Jump to content

Aquarium (Aqua album)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Aquarium
Studio album by
Released26 March 1997 (1997-03-26)
Genre
Length40:44
LabelUniversal
Producer
Aqua chronology
Aquarium
(1997)
Aquarius
(2000)
Singles from Aquarium
  1. "Roses Are Red"
    Released: 24 September 1996
  2. "My Oh My"
    Released: 11 February 1997
  3. "Barbie Girl"
    Released: April 1997[3]
  4. "Doctor Jones"
    Released: October 1997
  5. "Lollipop (Candyman)"
    Released: 25 November 1997
  6. "Turn Back Time"
    Released: 13 January 1998[4]
  7. "Good Morning Sunshine"
    Released: 14 December 1998
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[5]
Entertainment WeeklyC[6]
Music Week[7]
NME1/10[8]
Smash Hits[9]
Village Voice(dud)[10]

Aquarium is the debut studio album by Danish band Aqua, released on 26 March 1997. The album is best known for including the globally successful single "Barbie Girl", which went on to become a widely recognizable hit around the world, as well as the popular track “Lollipop (Candyman)”. The album also featured the songs "Doctor Jones" and "Turn Back Time". In early 1997, the release of Aquarium was initially preceded by the singles "Roses Are Red" and "My Oh My", which was released a second time in 1998.

The album's third (and most popular) single, "Barbie Girl", brought the group to international attention after reaching number one across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, among other territories. The song later peaked at number 7 in the United States, at the end of 1997. Its success helped the album reach number one in both the group's home countries, and make the top 10 in the UK and US. While not selling as highly as "Barbie Girl", the album's fourth single, "Doctor Jones", was released in late 1997 and became a number one hit in Australia and the UK. "Turn Back Time" would later give the group their third consecutive number-one single in the UK, despite reaching only number 16 in their native Denmark. The record's final single, "Good Morning Sunshine", was notably more low-key than the band's previous dance-pop, uptempo releases; the song failed to chart highly, only being released in select regions and, like the earlier "Lollipop (Candyman)", was the group's third and final song to chart in the US. The album has sold 14 million copies worldwide.[11][12]

Chart performance

[edit]

Aquarium debuted at number one in Denmark.[13] As of August 2001, the album had sold 430,000 copies in Denmark.[14] It is the third best-selling album in Denmark to date, only beaten by Danish recording artist Kim Larsen's 1983 album Midt om natten and his 1986 album Forklædt som voksen.[15][16] The album debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200 in the United States, and later peaked at number seven.[17] It would spend a total of 50 weeks on the album sales chart, and sold 1.7 million copies in 1997.[18] On 4 March 1999, the album was certified three times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of three million units, becoming the most successful Eurodance album in the US since Ace of Base's The Sign (1993). Aquarium has been certified four times platinum by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) for shipments of four million copies inside Europe.

