If you’ve seen the Barbie movie, you know all about the banger that is “I’m Just Ken,” sung and performed by Ryan Gosling alongside a cast of other Kens. I recently covered that song on solo acoustic guitar in an attempt to tap into the cultural zeitgeist sweeping the world (or maybe because I was just bored and wanted to wear a blonde wig for a few minutes).
If you’re here, you probably want to learn how to play “I’m Just Ken” on guitar. I’ve included the lyrics and chords below. Unlike other transcriptions, this one’s in the same key as the original, so you can play along with the song to practice. In the video above, you can hear my attempt at it. I make an effort to do unedited live performances for authenticity and also to practice performing (and also because I’m too lazy to do a whole studio number then pretend to play it for a music video).
Click here for the original version for reference. The official channel doesn’t allow embedding, so you’ll have to watch it directly on YouTube.
Here are the lyrics and chords to “I’m Just Ken” (there might be some alignment issues if you’re using a device with a smaller screen, but they should be aligned with most smartphones and desktops):
“I’m Just Ken” Lyrics & Chords
Opening Verses
(I use open chords whenever possible for this part)
Gb B E
Doesn't seem to matter what I do
Abm
I'm always number two
E
No one knows how hard I tried, oh-oh
Gb B E
I, I have feelings that I can't explain
Abm
Drivin' me insane
E
All my life, been so polite
E
But I'll sleep alone tonight
Chorus
(I use barre chords and slide the root down for the Db/C)
Db Db/C Bbm
'Cause I'm just Ken
Db
Anywhere else I'd be a ten
Ab
Is it my destiny to live and die
Gb Db
A life of blonde fragility?
Db Db/C Bbm
I'm just Ken
Db
Where I see love, she sees a friend
Ab
What will it take for her to see the man
Gb Db
behind the tan and fight for me?
Rock Out Part
(I changed the timing in my version to move faster)
Ab B Gb
Ab B Gb
Ab B Gb Db
(Transition chords I use in the last line are Db before B and B before Gb)
Ab B Gb
I wanna know what it's like to love
Ab
To be the real thing
B Gb
Is it a crime? Am I not hot
Ab
When I'm in my feelings?
B Gb
And is my moment finally here
Db
Or am I dreaming?
Db
I'm no dreamer
That 80s Part
(I opted for a Metallica-esque thrash metal thing here. I occasionally strum an Em barre chord while hitting the open sixth string, E. It sounds kind of silly on an acoustic guitar, as you can hear in my video. The rest are fifth chords trying to match the sound in the original song (E-D-E-D-D-B). I toss in a 12th fret harmonic too by quickly hitting the first three strings.)
Em A Am
Can you feel the Kenergy?
Em A Am
Feels so real, my Kenergy
Em A Am
Can you feel the Kenergy?
Em A Am
Feels so real, my Kenergy
Palm-muted scale run
(I'm not sure if I played this part correctly but it sounds pretty close. I play the first few notes of the Em scale, modulate to the G scale, then Bb, then Cm closing with a slide from the note Eb to F, which allows you to come back down with the following chords on the words "I'm Just Ken...")
Final Choruses
Eb5 Eb5/D Cm
I'm just Ken
Eb
Anywhere else I'd be a ten
Bb
Is it my destiny to live and die
Ab Eb
A life of blonde fragility?
Eb5 Eb5/D Cm
I'm just Ken
Eb
Where I see love, she sees a friend
Bb
What will it take for her to see the man
Ab Eb
behind the tan and fight for me?
Eb5 Eb5/D Cm
I'm just Ken (and I'm enough)
Eb
And I'm great at doing stuff
Bb Ab
So, hey! Check me out
Eb
Yeah, I'm just Ken
Eb5 Eb5/D Cm
My name's Ken (and so am I)
Eb
Put that manly hand in mine
Bb Ab
So, hey, world, check me out
Eb
Yeah, I'm just Ken
Eb Ebm Bb
Baby, I'm just Ken
Obviously my version is far from perfect. I’d recommend you use the above chords as a guide to come up with a rendition of your own. After all, covers are supposed to be about adding your own flair to an already established song.
Ultimately, I envision this blog to be about both my musical journey and about sharing the lessons/tips/tricks I’ve learned along the way. I hope this post was useful to you!
Follow me on social to check out my original music and other cover songs: YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Twitter/X | Spotify | Apple Music | SoundCloud 🎶
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