When she's singing her part, he closes his eyes, turns his head and sings over what she is STILL trying to explain. He refuses to hear her. And repeats his side of the story, louder. And she paints herself out of his picture. 💙
Yeah, I LOVE that metaphor...I see it as a tragedy, I think Gotye's verse is actually singing about his ex...and Kimbra is the "Rebound girl"...hence why she feels she has to second-guess everything he says whether it's about his ex or her and take the blame for stuff he is mad at his ex about (Moods are fickle things)...this song is the argument when Kimbra finds out that Gotye has secretly been trying to get in touch with his ex...Kimbra caught him hung up on somebody that he used to know (Phone metaphor/pun?)... Even though the breakup was terrible and she didn't even come back to collect her things, he is still hung up on her...some kind of unfinished business...he's a broken dude, he's trying to move on, but isn't ready yet...so, I'd say Kimbra made the right choice...
I ADORE this song for exactly the reason you nailed -- we get two sides to the story. First we hear his side, where they had a somewhat amicable breakup because they just weren't clicking anymore, and then she just cut all ties with him and he's hurt. And that's what a normal song would say and where that story would end. But then suddenly Kimbra is telling the other side of the story, where he was passive-aggressive and manipulative and blamed her for everything that went wrong, and it's suddenly a completely DIFFERENT relationship. The story the first narrator told you was presumably a convenient lie from a toxic ex-boyfriend. It's like the song has a plot twist.
It's rare that we get such honest song writing. It is not afraid to show the main character as the "bad guy". It's such a great display of male ego, how fragile it can be, and the results of it being broken. The guy was "glad it was over", but his feelings were hurt that she didn't appear to be broken by the relationship ending. He wanted to be so important that she would break, and it breaks him that he wasn't. She is trying to talk to him about how their relationship was struggling due to him being hung up on a past girlfriend, and attributing those traits on her by reading past motives into her words. I really like how she is the one that turns to face him, but he doesn't move, and even starts singing over her. It really shows how she is screaming at him to try and get through, but his ego prevents him from making a connection and possibly accepting it was his fault. Long rant to say, the video makes the song better 100%.
His name is Wouter (born in Belgium, moved to Australia as a small kid). Ther French version of that name is Gautier, which is pronouced Gotye in English. It was his mother's nickname for him
Thank you - being a Dane the French version makes more sense to me than the English (even though I've learned both languages in school). I just had the debate with my son a couple of days ago on how Gotye pronounced, so this cleared it up for me :-)
He's a lovely guy, my friends band Karnivool covered one of his songs (long before this) and Wouter gave a pile of free tickets to a small gig. So I got to go see him, without knowing much of his music, and it was great. He had me extra 'sold' by letting me mess with his computer during a "blue screen of death" unplanned intermission, just trusting a random girl from the audience with fixing his laptop over a others. And I managed to get it working! Bonding moment.
Yup, I knew Wally as a teen, he played in the orchestra for a bunch of shows I was in, with a little posse of great musicians who were all at school together at Parade College. He’s an absolute doll, and so deserved of his success.
Gotye is wholly under-apreciated! I found his whole album 'Making Mirrors' very interesting and well written - the music is strangely experimental and intriguing. The only other song of Kimbra I've heard was 'Settle Down' and I LOVED it
Great song. I’ve always liked it. It sounds like she went no contact. It’s a self-preservation move. Especially if the relationship was very toxic. Depends on the relationship.
This was definitely a toxic relationship, he was blaming her for every little mishap, gaslighting her, withholding affection, and she had enough of his bullshit and bailed.
I think ghosting like that is about the sh!tiest sh!t thing you can do to someone that's legal. "Narcissist" is a term that's getting thrown around a LOT lately. A very small percentage of the population is truly narcissistic. Less than 5%. Yet everyone and their dog seems to be excusing their insensitive, selfish, and hurtful treatment of another human being by saying that person was a narcissist and deserved it. Nope. I don't buy it. Sure, there are truly dangerous situations where cutting contact is necessary for physical safety. But that's not the same as cutting someone off because the situation is hard, uncomfortable, and messy, and you don't want to be inconvenienced or take responsibility. Have some emotional maturity and human compassion, and give them a proper goodbye.
@@cmay7429 she didn’t ghost him without telling him they were over. he even quoted their breakup conversation. He’s complaining that after the conversation she didn’t stay under his influence.
