Ryan Goslingis bringing the Kenergy this Christmas!
Along with the release of the EP, Gosling, 43, and Ronson, 48, also took a trip back to Barbieland and dropped amusic videofor “I’m Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie)” on Wednesday.
Mark Ronson and Ryan Gosling in the “I’m Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie)” music video.Courtesy of Atlantic Records
Courtesy of Atlantic Records
In the clip, the Golden Globe winner joins Ronson and fellowBarbie: The Albumwriter/producer Andrew Wyatt in the studio, along with a slew of musicians, to lay down a new version of Ken’s soul-searching anthem.
With the studio decked out in garland and holiday lights, Grammy winner Ronson is set on recording a merry and bright version, but Gosling isn’t so sure. “Do you think it’s too Christmas?” the Oscar-nominated star asks, channeling his best Ken. “I’m just so worried if it’s too much Christmas, no one’s going to watch it after the 26th.”
‘Ken The EP’ album artwork.Courtesy of Atlantic Records
Along with the “Merry Kristmas Barbie” version,Ken The EPalso features two other updated versions of the song.“I’m Just Ken (In My Feelings Acoustic)”is a stripped down rendition that ends with new verses of Gosling repeating, “Ken you feel Kenergy? / Feel so real the Kenergy,” over a track with ‘70s soft-rock flare, while“I’m Just Ken (Purple Disco Machine Remix)”is nearly a sister track toDua Lipa’s soundtrack contribution “Dance the Night” with nostalgic, dance-floor-ready rhythms.
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Ahead of the release on Tuesday, Ronson took toInstagramto open up about when he and Gosling first got together to record the earnest showstopper and their decision to make a new, Christmas-themed version.
Ryan Gosling in ‘Barbie’ and Mark Ronson.Warner Bros. Pictures; Pascal Le Segretain/Getty
Warner Bros. Pictures; Pascal Le Segretain/Getty
Although Ronson said he was a bit nervous about the “pretty unhinged” vocals, he wrote, “It only took 2 or 3 warm up takes for me to realize not only was [Gosling] going to be able to handle the vocal but it was going to far exceed anything Andrew and I could have hoped for. 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.”
The composer continued, explaining it wasn’t until November that he and Gosling started talking back-and-forth about their “dream” of what a live version might sound like. “Anyway, i sent this version to him last Tues and he dug it & it sounded so f—— xmas that we were like, ‘man, can we get this out in a week?!’ Since I’m the person who throws on Stevie’s ‘Someday at Christmas’ the day after Thanksgiving, this appealed to me greatly.”
Ronson concluded, “So he rerecorded the vocals and here we are, a week later serving up this version that we love with about 5 days til no one wants to hear a xmas record, but sometimes u have to do it 4 fun (& maybe a little for Barbie). Happy holidays, we hope u ❤️.”
After the EP and music video dropped on Wednesday, Gosling’s wife Eva Mendes took to social media and expressed fandom for her husband’s musical abilities — as well as his and Zach Shields' under-the-radar rock duo Dead Man’s Bones.
“So grateful to@iammarkronsonfor getting my man to make more music. Dead Man’s Bones is my favorite band ….when I first heard Ryan sing, MY HEART EXPLODED,” wrote Mendes, 49, onInstagram. “More Ryan & Ronson musica por favor!”
The Ken EParrives shortly afterBarbie: The Albumreceived a handful ofGolden GlobeandGrammy nominations.
TheMargot Robbie-starring film leads with nine nominations at the2024 Golden Globes, three of which are for best original song - motion picture. “I’m Just Ken,” “Dance the Night” andBillie Eilish’s“What Was I Made For?”all received nods in the category.
At the upcoming 2024Grammy Awards,Barbie: The Albumand its tracks are up for a whopping 11 awards. In addition to receiving best score soundtrack for visual media and best compilation soundtrack for visual media awards, Eilish’s somber ballad is up for five awards and Lipa’s disco-pop hit are up for two — with both competing for the coveted song of the year.Nicki MinajandIce Spice’s collaboration “Barbie World,” which utilizes a sample ofAqua’s iconic “Barbie Girl," is also nominated for two awards, and “I’m Just Ken” earned a single nod.
source: people.com
