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.
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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.
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1. “A Lovely Night,” Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone
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 gone
The lights are turning on
A silver shine that stretches to the sea
We’ve stumbled on a view
That’s tailor-made for two
What a shame those two are you and me
2. “City of Stars,” Ryan Gosling
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 stars
Are you shining just for me?
City of stars
There’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?
3. “Push”
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 around
Well, I will, well, I will
I wanna push you down
Well, I will, well, I will
I wanna take you for granted
Well, I wanna take you for granted
Yeah, yeah, well, I will
She said I don’t know why you ever would lie to me
Like I’m a little untrustin’
When I think that the truth is gonna hurt ya
4. “Buried in Water,” Dead Man’s Bones
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 slaughter
Buried in water
Down
Under the ground
There’s a town there
I’ve been down there
In the middle of the lake
I hold your hand, for goodness’ sake
When the women and the kids are asleep
The walls there
And the skin of the sheep
So lock all the windows and doors
The Devil’s coming for you and yours
5. “Pa Pa Power,” Dead Man’s Bones
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.
6. “I’m Just Ken,” Ryan Gosling
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 do
I’m always number two
No one knows how hard I tried, oh-oh, I
I have feelings that I can’t explain
Drivin’ me insane
All my life, been so polite
But I’ll sleep alone tonight
‘Cause I’m just Ken
Anywhere else I’d be a ten
Is it my destiny to live and die a life of blonde fragility?
I’m just Ken
Where I see love, she sees a friend
What will it take for her to see the man behind the tan and fight for me?
Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
