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Gotye — Somebody That I Used To Know (w/ Kimbra)
Album: Making Mirrors
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2727









Released: 2012
Length: 4:03
Plays (last 30 days): 0
'''Gotye:'''
Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
Told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
But that was love and it's an ache I still remember

You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness
Like resignation to the end, always the end
So when we found that we could not make sense
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad it was over

But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough

No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

'''Kimbra:'''
Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
But had me believing it was always something that I'd done

But I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
You said that you could let it go
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know

'''Gotye:'''
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough

No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Somebody, I used to know
Somebody
(Now you're just somebody that I used to know)

Somebody, I used to know
Somebody
(Now you're just somebody that I used to know)

I used to know
That I used to know
I used to know
Somebody
Comments (151)add comment
 dougalbumski wrote:

Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over.... (and over and over.)
Horniest line in music.



I'd nominate "squeeze my lemon 'til the juice runs down my leg" as the horniest line in music, but yes, this is also a pretty horny line.
Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over.... (and over and over.)
Horniest line in music.
 PixelPushers wrote:

When I first heard this song I swore it was Sting singing the chorus. Am I the only one?


Yes, you are.
GREAT TUNE!  I like the marimba. Thanx RP!   
 PixelPushers wrote:

When I first heard this song I swore it was Sting singing the chorus. Am I the only one?



I was sure it`s Peter Gabriel and Katty Perry with Sting as a guest.
 RussellNelson wrote:
lots of people covered it with Youtube videos (probably without permission)
 
Probably nobody had permission.  The record labels definitely don't make it easy or practical, unless you're someone like Al Yankovic and are networked to people on the inside of the music business.
The coolest thing about this song is that 1) it became really popular, 2) lots of people covered it with Youtube videos (probably without permission), and 3) Gotye sampled all their videos to make it one, which he called "Somebodies" which is on his youtube channel. 
 NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:

um... maybe you should hang around here a bit longer. Bill has been playing other tracks by Gotye for years and actually refused to add this track to the playlist until it lost its "fan" appeal.. Personally I am glad Gotye got a chance to earn a pile of hooch with this track (at least I hope he did). I think he deserves it and keeps on experimenting and making new music. There are a lot of other artists out there with far less willingness to experiment who I would write off before this guy. 


I am fairly sure I heard this song on RP months before it became famous anywhere. Maybe RP stopped playing it for a while while this comet flew around the earth. 
It wouldn't make it without her climax would it.
Always misread his name as Goatse....  eeeee
Such a great song I can't help but sing along everytime I hear it at work
A nice german cover..... YITTY
Poignant lyrics for anyone who has ever had their heart broken. Makes me feel sad. 
Such a quirky, catchy song.
I love separating some and body and thinking about people I used to know.
Just realised the repeated riff in the intro and end of chorus' is "Baa baa black sheep have you any wool?" set to a different key and pitch 
 PixelPushers wrote:
When I first heard this song I swore it was Sting singing the chorus. Am I the only one?
 
Clearly the creepy guy from Battlestar Galactica...
 cavemanleong wrote:
Why do I keep hearing "Baa Baa Black Sheep Have You Any Wool?"
 

That xylophone is pretty close. So now I get to hear that when I hear this song, thanks a lot...

;)
 PixelPushers wrote:
When I first heard this song I swore it was Sting singing the chorus. Am I the only one?
 
I was thinking Peter Gabriel and Katty Perry.
 PixelPushers wrote:
When I first heard this song I swore it was Sting singing the chorus. Am I the only one?
 
Apparently not:

"His voice has been compared to those of Peter Gabriel and Sting.[3][4][5]"
 meanderer wrote:
 
 
wow. that was some serious group coordination there.
 PixelPushers wrote:
When I first heard this song I swore it was Sting singing the chorus. Am I the only one?
 
