By: Megan Lorich
The most anticipated film of 2023’s blockbuster season is undoubtedly Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. The first full length trailer for the film dropped in early April to the delight of fans everywhere. From the trailer’s iconic first shot of immovable doll feet to the blank stare behind Ryan Gosling’s eyes as Ken, it’s clear that Barbie will be an instant classic.
But every classic film needs a classic soundtrack and Barbie is no exception. It’s obvious that songs like Aqua’s “Barbie Girl” will be on the tracklist, but what other songs might make the cut? Here are our picks for Barbie’s soundtrack!
1 - Surfin’ U.S.A by the Beach Boys
The last scene of the newly released Barbie trailer features various Ken dolls bickering over a “Beach Off''. The aesthetic of various scenes in Barbie Land are clearly referencing 60’s surf culture, and you can’t go wrong with the Beach Boys! Since it’s one of the band’s more popular songs, I wouldn’t be surprised if “Surfin’ U.S.A'' was featured. After all, the trailer featured the Beach Boys’ 'Fun, Fun, Fun”.
2 - Heart of Glass by Blondie
Sticking to our theme of scenes from the trailer, one of the earliest clips we got from Barbie is a disco scene! “Dancing Queen” by ABBA and “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer would be great choices for this, but “Heart of Glass” by Blondie feels quintessential Barbie. While Blondie
obviously isn’t a disco band, “Heart of Glass” has a perfect underlying beat that suits not only disco dancing, but as background music for dialogue.
3 - So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings by Caroline Polachek
Caroline Polachek is an American pop artist that officially began her solo career under her birth name in 2019. “So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings” comes off of her 2019 release Pang. Beginning with a series of vocalizations and a solid bass, line “So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings” feels like it would be a perfect ethereal sounding piece for an angsty conversation between Barbie and Ken. Who knows, maybe a song off of her new 2023 release Desire, I Want to Turn into You will feature on the soundtrack.
4 - Beautiful People by Jessie Ware
What would a Barbie movie be without a makeover scene? Glamorous Barbie dolls could strut around, picking out hot pink outfits or a purple leather jacket, just as mentioned in the song. You can find this song off of English singer Jessie Ware’s latest 2023 release That! Feels Good!.
5 - The Loco-Motion by Kylie Minogue
Australian pop star Kylie Minogue has unfortunately been pushed out of the spotlight since the early 2000’s and we’d love to see her return. “The Loco-Motion” was originally released in 1962 but Minogue’s cover gives the song a new sense of pep. It seems that rollerblades will be making an appearance in Barbie. A high speed chance on wheels to this song seems like a meme in the making! If not, getting to see a dance sequence to this song would be just as incredible. We’d also love to hear “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” make an appearance on the soundtrack, maybe as a cover by Mermaid Barbie (aka Dua Lipa).
6 - Beach House by Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen’s 2022 release The Loneliest Time received acclaim upon its release. While she will eternally be known for “Call Me Maybe”, this song off of her latest record helps define her new and true sound. Featuring lyrics about beach houses in Malibu, weekends in paradise, and excess, “Beach House” mentions staples of Barbie’s image.
7 - Oh No! by MARINA
Formerly known as Marina and the Diamonds, MARINA is one of the artists that came to mind when making this list. “Oh No!” could be used as an upbeat way to push along central conflict when Barbie leaves Barbie Land. The brief synopsis we have of the film suggests that she is kicked out, making the lyric “Don’t do love/Don’t do friends” fit a feeling of defiance.
“Primadonna” is another song by MARINA that we think would be a great addition to Barbie’s soundtrack.
8 - Commes des Garçons by Rina Sawayama
One of Sawayama’s most popular hits, “Commes des Garçons' ' is undeniably a song you have to dance along to. With Sawayama’s rise in popularity from her kitschy Tiktoks to her performance in John Wick: Chapter 4, seeing Sawayama get more experience in Hollywood would be incredible. This definitely is a song that would play during a Ken-centric scene. “Boys'' by Charli XCX is another, more obvious, contender.
9 - Trampoline by Kero Kero Bonito
A song about getting back on your feet, the bouncy feeling of Kero Kero Bonito’s “Trampoline” is another great song that could be featured in a darker part of Barbie’s arc. Perhaps it will be used as she defiantly faces evil executive Will Ferrell. Like other classic electro pop songs from British band Kero Kero Bonito’s discography, the catchy beat makes listeners feel like they’re jumping on a trampoline. Knowing the set design of Barbie, I wouldn’t be surprised if a literal trampoline featured in the film as well.
10 - Superbass by Nicki Minaj
She’s a Barb! Of course Nicki has to be on the soundtrack. While a rating for Barbie has yet to be announced, the film will likely be marketed towards children. Coming up with a vaguely child-friendly Nicki Minaj song was fairly difficult, but if it’s good enough for Just Dance, it’s good enough for us.
Honorable Mention - I Am a Girl Like You from Barbie As Princess and the Pauper
Look, will it be on the soundtrack? No. Can I dream? Yes. Undoubtedly the best Barbie movie (at least so far), this classic duet from one of Barbie’s first films would be an amazing cameo in her latest. Please Greta. I’m begging you. PLEASE!
All of the songs mentioned on this list are on our playlist for this article, including a few songs that didn’t make the cut. Check it out here!