In a surprising twist, Hollywood heartthrob Ryan Gosling, known for his roles in blockbuster films, has teamed up with renowned composers Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt to drop a musical bombshell – ‘Ken The EP.’ This unexpected collaboration follows Gosling’s acclaimed portrayal of Ken in the record-breaking film ‘Barbie.’
Ryan Gosling Releases ‘Ken The EP’ With Three Fresh Renditions Of ‘I’m Just Ken’ From The ‘Barbie’ Soundtrack
Gosling, 43, and the seasoned writer-producer Mark Ronson, 48, joined forces to produce a four-track EP, headlined by the festive rendition “I’m Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie).” The EP also features an unplugged version, “I’m Just Ken – In My Feelings Acoustic,” and a vibrant dance remix, “I’m Just Ken – Purple Disco Machine Remix.”
In a surprising turn of events, Gosling’s vocal talents were initially not part of the plan. Ronson revealed that director Greta Gerwig initially sought only two songs, but the duo ended up composing the entire film’s soundtrack, with Gosling lending his voice to the soundtrack’s standout track, “I’m Just Ken.”
Ronson confessed to feeling starstruck upon first meeting Gosling, but as they spent time together in the studio, he realized they had created something truly special. Reflecting on the experience, Ronson shared, “Not only did he bring a broken falsetto, a hefty growl, & everything in between, he brought the emotional resonance of a great actor who’d been living in a role for the past 6 months.”
After the recording, the trio didn’t meet again for 18 months, during which Gosling’s performance in the blockbuster film gained immense popularity. Ronson expressed excitement about the world falling in love with Gosling’s performance and knowing that their song played a part in it.
“I’m Just Ken” turned out to be a massive success, contributing to the already star-studded Barbie soundtrack. Ronson, in a September interview, shared how he and Gosling relished the surprise success of the song. Gosling, feeling surreal about the chart performance, would tell Ronson, “This is so surreal. I don’t even know what to tell you.”
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Gosling’s Musical Journey
Ronson also praised Gosling’s musical abilities, highlighting that he is a “real musician” who genuinely loves music. Gosling’s enthusiasm extended to notable collaborations, such as having Slash play on the track. Ronson noted, “There’s been certain things where he’s been really excited about [it].”
For Gosling, who portrayed the iconic Ken in the beloved film, this musical venture marked another milestone in his evolving musical career. “I’m Just Ken” swiftly ascended the Billboard Hot 100, entering the chart at No. 87 upon its release. Despite being Gosling’s first solo entry on the Hot 100, it wasn’t his inaugural appearance on the charts.
Before this solo success, Gosling had already tasted chart triumph with “City of Stars” from the critically acclaimed 2016 film, La La Land. His solo rendition of the song claimed the No. 1 spot on the Jazz Digital Song Sales chart for two weeks. Additionally, a duet version with co-star Emma Stone secured spots on the Hot 100’s Bubbling Under ranking and Digital Song Sales chart.
The EP, executive produced by Ronson, has rapidly gained traction on music streaming platforms, captivating audiences with its comedic-filled tracks.
As the holiday season unfolds, Gosling and Ronson have gifted fans with a festive treat – ‘Ken The EP.’ The EP showcases three new versions of the classic track, including a holiday-themed rendition, an acoustic variant, and an energetic dance cover, in addition to the original song.
The music video for “I’m Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie)” adds a visual spectacle to the festive celebration. Gosling, Ronson, and Wyatt are seen crafting the holiday version surrounded by Christmas lights, exuding joy and humor. Gosling, fully embracing the Ken persona, amusingly declares, “the world can have Ken’s voice but only Barbie can have his eyes.”
Double Win: Ryan Gosling Earned Best Supporting Actor Nomination
Following the release of Greta Gerwig’s summer blockbuster, “I’m Just Ken” soared to the top 5 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart and garnered over 100 million global streams. The track, featured in ‘Barbie The Album,’ secured 11 Grammy Award nominations, while “I’m Just Ken” received nominations for a Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award.
The 2024 Golden Globe Awards have further recognized the brilliance of ‘Barbie,’ granting the film an impressive 10 nominations. The Best Supporting Actor nomination went to Gosling, and the song “I’m Just Ken” earned a nomination for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture. The track is also vying for consideration in the Best Song Written for Visual Media category at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
About Phenomenal ‘Barbie’
Based on the iconic fashion dolls by Mattel, ‘Barbie’ marks the first live-action film in the franchise after several computer-animated films and specials. Starring Margot Robbie as the title character and Ryan Gosling as Ken, the film takes the audience on a journey of self-discovery amid an existential crisis. The supporting cast features America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, and Will Ferrell.
The musical venture comes on the heels of the unparalleled success of the ‘Barbie’ film, which stars Margot Robbie as the titular character and Gosling as Ken. Directed by the dynamic duo Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, the film has amassed critical acclaim, grossing a staggering $1.44 billion.
The simultaneous release of ‘Barbie’ with Universal’s Oppenheimer led to the cultural sensation known as “Barbenheimer.” The film’s success extends to becoming the highest-grossing film of 2023, breaking records for solo female directors and Warner Bros., and claiming the title of the highest-grossing comedy film of all time.
Meet The Creative Duo: Greta Gerwig And Noah Baumbach
Gerwig and Baumbach, the talented director-writer couple behind ‘Barbie,’ recently tied the knot at City Hall in New York. Their creative collaboration spans over a decade, culminating in their latest project, which they co-wrote and Gerwig directed.
Adding to their joyous journey, the couple welcomed their second child earlier this year. With their personal and professional lives intertwined, Gerwig and Baumbach continue to leave an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
The film has digitally released and is streaming exclusively on Max, featuring an American Sign Language version.