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For our class assignment we had to find a song from popular culture dealing with gender, race or ethnicity. I showed "I'm A Barbie Girl" from Aqua and talked a bit about it, but wanted to elaborate on here. I have to admit I never played with Barbies as a child. It was just not something we had at our house. My two sisters and I had plenty of other dolls and toys, but never got into the Barbie-thing. I also have to admit that I have this song on my iPod and at times actually like listening to it. It is quite upbeat, until you pay attention to the words and the intended audience of the song.

Singing about how you can undress her everywhere and she can beg on her knees just makes me question who came up with these lyrics and thought this was a good idea or in any way appropriate associating them with a very popular toy for young girls. It just promotes outer appearance, materialism and being an object for men.

Other classmates brought in some more excellent examples. I think a lot of us listen to music without paying too much attention to lyrics and meaning, making songs popular that really should not be. We should pay more attention to things like that, because people get things stuck in their heads and think maybe because it is in a song and so many people are approving of it (by buying the record instead of speaking up about it), it is okay to think that way about women, etc. This can spiral out of control really quickly...

Aqua Aquarium (1997) Barbie Girl - Hi Barbie! - Hi Ken! - You wanna go for a ride? - Sure, Ken! - Jump in! - Ha ha ha ha! I'm a Barbie girl in the Barbie world Life in plastic, it's fantastic You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere Imagination, life is your creation Come on, Barbie, let's go party I'm a Barbie girl in the Barbie world Life in plastic, it's fantastic You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere Imagination, life is your creation I'm a blonde single girl in the fantasy world Dress me up, take your time, I'm your dollie You're my doll, rock and roll, feel the glamour and pain Kiss me here, touch me there, hanky-panky You can touch, you can play You can say I'm always yours, oooh whoa I'm a Barbie girl in the Barbie world Life in plastic, it's fantastic You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere Imagination, life is your creation Come on, Barbie, let's go party, ha ha ha, yeah Come on, Barbie, let's go party, oooh, oooh Come on, Barbie, let's go party, ha ha ha, yeah Come on, Barbie, let's go party, oooh, oooh Make me walk, make me talk, do whatever you please I can act like a star, I can beg on my knees Come jump in, be my friend, let us do it again Hit the town, fool around, let's go party You can touch, you can play You can say I'm always yours You can touch, you can play You can say I'm always yours Come on, Barbie, let's go party, ha ha ha, yeah Come on, Barbie, let's go party, oooh, oooh Come on, Barbie, let's go party, ha ha ha, yeah Come on, Barbie, let's go party, oooh, oooh I'm a Barbie girl in the Barbie world Life in plastic, it's fantastic You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere Imagination, life is your creation I'm a Barbie girl in the Barbie world Life in plastic, it's fantastic You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere Imagination, life is your creation Come on, Barbie, let's go party, ha ha ha, yeah Come on, Barbie, let's go party, oooh, oooh Come on, Barbie, let's go party, ha ha ha, yeah Come on, Barbie, let's go party, oooh, oooh - Oh, I'm having so much fun! - Well, Barbie, we're just getting started! - Oh, I love you Ken!