“She’s everything. He’s just Ken.”
So goes the viral tagline for Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. But as we’ve been laughing at every meme and marketing tactic based on this iconic line, we’ve failed to consider one highly important question: “What does Ken think of all this?”
Luckily, a new clip from Barbie is here to set Ken’s (Ryan Gosling) record straight — in song.
Gosling gives his all to “I’m Just Ken,” an ’80s-style power ballad that serves as an anthem to Kens everywhere. (A Ken-them, one might say.) He mourns how Ken is only ever mentioned in relation to Barbie (Margot Robbie), who only sees him as a friend. “Anywhere else I’d be a ten,” he croons. “Is it my destiny to live and die a life of blonde fragility?”
While “I’m Just Ken” may start off angsty, the power of song and dance allows Ken to discover — and celebrate — his Ken-ergy. “I’m just Ken and I’m enough, and I’m great at doing stuff!” Ken belts, hand-in-hand with his fellow Kens. That “stuff” seems to include frolicking on the beach, flexing his biceps, and rocking a white fur coat.
As if all this weren’t already legendary, “I’m Just Ken” features a true rock icon: Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash (opens in a new tab)shreds alongside Gosling’s musical musings. If you can get on a track with someone like Slash, trust us — you are Ken-ough.
