Why the Barbie Hit Mix (2004) is the Perfect Compilation Album
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Nowadays, if you’re in a certain mood, you can easily find a playlist for it. Whether you’re relating extra hard to a lyric in your favorite niche band’s song, or a character in your recent Netflix binge has been resonating with you more in the past few episodes, there will be a playlist on Spotify created by someone out there who knows exactly how you’re feeling. Despite the playlist having zero likes, they have somehow perfectly encompassed your emotions in just a few songs.
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Maybe those playlists aren’t doing it for you anymore, so you decide to make your own. Easy enough. With just a few clicks you’ve put together seven hours’ worth of music, and you’re set for the next month. Listening to whatever music you want has never been easier thanks to streaming services.
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Before we had iPhones and streaming services and specifically curated playlists, we only had CDs. And sure, it was possible to burn music onto a CD and have your own playlist, but as a kid, that wasn’t always the most viable option. Sometimes you just had to pop in whatever CD was on the rack and hope the music was good. We all have our favorite artists, but even on some of the best albums, a few songs will have you hovering over the skip button.
In comes the compilation album. An album with songs from various artists, usually all having a similar style. We’ve all heard of “Now That’s What I Call Music”, and “The Hits” for specific decades or artists, and many others. While they all have their own appeal, there is one that stands out among them all.
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Barbie Hit Mix is a compilation album that came out in 2004. It is filled to the brim with iconic songs from the late 90s and early 2000s. There’s no doubt you’ve heard at least a few of the songs, with Hey Ya! by Outkast being the opener and Baby One More Time by Britney Spears as the final song. There are other popular artists that were in their heyday in the 2000’s, such as Avril Lavigne and Jessica Simpson. Giving a listen to the album feels like time traveling back to an elementary school sleepover, where you and your friends are belting the lyrics out in your hot pink Hello Kitty karaoke machine.
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What makes the Barbie Hit Mix such an enjoyable listen is not only its consistency to with nostalgic pop sound but also the message in each song. Every song has a different message meant to uplift girls, whether it’s about feeling down and picking yourself back up (Up! by Shania Twain and So Yesterday by Hilary Duff) or liking someone and not being ashamed to show it (Ultimate by Linsday Lohan and One Step Closer by S Club Juniors), every new track brings lyrics meant to help girls feel comfortable in their own skin. This One’s for the Girls by Martina McBride is the second to last song on the album, and perfectly encapsulates the meaning of the entire mix. Regardless of our age, background, and history, we’re all girls on the inside. No matter what we’re struggling through now, we should celebrate our girlhood.
Barbie Hit Mix was an album I was constantly listening to growing up. Rediscovering it has given me a new appreciation for each song and the entire album’s purpose. Whether you’re familiar with the album or some of the individual songs, I recommend checking it out for an hour of feminine, 2000s pop bliss.
Strike Out,
Writer: Dana Liberto
Editor: Addy Crosby
Graphic Designer: Mallory Reale
Tallahassee