History Music / Aqua

A resurgence of attention for Aqua came in 2023 from (naturally) Creator/GretaGerwig's [[Film/Barbie2023 film adaptation]] of the Barbie doll line. In the lead-up to the film's release, one of the biggest questions among fans was whether "Barbie Girl" would be included, and it was Nystrøm's manager who made the announcement that the song would not appear in the film. The news was met with outrage, and the team behind the film's soundtrack (as well as lead star Creator/MargotRobbie) still wanted the song to be included in some way. The end result was the song "Barbie World" (performed by Music/NickiMinaj and Music/IceSpice), which heavily [[{{Sampling}} samples]] "Barbie Girl" and credits Aqua as co-performers and co-writers. The song debuted at #7 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, becoming Aqua's second US top-10 single since "Barbie Girl", and reached the Top 5 in the UK Singles Chart in the same week that "Barbie Girl" itself reentered the UK Top 40 for the first time in 25 years. The song also gained Aqua their first UsefulNotes/GrammyAward nominations (for Best Rap Song and Best Song Written for Visual Media).

Aqua is a Danish-Norwegian[[note]]Lene Nystrøm is Norwegian, the rest of the group is Danish[[/note]] dance-pop group, best known for their 1997 [[BreakthroughHit breakthrough single]] "Barbie Girl". The group's most famous lineup consists of lead vocalists Lene Nystrøm and René Dif alongside multi-instrumentalists Søren Rasted and Claus Norreen[[note]]Both played guitar and keyboards and contributed backing vocals; Rasted also individually played piano and bongos, and Norreen played keytar[[/note]]. They have sold an estimated 33 million records, making them the most successful Danish band ever.

At a press event in October 2007, the group announced a reunion tour and the release of a compilation album featuring new material. They remained active until 2012, releasing their third album ''Megalomania'' along the way. In September 2016, their second reunion was announced, and they are currently still active. Norreen split off from the band again around the time of this announcement, though on amicable terms, citing a desire to pursue other musical outlets.

The group released two albums (''Aquarium'' in 1997 and ''Aquarius'' in 2000) before splitting up in July 2001. During their split, Nystrøm, Dif and Rasted all achieved solo chart success, and Norreen continued in the music industry remixing other artists' material. Norreen would eventually split off from the band again in 2016, though on amicable terms, citing a desire to pursue other musical outlets. Rasted has also participated in some other notable musical projects, such as Lazyboy in 2004 and Hej Matematik from 2005 with his nephew, Nicolaj Rasted.

At a press event in October 2007, the group announced a reunion tour and the release of a compilation album featuring new material. They remained active until 2012, releasing their third album ''Megalomania'' along the way. In September 2016, their second reunion was announced, and they are currently still active.

Aqua is a Danish-Norwegian[[note]]Lene Nystrøm is Norwegian, the rest of the group is Danish[[/note]] dance-pop group, best known for their 1997 [[BreakthroughHit breakthrough single]] "Barbie Girl". The group's most famous lineup consists of lead vocalists Lene Nystrøm and René Dif alongside multi-instrumentalists Søren Rasted and Claus Norreen[[note]]Both played guitar and keyboards and contributed backing vocals; Rasted also individually played piano and bongos, and Norreen played keytar[[/note]]. They have sold an estimated 33 million albums and singles, making them the most successful Danish band ever.

The group was formed in 1994 by Søren Rasted and Claus Norreen, two childhood friends, after they were hired to produce a soundtrack for the 1994 children's movie, ''Frække Frida og de frygtløse spioner'', on which René Dif, then a club DJ, was also recruited to work. After getting along well, the three decided to collaborate again in the future. Several months later, Dif spotted Lene Nystrøm on a ferry and hired her as the lead singer for their group.

The group was formed in 1994 by Søren Rasted and Claus Norreen, two childhood friends, after they were hired to produce a soundtrack for a film on which René Dif, then a club DJ, was also recruited to work. After getting along well, the three decided to collaborate again in the future. Several months later, Dif spotted Lene Nystrøm on a ferry and hired her as the lead singer for their group.

