Barbie and the plasticity of pop

EPISODE 324

This past week, the film Barbie opened nationwide to massive success – and with it came a soundtrack, executive produced by Mark Ronson. 

Functioning as both a companion to the movie and a stand-alone collection of hits, the album features everyone from Dua Lipa to reggaeton star Karol G to K-Pop group FIFTY FIFTY. This episode of Switched on Pop, we take a look at the singles from the soundtrack and see how well they embody the ethos of Barbie: plastic and all. 

MORE

• Check out our 2021 interview with Mark Ronson (about Ginuwine’s “Pony”) here.

• We reference “vibe snatching” in this episode. Take a listen to our episode breaking down the phenomenon here.

• For more on Billie Eilish’s “No Time to Die,” check out our Bond episode from October 2021 here.

Songs Discussed

Dua Lipa – Dance The Night

Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?

PinkPantheress – Angel

FIFTY FIFTY, Kaliii – Barbie Dreams

Janet Jackson – Together Again

FIFTY FIFTY – Cupid

The Cardigans – Lovefool

Charli XCX – Speed Drive

Billie Eilish – No Time To Die

Aqua – Barbie Girl

Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice, Aqua – Barbie World

Karol G, Aldo Ranks – WATATI

Jul – My World

Ludacris, Wiz Khalifa, Jeremih, Cashmere Cat – Party Girls

Ava Max – Not Your Barbie Girl

Ava Max – My Head & My Heart

A Touch Of Class – Around the World (La La La La La)