It's been 25 years since Danish-Norwegian Europop group Aqua released the gaudy, anthemic, helium-powered "Barbie Girl" in 1997 — and with Greta Gerwig's internet-breaking live-action Barbie movie in the works, what better time for a cultural collision that seems too inevitable to avoid?
Except it's not happening; "Barbie Girl" will not be featured in the wash of pink that is the Barbie film, which stars Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's beefy Ken, the giggle-scream-inducing Simu Liu, Michael Cera, Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, Alexandra Shipp, America Ferrera, Emma Mackey and Kingsley Ben-Adir. But Aqua don't seem to mind not being included in that roster.
In a new interview with Variety, the novelty hitmakers addressed the decision, which perhaps isn't that surprising since Mattel sued them in the '90s (and lost), but it's still markedly disappointing for the lovers of excess among us.
Unperturbed, singer Lene Nystrøm hypothesizes that including the song in the movie would have been a little too on-the-nose — or, as she put it, "cheese on cheese." (Okay, but cheese is delicious?)
Despite Gerwig's cinematic take on the iconic Barbie universe being decidedly unsubtle, Aqua are still able to poke fun at the situation. "We should say we turned it down," former frosted tips-haver Søren Rasted chimed in. "Ryan Gosling is not good enough!"
"I totally understand why they didn't use it," Nystrøm continued, "but it's going to bring us a lot of attention, no matter what."
Having released the 25th anniversary reissue of their debut album Aquarium last week and with plans to get out on tour, the timing couldn't be more perfect.
Nystrøm added: "A good melody never dies, it just keeps on giving. And 'Barbie Girl' is a perfect example of that."
Change into your highlighter-hued latex and dial into your Ken-ergy by refreshing your memory on the iconic camp of the "Barbie Girl" video below.
Except it's not happening; "Barbie Girl" will not be featured in the wash of pink that is the Barbie film, which stars Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's beefy Ken, the giggle-scream-inducing Simu Liu, Michael Cera, Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, Alexandra Shipp, America Ferrera, Emma Mackey and Kingsley Ben-Adir. But Aqua don't seem to mind not being included in that roster.
In a new interview with Variety, the novelty hitmakers addressed the decision, which perhaps isn't that surprising since Mattel sued them in the '90s (and lost), but it's still markedly disappointing for the lovers of excess among us.
Unperturbed, singer Lene Nystrøm hypothesizes that including the song in the movie would have been a little too on-the-nose — or, as she put it, "cheese on cheese." (Okay, but cheese is delicious?)
Despite Gerwig's cinematic take on the iconic Barbie universe being decidedly unsubtle, Aqua are still able to poke fun at the situation. "We should say we turned it down," former frosted tips-haver Søren Rasted chimed in. "Ryan Gosling is not good enough!"
"I totally understand why they didn't use it," Nystrøm continued, "but it's going to bring us a lot of attention, no matter what."
Having released the 25th anniversary reissue of their debut album Aquarium last week and with plans to get out on tour, the timing couldn't be more perfect.
Nystrøm added: "A good melody never dies, it just keeps on giving. And 'Barbie Girl' is a perfect example of that."
Change into your highlighter-hued latex and dial into your Ken-ergy by refreshing your memory on the iconic camp of the "Barbie Girl" video below.
