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Gotye — Smoke And Mirrors
Album: Making Mirrors
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2004









Released: 2012
Length: 5:11
Plays (last 30 days): 0
You're a fraud and you know it
But it's too good to throw it all away
Anyone would do the same
You've got 'em going
And you're careful not to show it
Sometimes you even fool yourself a bit
It's like magic
But it's always been a smoke and mirrors game
Anyone would do the same

So now that you've arrived well you wonder
What is it that you've done to make the grade
And should you do the same?
(Is that too easy?)
Are you only trying to please them
(Will they see then?)
You're desperate to deliver
Anything that could give you
A sense of reassurance
When you look in the mirror

Such highs and lows
You put on quite a show
All these highs and lows
And you're never really sure
What you do it for
Well do you even want to know?
You put on quite a show

(Mother)
Are you watching?
Are you watching?
(Mother)
Are you watching?
(Mother)

You're a fraud and you know it
And every night and day you take the stage
And it always entertains
You're giving pleasure
And that's admirable, you tell yourself
And so you'd gladly sell yourself
To others

(Mother)
Are you watching?
(Mother)
Are you watching?
(Mother)
Are you watching?
(Mother)
Are you watching?

Such highs and lows
You put on quite a show
All these highs and lows
And you're never really sure
What you do it for
Well do you even want to know?
Yeah you put on quite a show
Comments (112)add comment
Gotye always mixes up tempos to wonderful effect.  9/10 for me.
 gigikent wrote:


terribly annoying song that one, the rest are quite nice

I agree with one exception, I like the annoying one too.
we need more space and drums...
Nice tune! I never heard of him before. Thank You RP!
 Buzzardcheater wrote:

He was huge 7-8 years ago, now dare I say that he's just somebody that I used to know?



terribly annoying song that one, the rest are quite nice
 teeyodi wrote:
Is this Mike Pence's theme song?   



And countless others...
 unclehud wrote:

Here's why I love RP and why they get some of my hard-earned money:

Bill played a nice tune from Alt-J (2012) a little while ago, then followed with songs from Dire Straits (1979) and Quicksilver (1968), then this sharp little ditty from Gotye (2012) -- which, by the way, is easily a 9.

Who else will play this variety?  Seriously?  Who else?



Thanks for the reminder - just chipped in $10
Great RP vibe going on over the last hours. RP is like the old original FM progressives radio. There were some very interesting broadcasts. Obviously music but then Firesign Theater. Terrific diversity of sound. RP has much better audio quality.
 teeyodi wrote:
Is this Mike Pence's theme song?   

Even down to (Mother)!
What a beautiful piece of music!
 todbothom wrote:

I admit that I was ignorant of the existence of Radio Paradise until a couple of years ago and I have been an avid listener ever since. This band and the constant variety of music is unbeatable yet I have one question, Why haven't I heard, in two years, even one tune by Warren Zevon? I'm not talking about the commercial plays but the man was a terrific songwriter. Even the commercial tunes are great.




I've heard Warren Zevon deeper cuts on the rock mix, and I'm seeing this on the World mix.  It's really about the "mood du jour" around here I think if you listen long enough you will find some love for Warren.
I admit that I was ignorant of the existence of Radio Paradise until a couple of years ago and I have been an avid listener ever since. This band and the constant variety of music is unbeatable yet I have one question, Why haven't I heard, in two years, even one tune by Warren Zevon? I'm not talking about the commercial plays but the man was a terrific songwriter. Even the commercial tunes are great.
Is this Mike Pence's theme song?   
He was huge 7-8 years ago, now dare I say that he's just somebody that I used to know?
 djengs wrote:
Mommy issues?
 

It's a great tune but that's what I thought when I read the lyrics. His mother's insecurity seems to have rubbed off onto Wally.

