The Volokh Conspiracy - Sunday Song Lyric:

I heard this morning on NPR that today is Barbie's birthday. The popular Mattel doll made its debut on March 9, 1959 at the American International Toy Fair in New York. The doll has prompted controversy from the beginning, and is a frequent subject of parodies.

In 1997, Danish pop group Aqua released the chart-topping single "Barbie Girl." The song was easily Aqua's biggest hit, but is also a very annoying song, at least according to Rolling Stone. Here's the chorus:

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.

The full lyrics are here.

Mattel did not think too much of the song. Arguing it portrayed the toy icon as a "bimbo," Mattel sued for copyright and trademark infringement. The suit was ultimately unsuccessful however. On appeal, in Mattel v. MCA, Judge Alex Kozinski found against Mattel, and advised the parties "to chill."

	[Jonathan Adler, March 9, 2008 at 3:42pm] Trackbacks Sunday Song Lyric: I heard this morning on NPR that today is Barbie's birthday. The popular Mattel doll made its debut on March 9, 1959 at the American International Toy Fair in New York. The doll has prompted controversy from the beginning, and is a frequent subject of parodies. In 1997, Danish pop group Aqua released the chart-topping single "Barbie Girl." The song was easily Aqua's biggest hit, but is also a very annoying song, at least according to Rolling Stone. Here's the chorus: 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. The full lyrics are here. Mattel did not think too much of the song. Arguing it portrayed the toy icon as a "bimbo," Mattel sued for copyright and trademark infringement. The suit was ultimately unsuccessful however. On appeal, in Mattel v. MCA, Judge Alex Kozinski found against Mattel, and advised the parties "to chill."