“Barbie” is an elaboration on themes of female objectification that Trifilio has touched on in several Beach Bunny songs such as “Sports” and “Prom Queen”. She expresses frustration at the unfair and often hypocritical expectations placed on women and how they are expected to look.
[Verse 1]
I only feel pretty when somebody wants me
I'm always comparing my frame to the body I've seen
In nearly every magazine
While the TV tries to sell me all my insecurities
[Verse 2]
Wish
Wish I was thinner
My butt was much bigger
My lips were much thicker
It's every girl's American dream
[Chorus 1]
We're raised to have a low self esteem
To feel a sense of worthiness, we go to any extreme
Us girls
We would go to any measure just to feel a little better
Us girls
Tend to cook best under pressure just to feel a little better
Us girls
[Verse 3]
We teach little boys to hunt women for sport
Then blame a girl for violence when her clothes are too short
Pristine or considered unpure
Your body is a treasure 'til he needs a little pleasure
[Chorus 2]
Work the same wage but make different wages
Sex sells in movies and newspaper pages
Us girls
Try to look thin as paper, maybe femininity is social behaviour
Us girls
We would go to any measure just to feel a little better
Us girls
We cook best under pressure, gotta keep it all together
Us girls
Barbie was written by Lili Trifilio.
Barbie was produced by Lili Trifilio.
Lili Trifilio released Barbie on Fri Sep 27 2019.