LYRICS: Barbie Was Born in a Barn
Parody by Bale Harrison & The Texas Field Hands
Music and Lyrics by Alan Nafzger
Barbie Was Born in a Barn — She wasn’t raised in Malibu, no shiny pink Corvette…
DOWNLOAD – Barbie Was Born In a Barn (2023)
[Verse 1]
She wasn’t raised in Malibu, no shiny pink Corvette,
Her first ride was a tractor, and she hasn’t looked back yet.
She grew up in a barn, where the hay was her bed,
Wore overalls and flannel, not a tiara on her head.
[Chorus]
Barbie was born in a barn, learned driving an old tractor,
She knew how to handle cattle, nothing could distract her.
She traded heels for boots worn down by the land,
Yeah, Barbie was born in a barn, a real farm girl… Understand?
[Verse 2]
Ken wasn’t just her arm candy, he was the best farmhand,
Together they’d milk the cows, then dance in the pasture’s sand.
While other girls were playing dress-up, she was hauling hay,
She’d lift those bales with a smile, making farming look like play.
[Chorus]
Barbie was born in a barn, learned driving an old tractor,
She knew how to handle cattle, nothing could distract her.
She traded heels for boots worn down by the land,
Yeah, Barbie was born in a barn, a real farm girl… Understand?
[Bridge]
She could turn a cornfield into a dance floor under the stars,
Her barnyard balls were legendary, folks came from near and far.
Crop circles weren’t UFOs, just where she’d dance and spin around,
Barbie knew that country music was the best damn sound in town.
[Verse 3]
Now she’s living in the big city, but the farm’s still in her heart,
She’ll always be that farm girl, even when she’s playing a part.
She might wear designer dresses, but her roots run deep,
Back to that barn where she was born, where the cows and chickens sleep.
[Chorus]
Barbie was born in a barn, learned driving an old tractor,
She knew how to handle cattle, nothing could distract her.
She traded heels for boots worn down by the land,
Yeah, Barbie was born in a barn, a real farm girl… Understand?
[Outro]
So here’s to the girl who made farm life look so fine,
Barbie, you’re a country queen, and that barn’s where you’ll always shine.
Yeah, Barbie was born in a barn, and she’s proud of her roots,
She might wear pink, but don’t forget she make her way around in boots.
Barbie was born in a barn?
Well, I’ll be…
Barbie was Born in a Barn Gallery
DOWNLOAD: The Barbie Sequel – Mission to Mars
“Barbie Was Born in a Barn”
(A Cowboy Poem Inspired by the 2023 Movie)
By Alan Nafzger
She wasn’t raised in Malibu, no pink Corvette in sight,
Her first ride was a tractor, workin’ from morning light.
She grew up where the hay bales stacked high and strong,
Wore boots and denim, not a tiara, all day long.
No runway or spotlight, no fancy designer brands,
Just a farm girl’s heart and dirt on her hands.
Barbie was born in a barn, that’s where she belongs,
Singin’ to the cattle, ridin’ where the strong belong.
Barbie was born in a barn, where life is tough but true,
She knew how to work the land, where the skies are wide and blue.
She traded heels for boots, worn by the dust and sun,
A real farm girl, through and through, her work is never done.
Ken wasn’t just a pretty face, not a plastic man of charm,
He was out in the pasture, workin’ that ol’ farm.
Together they’d haul the hay, side by side at dawn,
No dress-up dolls for Barbie, just the fields she’d roam upon.
She’d spin those bales with muscle, not a care in the world,
While others played dress-up, she was the farm girl who twirled.
In the pasture, they’d dance as the moon lit the skies,
Barbie and Ken, the farm’s brightest prize.
Barbie was born in a barn, drivin’ tractors in the field,
She knew how to wrangle cattle, workin’ hard with no yield.
From heels to boots, she traded it all,
Barbie’s the real deal, answerin’ the farm’s call.
Her dance floor wasn’t marble, no chandeliers up high,
It was the cornfield under stars, ‘neath the wide open sky.
Her barnyard balls were legendary, her joy spread wide,
Barbie in the moonlight, full of that country pride.
Now she’s in the city, playin’ fancy for a while,
But that barn’s still in her heart, and that gives her a smile.
She might wear heels and diamonds, but her roots run deep,
To the barn she was born in, where the livestock sleep.
Barbie was born in a barn, and she’ll never forget,
How the land shaped her spirit, how the stars never set.
She might wear pink, but boots are her crown,
Barbie’s a farm girl, wearin’ the toughest gown.
So here’s to Barbie, the queen of the land,
A farm girl at heart, workin’ with her hands.
She may shine in the city, but out where the cattle graze,
That’s where Barbie’s story always stays.
Barbie was born in a barn, as sure as the sunrise,
With dust on her boots and fire in her eyes.
A true farm girl, with the strength to endure,
Barbie was born in a barn, of that we’re sure.
Interview with Alan Nafzger: The Story Behind the Song
Nashville Writer’s Journal Reporters, Toni Reynolds and Mark Sinclair
Toni Reynolds: Alan, “Barbie Was Born in a Barn” has taken the country music world by storm. It’s an interesting blend of humor and homage to rural life. What inspired you to write this song?
