Breathtaking: Ryan Gosling Opens Up About the Astounding Viral Success of Barbie's I'm Just Ken Song
Barbie's I'm Just Ken song has taken the internet by storm with an astounding 75 million streams, cementing its status as a viral sensation Find out why this catchy tune has captured the hearts of millions across the globe
Summary
"I'm Just Ken" became a viral success due to its combination of self-awareness and embracing of Barbie's unique concept.
Warner Bros. generated buzz and excitement by sharing a preview of the song ahead of the movie's premiere.
Ryan Gosling, the performer of the song, was taken aback by its unexpected popularity and felt deeply moved by the music, especially during Slash's performance.
Barbie's popularity is still on the rise, and songwriter/producer Mark Ronson recently opened up about Ryan Gosling's response to the viral success of "I'm Just Ken." Gosling played the role of Ken, the counterpart to Margot Robbie's main character in the live-action film adaptation of the Mattel doll line. The story follows their journey to the real world to unravel the source of her existential crisis. During their adventure, Ken discovers the concept of patriarchy and decides to revolt against Barbieland, only to be tricked by the Barbies into a war between the men. This leads to Gosling's character breaking out into song.
To celebrate the significance of Barbie's music, The Hollywood Reporter interviewed Ronson to talk about the creation of the popular "I'm Just Ken" song. Ronson expressed his surprise at Gosling's interest in performing the track himself. The songwriter/producer also kept Gosling informed about the song's milestones, and the actor found its viral success to be incredibly surreal. Here's what Ronson shared with The Hollywood Reporter:
Why Barbie's "I'm Just Ken" Became A Viral Success
He exudes a sense of detachment from all the frenzy, judging by what little I now know about him. Even he would express disbelief, saying, 'This is so surreal, I am at a loss for words.' I perceive him as a genuine musician, one who adores music, and I believe he was genuinely moved by Slash's contribution to it, you know? Therefore, there are certain things that he has been truly, I think, enthusiastic about.
Warner Bros. knew they had a surefire hit with "I'm Just Ken" even before Barbie hit the theaters. They had released a snippet of the song ahead of the movie's release, and it was clear that audiences were eager to hear more. After the film's highly praised debut, fans flocked to YouTube and Spotify to listen to Ryan Gosling's song on repeat. In just two months, the YouTube video has amassed over 10 million views, while the song has been streamed over 75 million times on Spotify.
The viral success of "I'm Just Ken" can be attributed to its self-awareness and its embrace of Barbie's unique concept. The film explores Ken's reliance on Barbie's affection from both a mocking and sympathetic perspective. Robbie's character ultimately teaches the lesson that individuals in Barbieland can strive to be true to themselves rather than conform to predetermined toy personas. Despite Barbie's disinterest in reciprocating Ken's feelings, the song "I'm Just Ken" serves as a celebration of Ken's personal growth. The combination of these themes, along with the vibrant sets, colorful composition, and contributions from renowned musicians such as Slash, Wolfgang Van Halen, and Josh Freese, make it clear why the song captivated audiences beyond just Gosling.
Source: THR