Yep. That's exactly what I thought until I checked the playlist.
Cannot hear this without thinking about Jeffrey Tambor so over it
Worth checking out the 'Walk Off The Earth' version of this on YouTube... 4/5 folk playing one guitar (it required many takes!!) and having fun 

Heard that version first and actually prefer it to this one...
 Ming_En_Duo wrote:
Good song. I got to know this song for the cover version done by the Canadian band Walk of the Earth, and actually I do prefer the cover than the original.
 
I heard it first from Walk Off the Earth as well. But I found I prefer this, the original, more. Still a good song from an innovative artiste. imho
Gotye is a talented multimedia artist.  The video for this is worth checking out.  It must have taken a fair bit of time to do.

Another tune/video of his worth checking out is State of the Art.  I'm surprised it isn't one of the Gotye tunes on RP.
Somebody That I Used To Know GIF
GotyeVideo
This is one of my favorite 21st century "post break-up" songs...I'm at a 9....and if it were a break-up song from my past it would be a 10....thankfully that's not the case (I have my fill already of breakup songs that mean something to me....) 


Long Live RP!!
 cavemanleong wrote:
Why do I keep hearing "Baa Baa Black Sheep Have You Any Wool?"
 
I'm not sure why you would hear that; maybe the phrasing is similar in spots, but this is not the same melody at all.  Maybe someone in your neighborhood is playing that song really loudly.
Good song. I got to know this song for the cover version done by the Canadian band Walk of the Earth, and actually I do prefer the cover than the original.
 NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
I'm just glad Kimbra got out of Hamilton.
 
The feeling's probably mutual.
I'm just glad Kimbra got out of Hamilton.
 PixelPushers wrote:
When I first heard this song I swore it was Sting singing the chorus. Am I the only one?
 
you mean it's not?
When I first heard this song I swore it was Sting singing the chorus. Am I the only one?
I'm an old fart so I don't know if this music is called anything other than 'pop', but I like it. Pretty darned inventive, to my old ears.
this has got to be the weirdest thread i've read here yet. the song resonates for different people at different times. therefore i support regular rotation as part of the therapeutic effect of RP
 cavemanleong wrote:
Why do I keep hearing "Baa Baa Black Sheep Have You Any Wool?"

 
yes sir, yes sir
Why do I keep hearing "Baa Baa Black Sheep Have You Any Wool?"
 JasondotG wrote:
Awesome! It's been long enough that we can put it back in regular rotation!

 
Or beg for a new album. He’s way overdue....
I really like the video for this song — worth watching if you haven't seen it.
Every time this comes on I get annoyed by it.
This was something original. I'll give it that.
I really like the way Kimbra sings with her hands.
Still a good song. He has some other good stuff as well. But I guess it's not palatable to many. Some pretty strange videos to his music as well.
 mardisoninnc wrote:
{#Music}   Haven't heard this one in a while.  Thanks for playing it, Bill.  Interestingly, when I was first introduced to RP by a co-worker a few years ago, this was the song that was playing at the time (and it was the first time that I had heard this song).   

 
This was going to be the next great artist and was everyone's darling.  What happened?
 For me it was Sentimental by Porcupine Tree .. been a big fan of R P since !  Welcome to the club  {#Cheers}mardisoninnc wrote:
{#Music}   Haven't heard this one in a while.  Thanks for playing it, Bill.  Interestingly, when I was first introduced to RP by a co-worker a few years ago, this was the song that was playing at the time (and it was the first time that I had heard this song).   

 


I always amuses me to hear his voice go up so high when he says "Stoop so low".  Little bit of Ring of Fire, there.

this is very cool Mash Up with an Aaliyah song

 

https://hypem.com/track/1nk66/Riley+Taylor+-+Are+You+That+Somebody+I+Used+To+Know+(Aaliyah+%2B+Gotye)

 


{#Music}   Haven't heard this one in a while.  Thanks for playing it, Bill.  Interestingly, when I was first introduced to RP by a co-worker a few years ago, this was the song that was playing at the time (and it was the first time that I had heard this song).   
 Much better voice than that weirdo.Steely_D wrote:

Because it sounds exactly like Stink singing.

