The much-anticipated Barbie movie is finally here, along with its ultra star-studded cast – but did you know the Barbie soundtrack lineup is just as impressive?!
The track list reads like the ultimate festival listing – from Dua Lipa to Lizzo and Billie Eilish, Sam Smith, HAIM, Tame Impala, Karol G, Nicki Minaj… not to mention Mr Ryan Gosling himself.
Other than wondering if we'll hear Aqua's 1997 hit – which does feature, sort of – we weren't sure what to expect from the Barbie soundtrack, which has been executive produced by Mark Ronson. Turns out, the score reveals yet another layer of the Barbie world created by director Greta Gerwig, spanning across all sorts of pop genres with plenty of thought-provoking lyrics to match the subversive comedy of the film itself.
Looks like we'll be meeting Dua Lipa's character at Malibu beach in Barbie Land.
Above all, the soundtrack is packed with plenty of bangers worthy of any Barbie party (ah, ah, ah yeah). And Barbie The Album – which is available on cassette, vinyl and CD – will be released alongside the film on 21 July and is set to feature yet more surprise artists.
For now, there's only a handful of songs available for listening ahead of the movie's launch – so we've done our best to review them fairly and decide on our top Barbie bop. And when we say ‘best to worst’, we actually mean ‘best to slightly-less-amazing’…
Barbie soundtrack songs: ranked from worst to best
Sorry, Nicki! This song had so much potential but somehow didn't live up to it, though we have no doubt it slaps in the movie. With original samples from Aqua's Barbie Girl, we wanted more from the full track and the Harajuku Barbie herself – when you turn it on, it kind of feels like it's already halfway through. Thumbs up to Nicki's sassy lyrics though, as ever.
The Barbie soundtrack is giving range, and this reggaetón bop is exactly what it needed. It could have a few more ebbs and flows to make it catchier, we'll admit, but we dare you not to wiggle to this Latin beat.
It's oh-so-cutesy, maybe to the point of sickly for some – but the nostalgia of that 90s Janet Jackson melody just makes us so happy.
Billie's thought-provoking ballad is quiet and breathy, so it doesn't quite stand up to some of the more upbeat Barbie numbers – though it absolutely has its place as a more poignant slice of the soundtrack. The song cleverly explores themes of confidence and purpose that we can all relate to – even, of course, a plastic doll.
It's another disco-inspired tune from Dua Lipa, a.k.a Mermaid Barbie, and it's giving us the full Barbie-on-the-dancefloor fantasy, sequin jumpsuit included. Give the people what they want, Dua!
Another nostalgic track that's giving noughties teen rom-com vibes – but somehow manages to feel modern. Why are those violins so good?
It's textbook Charli XCX, with its synth sounds and attitude-laden verses – and perhaps a little unexpected for the sugary-sweet (on the surface) world that Barbie's used to. But that Hey Mickey-style chorus gives us just enough cheerleader-y vibes to declare it a worthy Barbie banger. On. Repeat.
The full Barbie soundtrack
Heres the full tracklist for Barbie The Album, which apparently will feature even more as-yet-unannounced artists:
Lizzo – Pink
Dua Lipa – Dance The Night
Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice – Barbie World (with Aqua)
Charli XCX – Speed Drive
KAROL G – WATATI (feat. Aldo Ranks)
Sam Smith – Man I Am
Tame Impala – Journey To The Real World
Ryan Gosling – I’m Just Ken
Dominic Fike – Hey Blondie
HAIM – Home
Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?
The Kid LAROI – Forever & Again
Khalid – Silver Platter
PinkPantheress – Angel
GAYLE – butterflies
Ava Max – Choose Your Fighter
FIFTY FIFTY – Barbie Dreams (feat. Kaliii)
It's Barbie's world and we're just living in it.