Track listings

[edit]
Aquarium track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Happy Boys & Girls"
  • Johnny Jam
  • Delgado
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
3:37
2."My Oh My"
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
  • Dif
  • Johnny Jam
  • Delgado
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
3:25
3."Barbie Girl"
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
  • Dif
  • Nystrøm
  • Johnny Jam
  • Delgado
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
3:16
4."Good Morning Sunshine"
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
  • Dif
  • Johnny Jam
  • Delgado
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
4:03
5."Doctor Jones"
  • Anders Øland
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
  • Dif
  • Johnny Jam
  • Delgado
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
3:22
6."Heat of the Night"
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
  • Hartmann & Langhoff
3:33
7."Be a Man"
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
  • Nystrøm
  • Tommy Ekman
  • Per Adebratt
4:22
8."Lollipop (Candyman)"
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
  • Nystrøm
  • Dif
  • Hartmann & Langhoff
  • Johnny Jam
  • Delgado
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
3:35
9."Roses Are Red"
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
  • Dif
  • Nystrøm
  • Hartmann & Langhoff
Hartmann & Langhoff3:43
10."Turn Back Time"
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
  • Johnny Jam
  • Delgado
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
4:09
11."Calling You"
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
  • Dif
  • Hartmann & Langhoff
  • Rasted
  • Norreen
  • Dif
  • Hartmann & Langhoff
  • Johnny Jam (vocals)
  • Delgado (vocals)
3:33
Disc 2: Aquarium – Remixed
No.TitleLength
1."Barbie Girl" (extended version)5:16
2."My Oh My" (extended version)5:06
3."Roses Are Red" (club version)7:01
4."Lollipop" (Razor 'N' Go "Lick It" Mix)12:20
5."My Oh My" (H2O Club Remix)7:34
6."Barbie Girl" (Dirty Rotten Scoundrel Clinical 12" Mix)8:37
Re-issue edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
12."Barbie Girl" (extended version)5:16
13."My Oh My" (extended version)5:06
14."Roses Are Red" (club version)7:00
15."Lollipop" (Razor 'N' Go "Lick It" Mix)12:16
16."Barbie Girl" (Dirty Rotten Scoundrel Radio Mix)4:12
Limited Christmas edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
12."Didn't I"3:17
13."My Oh My" (Spike, Clyde 'N' Eightball Club Mix)5:02
14."Lollipop (Candyman)" (extended version)5:28
15."Turn Back Time" (Love to Infinity's Classic Radio Mix)3:20
16."Doctor Jones" (Metro's 7" Edit)3:36
17."The Official Megamix"11:16
Picture disc edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
12."Didn't I" Rasted, Norreen, Johnny Jam, Delgado3:22
13."Doctor Jones" (Molella & Phil Jay Mix)Anders Øland, DifRasted, Norreen, Johnny Jam, Delgado5:29
Japan bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
12."Didn't I"3:17
13."Roses Are Red" (Disco 70' Mix)3:17
South Korea bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
12."Roses Are Red" (club version)7:01
13."Roses Are Red" (club edit)4:12
14."Roses Are Red" (Disco 70' Mix)3:10

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from album liner notes.[19]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Certifications and sales for Aquarium
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[70] 6× Platinum 420,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[71] Gold 25,000*
Belgium (BEA)[72] Platinum 50,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[73] Gold 100,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[75] Diamond 1,083,000[74]
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[76] 14× Platinum 430,000[14]
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[77] 2× Platinum 72,757[77]
France (SNEP)[78] Platinum 300,000*
Germany (BVMI)[79] Gold 250,000^
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[80] Platinum 20,000*
India 330,000[81]
Italy 700,000[82]
Japan (RIAJ)[83] Platinum 200,000^
Korea 58,000[84]
Netherlands (NVPI)[85] Platinum 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[86] Platinum 15,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[87] 4× Platinum 200,000*
Portugal 75,000[88]
Singapore 75,000[89]
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[90] 5× Platinum 500,000^
Sweden (GLF)[91] 5× Platinum 400,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[92] Gold 25,000^
Thailand 150,000[93]
United Kingdom (BPI)[95] Platinum 565,000[94]
United States (RIAA)[97] 3× Platinum 4,000,000[96]
Summaries
Asia Pacific 3,000,000[98]
Europe (IFPI)[99] 4× Platinum 4,000,000*
Latin America 400,000[100]
Worldwide 14,000,000[11][12]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release formats for Aquarium
Country Date Format Label
Denmark[101] 26 March 1997 CD MCA
Universal
Norway[102] May 1997
Sweden[101]
Netherlands[103] 1 September 1997 Universal
United States[104] 9 September 1997
Europe 22 April 2017 LP