@@staciecarrel4492 Nope. He's complaining about this - "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) Have your friends collect your records and then change your number." Telling someone "Bye!" then cutting off all contact is still ghosting. You're leaving the other person without resolution. You get what you want, and they don't matter. It's damaging to be told by someone you loved, who supposedly loved you, that you, and your time spent together, mean nothing. She even said "they could still be friends." I understand that might not have been realistic, or a good idea, but then why say it and then treat him in such a way? I agree, their relationship sounded toxic, but why assume that was ALL his fault? Where are you getting he's blaming her, gaslighting, and withholding affection? I don't see any blame in his description of the break up. And if anyone WAS withholding affection, it sounds more like it was her - "told myself you were right for me, but felt so lonely in your company." I can maaaybe see how you could get gas lighting when she says - "reading into every word you say," but it seems like a leap. She could easily just be referring to the egg shells most exes walk on around each other. She could also be the type of person who's always finding attacks and hidden meanings into things that are, in reality, innocent. Those types of people are just as real as gaslighters and narcissists.
I was going through a breakup with a gaslighting, abusive partner when this song came out. What it meant for me - the guy is unhappy, for unclear reasons, but seems to be taking a passive approach to dealing with it. Says he doesn't care, he's happy it's over, but even after it's over, he still finds ways to criticize her. She didn't break up the 'right' way. She didn't leave herself available to him, to soothe his wounds. So he does care - about himself. She, on the other hand, has woken up to his mistreatment. How everything in their relationship was always her fault, according to him. And realizes that's no way to live. So she moves on. And is pissed that he's *still* trying to guilt her into doing what he wants. But that's what was going on in my life, and you may see it differently based on your life experience.
my take was that he was cheating on her and she called him out on it. she says "and i wouldnt catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know" and now hes referring to her as somebody that he used to know. classic narcissist. returning to the x during the next relationship.
If you’ll notice, in this video, he’s not singing to her. That’s the first clue. She’s upset that he’s still hung up on somebody he used to know. Second clue. He doesn’t notice her verse, and just continues his song. Add these up, and she’s in a newer relationship with him, and struggling with reading into what he’s saying to find that he IS still hung up on somebody he used to know. This isn’t the two sides of the story, this is the aftermath of his story permeating into his new relationship, and the way he’s treating her is inadvertently leaving her feeling like he felt, lonely in the other person’s company. He’s also painting any issues they have as her fault (had me believing it was always something that I’d done), instead of the truth, which is that he’s still hung up on somebody he used to know.
I like your interpretation and it makes more sense. I never thought of it like that. I initially thought he was in denial about the breakup, pretending not to care with bravado and saying he was happy it was over, but clearly not over it by the way he laments her handling of the breakup and its aftermath.
@@NCardude I can’t take credit for the interpretation, but I appreciate the backup. I believe that the interpretation I mentioned was stated as fact by a “reaction channel,” but one I’m fairly certain does either major or genius lyrics research beforehand. I’m not currently naming names, I’ll save that for a dis/res track later. Edit: Oh, and he still is in denial, at least fooling himself into thinking that his ex’s actions were far too harsh for the way things ended, and were, throughout their relationship. If he’s not fooling himself, he’s certainly fooling his new pre-ex, who will become another somebody that he used to know and used to know him.
This song had one if the most memorable comments to this day, it was something like "This guy paints himself like the backgriund and its art, I do it snd get bannrd from the local baskin robins". LOL
So brilliant at every level: the music, the singing, the lyrics and the phenomenal art work that shows the girl being removed from the picture. The composition to juxtapose both sides of the story makes you really think about the relationship they were in. I think people start out empathising with him but when Kimbra’s verse comes along you are shocked into realising there’s a lot going on. Brilliant.
well put!! The only thing I differ on is I think she removed herself. Note the shrugging she does at the beginning - like she's shaking herself clear of his world. Also love the metaphor of patterns of behaviour in the artwork. There is a lot going on here.
This is one of those songs I feel that suffers without it's video...the interplay between the two of them when Kimbra dives into her verse really makes this song work for me in a way that the audio alone doesn't. I still hear it pretty regularly on the radio and watching the video just now is the first time in a long time it actually hit me emotionally. This song actually hits very similar to me as "You're Somebody Else" by Flora Cash.
After my last breakup (broke up, stayed super close friends for years, but the breakup rotted things between us and it all ended horribly with her cutting me off completely), this song suddenly hit me like a train and it quickly became one of my favorites. It's a very specific pain that's different to a simple breakup, and I love that Gotye and Kimbra captured it so perfectly.
