International Day of the Girl Child
This week, Jim’s Song Lyric Sunday prompt is to choose a song that mentions girls.
And since today is also International Day of the Girl Child, celebrating girls’ rights, opportunities and futures, the prompt has an extra special meaning.
There are so many songs I could have chosen.
I considered One Direction’s Girl Almighty, but then my mind wandered back to 1997, to a colourful Danish-Norwegian group, and to two little children who thought they were pop stars.
Yes, we’re going to Barbie World!
Aqua — Barbie Girl (1997)
If you were around in the late 1990s, you probably remember this song.
And if you don’t, there’s a good chance you’ve heard it somewhere since!
Barbie Girl was released in 1997 by the Danish-Norwegian group Aqua, featuring Lene Nystrøm, René Dif, Søren Rasted and Claus Norreen.
The song appeared on their debut album, Aquarium, and was written by all four members.
With its catchy Eurodance rhythm, playful voices, colourful music video and exaggerated Barbie-and-Ken world, it became an international sensation.
It reached No. 1 in Norway, the UK and several other countries. In Britain, it spent four weeks at the top of the singles chart and became one of the biggest-selling songs of 1997.
But beneath the colourful plastic world and infectious melody, the song also pokes fun at artificial beauty, appearances and stereotypes.
And whether people loved it or hated it, one thing was certain.
It was almost impossible to get out of your head!
By 1997, my working DJ days were already behind me.
I was a mother of two, and although music was still a huge part of my life, my audience had changed considerably.
Instead of playing records for people on a dance floor, I had a rather enthusiastic little performer at home.
My eldest son was six years old.
He had a cousin, a girl, who was only one month apart in age.
And those two absolutely loved Barbie Girl.
They would sing and lip-sync to the song together.
And yes, they had assigned themselves the appropriate roles.
My son was Ken, and his cousin was Barbie!
I can still picture them, enjoying themselves and putting on their little performances.
While Aqua was entertaining millions of people around the world, I had my very own Barbie and Ken show.
And I didn’t even have to buy a ticket!
Happy Song Lyric Sunday! 💜
And on International Day of the Girl Child, may every girl have the freedom, safety and opportunities to follow her own dreams.
With love, coffee, poetry, and stardust,
— Maggie The Afterlove Voice 💫
DJ Maggie in the house 🎧.
https://ditto.fm/arena-51-the-calima-conspiracy-original-mix
https://ditto.fm/arena-51-the-calima-conspiracy-alien-invasion-remix
My new song “Silenced,But not broken ” is on all streaming platforms.
Lyrics video :
https://ditto.fm/silenced-but-not-broken
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