To quote Philip Larkin, the great English poet of the mid-20th century :-

They f*ck you up your Mum and Dad
They may not mean to but they do
They fill you with the faults they had
And add some more, just for you

Genius! - Wally too.
Great song and the intro makes a perfect ringtone 
Sounds like the lyrics were written for #45....  
Hmmm.... "Smoke and Mirrors", "You're a fraud and you know it" - am I seeing a pattern here?
Why did I hear the guitar riff from Sugar Ray's Fly repeated several times in this song? I can't unhear it now!
mighty fine drum work there towards the end!
It is an ur old tradition.
 Orions_Belt wrote:
LOVE THE RHYTHMS the percussion is awesome and the theme works. Forward into the sometime tomorrow . . .

 
Wally is an amazing percussionist.
i like it it sounds like elbow{#Music}
Superb
ehhss is strang
 
A little Goateeyea goes along way with me.
 
Not thrilled. Three listens is sufficient. 
Mommy issues?
thanks - I'm off! {#Frustrated}
Just by chance, I saw him in concert this weekend at the Mass Moca museum playing with the local band, Zammuto. It was AMAZING!
 sajitjacob wrote:
No one builds layers like Gotye, except maybe Imogen Heap. Now that's a pairing I'd like to hear. 

 
"Hear here!"
Excellent contemplative lyrics - presumably about being a musician / performer (?)
LOVE THE RHYTHMS the percussion is awesome and the theme works. Forward into the sometime tomorrow . . .
Never heard it before but very nice....{#Cool}
from a well earned 3 to a solid sucko barfo 1
 unclehud wrote:
Gotta say: Gotye's got it.

 
a goatee?
Here's why I love RP and why they get some of my hard-earned money:

Bill played a nice tune from Alt-J (2012) a little while ago, then followed with songs from Dire Straits (1979) and Quicksilver (1968), then this sharp little ditty from Gotye (2012) -- which, by the way, is easily a 9.

Who else will play this variety?  Seriously?  Who else?
In the end this pretty much grooves along nicely
 TerryS wrote:

What? You prefer Coronation Street? really?

 
That was a bit of a stretch. Good luck with your comedy career.
Twice in one week really?
No one builds layers like Gotye, except maybe Imogen Heap. Now that's a pairing I'd like to hear. 
gandalfbmg wrote:

{#Cheers}
When his song came on Glee last night, I got to smugly turn to my wife and tell her that me and the other RPeeps have been listening to this guy for years. I get to have my hipster moment once a month...



Hipster moment? Sounds more like you were having a SENIOR MOMENT! Am I right?
But I kid.


Gotta say: Gotye's got it.
 oldsaxon wrote:

Glee? Seriously? sigh.

 
What? You prefer Coronation Street? really?
 Krispian wrote:

Haha, I say the same thing! He's all over the pop stations that my daughter listens to. He's the only artist on those stations that is halfway cool. Glad he's found huge success.

 
Curiously people in my village only finally took notice when he graciously accepted numerous awards nationally achieved mainly by overseas sales...................    {#Frustrated}
{#Bananajumprope}{#Bananapiano}{#Drummer}Simply so cool!
 johnjconn wrote:
Goattee
  .....    {#No}


A very cool tune. Thanks RP, by the way the last few hours of music have been feckin fantastic. Keep up the great work. Oh man, Marvin Gaye.
 


That is all.
Wow, just read the lyrics. Powerful...
Love the song!
This feels like a DepecheMode reboot, much as ThEditors is a JoyDivision revisit - a cyclical reimagining of bands that can't, for whatever reason, be who they were; thing is, maybe bands whose music died should never be Lazarused like this.
I was about to write "what a cheap Gotye rip-off!!" when I read, it's actually him {#Doh} Voice sounds different, though
{#Biggrin}
..saw him 12oct..really good show, Lots of percussion..the older stuff he played had a real feel-good 70s vibe..not a top-5 concert or anything, but i like him better after the live show..

I'm not the only one,

gotye/goatse

 gandalfbmg wrote:


{#Cheers}

When his song came on Glee last night, I got to smugly turn to my wife and tell her that me and the other RPeeps have been listening to this guy for years. I get to have my hipster moment once a month...
 