I'm in my 50s and have only had 2 long-term relationships. I don't miss either of them. I've paid off my mortgage, have complete control of the remote and what I watch, let a room get messy, wash clothes when I have enough clothes. My first left after 14 years for someone they worked with. Behind my back they were looking for a house. That lasted 11 months... I met my next partner and we were together for 12 years. They cheated the whole time... Emptied my house when they went... I found out recently they've been cheating on the person they left me for with a friend of a friend. Then a relative of mine saw them with the partner out shopping. They wouldn't have paid for anything... I miss both like a gunshot wound to the genitals. I go on dates and do wtf I want. I answer to me. My advice to anyone in a toxic relationship is to cut the cord and get out.
I think so many people missed the message originally, because the song was already so different in tone, but felt familiar in sentiment. BUTTTTT.... she says "And 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" And he'd described being unhappy in a relationship YET also saying 'I was glad it was over' AND THEN saying 'but you didn't have to cut me off'. So he's essentially saying he was a baby man who didn't take responsibility for his choices or stand up for his needs and yet wanted his exes to just be sweet to him forever so he never had to deal with any unhappiness. And she comes along and is like 'I don't wanna deal with you always hung up on the past person'. Essentially... he's exhibiting narcissistic behavior and trying to 'have his cake and eat it too' (even tho i hate that phrase).
It was right about the same time; the term started getting popular in 2010, and the song is from 2011. The actions it describes are much older, of course; as I'm sure you already know, the term comes from the 1944 movie "Gaslight."
great reaction, love this song because it does offer a view into both sides of a breakup, which most don't. As far as acting like the other person is someone you don't know; depends a lot on the variables. how long/ well did they know each other, how long was the relationship, what caused the break up. I was married for almost 7 years and a month after our divorce was final he remarried, so yeah, I went with acting like he was someone I didn't know because apparently, I really didn't.
I don't think it's talking about only one relationship.... Kimbra's part sounds like a new relationship in which the partner is still thinking of the past gf/relationship , hence "that i wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know".
'Cold shoulder' can be a protective mechanism- in some break ups seeing/speaking et etc the other person can be a reminder of what once was and that something has been lost, this can re-trigger pain/trauma each time you have contact with the person.
I think its best to stop all contact to be able to move on.. it hurts, but trying to "just be friends" with someone who you shared your life with hurts even more.
The song is a break up between a narcissist and their victim. He is playing the wounded one and the listener almost sympathizes with him until she (the victim) speaks. Then you hear the otherside of the story and realize he is a narcissist. He is upset because she left. He doesn't want her love. But her treating him like a stranger like they didn't exist pisses him off. Narcissist want to be both in control and victimized. The real victim moved on yet the narcissist is singing about the past cause THEY are still hung up on somebody they used to know.
I love this song - but I think it's deeper than that... Kimbra sings; And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know. It makes me think Gotya is still stuck in relationships from before Kimbra's verse... just a thought... I think it's nice that you also delve into older music. Merry Christmas ❤
I agree that there seems to be more depth to that verse. Other than your theory, I wonder if she may be referencing that she might have grown during the relationship and that he might be struggling with accepting the new version of her...??
Yes. He told her she wouldn't catch him caught up on somebody that he used to know. The implication being that he was stuck on the previous relationship before her and that ultimately ruined this one. Now that she is somebody that he used to know, is that cycle doomed to repeat in his next relationship? Perhaps the deeper meaning is not realising what you have until it's gone.
yes I agree - he has been using her as a "2nd best" substitute for some other woman. There is so much going on, such a complex relationship and I love how they both portray the anger & frustration.
The MV also tells a great story too. He is letting himself get consumed by the situation (paint covering him) while he speaks about his side of things, she is already fed up (appears already fully painted) and tries to say her piece, but decides to give it up (steps away from him after "screaming) and detaches herself from it all (paint coming off) until she is fully separated from it as he keeps repeating the same thing and stays in it whilst claiming he didn't need her but clearly still being consumed by it all. This has always been my take on the song + mv as a whole, haven't even seen anyone else point this out yet. I confess I didn't bother with many reactions back then, and then the craze just died.
Anyone notice that when her part ends and he sings again she is doing the melody singing...its her "yelling" at him while he is trying to tell her his side the whole time he is singing... both sides feel unheard
Wow...I missed that about him "blending into the background" but understood her being "unpainted" as a reference to her no longer being in the picture." Thank you.