A resurgence of attention for the group came in 2023 from (naturally) Creator/GretaGerwig's [[Film/Barbie2023 film adaptation]] of the Barbie doll line. In the lead-up to the film's release, one of the biggest questions among the public was whether "Barbie Girl" would be included, and it was Nystrøm's manager who made the announcement that the song would not appear in the film. The news was met with outrage from fans, and the team behind the soundtrack (as well as lead star Creator/MargotRobbie) still wanted the song to be included in some way. The end result was the song "Barbie World" (performed by Music/NickiMinaj and Music/IceSpice), which heavily [[{{Sampling}} samples]] "Barbie Girl" and credits Aqua as co-performers and co-writers. The song debuted at #7 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, becoming Aqua's second US top-10 single since "Barbie Girl", and reached the Top 5 in the UK Singles Chart in the same week that "Barbie Girl" itself reentered the UK Top 40 for the first time in 25 years. The song also gained Aqua their first UsefulNotes/GrammyAward nominations (for Best Rap Song and Best Song Written for Visual Media).

The group gained a resurgence of attention in 2023 from (naturally) Creator/GretaGerwig's [[Film/Barbie2023 film adaptation]] of the Barbie doll line. In the lead-up to the film's release, one of the biggest questions among the public was whether "Barbie Girl" would be included, and it was Nystrøm's manager who made the announcement that the song would not appear in the film. The news was met with outrage from fans, and the team behind the soundtrack (as well as lead star Creator/MargotRobbie) still wanted the song to be included in some way. The end result was the song "Barbie World" (performed by Music/NickiMinaj and Music/IceSpice), which heavily [[{{Sampling}} samples]] "Barbie Girl" and credits Aqua as co-performers and co-writers. The song debuted at #7 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, becoming Aqua's second US top-10 single since "Barbie Girl", and reached the Top 5 in the UK Singles Chart in the same week that "Barbie Girl" itself reentered the UK Top 40 for the first time in 25 years. The song also gained Aqua their first UsefulNotes/GrammyAward nominations (for Best Rap Song and Best Song Written for Visual Media).

The group gained a resurgence in attention in 2023 from (naturally) Creator/GretaGerwig's [[Film/Barbie2023 film adaptation]] of the Barbie doll line. In the lead-up to the film's release, one of the biggest questions among the public was whether "Barbie Girl" would be included, and it was Nystrøm's manager who made the announcement that the song would not appear in the film. The news was met with outrage from fans, and the team behind the soundtrack (as well as lead star Creator/MargotRobbie) still wanted the song to be included in some way. The end result was the song "Barbie World" (performed by Music/NickiMinaj and Music/IceSpice), which heavily [[{{Sampling}} samples]] "Barbie Girl" and credits Aqua as co-performers and co-writers. The song debuted at #7 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, becoming Aqua's second US top-10 single since "Barbie Girl", and reached the Top 5 in the UK Singles Chart in the same week that "Barbie Girl" itself reentered the UK Top 40 for the first time in 25 years. The song also gained Aqua their first UsefulNotes/GrammyAward nominations (for Best Rap Song and Best Song Written for Visual Media).

The group also gained a resurgence in attention in 2023 from (naturally) Creator/GretaGerwig's [[Film/Barbie2023 film adaptation]] of the Barbie doll line. In the lead-up to the film's release, one of the biggest questions among the public was whether "Barbie Girl" would be included, and it was Nystrøm's manager who made the announcement that the song would not appear in the film. The news was met with outrage from fans, and the team behind the soundtrack (as well as lead star Creator/MargotRobbie) still wanted the song to be included in some way. The end result was the song "Barbie World" (performed by Music/NickiMinaj and Music/IceSpice), which heavily [[{{Sampling}} samples]] "Barbie Girl" and credits Aqua as co-performers and co-writers. The song debuted at #7 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, becoming Aqua's second US top-10 single since "Barbie Girl", and reached the Top 5 in the UK Singles Chart in the same week that "Barbie Girl" itself reentered the UK Top 40 for the first time in 25 years. The song also gained Aqua their first UsefulNotes/GrammyAward nominations (for Best Rap Song and Best Song Written for Visual Media).

The group released two albums (''Aquarium'' in 1997 and ''Aquarius'' in 2000) before splitting up in July 2001. During their split, Nystrøm, Dif and Rasted have all achieved solo chart success, and Norreen continued in the music industry remixing other artists' material. Norreen would eventually split off from the band again in 2016, though on amicable terms, citing a desire to pursue other musical outlets. Rasted has also participated in some other notable musical projects, such as Lazyboy in 2004 and Hej Matematik from 2005 with his nephew, Nicolaj Rasted.