Glee? Seriously? sigh.
you can definitely hear the Godley Creme influence in this guys music.
 weevilkinevil wrote:
I think I have a crush on Gotye
 
I KNOW I do!!     {#Tongue}
euphoric percussion! (reminds me *a little tinsy bit* of olodum) ... 
 rtrudeau wrote:
This song has made it to terrestrial radio here in the Bay Area (on KFOG, anyway), which I grudgingly listen to in the car. I love it when Gotye comes on because I get to be such an (aging) hipster. "I loved Gotye before he went mainstream." Thanks, RP!
 
Haha, I say the same thing! He's all over the pop stations that my daughter listens to. He's the only artist on those stations that is halfway cool. Glad he's found huge success.
this song has a great beat n Vibe that rolls along with it.

Maybe consider an Original reMix by The DJ..?
Somebody that I used to know is a great one of the album.
But the whole album is just impressively good.
I listen to it in loops for months...
Goat Yay!
happy time! Agreed, this is a keeper.
Bought the CD for the obvious reason...for "Somebody That I Used to Know". Took a while for the rest of the album to grow on me. But there are indeed a couple throwaway's, this not being one of them though...imho.

I can not call this music.


I think I have a crush on Gotye
so fresh and imaginative!{#Cheers}
 Shesdifferent wrote:
Gotye is an acquired taste
 
Didn't take much for me to acquire it. I've loved "Heart's a Mess" since first listen ( a somewhat serious song). Same for "Somebody that I Used to Know" which is great fun (a somewhat tongue-in-cheek song).  

I'm looking forward to  more from this talented guy. 
The vocals sound a bit like Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode.
Gotye is an acquired taste
Everything I have heard from this band just sucks. I really don't like them.
Sorry guys but this can't be a 2012 album because I copied it off my Mum in December last year.  Perhaps the 2012 release was a US release date?
I love the creative talent of Gotye, and his willingness to go OVER the edge.
 rtrudeau wrote:
This song has made it to terrestrial radio here in the Bay Area (on KFOG, anyway), which I grudgingly listen to in the car. I love it when Gotye comes on because I get to be such an (aging) hipster. "I loved Gotye before he went mainstream." Thanks, RP!
 


I'm shocked that it made it to (yawn) KFOG. I like this song, it's kind of spooky & cool.
 kingart wrote:
Engaging percussion. 
 
Wally is a fantastic percussionist. {#Drummer}
 Jelani wrote:
Posted: May 02, 2012 - 11:21 < Reply >

 Decoy wrote:
Not liking this one. Sounds to much like a carnival nightmare.

And there's something wrong with that?

 I think this is brilliant!
 
Check out this version of Que Sera Sera to get that freaky carnival sound.  Awesome.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVbrycPKXZQ

Saw him on one of the late night shows last week.  Was interesting.  Not really sure what I think about him.  Kind of like I feel about Beck.  Some good stuff some tripe.


true to its title.
the co-workers are just going to have to suffer through me cranking this. Must listen loud!
Enjoying this tune.
This song has made it to terrestrial radio here in the Bay Area (on KFOG, anyway), which I grudgingly listen to in the car. I love it when Gotye comes on because I get to be such an (aging) hipster. "I loved Gotye before he went mainstream." Thanks, RP!
Love the ethereal plucked synths and base line.and pretty much everything else about this track. Fabulous. This had me reaching for itunes.. shame I can't go via an RP link on my pie pod.
smokin' hot  {#Tongue} 
Love this song! Gotye is excellent! Swiss love to you RP for playing such greats songs! 
Tom Waits inspired backing is no bad thing.

Surprisingly exellent!

Shriekback's gorgeous "Big Night Music" somebody...?



Engaging percussion. 
 Decoy wrote:
Not liking this one. Sounds to much like a carnival nightmare.
 
And there's something wrong with that?