I think what most people don't realize that she's the person he used to know that he's caught up in. He said they could be friends but then was constantly telling her she wasn't the person he used to know and rehashing the relationship. She blocked him most likely because he would send screenshot texts at 3am throwing her words back in her face or angry voice-mails. So bad that she wouldn't even go get her stuff from him. People always hear the lonely part wrong too, he may have felt lonely but she probably felt smothered and drowning because he demanded her attention. When this song first came out, I was him. Listened to this thousands of times because i was in a break up and swore this song was written for me and was my anthem. I heard her words but never listened to them. For years i thought she was the toxic one. That was until i got therapy and discovered self awareness. Then it randomly played one day. I hadn't heard it in years. And then i listened to her words. Literally paused it and thought wtf, i was the toxic one. 😂 then relistened and listened to his part again. Messed me up for days because i put that ex through hell and he was a good guy. Didn't even block me after i used a text bomb app to send him 324 F.U texts at 3am, next afternoon apologied, promised i wouldn't do it again and we could really be friends. Then 5 nights later at 2am, i wrote a book in texts messages because he wasn't answering. A few more times and he blocked me. And i just couldn't believe he would do that after all we been through and saying we could remain friends. Felt that way for a every long time. And really he was just protecting himself because i was screwed up. He tried because he did care and didn't want to cut me off. But i left him no choice.
Your not alone I literally did the same things. I'd promise not too and I'd think of something and I'd say fuck it I don't care. Send hundreds of text and after they completely cut me off. I was always self reflecting but for some reason that was when it hit me it was me. Really both of us but it was me making it impossible to stay in contact. Just like you said I couldn't believe she actually did that. Even though I was pushing her almost like a test to see if she really did care. But I guess that's life.
My 23 yr marriage broke down in divorce when this song came out. So relatable at that time but happy to say 12 yrs later we have remained good friends.
In my experience (I'm 47), breakups have been the result of betrayal of trust/loyalty...those kinds of people I have no interest in remaining friends with...I can't be friends with someone that I can't fully trust...I won't even pretend to
As you said, this was everywhere, so many covers on youtube. Interestingly enough, rather than go after people with copyright strikes or whatever, Gotye worked with them and made a new song just using edited and layered youtube clips, its well worth a listen. 'Somebodies : a youtube orchestra' I've not seen another artist do this, quite rare, and very good.
Within the context of this song, she realised he was gaslighting her (look it up, it's a terrible situation to be on the receiving end of). The only way to deal with narcissists is cold-turkey; cut them out of your life; no good will come from seeing them ever again (which is why her friends collected her things). This is not a normal breakup song about a normal relationship.
Yup, the first time I heard it years back I recognized he was the abuser who couldn’t fathom that she wanted nothing to do with him, and she ran out because she realized she wasn’t crazy and he was gaslighting and lying constantly.
@@staciecarrel4492 that's such a 2024 approach to the song ... also you take for granted that her side is actually the complete truth while usually the truth is somewhere in between the two parties involved.
@@DaveDEF82 well his whole part is “yeah we were unhappy, and I know you dumped me, but why won’t you return my calls?” She basically says “you were an asshole and manipulative, so of course I want nothing to do with you”. I think it’s fair to believe her over him.
I loved his fist album, especially ‘Hearts a Mess’. Also loved the second album. I find it really interesting that when he hit popularity with this song he decided to go back to his small time Melbourne band and just do local gigs. I wonder if that was in response to not liking the lifestyle of the busier bigger music industry. Because god knows he’s got crazy songwriting chops and his music always sounds interesting! Great reaction. Thanks
Yes I think he found the whole industry circus too much & people didnt really understand his art - when he did live performances they expected the usual concert stuff & he doesnt do that. He actually says he was shocked this song got so popular.
This song has so many twists and turns. It's truly a hypnotic song with its melodies and will stick with you for days and days. What I take from this song is that he dated someone before Kimbra. For whatever reason they broke up but he can't completely move on from her. He then met Kimbra and started a relationship with her but could not let go of his previous love. So, as time went on he would do and say things to Kimbra to wound her and then blame her in hopes that she will want to break up, but remain friends. When she realizes he's not going to change and she's finally had enough she breaks up with him and he's fine with it because he's still hooked on his ex. At first she still wants to be friends but you know how hard that is when you truly love someone, so she decided to cut him off completely, had her friends go over and collect all her records and then changed her number so he didn't have any way to reach back out to her. He couldn't understand why she couldn't be friends and that's because her love for him was much deeper than his for her because he was still hung up on somebody that he used to know. She moved on and he's still fighting the feelings he has for his ex. He's never really going to be able to give all his love to someone until he finally works through his feelings he has with his ex. Crazy...I feel like most of us have been in 1 or both of those situations before and can feel both of their pain.
