Secret Behind Greta Gerwig's Magical Influence on Ryan Gosling's Show-Stopping 'Fabulous' Ken Anthem in 'Barbie'

Ryan Gosling’s anthem in the Barbie film has swiftly become a sensation in the realm of popular culture – however, director Greta Gerwig had to gently persuade it into existence.

“He possesses an exquisite voice and is a graceful dancer. Our collaboration evolved naturally,” shared Gerwig, 39, in an interview with Rolling Stone published on Wednesday, July 25. “If I had explicitly requested him to sing and dance in this film, he may not have embraced it. However, it was like slowly boiling a lobster. By the time he found himself singing and dancing, he was unaware of how we had reached that point. Yet, he absolutely excels in these talents.”

Gosling, 42, who portrays Ken in the blockbuster hit, has a well-established history of showcasing his singing and dancing abilities throughout his career. He gained recognition for his performances on The Mickey Mouse Club in the early ‘90s alongside celebrity icons Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears before transitioning into film. His musical talents returned to the screen in 2016's La La Land, for which he was awarded the Best Actor Oscar. It was Gosling's natural abilities that served as inspiration for producers Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt as they crafted Ken's pivotal moment.

"They lacked the complete set of lyrics; all they possessed was a sensation, a framework, and the phrase 'I'm just Ken.' From there, it naturally developed," revealed Ronson, 47, in an interview with the outlet on Wednesday. He further noted that rock icons like Meat Loaf heavily influenced the creation of the song.

Titled "I'm Just Ken," the song serves as a soliloquy for Gosling's character, encapsulating his emotions throughout the film. Additionally, it can be streamed on Spotify for easy access.

Ryan Gosling in ‘Barbie’. YouTube

"He truly understood the importance of striking a delicate balance between humor and parody in the song. However, it is evident that the song also embraces moments of absurdity," Ronson expressed to Vanity Fair earlier this month. "He displayed astonishing talent, and when he effortlessly hit the high notes, I realized that he possesses an incredible vocal range!"

In reference to her contribution, Gerwig disclosed to Rolling Stone her desire to capture a nostalgic essence reminiscent of Nineties movies accompanied by soundtracks found at Costco. She vividly recalls perusing through the track listings of multiple films at Costco, leaving a lasting impression on her.

In addition to his role in "I'm Just Ken," Gosling also provided his vocals for the cover of Matchbox Twenty's "Push" in the film. The scene showcases Gosling and the other Kens serenading the Barbies on the beach. The recording took place at London's Abbey Road Studios, where Gosling admitted that his experience as Mickey Mouse proved useful. Reflecting on the process, he humorously mentioned during an interview on Entertainment Weekly's Around the Table on July 17th, "At one point, I thought I had outgrown that child within me. However, I realized that I needed his assistance to bring this movie to life. So, I had to reconcile with him and seek his support. It turned out to be a positive experience for me."

Matchbox Twenty lead singer Rob Thomas, on the other hand, disclosed that Gerwig had reached out to his team to request permission to utilize the song. He amusingly admitted that he initially found the idea quite amusing, yet he anticipated that his band might end up being the subject of a playful jest.

After the release of the movie 'Barbie' on Friday, July 21, Thomas spoke to USA Today about a scene in 'Bring It On' where Kirsten Dunst's character had a boyfriend with a Matchbox Twenty poster in his dorm room. He discussed how during the 90s, the band faced criticism as they became more successful. Thomas also mentioned that when he was approached for the role in Barbie, they explained that Ken's character would be shown by the fireside, listening to their song as it was his favorite band.

Thomas expressed his acceptance of being teased, citing his resilience. However, his appreciation grew when he learned further details about the situation. In fact, during a recent concert, he dedicated the song "Push" to Gosling. Currently, the movie Barbie is showing in cinemas.