Aqua is a Danish-Norwegian dance-pop group, best known for their 1997 [[BreakthroughHit breakthrough single]] "Barbie Girl". The group has sold an estimated 33 million albums and singles, making them the most successful Danish band ever.

The group was formed in 1994 by Søren Rasted and Claus Norreen, two musicians and childhood friends, after they were hired to produce a soundtrack for a film on which René Dif, a club DJ, was also recruited to work. After getting along well, the three decided to collaborate again in the future. Several months later, Dif spotted Norwegian singer Lene Nystrøm on a ferry and hired her as the lead singer for their group.

The group also gained a resurgence in attention in 2023 from (naturally) Creator/GretaGerwig's film ''[[Film/Barbie2023 Barbie]]''. In the lead-up to the film's release, one of the biggest questions among the public was whether "Barbie Girl" would be included, and it was Nystrøm's manager who made the announcement that the song would not appear in the film. The news was met with outrage from fans, and the team behind the soundtrack (as well as lead star Creator/MargotRobbie) still wanted the song to be included in some way. The end result was the song "Barbie World" (performed by Music/NickiMinaj and Music/IceSpice), which heavily [[{{Sampling}} samples]] "Barbie Girl" and credits Aqua as co-performers and co-writers. The song debuted at #7 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, becoming Aqua's second US top-10 single since "Barbie Girl", and reached the Top 5 in the UK Singles Chart in the same week that "Barbie Girl" itself reentered the UK Top 40 for the first time in 25 years. The song also gained Aqua their first UsefulNotes/GrammyAward nominations (for Best Rap Song and Best Song Written for Visual Media).

Aqua is a Danish-Norwegian dance-pop group, best known for their 1997 [[BreakthroughHit breakthrough single]] "Barbie Girl". The group sold an estimated 33 million albums and singles, making them the most successful Danish band ever.

At first, the group went under the name Joyspeed, signing to a small Swedish label and releasing their debut single, "Itzy Bitzy Spider". After the song failed to chart, they cancelled their label contract, found a new manager, and started over. They began making songs in a new style which attracted the attention of [[Creator/UniversalMusicGroup Universal Music Denmark]], and they renamed themselves Aqua, with the name reportedly taken from a poster in their dressing room.

Aqua achieved huge success across the globe in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and managed to top the UK Singles Chart with their first three singles. Around this time, their singles managed to chart in the top 10 of a number of countries where European pop acts would not normally succeed, including the United States, Australia, and Japan. The group also caused controversy with the double entendres in their song "Barbie Girl", with Creator/{{Mattel}} filing a lawsuit against them (or rather their American record label, Creator/{{EMI}}). The lawsuit was finally dismissed in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2002; the opinion, written by Judge Alex Kozinski, ruled, "[[SophisticatedAsHell The parties are advised to chill.]]" In an ironic twist, Mattel later used [[{{Bowdlerise}} reworked]] versions of "Barbie Girl" to promote the line, likely given the song's popularity.

Aqua is a Danish dance-pop group, best known for their 1997 breakthrough single "Barbie Girl".

The group formed in 1994, between the two childhood friends musicians, Søren Rasted and Claus Norreen, who were joined by Club DJ René Dif and the Norweigan singer Lene Nystrøm, and they joined forces first, at temporarily under the name "Joyspeed".

One label change later though, Aqua came the proper name of the group and it achieved huge success across the globe in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The group managed to top the UK Singles Chart with their first three singles. The group released two albums: ''Aquarium'' in 1997 and ''Aquarius'' in 2000, before splitting up in July 2001. The group sold an estimated 33 million albums and singles, making them the most successful Danish band ever.

In their prime, Aqua's singles managed to chart top ten in a number of countries where European pop acts would not normally succeed, including the United States, Australia, and Japan. The group also caused controversy with the double entendres in their "Barbie Girl" single, with the Barbie doll makers Creator/{{Mattel}} filing a lawsuit against the group (or rather their American record label, EMI). The lawsuit was finally dismissed in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2002; the opinion, written by Judge Alex Kozinski, ruled "[[SophisticatedAsHell The parties are advised to chill.]]" In an ironic twist, Mattel later used [[{{Bowdlerise}} reworked]] versions of "Barbie Girl" to promote the line, likely given the song's popularity.

During their split, Nystrøm, Dif and Rasted have all achieved solo chart success, and Norreen has continued in the music industry remixing other artists' material. Norreen would eventually split off from the band again in 2016, though on amicable terms, citing a desire to pursue other musical outlets. Rasted has meanwhile also participated in some other notable musical projects, such as Lazyboy in 2004 and Hej Matematik from 2005 with his nephew, Nicolaj Rasted.