Hey Cliff, I don’t often leave comments, but I’ve been following you for a while now. I just wanted to say, beside the breakdowns/reactions, I love how you talk to your subs and talk so openly about mental health. That’s a testament to your character xxxxx
Back when this song came out I felt like I could relate... My past self felt like someone I used to know. I felt like my life and experiences had made me into someone I did not recognize or want to be and I longed to find my way back to my previous outlook on life. But nomatter what I did there was no way to ignore what had passed and what I had become... All I could do was to keep moving and accept that nothing would ever be like it was...
Same here , i came out a DV relationship at the time this song came out i was no longer the happy go lucky person i once was, i didn't know who i was anymore questioned everything in my life and my choices on partners blaming myself for everything that went wrong .(still do ) Think that was down to who i was with at time and what he emotionally and physically did to make me feel like that .
I heard a song by the Mables, an Australian band. Boyfriend and girlfriend wrote a song Shifting Sands. I found a record years ago but lost it. It was so powerful but they decided to stop releasing it.
I’m sorry for your headache. That’s awful. Try watching the dance by CKD group to this song. It’s amazing. I’m 73 yo female. I LOVE ❤️ both the song ang the dance interpretation. It relates to EVERYONE who has had a broken heart. Which is EVERYONE. I applauded when they received a Grammy (from PRINCE). This song is for ALL of us.
Gotye lays down the clues in the first two verses. It's a subtle pathology he's outlining...his own. "You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness....always the end." He's in love with the break up part of a relationship, not the relationship itself. He makes it sound like it was mutual "we found we could not make sense" but he was relieved when it was over. Now....he doesn't need her love...which is a red flag thing to say if you're suffering from the loss of that love, but he's loving being the victim and pissed that she called it...."hung up on somebody that you used to know"...and pissed that she cut contact so that he can't revel in the misery. It's a brilliant, creepy glimpse into the mind of a serial relationship ender.
I see it differently. She's not the girlfriend from the first verse. She's girlfriend #2. The relationship that he's ruined because of his baggage and lack of closure from the first relationship.
From what I understood of the of the lyrics they were both unhappy in the relationship she decided to call it off because she felt gaslighted and taken advantage of. He was okay with that decision because he was rather apathetic about the relationship, it sounded like he felt trapped.... She told him they could still be friends, but at some point she decided to cut contact. That made him angry or hurt and he decided to treat her like a stranger.
First. 😉 This is still a very good and classic song! Most of us have been there buddy with a bad breakup. And mostly only after a couple of weeks, months or even years you realize that that it was better that this relationship ended. I hope you are doing a lot better now because I like you man... You are a good dude!
Gotye really is a brilliant artist. He writes much of his music primarily with samples from other songs. “Somebody That I Used to Know” is primarily written off a sample from Luis Bonfas “Seville”. Sometimes he will even take 2 or 3 short samples from different tracks and build a song out of that. He builds incredible landscapes in sound that sound unique and original. He was so into music as a child that his influences reach far and wide. He understands how to manipulate sounds in a way to make them sound new and interesting. It’s worthy to dive a little further into his catalog. All of it is interesting and well written and worthy of listening to.
It depends, as usual in life. In this song, I think Kimbra had to cut contact because she believed he was gaslighting her. At least that's the term we use or overuse now. The point is, she doubted a lot of her own reactions and perspectives on things and she thought he was contributing to that by being overbearing and judgemental. So she felt that to trust her own judgment again, she had to be away from him. I've been in this relationship dynamic and have also seen it from outside twice, happening to friends.
Came here...left a like and ran away! That song played so many times in Portugal that I may die of overdose! (I'm ok with everyone that loves it, ok? 😊 )
Cliff you missed it. He was a narcissist. Accepted her into his life then screwing her over by never actually being in the relationship. Caught up in yourself and the past one that created the narcissist. Gaslighting her to where she blamed herself. She saw it and split. And he plays narcissist victim. Classic.
You caught all of it - all the marketing. It was written by ONE person. And strategized by ONE person to 'include controversy' (aka a female victim) to trigger the masses when in fact all the words, all the emotions and thoughts are from a SINGLE person. Yes, even the gaslit woman 'blaming herself' part.
