6 Songs You Didn't Know Featured Barbie's Ryan Gosling

You are here:

by Jacob Uitti August 6, 2023, 10:58 am

Born on November 12, 1980, in Ontario, Canada, Ryan Gosling has risen to become one of Hollywood’s biggest names. The talented actor, who stars as Ken in the new Barbie movie, has a lot of practice in show biz. As a kid, Gosling danced and sang with the Mickey Mouse Club. And more recently, he starred with Emma Stone in the musical film, La La Land.

But with so much talent oozing out of those perfect pores, it stands to reason that Gosling isn’t just an actor. No, he’s a singer, musician and songwriter, too. As you can see here. Indeed, below are six songs many likely didn’t know Gosling was a part of.

[RELATED: Three Songs You Didn’t Know Dave Matthews Wrote for Other Artists]

Written by Benj Pasek, Justin Hurwitz, Justin Paul

From the soundtrack for the 2016 movie, La La Land, this song, in the film featured a wondrous song-and-dance bit. Truly, Stone and Gosling exhibited delightful chemistry in the work. And part of that was born from the fact they could both sing and dance. They were natural, in many ways. Sings Gosling in his best jazz timbre,

The sun is nearly goneThe lights are turning onA silver shine that stretches to the sea

We’ve stumbled on a viewThat’s tailor-made for twoWhat a shame those two are you and me

Written by Benj Pasek, Justin Hurwitz, Justin Paul

Another from the 2016 movie, La La Land, this song was also performed by Gosling and Stone. With music by Justin Hurwitz and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, this track won a Golden Globe and an Oscar for Best Original Song. Performed by Gosling, who exhibits a knack for whistling, the entertainer sings over a reflective piano line,

City of starsAre you shining just for me?

City of starsThere’s so much that I can’t see

Who knows?Is this the start of something wonderful and new?Or one more dream that I cannot make true?

Written by Matt Serletic, Rob Thomas

This is just a cover version of the 1997 Matchbox 20 song. However, for those who have seen Barbie, the placement, timing and performance of the song within the film was just incredible. Playing over an acoustic, like so many bros in so many dorm rooms to confused women, Gosling is the chef’s kiss in the film. He sings,

I wanna push you aroundWell, I will, well, I willI wanna push you downWell, I will, well, I willI wanna take you for granted

Well, I wanna take you for grantedYeah, yeah, well, I willShe said I don’t know why you ever would lie to meLike I’m a little untrustin’When I think that the truth is gonna hurt ya

Written by Ryan Gosling, Zach Shields

Performing under the name Baby Goose (i.e. a gosling), Ryan started this band with pal Zach Shields in 2007. Their self-titled 2009 debut LP includes the song, “Buried in Water,” which features Gosling singing, whistling and sounding like he’s communicating from a time centuries in the past. The album, which is made with the Silverlake Conservatory Children’s Choir, which was started by Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassist Flea, is quite good and this song is a highlight. Sings Gosling,

Like a lamb to its slaughterBuried in water

DownUnder the groundThere’s a town thereI’ve been down thereIn the middle of the lakeI hold your hand, for goodness’ sake

When the women and the kids are asleepThe walls thereAnd the skin of the sheepSo lock all the windows and doorsThe Devil’s coming for you and yours

Written by Ryan Gosling, Zach Shields

Another from the 2009 Dead Man’s Bones, “Pa Pa Power” is a bit more upbeat compared to the above song. It also elicited a music video from the band, which you can see here below. The performance by the children’s choir on this track is both eerie and sublime. It’s a marvelous offering from an artist who is also a world-class silver-screen presence.

Written by Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt

Here, we saved the best for last! Written by Mark Ronson (of “Uptown Funk” fame), this song has since charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Speaking to Vanity Fair, Ronson shared his idea behind the song’s hook lyric. “I instantly had this idea for this lyric: I’m just Ken / Anywhere else I’d be a 10,” Ronson told the publication. “It just seemed funny. It felt a little bit emo, like, this poor guy. He’s so hot, but can’t get the time of day.” Check out the fantastic hit song below, in which Gosling sings,

Doesn’t seem to matter what I doI’m always number twoNo one knows how hard I tried, oh-oh, II have feelings that I can’t explainDrivin’ me insaneAll my life, been so politeBut I’ll sleep alone tonight

‘Cause I’m just KenAnywhere else I’d be a tenIs it my destiny to live and die a life of blonde fragility?I’m just KenWhere I see love, she sees a friendWhat will it take for her to see the man behind the tan and fight for me?

Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

See more

Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log In.

August 6, 2023, 8:25 pm

August 6, 2023, 10:31 am

August 6, 2023, 10:00 am

August 6, 2023, 9:00 am

August 6, 2023, 8:30 am

August 6, 2023, 8:00 am

August 6, 2023, 8:25 pm

August 6, 2023, 5:11 pm

August 6, 2023, 3:00 pm

August 6, 2023, 2:31 pm

August 6, 2023, 10:31 am

August 6, 2023, 10:00 am

Read More

Read More

Read More

Read More

Read More

Read More