'"
In a July 9 interview with The Guardian, Gerwig explained that although the movie centers on a doll, it ultimately tells a story "about being human." The theme is hinted at throughout the film's trailers, as well as the songs featured on "Barbie: The Album."
If you've already listened to the soundtrack, scroll through the slideshow for even more Barbie songs.
"Barbie Girl" by Aqua
Aqua's 1997 single "Barbie Girl" will never go out of style. More than two decades since its release, people still know all of the words to the song because it's just that iconic.
"Backwoods Barbie" by Dolly Parton
While Dolly Parton is a real-life Barbie with her blond hair and glamorous outfits, in her 2008 single "Backwoods Barbie," the country singer reveals there was once a time her iconic look was only just a dream to her. "I grew up poor and ragged, just a simple country girl. I wanted to be pretty more than anything in the world," she sings on the track.
"Not Your Barbie Girl" by Ava Max
In her 2018 single "Not Your Barbie Girl," Ava Max puts a spin on Aqua's original "Barbie Girl" by changing the song to an empowering anthem about consent. Throughout the lyrics, the star reminds potential partners they can't touch her unless she gives them permission. "You can't touch me there. You can't touch my body unless I say so. Ain't your Barbie," she sings.
"Malibu" by Kim Petras
Kim Petras's 2020 single "Malibu" may as well be the theme song for Malibu Barbie. The track is the perfect summer single with cute lyrics like, "It's all been beachy since you came crashing in and all your kisses taste like Malibu."
"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper's 1983 single "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" has Barbie written all over it with its catchy beat and feel-good lyrics. It totally sounds like something you'd hear playing at the Barbie Dreamhouse in an all-pink world.
"Plastic Doll" by Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga's "Plastic Doll" is all about Barbie wanting to find her Ken. However, Gaga urges the boy who falls for her not to play with her feelings like a toy. "I'm bouncing off the walls / No-no-no, I'm not your plastic doll," she sings on the track.
"Like a Girl" by Lizzo
You know how the "Barbie" movie's tagline is "She's everything. He's just Ken"? Well, that's basically the theme behind Lizzo's "Like a Girl," since it's about not needing a man to make her happy. "Only exes that I care about are in my f*cking chromosomes," she sings. "I don't really need you, I'm Macaulay Culkin home alone."
"Wrap Me in Plastic" by Momoland and Chromance
Momoland and Chromance's hit collaboration "Wrap Me in Plastic" is about wanting to be treated like a Barbie. Throughout the song, the K-pop group sing about wanting to find a partner who will take them out shopping for shoes and then come home to play "dollhouse." "Let me be your fantasy, play with me. I wanna be your girl," they sing.
"Primadonna" by Marina and the Diamonds
Barbie is the ultimate girl boss who can do anything. "Primadonna" by Marina and the Diamonds exudes that same energy since it's all about knowing your worth and never settling for less. "When you give, I want more, more, more. I wanna be adored," Marina sings on the track.
"Barbie World" by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice (With Aqua)
Of course, we couldn't end this list without including a Nicki Minaj song, since her fans are literally called Barbz. The rapper collaborated with Ice Spice to release a new version of Aqua's "Barbie World." While their song features snippets of the original track, their remix also includes new lyrics about being the ultimate It girl. "We got money, but we ain't lendin' out. We got bars, but we ain't bailin' out. In that pink Ferrari, we peelin' out," the duo rap during the first verse.