Mark Ronson recounts the genesis of “I’m Just Ken”

Music news

The producer of the soundtrack of “ barbie “, Mark Ronson, talks about how he made Ryan Gosling’s iconic song.

For many fans of barbieRyan Gosling’s musical solo on ” I’m Just Ken ” was the highlight of the film.

In a new episode of the show The Breakdown of WECBproducer Mark Ronson discusses the process of creating Ken’s solo in barbienow nominated for an Oscar, and in particular the specific instructions he received from director Greta Gerwig.

Mark Ronson says Greta Gerwig asked him: “ “I need the most maximalist thing you’ve ever written.” That’s when we wrote the music for the Kenergy part, but we hadn’t written any lyrics yet. »

Ronson relates that the phrase “ I’m Just Ken, anywhere else I’d be a 10 ” came to him on his way to the studio one morning, and that’s how the song was born, first as a 2.5 minute piece, before becoming the solo prolonged that she became in the film. Ronson explains that the song was born from the chorus, specifying that it ” didn’t have the words » for certain parts.

I read the script and I loved it. I thought it was the funniest thing ever. It was so warm… There were these stories of misunderstood people who were looking for their thing. I told Greta I would do anything for this movie “, says Ronson.

Once the first demo of the song was completed, Ronson said he played it to Gerwig, who particularly liked the line about the “ blonde fragility “. Ronson then sent the demo to Andrew Wyatt, who wrote the verse. But the two musicians had blank page syndrome before seeing “ Gerwig’s ramblings » which inspired certain lines of the song. “ There is this idea that he is in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and that he is not appreciatedexplains Ronson, before adding: We laugh, but we don’t laugh at these people. We laugh with them on this journey “.

Mark Ronson says he even wrote some parts of the song, including guitar solos, as filler, but Gerwig ended up using the whole thing and asking for more for the dream ballet sequence.

Ronson also wrote “ Dance the Night », performed by Dua Lipa, and explains that the two projects came to fruition quite quickly thanks to the “ good energy » which reigned in the studio.

I’m Just Ken » is in the running for best original song at the Oscars. It has already won the trophy for best song at the Critics’ Choice Awards and has been nominated for the Grammy and the Golden Globes.

Staff

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Christopher Johnson

Christopher Johnson is a dedicated writer and key contributor to the WECB website, Emerson College's student-run radio station. Passionate about music, radio communication, and journalism, Christopher pursues his craft with a blend of meticulous research and creative flair. His writings on the site cover an array of subjects, from music reviews and artist interviews to event updates and industry news. As an active member of the Emerson College community, Christopher is not only a writer but also an advocate for student involvement, using his work to foster increased engagement and enthusiasm within the school's radio and broadcasting culture. Through his consistent and high-quality outputs, Christopher Johnson helps shape the voice and identity of WECB, truly embodying its motto of being an inclusive, diverse, and enthusiastic music community.