10 October 1968 -- Barbarella Released

"Barbarella" -- The Glitterhouse

“Her Strut” -- Bob Seger

Barbarella, French Movie Poster

Released on 10 October 1968, Barbarella’s title character, portrayed by the eternally beautiful Jane Fonda, vamped her way across the distant future to prevent Earth’s destruction by a doomsday weapon constructed by a mad scientist. The plot is absurdly ludicrous and the special effects third rate. Still, the campy humor is addictive, and Fonda sensuous strutting across the galaxy set a pace science-fantasy moviemakers still struggle to maintain.

Barbarella Movie Trailer

Initially a box office bomb, Barbarella over time become a cult classic, spawning scores of imitators and tributes. The Fifth Element, for example, unabashedly borrowed from Barbarella. The movie has proven a special source of inspiration for rock music. The band Duran Duran is named for the film’s villain. They, Prince, Kylie Minogue, Scott Weiland, the Lovebugs, and many other musicians and bands have paid homage to Barbarella in song.

In any discussion of Barbarella inspired music, the only place to begin is with the movie's unique and iconic opening credits set to the psychedelic band Glitterhouse's title song.

It's a wonder, Wonder woman

You're so wild and wonderful

'Cause it seems whenever we're together

The planets all stand still

Barbarella psychedella

There's a kind of cockle-shell about you

(Barbarella Ba-ba-barbarella)

Dazzle me with rainbow colors

Fade away the duller shade of living

Get me up high, teach me to fly

Electrify my life with starry lights

Above the stratosphere, bring your dearness near

Till the dawn comes tumbling down

(Don't make a sound--shhh)

Every word we need comes from the sky

Can't you read my eyes saying "love"

Woah you give me a cold shoulder

Still I'm dyin' girl to hold you and make love

Oh yes, Bob Seger's song about Fonda's alluring, attention-demanding strut must be mentioned as well.

She's totally committed

To major independence

But she's a lady through and through

She gives them quite a battle

All that they can handle

She'll bruise some

She'll hurt some too

But oh they love to watch her strut

Oh they do respect her but

They love to watch her strut

Sometimes they'll want to leave her

Just give up and leave her

But they would never play that scene

In spite of all her talking

Once she starts in walking

The lady will be all they ever dreamed

Oh they'll love to watch her strut

Oh they'll kill to make the cut

They love to watch her strut

Yeah love to watch her strut

Watch her strut