At a press event on Friday, October 26, 2007, the group announced a reunion tour, as well as the release of a compilation album featuring new material. In December 2008, it was announced Aqua would have three concerts in 2009.

And in 2011 they recorded ''Megalomania'' with a change in sound and in attitude.

During their split, Nystrøm, Dif and Rasted have all achieved solo chart success, and Norreen has continued in the music industry remixing other artists' material. Norreen would eventually split off from the band again in 2016, though on amicable terms, citing a desire to pursue other musical outlets. Rasted has meanwhile also participated in quite other notable musical projects, such as Lazyboy in 2004 and Hej Matematik from 2005 with his nephew, Nicolaj Rasted.

->''[[TearJerker If only I could turn back time,\\

For the night...]]''

The group formed in 1994, between the two childhood friends musicians, Søren Rasted and Claus Norreen, who were joined by Club DJ René Dif and singer Lene Nystrøm, and they joined forces first, at temporarily under the name "Joyspeed".

The band's members are Norwegian vocalist Lene Nystrøm and René Dif, guitarist Søren Rasted, and keyboardist Claus Norreen. During their split, Nystrøm, Dif and Rasted have all achieved solo chart success, and Norreen has continued in the music industry remixing other artists' material.

Aqua is a Danish dance-pop group, best known for their 1997 breakthrough single "Barbie Girl". The group formed in 1994, temporarily under the name "Joyspeed", and achieved huge success across the globe in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The group managed to top the UK Singles Chart with their first three singles. The group released two albums: ''Aquarium'' in 1997 and ''Aquarius'' in 2000, before splitting up in July 2001. The group sold an estimated 33 million albums and singles, making them the most successful Danish band ever.

Aqua is a Danish dance-pop group, best known for their 1997 breakthrough single "Barbie Girl". The group formed in 1989 and achieved huge success across the globe in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The group managed to top the UK Singles Chart with their first three singles. The group released two albums: ''Aquarium'' in 1997 and ''Aquarius'' in 2000, before splitting up in July 2001. The group sold an estimated 33 million albums and singles, making them the most successful Danish band ever.

In their prime, Aqua's singles managed to chart top ten in a number of countries where European pop acts would not normally succeed, including the United States, Australia, and Japan. The group also caused controversy with the double entendres in their "Barbie Girl" single, with the Barbie doll makers Creator/{{Mattel}} filing a lawsuit against the group (or rather their American record label, EMI). The lawsuit was finally dismissed in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2002; the opinion, written by Judge [[CoolOldGuy Alex Kozinski]], ruled "[[SophisticatedAsHell The parties are advised to chill.]]" In an ironic twist, Mattel later used [[{{Bowdlerise}} reworked]] versions of "Barbie Girl" to promote the line, likely given the song's popularity.

In their prime, Aqua's singles managed to chart top ten in a number of countries where European pop acts would not normally succeed, including the United States, Australia, and Japan. The group also caused controversy with the double entendres in their "Barbie Girl" single, with the Barbie doll makers Creator/{{Mattel}} filing a lawsuit against the group (or rather their American record label, EMI). The lawsuit was finally dismissed in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2002; the opinion, written by Judge [[CoolOldGuy Alex Kozinski]], ruled "[[SophisticatedAsHell The parties are advised to chill.]]"

* LyricsVideoMismatch: Most prominent on ''My Oh My'', whose lyrics are about Robin Hood-esque fantasy but whose video has a pirate theme. The song even begins with a horse sound (implying a chivalry theme), but the video just pairs it with a mechanical toy horse on the pirate ship.

* SteamPunk: The [[CoolStarship spaceship]]/[[CoolBoat submarine]] in the "Cartoon Heroes" music video.

* AWildRapperAppears: René in ''Good Morning Sunshine''.

->''If only I could turn back time,\\

For the night...''
-->-- '''"Turn Back Time"'''

* BareYourMidriff: Lene in the "Dr. Jones" video.

* {{Pirate}} / PirateGirl: The video to "My Oh My" has a pirate theme. A group of pirates abduct Lene, who plays a noblewoman/princess, but after being mistreated and humiliated, she defeats the captain in a swashbuckling swordfight, forces him to surrender, and takes over the ship, becoming a full-fledged pirate girl in the process.