Ryan Gosling, I’m Just Ken | FIERCE Pop + Rock

In the 32^nd edition of FIERCE Pop + Rock , we highlight “I’m Just Ken” performed by Ryan Gosling from Barbie.  

Bring on the bold, FIERCE tracks! FIERCE Pop + Rock provides background information and insight into pop, rock, and metal songs that raise eyebrows and stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 32^nd edition of FIERCE Pop + Rock (2023), we explore “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie performed by Ryan Gosling.

I have one question and one question only, “Can you feel the Ken-ergy?” Well, I lied when I said I have only one question.  Here’s a second: Did I imagine I’d be writing about Ryan Gosling on The Musical Hype again, post-La La Land? NOPE. Gosling is a tremendous actor and tremendously good looking. Still, I never thought the “Ken-ergy” of “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie The Album / Barbie (the movie) would grace this blog. Well, the time has come, and thanks to pen and production of Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, Gosling and his surrounding Ken dolls () appear on FIERCE Pop + Rock !

While the “Ken-ergy” portion of “I’m Just Ken” is the most ear-catching, that’s only a small part of this joint.  Early on, Ryan Gosling, channeling his Ken-ness, is in reflective mode.  It is interesting because we don’t associate Ken dolls (himbos) with having the self-awareness to be introspective – transcend beyond the six pack abs and perfect body most of us won’t have. But, Ryan, aka Ken, does just that… in his own way, mind you. “I have feelings that I can’t explain / Drivin’ me insane,” he sings, adding, “All my life, been so polite / But I’ll sleep alone tonight.” Interesting, isn’t it? In the second verse, he admits to wanting love, asking, “And is my moment finally here or am I dreaming?” Of course, the chorus is a big deal, where Ken admits, “Anywhere else I’d be a ten / Is it my destiny to live and die a life of blonde fragility? /… What will it take for her to see the man behind the tan and fight for me.” Aww !  Basically, “I’m Just Ken” is that fierce pop joint you didn’t know you needed in your life! Shout out to Ryan Gosling! It’s giving #KEN!

Various Artists • Barbie The Album • Atlantic / Warner Bros. Entertainment • 2023

Ryan Gosling, I’m Just Ken: FIERCE Pop + Rock No. 32 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic / Warner Bros. Entertainment; Amr Osman, Deiby Tum Tum, Harry Shelton, Jerome Abel, Mavluda Tashbaeva, Pavel Danilyuk, RDNE Stock project, Vishnu R Nair from Pexels]