It's one of my favourite songs but not one that finds its way on to my playlists. You always come across this and it's one for heartbreak or one not to listen too when you're heartbroken. Love to hear your views on such deep music though since discovering you through Ren & Blackpink reactions earlier in 2023. Wishing you a happy new year in advance and hope things with RUclips continue to be successful given your past troubles
For anyone out there going thru a rough breakup, know that the emotional pain is part of the closure & healing process - something you really need to endure before getting into another relationship. The end of one relationship means that you’re now moving toward the person you’re meant to be with. Maybe it’ll be your next relationship, or maybe you’ll have to go thru 2 more breakups before finding the right person, but with the pain of each ended relationship you become that much closer to finding The One. And that’s true. Remember: When you’re in a relationship with someone, be good to that person - treat that person with respect - and have that same expectation for the way you’re treated. Remember that you are worthy of respect, always. But YOU are responsible for making sure you’re treated well. If you’re not, you gotta walk away & not put up with it. When you tolerate being treated badly, you’re just enabling a toxic cycle to continue.💗♥️💗
One of my favorite songs. At its base I think its about uncertainty. Likes the girl, but not enough to commit while not wanting her to go. She picks up on this vibe and leaves. He is hurt even though he's unsure of his feelings. Complex but common emotions.
from the jump, me too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahah I literally would turn this song off at every turn where possible.. but then I listened to it, and man its catchy.. and literally, about a week ago I actually seeked out the song/video just to listen to it! haha .. some times you just never cease to amaze yourself! .and I also went through a rough breakup around this time.. so maybe the same reason subliminally why I avoided it, but didn't realize it at the time.. Merry Christmas and happy new year, and any other holiday you may celebrate.. this song actually gives me chills because it is so relatable to the last relationship I was in.. brief story.. at the tail end of it, she texted me while I was at work to tell me she had planned a vacation to the shore with her 2 kids on Wednesday... it was Monday.. :/ .. So what did I do.. waited until she left, texted her that I was going to take this opportunity to get my ish and go. so I did.. I got 1 reply.. that was the last we spoke over a year ago now.... I've helped raise your kids with you for 7 years and you go on vacay without me like im the sitter.? yeah... now you're just somebody that I used to know... And to your point Cliff.. this is the only ex that I won't talk to anymore, I have or still talk to all of my exs and in most cases have really cordial, nice relationships with them that are all strictly plutonic.
❤ I was a painted model the painted me into MASSIVE backdrops as camouflage. The company may have been influenced by this video but the paintings took weeks and each job took about 4-8 hours to paint me in. Brings back memories.
Like most of us, I went through this breakups just like this but i was the one that would treat her like a stranger after the woman would give me the "But we can still be friends" line. Once years later i saw my ex that i had a years long relationship. I was in love with this woman. She asked me why i treated her like a stranger. I told her this, "I treated you like a stranger cuz i was so madly in love with you that it hurt too much to treat you like a friend" i think that hit home with her and she then understood. We parted ways after that and never saw each other again.
Kimbre is a beast. There's a couple of vids of this that are well worth a watch: one has the music removed to showcase their voices, the other highlights the mix of different songs used - from Baa Baa Black Sheep to African drums
She said “you said that you could let it go and I wouldn’t catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know”….. it’s so quick, but tells the whole story - from her side, she read into it that his heart was elsewhere.
Well done, Cliff! This song was everywhere in the aftermath of my toughest breakup. I listened to it, though, and in some ways, I could relate to both sides. As for my most important exes, I'm on good terms with three out of four. In the three cases, the breaks were clean, with no contact for 6 months, a year, and 5 years respectively. But ultimately, there was a mutual willingness to review what happened with honesty in order to heal, grow, understand, make amends, and forgive. I'm not sure many people get or want that opportunity, but I'm grateful for it. And in the one case where it didn't happen, I'm grateful for that too, because that woman probably couldn't step up to an honest conversation. She wasn't that great of a human, I played the fool, and I really have no one to blame but myself. There's no upside to rehashing that particular shit show 😂 Here's to being healthy and loving internally before trying to share something with another person. And here's to never wasting time on someone who hasn't learned to love themself yet.
When I broke up with David...the pain was epic...he showed up at my door a couple of years later. I told him to leave and never come back. Because I still loved him.
Great song I’m sure many can relate to. It definitely depends on the circumstances of the break up to determine if staying friends is an option but in my experience, space for both parties is necessary after a breakup so you both can figure out who you are without the other person. Sometimes couples are able to come back together as friends and maintain that new dynamic but other times a clean break is key.
I love this song. Haven't exactly gone through many breakups (been with my spouse for 26 years), but I am of a sign that excels at door slams. The thing is, I will work my ass off to keep a relationship, unless they do something inexcusable (making plans with me every weekend, then cancelling at the very last minute with excuses like "I need to wash my hair", for three months straight comes to mind), and then the door slam happens. The person becomes a waste of my time and effort. There was one breakup that THEY broke up with me, and I was willing still be friends, but then it became pretty clear that they had cheated, so that was that. I'd say that it really depends on the circumstances.
