“A cartoonish anthem,” wrote People magazine. “Oh so disposable,” scoffed Entertainment Weekly. Rolling Stone voted it the worst song of the 1990s. This year marks a quarter-century since Danish-Norwegian Europoppers Aqua released “Barbie Girl”, the notorious third single from their debut album Aquarium.

A dancefloor novelty, the song casts lead singer Lene Nystrom as the eponymous doll, splashing about in smutty cosplay with her bandmate René Dif (Ken). “Dress me up, make it tight, I’m your dolly,” she implores in a squeaky soprano. “Kiss me here, touch me there, hanky-panky,” comes the leering response. Underpinning them is a stomping house beat, all smothered in synthesised harpsichord and a carnival-style percussion sample. It’s bubblegum heaven — catnip for the school disco DJ.

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