The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 7 August 2023". The ARIA Report. No.1744. Australian Recording Industry Association. August 7, 2023. p.4.

a b c d e Jarvey, Natalie (July 11, 2023). "Singing "I'm Just Ken" in 'Barbie' Was Ryan Gosling's Idea". Vanity Fair . Retrieved October 14, 2023.

The real names of 100 rock stars, including Slash:

Admittedly, for a moment in the film it seems dubious that Gosling is even holding a real guitar, let alone playing one. I'm Just Ken" was one of the first songs written for Barbie the Album. Producer Mark Ronson was inspired to write the ballad after reading the Barbie script and sympathizing with Ken's character. [4] On a musical level, there’s something life affirming about the note jumping up an octave in the last syllable of “fi….ine”, implying that everything’s going to work out just fine in the end. This ties in with the repeated lyrical phrase at the song’s end (along with a “Yeah”): “The less I seek my source for some definitive/the closer I am to fine”, which suggests the truth of what we need to know is hidden deep within ourselves, and we shouldn’t be distracted by outside influences who claim that they know us better. I have a lot of textural stuff throughout the film with two major spots where I do some soloing Wolfgang Van Halen

Ronson recorded a demo of "I'm Just Ken" and sent it to director Greta Gerwig, although he wasn't expecting it to be included in the film. Gerwig, however, loved the song and played it for Ryan Gosling, who plays Ken. [4] Gosling stated that it affected him "deeply" [3] and asked if he could perform it in the film. [5] Gerwig had to rewrite an important scene in the film to accommodate the new addition. [4] [6] To hear some of Van Halen deploy two-handed tapping on a Barbie score, however, you might have to wait for the film. Another thing to say about Barbie is that it is very, very funny. Robbie’s almost C-3PO-ish deadpan delivery provides plenty of laughs, but it’s Gosling who’ll end up as your favourite toy,” it read.

Watch Ryan Gosling's ‘Just Ken’ from the Barbie movie featuring Slash:

My buddy Mark Ronson hit me up earlier this year needing my ‘mammoth guitar sound’ and I happily obliged. Honoured for the opportunity to contribute some guitar playing throughout this hilarious/surreal/heartfelt movie.” Producer Mark Ronson described Slash as his “all-time hero” at the film’s premiere, where he told Variety: “I sent him the song and he was like, ‘This is a good song… Cool, I’ll play on it.’ He kills it, he plays the solo at the end and the rhythm parts. It’s wonderful.” He added: “And there is an unspoken Ken code that if you buy another Ken’s style, you have to give them your most prized possession. So, I hope you will accept the Ken guitar as my humble offering. Besides, Ken doesn’t really play anyway. So, it will be much better in your hands.” Jeffrey, Joyann (August 4, 2023). "Ryan Gosling makes Billboard's Hot 100 chart. He's not the 1st actor to do so". TODAY.com . Retrieved August 7, 2023. To no one’s surprise and everyone’s delight, it seems that Gosling is a multi-talented musician with plenty of strings to his bow.

Paul, Larisha (August 21, 2023). "Ryan Gosling Fully Leans Into His Kenergy in 'I'm Just Ken' Behind-the-Scenes Footage". Rolling Stone.The song’s also been a constant in other popular culture as shorthand for a powerful moment of emoting. It got a shout out from a drunk Jim and Andy in The Office (US) – and who here hasn’t felt something encroaching a spiritual awakening from a couple of glasses of wine, only for it to recede again with the rest of the bottle? – and it’s had previous form as the perfect road-trippin’ tune, as Ali, Sarah and Maura from Transparent sing along to it on the way to a festival; like Barbie, it’s a song of empowerment, and to pump them up for whatever may lie on the road ahead of them.

This song is so good, I want to play my guitar at a woman on the beach with this while staring uncomfortably into her eyes for 4 minutes,” is just one of the many new comments on the YouTube video of this song, which has soared with plays over the weekend, taking it up to 106 million views. Except, when she’s not. Given her intrusive thoughts about dying, her flat foot debacle and some cellulite beginning to peek through her shiny, bronzed limbs: she’s far from fine.

VanHoose, Benjamin (July 10, 2023). "Ryan Gosling Flexes His Muscles and Sings His Ken Anthem in New 'Barbie' Sneak Peek". People . Retrieved October 14, 2023. I'm Just Ken" is described as a sentimental "'80s power ballad." [3] Ahead of the film's release, marketing and promotional materials often contained the tagline, "She's everything. He's just Ken," an allusion to the song. [4] Production [ edit ] Closer To Fine”, written by Emily Saliers, one half of the Indigo Girls, at first glance is a joyful, folksy little ditty. But the lyrics reveal that the person singing is confused about their place in the world, searching all around for a sign to point them in the right direction as to who they really are. Wang, Jessica (July 19, 2023). "Wolfgang Van Halen and Josh Freese also bring Kenergy to Barbie Land". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved October 14, 2023.