It was hard to avoid this song... was on the radio all the time. I know there is music I connect to a tough breakup. Hearing the song brings back memories.
So many great songs: Heart's a Mess (cool video, and great live version featuring The Basics & Monty Cotton), Bronte, (also great live version with the Barra-Westwind Band featuring Djalu Gurruwiwi). He's a super-experimental musician. Cool stuff.
I love that Gotye did not monetize this song. With billions of views he could be a multi millionaire but he wants his art to be free and uncorrupted. Sad that he is one this one time wonder artists.
Lyrics: 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 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 And 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 But you didn't have to cut me off Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing (aah-ooh) And I don't even need your love (ooh) But you treat me like a stranger, and that feels so rough (aah) No, you didn't have to stoop so low (ooh) Have your friends collect your records and then change your number (aah) 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 Source: Musixmatch
Mad respect on the fact you analyze the lyrics but still keep it entertaining. 👌🏼 Also, I imagine it’s difficult to cover a song that hits the personal feels. Well done sir.
Hope you're doing well man. I keep coming back to this channel because of your caring attitude, not just your reactions. (Though of course I enjoy those too) Remember to take care of yourself as well. You're also free to reach out if you're ever struggling and need a random person to listen. I actually started listening to this song on repeat before my last break up. Because I knew how it was going to go and it hurt so much. Generally I try to stay friends, because they don't suddenly cease being important to me. They don't suddenly become someone I don't love, or respect, or want to spend time with. But I have cut people off. The most painful one was that last one because I knew the person well enough to know that we could stay friends... but that THEY needed to disengage to have a future with anyone else. I knew they never would. So I did.
Also, there is a live version of this from KRCW that’s really cool and shows sort of how he creates his beats from many samples of other songs. He has his live band also playing many parts of the song, but he is pressing many buttons on a sample console, and creating the beat live. It gives you a glimpse into the crazy creativity that lives within him to have created all of these songs.
He still thinks about his ex after the breakup and thought things would be different. He's hurt that she ghosted him. She had more hard feelings about the relationship because he kept thinking about his previous ex and gaslighting her. So he has a pattern of behavior that was not good in a relationship. I love how she takes herself out of the picture at the end. It's true we've all been there. Relationships are hard.
totally get you avoiding this, when my kids mum left me "the streets" had just released "dry your eyes". bastard radio stations played it on a loop ha ha , totally understood man , its all good now, i found a great woman and im happier than ever
![FIRST TIME REACTION - Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/l7baF3Lz0-E/mqdefault.jpg)
![FIRST TIME REACTION - Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra) [Official Music Video]](/img/tr.png)
![Реакция немца на Мэри Попинс - до свидания [Русские субтитры]](/img/1.gif)
When she's singing her part, he closes his eyes, turns his head and sings over what she is STILL trying to explain.
He refuses to hear her.
And repeats his side of the story, louder.
And she paints herself out of his picture. 💙
I love the way this was put, thank you. 🥺
That's a wonderful observation. Never thought about it that way
Yeah, I LOVE that metaphor...I see it as a tragedy, I think Gotye's verse is actually singing about his ex...and Kimbra is the "Rebound girl"...hence why she feels she has to second-guess everything he says whether it's about his ex or her and take the blame for stuff he is mad at his ex about (Moods are fickle things)...this song is the argument when Kimbra finds out that Gotye has secretly been trying to get in touch with his ex...Kimbra caught him hung up on somebody that he used to know (Phone metaphor/pun?)...
Even though the breakup was terrible and she didn't even come back to collect her things, he is still hung up on her...some kind of unfinished business...he's a broken dude, he's trying to move on, but isn't ready yet...so, I'd say Kimbra made the right choice...
Her “name” is Kimbra
Great observation! I left my abusive ex less than a month ago. He would do this to me All. Of. The. Time. 😭
I ADORE this song for exactly the reason you nailed -- we get two sides to the story. First we hear his side, where they had a somewhat amicable breakup because they just weren't clicking anymore, and then she just cut all ties with him and he's hurt. And that's what a normal song would say and where that story would end. But then suddenly Kimbra is telling the other side of the story, where he was passive-aggressive and manipulative and blamed her for everything that went wrong, and it's suddenly a completely DIFFERENT relationship. The story the first narrator told you was presumably a convenient lie from a toxic ex-boyfriend. It's like the song has a plot twist.
I like to think that there's some truth in both sides
maybe both were toxic in they're own ways
@@kingfrog6807 You're a man aren't you? Pfft!
