A catchy German rap song titled “Barbaras Rhabarberbar,” playfully known as “Barbara’s Rhubarb Bar,” has unexpectedly exploded on TikTok, captivating users worldwide. Clips featuring influencers and everyday users dancing to this quirky tune have amassed millions of views, demonstrating the app’s unique power to propel obscure tracks into global virality.
TikTok’s culture has long been intertwined with music, dance, and lip-syncing trends. From resurrecting classic hits to launching new releases, the platform serves as a powerful engine for music discovery. A 2021 study by MRC Data highlighted this influence, revealing that a remarkable 75% of TikTok users discover new musical artists through the app.
Earlier in the year, a shift occurred in TikTok’s music landscape when licensing negotiations between TikTok and Universal Music Group (UMG) broke down. This led to UMG removing a significant portion of its music catalog from the platform. While licensed music remains available, the absence of UMG’s vast library created a void, potentially increasing the visibility and virality of independent and less mainstream songs.
Unpacking the TikTok Sensation: “Barbara’s Rhubarb Bar”
The song’s origin lies in a German tongue-twister, narrating an increasingly elaborate tale about Barbara and her renowned rhubarb cakes. Music comedian Bodo Wartke ignited the TikTok trend with his original video, showcasing his rendition of the song. While Wartke didn’t pen the initial tongue-twister lyrics, he transformed it into an infectious rap, collaborating with fellow content creator Marti Fischer for his recorded version.
German comedian Bodo Wartke performing on stage.
TikTok users embraced the song’s surprising catchiness, even without understanding the German lyrics. TikTok creators @steph_who___ and @Christina Stasii spearheaded a dance routine for the song, filming their initial videos in a public restroom. Their collaboration resulted in two separate videos, including one with costumes, leading to some humorous confusion among viewers. Some commentators mistakenly believed they were watching different creators, even alleging dance “theft,” prompting a clarification video from @steph_who___.
The song’s popularity rapidly spread across TikTok, amplified by prominent choreographers like @Cost n’ Mayor and @KayCee Stroh. Enthusiastic commentators expressed hopes of seeing the dance routine at Eurovision or within the game Fortnite. Many confessed to having the earworm stuck in their heads, despite their inability to comprehend or recite the German lyrics. The trend circled back to Bodo Wartke and Marti Fischer, the song’s originators, as the dance routine reached them, completing the viral loop.
Decoding the Lyrics of “Barbara’s Rhubarb Bar”
Intrigued by the nonsensical yet catchy sound, many viewers sought an English translation of the German tongue-twister. TikTok users readily provided translations, revealing the song’s whimsical narrative.
The lyrics depict Barbara opening a “rhubarb bar” to sell her rhubarb cakes. These cakes are so delectable that they soften a group of hardened “barbarians,” who subsequently agree to visit the local barber for haircuts and beard trims. This silly and repetitive story, combined with the upbeat rap rhythm, is a key part of the song’s charm.
The unexpected ascent of this playful tongue-twister underscores TikTok’s remarkable capacity to introduce new music to audiences through memes and viral trends. It proves that a song doesn’t need to be in English or even easily understandable to become a global phenomenon on the platform.
However, TikTok’s future remains uncertain. Recent legislative developments, including President Biden signing a bill that could compel ByteDance to divest TikTok to an American owner or face a potential ban in the United States, cast a shadow over the app’s continued operation in its current form.