Alan Nafzger: (laughs) Well, it all started as kind of a joke, to be honest. I was sitting around with my wife, Vicki, and we got to talking about how Barbie, as a cultural icon, doesn’t really fit into the world I’m familiar with—farm life. So I wondered, what if she was? What if Barbie grew up like Vicki did, on a farm, surrounded by cattle and dust instead of fashion and luxury? From there, the song kind of wrote itself. I guess you could say it was inspired by the idea of taking something glamorous and giving it a bit of mud on the boots.
Mark Sinclair: So, Barbie on a tractor instead of in a convertible?
Alan Nafzger: Exactly! That contrast really fascinated me. I’ve always been drawn to characters who defy expectations, and I thought, “What if Barbie wasn’t the fashion doll everyone knows but a hard-working farm girl?” It’s fun to imagine her swapping heels for worn-down work boots. Growing up on a farm, Barbie wouldn’t have had time to worry about makeup—she’d be driving a tractor, hauling hay, and wrangling cattle.
Toni Reynolds: Was there any particular moment or event that sparked the concept for this song?
Alan Nafzger: Oh yeah, it was definitely my wife. Vicki’s the real inspiration. She’s this tough, no-nonsense woman who grew up on a farm, and she’s never lost that grit, even when life gets a little glamorous. One day, she was joking about how people in the city wouldn’t last a day on the farm, and it got me thinking—what if Barbie had Vicki’s work ethic and no-nonsense attitude? I mean, how funny and interesting would that be?
Mark Sinclair: The song also brings Ken into the picture as more than just her “arm candy,” but an actual farmhand. Was that intentional?
Alan Nafzger: Oh, for sure. Ken’s always been portrayed as this perfect, polished guy who exists just to stand next to Barbie. I wanted to flip that. In my version, Ken’s a hard-working farmhand. He’s out there mucking stalls, milking cows, and dancing with Barbie in the pasture at night. He’s not just there for looks—he’s putting in the work. I like to imagine them as this power couple on the ranch, getting their hands dirty together.
Toni Reynolds: There’s a lot of humor in the song, but there’s also a sense of authenticity in how you describe farm life. How much of that comes from your personal experience?
Alan Nafzger: Oh, plenty of it. I grew up around farms and cowboys, and I’ve been writing cowboy poetry for years. You can’t write about this life without being authentic, because it’s tough, but it’s beautiful in its own way. That’s what I wanted to capture in the song—Barbie may have started as this perfect doll, but farm life would have given her character. Life on the ranch isn’t glamorous, but it builds resilience and heart. That’s the real deal.
Mark Sinclair: There’s a line in the song about “turning a cornfield into a dance floor.” That imagery really stood out. Was that a nod to the community and culture of rural life?
Alan Nafzger: Absolutely. Out here, you make your own fun. You don’t need a fancy ballroom when you’ve got open land and a sky full of stars. That line was inspired by those impromptu country dances that happen after a long day’s work. There’s something special about finding joy in simple moments, and I think that’s something farm life teaches you.
Toni Reynolds: Do you think this song resonates with people because of the contrast between Barbie’s glamorous image and the reality of rural life?
Alan Nafzger: I do. People love contrasts, and “Barbie Was Born in a Barn” is full of them. It’s about blending two worlds that seem completely different—Barbie’s plastic perfection and the raw, rugged world of farming. But at the heart of it, it’s about realizing that there’s more to people than their surface image. Barbie could have been born in a barn, and she’d still be tough as nails, maybe even tougher than her city counterpart. It’s funny, but there’s a message there, too.
Mark Sinclair: The song has been described as both humorous and empowering. Was that balance intentional?
Alan Nafzger: Definitely. Humor has always been my way of connecting with people. You’ve got to laugh at life, especially when you’re dealing with the challenges of farm life. But it’s also empowering because it shows that a woman, even a ‘Barbie,’ can handle the toughest jobs out there. She’s running the farm, driving the tractor, and wrangling cattle. That’s real strength. I wanted people to see that you don’t have to fit into a specific box—whether you’re glamorous or gritty, you can get the job done.
Toni Reynolds: Finally, Alan, what’s next for you? Any more unexpected twists like Barbie in the works?
Alan Nafzger: Oh, I’ve always got something cooking. I think I’ll keep exploring these fun contrasts. I’ve written a few more songs that play with the idea of unexpected characters in rural settings, and I’m sure something will surprise folks. But for now, I’m just enjoying the ride. Seeing people get a kick out of “Barbie Was Born in a Barn” has been a lot of fun, and I hope it keeps folks smiling.
Trademark Parody
Imagine poking fun at a well-known brand’s logo and not getting slapped with a lawsuit! In the United States, that’s called trademark parody—a form of artistic expression protected under free speech. It involves using a famous brand’s trademark in a humorous or critical way, making people laugh while clearly critiquing the brand. But here’s the catch: companies take their trademarks seriously, often pouring millions into building their brand’s image. So, if a brand thinks the parody might harm its reputation, they can—and often will—try to fight back legally.
Trademark parody works by blending enough elements of the original trademark for people to recognize it but adding humor or satire so the audience gets that it’s a joke, not a new product or affiliation. The trick is balancing imitation with commentary. And while trademark laws protect brands from misuse, they can’t stop parodies outright. However, there are limits to how far parody protection can go, especially if the joke crosses into defamation or damages the brand’s goodwill.
In essence, trademark parody is a clever way to lampoon brands—but don’t be surprised if the brand in question isn’t laughing!
If Mattel did object, and they can’t, but if they did they would be arguing “young women can be anything they want to be, EXCEPT be a farmer?”
Originally posted 2023-06-30 14:16:58.
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