   When i hear this song first time on radio, i was pretty sure Peter Gabriel and Katy Perry sing this. 
.Silly me

Awesome! It's been long enough that we can put it back in regular rotation!
 AhhtheMusic wrote:
I had to give it an average rating....just don't love it so much any more.  Maybe too much air time?  Is this their one hit wonder?

 
um... maybe you should hang around here a bit longer. Bill has been playing other tracks by Gotye for years and actually refused to add this track to the playlist until it lost its "fan" appeal.. Personally I am glad Gotye got a chance to earn a pile of hooch with this track (at least I hope he did). I think he deserves it and keeps on experimenting and making new music. There are a lot of other artists out there with far less willingness to experiment who I would write off before this guy. 
 Much better voice than that weirdo.Steely_D wrote:

Because it sounds exactly like Stink singing.

 


Ever since I first heard of this guy, I always think of the scene in American Psycho:
"Where did you get that overnight bag?"
(sighs) "Jean Paul Gaultier"

{#Crown}
wow, a semi-autobio x-ray of an old, new, now old again present but ex gal I used to know.  The tryst that tried. A good song. And I'm not fond of this artist. 
Go, hear next:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4hIzgqA9io 
'gets better every time I hear it.
 MinMan wrote:
This tune by Gotye sure beats the one by "Heart" now following it. No amount of nostalgia can create any competition between the quality of these two recordings - Clearly the genre "pop music" has evolved favorably.

 
MiniMan, you got that right! I never was a fan of Heart to begin with, but this live version is downright awful. I know Gotye isn't for everyone, but his website has an interesting video that shows how he makes his music in his parent's barn. I think that's why music in general has improved since the generic bands—with some notable exceptions heard here on RP—of the 70's and 80's. Anyone can create good, unique music just about anywhere without needing a record label or professional studio. I just wish I could hear more of it on FM radio. I can't wait to get a Bluetooth audio system when I can afford a new car. I should probably put the kids through college first though.
 Steely_D wrote:

Because it sounds exactly like Stink singing.

 
Especially when Kimbra is singing.

Um, wait...
Was OK the first couple of listens, but I'm so fed up with it now. Just a song that I used to know, trying to forget it...
Glad to hear this song by Gotye, quite nice.
This tune by Gotye sure beats the one by "Heart" now following it. No amount of nostalgia can create any competition between the quality of these two recordings - Clearly the genre "pop music" has evolved favorably.
 jnhashmi wrote:
This song has a wonderful spooky vibe that I haven't heard since The Police's "Don't Stand So Close To Me".

 
Because it sounds exactly like Stink singing.
 Karhu wrote:

good point!
 
 
Me for example: the company I used to work with was playing mainstream radio all the time in the halls. There was no way to switch it off and closing the door wasn't encouraged (it's against team spirit, some people would't dare knock blablabla... ), besides, it would only muffle the sound. I guess people working in stores also have to listen to it at work, or in certain cases, people working in a kitchen / chain-restaurant etc...  Or even just those having only standard radio in their cars, not everyone is yet to the point where an iPod or else can be connected and only their music would be played. 
 
 zepher wrote:
Nice live cut. Very eclectic, Kimbra = Hipster Princess.



 
Whatever she does, she sure looks like she's having a lot of fun. We could use a lot more of that.


Way too much psychic for my taste one of the rare songs I need to put on mute when on. Another similar psychic like that is also from Tiggerfinger - I follow rivers. Another mute whenever possible :).
 dharmabumrap wrote:

How would anyone here know that it had been played on the radio?

 
good point!
 
 scrubbrush wrote:
Great song.

I love when mainstream radio picks up on something eclectic/different and everyone around here starts acting like it's not a great song. I bet this forum would have a lot positive reviews if this hadn't been played on the radio so much.

 
How would anyone here know that it had been played on the radio?
This song has a wonderful spooky vibe that I haven't heard since The Police's "Don't Stand So Close To Me".
I was going to protest ... but kept listening ... and I have to admit, this is a good song.
I completely agree. You nailed it.


scrubbrush wrote:
Great song.

