Unleashing Midlife Ken: A Hilarious Parody of Barbie's Hit Song 'I'm Just Ken'

Summary

The Holderness Family has created a clever parody of Barbie's "I'm Just Ken" song, focusing on Ken's midlife crisis and aging-related themes.

The parody introduces a comical element by substituting the original lyrics "blonde fragility" with "grey fragility" in order to bring a humorous spin to the song. "I'm Just Ken" is widely regarded as a standout moment in Barbie due to Ryan Gosling's exceptional performance and the heartfelt lyrics, which have greatly contributed to its popularity and created an ideal opportunity for parody.

Ken is currently experiencing a midlife crisis and it has been portrayed in a clever parody of Barbie's popular song "I'm Just Ken." Although Barbie is not primarily a musical, the soundtrack of Greta Gerwig's highly acclaimed summer film includes various musical sequences, with one of the most noteworthy being "I'm Just Ken." Towards the end of the Barbie film, Ryan Gosling takes the lead in this '80s-inspired ballad, and eventually, a chorus of other Kens joins in.

The Holderness Family has taken to Instagram to present their own parody of "I'm Just Ken," capturing Ken's midlife crisis. In this version, the singer, who now sports grey hair, performs the song with lyrics that center around the challenges of aging. Be sure to watch the entire video below to see the hilarious take on Ken's midlife crisis.

The parody version cleverly reimagines lines of the real “I’m Just Ken,” such as when Ken references his “blonde fragility,” and replaces them with lines related to aging, such as “grey fragility.” The user even captions the post with “I live a life of grey fragility.” The song concludes with the wistful lyrics, “I started a garage band with my friends to compensate for the fact that I’ll never be young again.”

Why “I’m Just Ken” Is One Of The Best Moments In Barbie

This parody is an incredible homage to one of the most iconic scenes in Barbie's history. Gosling brilliantly portrays Ken, a character caught in a hilarious case of mistaken identity surrounding the patriarchy. Despite holding the seemingly insignificant role of "beach," Ken's portrayal is a perfect blend of sincerity and wit. He embodies a mix of naiveté, shallowness, and bewilderment, resulting in uproarious comedy that eventually sparks introspection.

Barbie incorporates music into its identity, starting with Lizzo's "Pink," which tells the story of the titular doll's life in Barbieland. This musical theme continues with a lively dance number featuring all the Barbies and Kens. "I'm Just Ken" takes the concept of using songs as a storytelling device further, with characters in Barbieland actually singing. The song shines a spotlight on Ken and allows Gosling's character to express his emotions through vocalization.

With Gosling's impressive performance and a well-crafted original song, "I'm Just Ken" stands out as one of Barbie's highlights. It's no wonder that it has become a popular subject for parody, as depicted in the video above, as it balances both humor and heartfelt moments. The song even garnered attention prior to the movie's release, becoming a significant talking point. Not surprisingly, the Barbie soundtrack has gained popularity that mirrors the success of the film itself, with Barbie: The Album generating significant streaming numbers.

Source: @theholdernessfamily/Instagram