The song was written by band members Søren Rasted, Claus Norreen, René Dif, and Lene Nystrøm, and was produced by the former two alongside Johnny Jam and Delgado.
The song topped the charts worldwide, particularly in European countries such as the United Kingdom, where it was a number-one hit for four weeks and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time.
A footnote on the back of the Aquarium CD case precisely stated that "The song 'Barbie Girl' is a social comment and was not created or approved by the makers of the doll.
"[12] "Barbie Girl" is written in the key of C-sharp minor,[13] using major chords and an upbeat tempo to create an effect Rasted calls "the plus and minus".
Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that "with her squeaky, high-pitched delivery, Lene Grawford Nystrøm fronts this giddy pop/dance ditty as if she were Barbie, gleefully verbalizing many of the twisted things people secretly do with the doll."
He noted that "at the same time, she effectively rants about the inherent misogyny of Barbie with a subversive hand", adding that René Dif is an "equally playful and biting presence, as he embodies male counterpart Ken with an amusing leer.
"[18] Scottish Daily Record stated, "Love them or hate them, you have to admit Aqua's silly doll song is pure pop and the video is great, too".
[19] David Browne from Entertainment Weekly described it as a "dance-floor novelty that alludes to the secret, less-than-wholesome life of every little girl's fave doll.
"[21] Kevin Courtney from Irish Times named it Single of the Week, calling it "a supreme slice of cheese which out-hums even the mighty Whigfield" and saying that Aqua had "hit the perfect wally beat, and this awful tune is set to dominate the dance-floor and do kinky things to it.
"[23] James Hyman from the RM Dance Update gave the song top score, declaring it as "a Balearic-tinged Euro pop smash hit".
[24] In a retrospective review, Pop Rescue wrote that "this song is fun, undoubtedly catchy, and bouncy, with the personas of Barbie and Ken fitting perfectly with the vocal contrast.
[26] In 2017, Billboard ranked it number nine in their list of "The 100 Greatest Pop Songs of 1997", writing, "'Barbie Girl' was like the cartoon rendering of Jill Sobule's more obviously snarky 'Supermodel', so over-the-top in its kitschiness that you could be forgiven for not noticing its impressive self-awareness.
In Europe, the single peaked at the top position in Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100.
In 2009, as part of a marketing strategy to revive sales, Mattel released a series of advertisements and a promotional music video featuring the song, with modified lyrics.
[46] As the interval act during the Eurovision Song Contest 2001, Aqua performed a medley of their singles along with percussion ensemble Safri Duo.
[137] Identical twin sisters Amanda and Samantha Marchant, better known as Samanda, released their cover of the song on 8 October 2007, and it entered the UK Singles Chart at number 26.
[142] The most recent rendition of the song was recorded by Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj, accompanied by Aqua, titled "Barbie World".
German duo Lynne & Tessa made a lip-synched Internet video of the song in 2006, and on British Indian sketch comedy show Goodness Gracious Me, where a version titled "Punjabi Girl" was featured in the radio series and later on television, performed by Asifa Lahore.
[150][better source needed] Marcos Paulo Bin of Universo Musical commented that the song was significantly different from her previous releases, which were known for explicit lyrics, but ultimately give it a positive review.
He also stated that Key should have released Escuta Aqui Rapaz as her first single because "the song was boring", but "Barbie Girl" saved the album.
[151] Carlos Eduardo Lima of Scream & Yell said the song was "childish, silly and boring" and killed Kelly Key's status as a sex symbol.