I love when mainstream radio picks up on something eclectic/different and everyone around here starts acting like it's not a great song. I bet this forum would have a lot positive reviews if this hadn't been played on the radio so much.

 


 scrubbrush wrote:
Great song.

I love when mainstream radio picks up on something eclectic/different and everyone around here starts acting like it's not a great song. I bet this forum would have a lot positive reviews if this hadn't been played on the radio so much.

 
I've heard that theory before but as someone who never listens to mainstream radio, I find this song and artist seriously annoying.  I use it to test my PSD reflexes.
Great song.

I love when mainstream radio picks up on something eclectic/different and everyone around here starts acting like it's not a great song. I bet this forum would have a lot positive reviews if this hadn't been played on the radio so much.
Most God awful, terrible, overplayed, awful (I know I already used that one) song since Santana's "Smooth".  Please never again.
Love the video.  Exquisite simplicity.  
{#Heartkiss} love this song especially the female vocalist - 9 
 BillG wrote:

Er, actually it's just now on its 6th play. It was on its 3rd when you wrote this. 

I didn't care much for it when it was released (I liked his earlier stuff better), then it blew up & any play here seemed redundant. Now it's just a decent pop song worth pulling out once a month or so. 

 
one of the reasons why I love Mr. Goldsmith.
Love this song
And he probably thought his cover was better than Zimmerman's original. Van just couldn't endear himself to a Pit Viper..




 
Excellent! {#Angel}
PSD{#Pray}

Lotsa people can relate to this one  {#Group-hug}


It's the song that wrecked 2012!
yeah ein guter Song   Aber die  5 Hände Version gefällt mir viel besser  {#Clap}
now you're just some bunny that I used to know...
I second what you wrote. I would add that the official video clip is awesome as well!
 
vanmas wrote:
Still quite likeable!
Even when played over and over again on the (air) radio in The Netherlands.
The album is nice also!

 


Still quite likeable!
Even when played over and over again on the (air) radio in The Netherlands.
The album is nice also!
Enough already!
This is excellent!

I wish I could like it.
different, poppy, made me stop and listen.....
This song is played in german radio stations ervery day! Not a bad song!
I discovered Gotye years ago after seeing the video for "Your hearts a mess"

I'm liking about one in every 10 of his songs....not a good ratio,but the ones I like....I like alot!

Good to see BillG chiming in every now and then.   
Feeling this one right now.
Thanks Radio Paradise.... right song, right time. blessings.


Nice live cut. Very eclectic, Kimbra = Hipster Princess.


I love that this station isn't dismissive of music just because it becomes popular.  This is a great tune.  
:)
 BillG wrote:
I didn't care much for it when it was released (I liked his earlier stuff better), then it blew up & any play here seemed redundant. Now it's just a decent pop song worth pulling out once a month or so. 
 
I am happy for Gotye. He stuck to his style and managed to score a massive, rather unexpected hit. I heard *about* it before I heard it, and assumed it would be a piece of crap. But it isn't. It's a very honest, decent effort, decisively unglamorous.
Ah.. had to stop doing what I was doing for checking this song.. I like it. So nice.
 christopherwoods wrote:
Sorry - actually no, I won't apologise for this - this song gets an instant 1 score. If I could vote 0 or go into minus scores, I would. I'm commenting as it has its 110th play on RP - 109 too many.

Not only is it a rubbish song, of all melodies they could plagiarise they picked Baa Baa Black Sheep! For that reason, no matter how deep the lyrics or how clever the live cover, to me this song's irrevocably and irredeemably infantile.
 
Er, actually it's just now on its 6th play. It was on its 3rd when you wrote this. 

I didn't care much for it when it was released (I liked his earlier stuff better), then it blew up & any play here seemed redundant. Now it's just a decent pop song worth pulling out once a month or so. 
 christopherwoods wrote:
Sorry - actually no, I won't apologise for this - this song gets an instant 1 score. If I could vote 0 or go into minus scores, I would. I'm commenting as it has its 110th play on RP - 109 too many.

