Barbie's 'I'm Just Ken' Holiday Version: Lyrics & Where To Listen

The Legacy of 'I'm Just Ken'

Ryan Gosling and Barbie composers Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt have released Ken the EP, which includes a brand new Christmas edition of 'I'm Just Ken.' The original song, which was a significant feature of the wildly successful Barbie movie in 2023, reached the top 5 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, solidifying itself as a moment of history within popular culture. Goslings' cheesy but endearing performance was precisely the Kenergy needed for his character's big moment, and, just in time for the holidays, there are now more versions of the song for us to enjoy.

Composite image of Ryan Gosling as Ken singing "I'm Just Ken" with other Kens in Barbie

Barbie has maintained the top spot at the box office for 2023, thanks to its excellent comedy and compelling social commentary, but Gosling's Ken has managed to stand out all his own. The character is meant to represent the pressures of the patriarchy on men, which is communicated beautifully through the hilarious song 'I'm Just Ken.' The song has over 100 million global streams, has been nominated for a Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award, and assisted the soundtrack of Barbie the Album in its nominations for 11 Grammy Awards. Now, Gosling and Ronson have kept things rocKen with a brand new cover for the holidays, 'I'm Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie).'

Ryan Gosling Singing I'm Just Ken in The Barbie Movie-1

Where To Listen To 'I'm Just Ken' Holiday Version

Ken the EP, which includes the number 'I'm Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie),' dropped on December 20, 2023, several months after the theatrical release of Barbie. The holiday version of the song features a softer, more emotional performance from Gosling, as well as an orchestra, more dynamic percussion, and that signature jingle-bell sound that brings the holiday feel to the number. In addition, this cover of 'I'm Just Ken' came with an official music video, which sees Gosling and Ronson performing the song together in a Christmas-light-covered studio. The entire Ken EP is available for purchase in CD or vinyl on the official Barbie shop, but there are several music streaming services offering 'I'm Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie)' for free: Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, Pandora, Deezer, SoundCloud, Tidal.

Ryan Gosling as Ken singing I'm Just Ken in Barbie

The Lyrics and Other Versions

The holiday version of 'I'm Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie)' features a softer, more emotional performance from Gosling, as well as an orchestra, more dynamic percussion, and that signature jingle-bell sound that brings the holiday feel to the number. Additionally, rather than dozens of backup singers, the track features only a few gentlemen, including composer Ronson, singing the part of Gosling's rival Kens. The original bridge of 'I'm Just Ken,' in which Gosling repeats, 'Can you feel the Kenergy? Feels so real, my Kenergy' has been cut from the holiday version, and at the end of 'I'm Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie), Gosling delivers the somber line 'Merry Christmas Barbie, wherever you are.'

A layered, colorful image of Ryan Gosling in multiple Ken looks from the Barbie movie.

A Christmas version of 'I'm Just Ken' wasn't the only title included in Ken the EP. As well as 'I'm Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie)', Gosling and Ronson released 'I'm Just Ken - In My Feelings Acoustic' and 'I'm Just Ken - Purple Disco Machine Remix.' The acoustic remix has vocals nearly identical to the holiday version but with a far more emotional, acoustic boy-band sort of energy to the accompanying music. Then, at the end, the original Barbie song's bridge is restored, this time with some acoustic instrumentals that have powerful Fleetwood Mac vibes. The 'Purple Disco Machine Remix,' on the other hand, lacks the majority of the lyrics of the original song, instead simply featuring the lines 'Can you feel the Kenergy? Feels so real, my Kenergy,' and 'I'm just Ken,' on repeat against an electronic dance track.

Sad Barbie next to Ken looking defiant