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Young, Alex (21 June 2009). "Guilty Pleasure: Aqua – Aquarium". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  2. ^ Bagge, Peter (2001). "Raiding Hannah's Stash: An Appreciation of late '90s Bubblegum Music". In Cooper, Kim; Smay, David (eds.). Bubblegum Music is the Naked Truth. Los Angeles: Feral House. pp. 259–269.
  3. ^ Sandiford-Waller, Theda (16 August 1997). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 33. p. 82.
  4. ^ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1230. 9 January 1998. p. 40.
  5. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Aquarium Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  6. ^ Browne, David (17 October 1997). "Aquarium Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  7. ^ "Reviews: Albums" (PDF). Music Week. 25 October 1997. p. 25. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  8. ^ Patterson, Sylvia. "Aquarium". NME. Archived from the original on 17 August 2000. Retrieved 29 April 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  9. ^ Hindmarch, John (5 November 1997). "Albums". Smash Hits. p. 63. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  10. ^ Christgau, Robert (3 March 1998). "Consumer Guide". Village Voice. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  11. ^ a b "International - Aquarium Life". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 12. Nielsen Business Media. 18 March 2000. p. 48. ISSN 0006-2510.
  12. ^ a b Drejer, Dennis (11 August 2001). "Aqua blev til østers - Underholdning - BT.dk". B.T. (in Danish). Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  13. ^ a b "Hits of the World: Denmark (IFPI/Nielsen Marketing Research) 03/18/00". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 14. Nielsen Business Media. 1 April 2000. p. 81. ISSN 0006-2510.
  14. ^ a b Jensen, Erik (14 August 2001). "Den store landgang for Aqua". Politiken (in Danish). Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  15. ^ Enggaard, Michael (26 February 2000). "Aqua - historien frem til i dag". Jyllands-Posten (in Danish). Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  16. ^ Drejer, Dennis (10 January 2007). "Vi køber færre skiver" [We are buying less records]. BT (in Danish). Copenhagen: Berlingske Media A/S.
  17. ^ "Aqua Album & Song Chart History". Billboard 200. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  18. ^ Jeffrey, Don (31 January 1998) (31 January 1998). "Best-selling Records of 1997". Billboard. Retrieved 5 January 2012.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ Aquarium (liner notes). Aqua. Universal Music. 1997. UMD 85020.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Aqua – Aquarium". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  21. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Aqua – Aquarium" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  22. ^ "Ultratop.be – Aqua – Aquarium" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  23. ^ "Ultratop.be – Aqua – Aquarium" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  24. ^ "Aqua Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  25. ^ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. 14 March 1998. p. 13. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  26. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Aqua – Aquarium" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  27. ^ "Aqua: Aquarium" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  28. ^ "Lescharts.com – Aqua – Aquarium". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  29. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Aqua – Aquarium" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  30. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 1998. 04. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  31. ^ "Hits of the World: Ireland (IRMA/Chart-Track) 02/12/98". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 9. Nielsen Business Media. 28 February 1998. p. 55. ISSN 0006-2510.
  32. ^ "Hits of the World: Italy (Musica e Dischi/FIMI) 01/12/98". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 4. Nielsen Business Media. 24 January 1998. p. 74. ISSN 0006-2510.
  33. ^ "アクエリアム" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  34. ^ "Hits of the World: Malaysia (RIM) 11/11/97". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 47. Nielsen Business Media. 22 November 1997. p. 71. ISSN 0006-2510.
  35. ^ "Charts.nz – Aqua – Aquarium". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  36. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Aqua – Aquarium". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  37. ^ "Hits of the World: Portugal (Portugal/AFP) 11/04/97". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 47. Nielsen Business Media. 22 November 1997. p. 71. ISSN 0006-2510.
  38. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  39. ^ "Hits of the World: Spain (AFYVE/ALEF MB) 01/24/98". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 6. Nielsen Business Media. 7 February 1998. p. 59. ISSN 0006-2510.
  40. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Aqua – Aquarium". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  41. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Aqua – Aquarium". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  42. ^ "IFPI Taiwan International Top 10 – Year: 1998 Week: 16 1998/04/27 - 1998/05/03)". IFPI Taiwan. Archived from the original on 30 May 1998. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  43. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  44. ^ "Aqua Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  45. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1997". ARIA. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  46. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1997". Ultratop (in Dutch). Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  47. ^ "Rapports Annuels 1997". Ultratop (in French). Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  48. ^ "TOP20.dk © 1997". Hitlisten. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  49. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1997". DutchCharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  50. ^ "European Top 100 Albums 1997" (PDF). Music & Media. 27 December 1997. p. 7. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  51. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1997". The Official NZ Music Charts. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  52. ^ "Year list Album (incl. Collections), 1997". Sverigetopplistan (in Swedish). Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  53. ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1997". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  54. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1997". Billboard. Archived from the original on 28 April 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  55. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1998". ARIA. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  56. ^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 1998". Austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  57. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1998". Ultratop (in Dutch). Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  58. ^ "Rapports Annuels 1998". Ultratop (in French). Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  59. ^ "RPM's Top 100 CDs of '98". RPM. 14 December 1998. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  60. ^ "TOP20.dk © 1998". Hitlisten. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  61. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1998". DutchCharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  62. ^ "European Top 100 Albums 1998" (PDF). Music & Media. 19 December 1998. p. 8. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  63. ^ "Tops De L'annee: Top Albums 1998". SNEP (in French). Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  64. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  65. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1998". The Official NZ Music Charts. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  66. ^ "Year list Album (incl. Collections), 1998". Sverigetopplistan (in Swedish). Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  67. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1998". Hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  68. ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1998". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  69. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1998". Billboard. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  70. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  71. ^ "Austrian album certifications – Aqua – Aquarium" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  72. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 1998". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  73. ^ "Brazilian album certifications – Aqua – Aquarium" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil.
  74. ^ "Nielsen Music 2007 Year End Music Industry Report For Canada". Reuters. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  75. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Aqua – Aquarium". Music Canada.
  76. ^ "Danish album certifications – Aqua – Aquarium". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  77. ^ a b "Aqua" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  78. ^ "French album certifications – Aqua – Aquarium" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  79. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Aqua; 'Aquarium')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  80. ^ "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1998". IFPI Hong Kong.
  81. ^ Bhushan, Nyay (12 December 1998). "Aque Makes Splash At 3rd Channel V's". Billboard. p. 51. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  82. ^ Laffranchi, Andrea (8 January 2000). "Aqua verso Sanremo con un altro video kolossal". Corriere della Sera (in Italian): 31. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  83. ^ "Japanese album certifications – Aqua – Aquarium" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 16 May 2019. Select 1997年8月 on the drop-down menu
  84. ^ White, Adam (6 September 1997). "Universal Denmak's Act Aqua Makes Global Splash". Billboard. p. 127. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  85. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Aqua – Aquarium" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter Aquarium in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1998 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  86. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Aqua – Aquarium". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  87. ^ "Norwegian album certifications – Aqua – Aquarium" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
  88. ^ "Portugal". Music Business International. 1 August 1998. p. 51. Retrieved 1 March 2024 – via ProQuest.
  89. ^ Cheach, Philip (11 April 1998). "Singapore Music Biz Woos Shell-Shocked Costumers". Billboard. p. 68. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  90. ^ "Spanish album certifications – Aqua – Aquarium". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  91. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011.
  92. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Aquarium')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  93. ^ Burpee, Geoff (15 November 1997). "Thailand Economy". Billboard. p. 54. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  94. ^ Copsey, Rob (7 April 2021). "One hit album wonders – huge albums that were hard acts to follow". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  95. ^ "British album certifications – Aqua – Aquarium". British Phonographic Industry.
  96. ^ Drejer, Dennis (26 February 2000). "Aqua er de storste". B.T. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  97. ^ "American album certifications – Aqua – Aquarium". Recording Industry Association of America.
  98. ^ Ann Tsang (24 October 1998). "Hong Kong Optimists" (PDF). Billboard. p. 66. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  99. ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 1998". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
  100. ^ "International Roster". Billboard. 11 July 1998. p. 83. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  101. ^ a b "Aquarium - Album - Aqua - Musik - CDON.COM". Cdon.se. 12 May 1997. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  102. ^ "Aqua".
  103. ^ "Aqua".
  104. ^ Høi, Poul (22 August 1997). "Aqua hitter i USA" [Aqua is a hit in the US]. Berlingske Tidende (in Danish). Copenhagen: Berlingske Media.