The band announced that they were breaking up on Instagram after having been together for more than three decades. Their single ‘Barbie Girl’ sold more than 8 million copies worldwide and became a huge hit on several continents when it was released in 1997.
"I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world / Life in plastic, it's OVER."
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Aqua, the Danish-Norwegian dance-pop band behind the chart-topping 1997 hit song ‘Barbie Girl’, are no more.
The band, composed of singers René Dif and Lene Nystrøm and keyboardist Søren Rasted, announced in an Instagram post that they are calling it quits after being together since 1995.
“After many incredible years, we have decided to close the chapter of AQUA as a live band,” read the statement.
“AQUA has been such a huge part of our lives, and together we’ve had the chance to experience more than we ever dared to dream of,” they said. “We’ve traveled the world countless times, met so many wonderful people, sung together with millions of you, and shared memories that we will carry with us forever.”
Aqua recalled their more than three decades together and said, “When you’ve been together for this long, you also learn when it’s time to protect what you’ve created together.”
“For us, this feels like the right moment to say goodbye while the memories are still strong, and while the love for the music, the story, and each other remains intact.”
Aqua formed in Copenhagen in 1995 and their 1997 debut album ‘Aquarium’ featured their hit song ‘Barbie Girl’.
The single peaked at the top position in the charts in France, Belgium, the UK, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden. Outside of Europe, it hit Number One in Australia and New Zealand, and ended up selling more than 8 million copies worldwide.
In 2000, Mattel, the makers of Barbie, sued the group. The company argued that the song had damaged the reputation of the Barbie brand. However, a judge dismissed the case finding the song was fair parody and that the use of the Barbie name fell within non-commercial use exemptions. The judge wrote, rather memorably: “The parties are advised to chill”.
Aqua's follow-up to ‘Barbie Girl’ were the singles ‘Doctor Jones’ and ‘Turn Back Time’, which featured on the soundtrack to the film Sliding Doors. Both songs made it to Number One in the UK.
Be honest with yourselves and try telling us with a straight face that 'Turn Back Time' isn't an underappreciated gem of a song.
Aqua released another two albums: ‘Aquarius’ (2000) and ‘Megalomania’ (2011). They sold an estimated 33 million records.
The band found renewed relevance in 2023 after ‘Barbie Girl’ was sampled in Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice’s song ‘Barbie World’, which featured on the soundtrack to Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster hit Barbie.
RIP Aqua. You’ll be missed by Europop fans worldwide.
