Aquarium by C. C. McKee

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Aqua’s Barbie Girl is often seen, and dismissed, as a novelty song. And so it is really good to have this book in which C. C. McKee takes it seriously, showing that Aqua were credible musicians and Barbie Girl was an expression of their craft / their art.

They set Aqua in the context of the Danish music scene and show both the influences on Aqua and the ways in that Aqua influenced others.

As well as Barbie Girl, which has renewed fame due to the Barbie movies, they also explore the other singles from the Aquarium album. Some of these are songs which I was not familiar with – and good to be introduced to them and see how the skill that created the hit Barbie Girl are also on show in the wider work. And the contrast with Turn Back Time, a song I had forgotten was by Aqua...

They also explore ideas of ‘camp’ and how through the dance remixes of their songs Aqua were linked into the gay scene – how this was a particular important part of their success in the USA – and it is again this is the validation of taking seriously of things that are often treated as disposable.