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'BARBIE GIRL' | One of the top songs of the year in 1997, "Barbie Girl" by Europop group Aqua, declared the whole world belonged to Barbie. "I'm a Barbie girl in a Barbie world. Life in plastic, it's fantastic." With other sexualized lyrics, the verified hit called out the dangerous gender norms and standards Barbie perpetuated. As can be expected, the critical undertones and sexual overtones of the song and accompanying music video did not fit well with the family-friendly Barbie brand. Mattel sued MCA Records and the song's producers for defamation. Through various appeals, the case rose all the way up to the Supreme Court where justices declined to hear Mattel's case.
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‘BARBIE GIRL’ | One of the top songs of the year in 1997, “Barbie Girl” by Europop group Aqua, declared the whole world belonged to Barbie. “I’m a Barbie girl in a Barbie world. Life in plastic, it’s fantastic.” With other sexualized lyrics, the verified hit called out the dangerous gender norms and standards Barbie perpetuated. As can be expected, the critical undertones and sexual overtones of the song and accompanying music video did not fit well with the family-friendly Barbie brand. Mattel sued MCA Records and the song’s producers for defamation. Through various appeals, the case rose all the way up to the Supreme Court where justices declined to hear Mattel’s case.
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Barbie bears no introduction. You know her. Or at least a version of her from your youth, or your child’s or your next-door neighbor’s. And if you know her, you almost certainly have an opinion of her. Over 61 years, 200 jobs and some very public missteps, Barbie has grown to represent not just one sort of woman but the limitless potential of all children who style her hair or swap her outfits. From Ruth Handler’s home to millions more, Barbara Millicent Roberts has cemented her place in the cultural zeitgeist. After all, it’s a Barbie world.