Skip to main content
NEWS EVENT SPECIAL SERIES
That selection of music makes the film

“Barbie”: “What was I made for?” is perhaps the question asking the movie itself

2023.8.10

#MOVIE

©2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.
©2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.

In his series “Music Selection Makes the Movie,” music director/critic Yuji Shibasaki examines the role of pop music in movies.

He closely examines Margot Robbie’s “Barbie” for its fourth installment. Barbie dolls as a motif, this film tackles various social issues such as gender, and there are some similarities to Netflix’s works. On top of that, the soundtrack, produced by Mark Ronson, featured some of the leading pop musicians, is also something to mention.

While Shibasaki acknowledges the film achieved focusing on social issues and its excellent use of music, he also points out that these elements would only show the movie consciously paying attention to them. Shibasaki’s thought is also a reflective critique of today’s pop culture, including the film industry, where meta-metaphors have become the norm seeing that finding meanings in easter eggs in games has accelerated.

This article contains spoilers for the movie.

A film reflected a strong awareness of modern issues

“Barbie” risked creating a live-action version of the most popular fashion dolls. The film has been a dominant topic throughout the year among recent new movies, with massive promotion even before its release and a huge hit in the US.

Directed and co-written by Greta Gerwig, starring and produced by Margot Robbie (Barbie), with Ryan Gosling (Barbie’s boyfriend, Ken) in a supporting role, the film detached the original Barbie image as a kids’ toy and landed on a bold vision: for adults in many ways.

The history of the Barbie doll dates back to 1959. The first Barbie doll, developed by Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler, was a model of a high-teen female, breaking with the conventional wisdom in the toy industry that toy dolls were supposed to resemble babies. The doll’s tall figure, blonde hair, and other characteristics that made it the “ideal American woman” were highly acclaimed as innovative toys. However, at the same time, they were often criticized as reinforcing outdated gender norms and “femininity.”

The variations of Barbie dolls, which rapidly diversified over time, challenged the old gender perspective, or so-called “domestic ideology,” which sought to bind women primarily to the private sphere (the home). In addition, the “Black Barbie,” “Hispanic Barbie,” and the “Dolls of the World” series, which featured Barbie in the folk costumes of various regions of the world, expanded the diversity of race and ethnicity. Barbie eventually became an icon that embodied the image of an autonomous modern woman in the age of globalization.

Naturally, the film “Barbie” is deeply rooted in the history of Barbie. Still, the film covers a wide range of social issues, including criticism of romantic love ideology, patriarchal structures and toxic masculinity, gender performativity, the existential crisis of modern man, mental health issues, and even bull-shit jobs.

©2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.

The old-fashioned fantasy of a fairyland

The story starts in “Barbie Land,” a fairyland where Margot Robbie’s “typical Barbie” and various other Barbies (and their “sideshow” boyfriend Ken and his friends) live. One day, amidst the parties, surfing, and road trips, Barbie (Robbie) feels something wrong with her body, which she had believed was perfect until then. In order to find out the cause, Barbie and Ken (Gosling) go to the “real world,” where they discover a shocking reality.

The first thing that stands out from the film’s beginning is the Barbies’ fashion and Barbie Land’s design. The mid-century style art and fashions, with plenty of pink, reminiscent of old-fashioned dollhouses (dream houses), emphasize the image of “good old America” that has continued since the 1950s, inviting the audience into a fantasy of a “dreamland.”

©2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.

Mark Ronson’s striking revitalization of nostalgic music

The music also is a deceptively deforming device for “those days,” and it is arranged in every direction. The soundtrack was co-produced by top producer Mark Ronson. His ability to blend nostalgic designs with contemporary dance music makes him uniquely suited for this film, which pays homage to the glamorous musical film tradition and the latest sounds.

The artists involved are truly remarkable. From pop music, R&B, reggaeton, to rock, Dua Lipa, Sam Smith, Lizzo, Billie Eilish, GAYLE, PinkPantheress, Ava Max, Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice, Karol G, Tame Impala, HAIM, and many more top stars participated in the film with new songs.

Each of the songs reflects the individuality of each artist. Still, it’s interesting to note the prominence of party tunes, especially disco-style songs, throughout the film. Lizzo’s “Pink” used in the opening of the film, Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night” played during the dance party scene, and Sam Smith’s “Man I Am” are overt references to the disco sounds of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The film also pays homage to the disco masterpiece “Saturday Night Fever,” which also depicts in the movie.

©2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.

The specific use of music immediately evokes an association with something else is a common technique in recent major films, including the MCU movies, as well as this film.

For example, Charli XCX’s “Speed Drive” quotes Tony Basil’s “Mickey,” and Tame Impala’s “Journey to the Real World” is similarly overtly 1980s synth-pop (Pet Shop Boys?).

The most intriguing thing is “I’m Just Ken,” sung by Ryan Gosling, who was once an “accessory” to Barbie in Barbie Land. Ronson’s brilliant revitalization of nostalgic music is dedicated to this song played after he awakens to his pride and independence as a man when seeing the patriarchal structure of human society.

Although this song seems outdated rock ballad, which presumably intended to invite a sneer at the prehistoric ridiculousness of Ken’s “awakening,” the arrangement is reminiscent of Queen. It’s a perfectly meaningful Easter egg, making us hesitate to take it as a simple ridicule of masculinity.

©2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.

In addition, it seems too important to dismiss the songs excluded from the soundtrack album. Matchbox Twenty’s “Push,” released in 1997 by the leading alternative pop-rock band. The song was introduced as Ken’s favorite after his awakening to the authoritative nature of masculinity. It was also used by Ken (including Gosling) to seduce Barbie (Barbie manipulates them to do so). The song is rather derogatory, with Ken (including Gosling) playing a guitar in one hand to woo Barbie (while gazing rapturously at a bonfire) and talking in a self-absorbed manner. This actually made me, a long-time American rock fan, chuckle (another striking joke for “alterna-rock-loving male” within this sequence).

Back to series

RECOMMEND

NiEW’S PLAYLIST

NiEW recommends alternative music🆕

NiEW Best Music is a playlist featuring artists leading the music scene and offering alternative styles in our rapidly evolving society. Hailing from Tokyo, the NiEW editorial team proudly curates outstanding music that transcends size, genre, and nationality.

EVENTS