 I think this is brilliant!
 Decoy wrote:
Not liking this one. Sounds to much like a carnival nightmare.
 
wow. you nailed what i was thinking.
i like most of gotye's stuff, though.
this...hmm.
magical and lovely
 gandalfbmg wrote:
When his song came on Glee last night, I got to smugly turn to my wife and tell her that me and the other RPeeps have been listening to this guy for years. I get to have my hipster moment once a month...
 
I know it's silly and petty, but I LOVE doing that to people.  I'm not smug about it, just point out that the X album was very good or how the style of X has changed.  People look at me like I'm strange.

 
Gotye has 'made' it now? Three years ago I bought one of his cd's direct from him and we had a lovely email conversation. Wally (his real name) seemed a really nice bloke and I loved his previous work. I forgot to buy this new cd so I'll remedy that now through PP > Amazon. 

Hurrah! 
Not liking this one. Sounds to much like a carnival nightmare.
 cc_rider wrote:
I think it's funny that we've been listening to Gotye for several years already, and all of a sudden he's the Next Big Thing.
 
It's part of that world-wide conspiracy against Belgian/Australians....friggin' Templars are behind it no doubt.


 
cc_rider wrote:
I think it's funny that we've been listening to Gotye for several years already, and all of a sudden he's the Next Big Thing.
 
I guess you're hearing him on the radio every other song too? :) Honestly, I think Kimbra really makes that song. I like Gotye too though.
I think it's funny that we've been listening to Gotye for several years already, and all of a sudden he's the Next Big Thing.
 Maggle_Bish wrote:

I love that most people mention "the band, Gotye" or  "I love THEM"... going to his show tonight and have a feeling I'll be the only one singing to any song NOT on this album.
 

{#Cheers}

When his song came on Glee last night, I got to smugly turn to my wife and tell her that me and the other RPeeps have been listening to this guy for years. I get to have my hipster moment once a month...
7 —> 8
seriously growing on me
luv this cd!!! saw him and kimbra at the aragon ball room in chicago...awesome!
Instant 8, trending upward! Love every cut I've heard from this album.
Gotye - "Smoke And Mirrors" played right after RJD2, but NOT "Smoke And Mirrors" by RJD2 - instead "Ghostwriter," the only other RJD2 song in RP's library.

Either an unconscious association, or a very very deliberate one. Well-played Bill. Well-played.
 gandalfbmg wrote:


Yes, I can hear crickets when I mention this, as most people think he MUST be new since that's his 'first song'... {#Rolleyes}
 
I love that most people mention "the band, Gotye" or  "I love THEM"... going to his show tonight and have a feeling I'll be the only one singing to any song NOT on this album.
what the *BLEEP* was that?
 lathyris wrote:
I'm with you Bill — it's been kind of fun recently to tell bandwagon-jumpers: "oh yeah, Gotye — I've been listening to him for years. Good stuff!"
 

Yes, I can hear crickets when I mention this, as most people think he MUST be new since that's his 'first song'... {#Rolleyes}
 scraig wrote:

Exactly what I was thinking. And I am soooo burned out on "Somebody that I Used to Know."
 

Ditto.  Hopefully that one stays off RP as it got destroyed on Satellite Radio.  However, this song is "Quite Likeable" for sure, perhaps subject to an upgrade with subsequent listens.
 scraig wrote:

Exactly what I was thinking. And I am soooo burned out on "Somebody that I Used to Know."
 
agree!!
Made me look
 lathyris wrote:
I'm with you Bill — it's been kind of fun recently to tell bandwagon-jumpers: "oh yeah, Gotye — I've been listening to him for years. Good stuff!"
 
Exactly what I was thinking. And I am soooo burned out on "Somebody that I Used to Know."
So glad that something from Making Mirrors has been uploaded!
I'm with you Bill — it's been kind of fun recently to tell bandwagon-jumpers: "oh yeah, Gotye — I've been listening to him for years. Good stuff!"