Not only is it a rubbish song, of all melodies they could plagiarise they picked Baa Baa Black Sheep! For that reason, no matter how deep the lyrics or how clever the live cover, to me this song's irrevocably and irredeemably infantile.

 
A couple of things. First, since I don't listen to music on over-the-air radio, I'd never heard this until it was played here. Oddly or not, without the surrounding hype, it stands on its own as a sweet tune.

As for "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep," there's an episode of "Young Indiana Jones" from years ago, where Indy decides he's a jazz musician, because he's been practicing on sax. He introduces himself to a young Sydney Bechet, who invites him to sit in. Well, it's awful. Indy's take on jazz is formless caterwauling. The whole band stops and cracks up. Bechet counsels him gently, "Learn a song and make it your own," and suggests one. At the end of the episode, Bechet introduces Indy on..."Baa, Baa, Black Sheep." The point? So long as you make something of it, any song, no matter its source, can provide an elegant and instructive vehicle.

Remember Paul Butterfield's "Mary, Mary" from East/West? "Mary Had a Little Lamb"--rewritten by Michael Nesmith.
Sure, its played a lot on the radio.  Sure, it has the same melody as bah bah black sheep.  I don't care, I love this tune.
 msymmes wrote:
I don't like Sting {#Beat}

 
I hadn't noticed the similarity until you said that.  (Fortunately, I do like Sting.)
I don't like Sting {#Beat}
Is there a counter for each song on RP website or was it just a way of saying?

 
christopherwoods wrote:
Sorry - actually no, I won't apologise for this - this song gets an instant 1 score. If I could vote 0 or go into minus scores, I would. I'm commenting as it has its 110th play on RP - 109 too many.

Not only is it a rubbish song, of all melodies they could plagiarise they picked Baa Baa Black Sheep! For that reason, no matter how deep the lyrics or how clever the live cover, to me this song's irrevocably and irredeemably infantile.
 

 
1wolfy wrote:
I heard this on RP 1st...now I hear it everywhere !
 
Funny, I heard it everywhere else first, and now I hear it on RP. Don't mind though, it's a catchy tune.
Ah, thanks to RP I liked Wally before liking Wally was cool!
 Pedro1874 wrote:
And now a Grammy winner - "Record" of the year - Well done! {#Good-vibes}
 
Yes. Doesn't disqualify it from RP, let's remember.


I heard this on RP 1st...now I hear it everywhere !  Maybe there will come a day when RP makes millionaires  
This song has great angst.  It's like the rage could boil over at any second and then the xylophone kicks in to calm things back down again. If you listen for it, the drums are the singer's pulse - both his and hers.
Love this song but it does remind me of another some years ago - simular drama scene.
Such a great song to have in the RP lineup!
Pop music isn't my thing — at least not since the early 1960's — but this one stopped me dead in my tracks. Opened the door a tiny bit into my closed mind.

Does a Grammy win change it's spot in the rotation list?
And now a Grammy winner - "Record" of the year - Well done! {#Good-vibes}
Kicky little tune. Good harmonizing with Kimbra (who I think is damned talented). And yes, it's a riff on Ba Ba Black Sheep...so what? 

I dig it.

Anton on Hilton Head Island 
Sorry - actually no, I won't apologise for this - this song gets an instant 1 score. If I could vote 0 or go into minus scores, I would. I'm commenting as it has its 110th play on RP - 109 too many.

Not only is it a rubbish song, of all melodies they could plagiarise they picked Baa Baa Black Sheep! For that reason, no matter how deep the lyrics or how clever the live cover, to me this song's irrevocably and irredeemably infantile.
 hcaudill wrote:

This mind-blowing cover on YouTube was actually my first introduction to this song. In case you're not one of the 4 million people who have seen this to date:


 



Heh - mine too.
found a cool video of all the best cover videos of this...then realized it was put together by Gotye. He left out Tay but said it was the definitive cover. He also had links to all the videos so you could see them all in full if so inclined.