It's rare that we get such honest song writing. It is not afraid to show the main character as the "bad guy". It's such a great display of male ego, how fragile it can be, and the results of it being broken. The guy was "glad it was over", but his feelings were hurt that she didn't appear to be broken by the relationship ending. He wanted to be so important that she would break, and it breaks him that he wasn't. She is trying to talk to him about how their relationship was struggling due to him being hung up on a past girlfriend, and attributing those traits on her by reading past motives into her words.
I really like how she is the one that turns to face him, but he doesn't move, and even starts singing over her. It really shows how she is screaming at him to try and get through, but his ego prevents him from making a connection and possibly accepting it was his fault.
Long rant to say, the video makes the song better 100%.
His name is Wouter (born in Belgium, moved to Australia as a small kid). Ther French version of that name is Gautier, which is pronouced Gotye in English. It was his mother's nickname for him
Thank you - being a Dane the French version makes more sense to me than the English (even though I've learned both languages in school). I just had the debate with my son a couple of days ago on how Gotye pronounced, so this cleared it up for me :-)
He's a lovely guy, my friends band Karnivool covered one of his songs (long before this) and Wouter gave a pile of free tickets to a small gig.
So I got to go see him, without knowing much of his music, and it was great.
He had me extra 'sold' by letting me mess with his computer during a "blue screen of death" unplanned intermission, just trusting a random girl from the audience with fixing his laptop over a others. And I managed to get it working! Bonding moment.
@@SkittenmeowKarnivool ❤iconic Aussie band
Yup, I knew Wally as a teen, he played in the orchestra for a bunch of shows I was in, with a little posse of great musicians who were all at school together at Parade College. He’s an absolute doll, and so deserved of his success.
He looks like an Andrew Garfield relative... xD
Kimbra is worth checking out. She has an incredible voice! “Good Intent” is a fun one
Also Come Into My Head :) Super-talented.
I like Kimbra’s stuff even better-definitely worth listening to as well
I love "Settle Down." Catchy AF
Yep, I'm grateful to this song for introducing me to Kimbra!
my favorite, too. Especially the video!!! So many of her songs are great@@cmay7429
Gotye is wholly under-apreciated! I found his whole album 'Making Mirrors' very interesting and well written - the music is strangely experimental and intriguing. The only other song of Kimbra I've heard was 'Settle Down' and I LOVED it
Agreed! Every song on Making Mirrors is amazing -- Thanks For Your Time is 🔥
Great song. I’ve always liked it. It sounds like she went no contact. It’s a self-preservation move. Especially if the relationship was very toxic. Depends on the relationship.
This was definitely a toxic relationship, he was blaming her for every little mishap, gaslighting her, withholding affection, and she had enough of his bullshit and bailed.
I guess a narcissistic relationship
I think ghosting like that is about the sh!tiest sh!t thing you can do to someone that's legal.
"Narcissist" is a term that's getting thrown around a LOT lately. A very small percentage of the population is truly narcissistic. Less than 5%. Yet everyone and their dog seems to be excusing their insensitive, selfish, and hurtful treatment of another human being by saying that person was a narcissist and deserved it. Nope. I don't buy it.
Sure, there are truly dangerous situations where cutting contact is necessary for physical safety. But that's not the same as cutting someone off because the situation is hard, uncomfortable, and messy, and you don't want to be inconvenienced or take responsibility.
Have some emotional maturity and human compassion, and give them a proper goodbye.
@@cmay7429 she didn’t ghost him without telling him they were over. he even quoted their breakup conversation. He’s complaining that after the conversation she didn’t stay under his influence.
@@staciecarrel4492 Nope. He's complaining about this - "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) Have your friends collect your records and then change your number." Telling someone "Bye!" then cutting off all contact is still ghosting. You're leaving the other person without resolution. You get what you want, and they don't matter.
It's damaging to be told by someone you loved, who supposedly loved you, that you, and your time spent together, mean nothing.
She even said "they could still be friends." I understand that might not have been realistic, or a good idea, but then why say it and then treat him in such a way?
I agree, their relationship sounded toxic, but why assume that was ALL his fault? Where are you getting he's blaming her, gaslighting, and withholding affection?
I don't see any blame in his description of the break up. And if anyone WAS withholding affection, it sounds more like it was her - "told myself you were right for me, but felt so lonely in your company."
I can maaaybe see how you could get gas lighting when she says - "reading into every word you say," but it seems like a leap.
She could easily just be referring to the egg shells most exes walk on around each other. She could also be the type of person who's always finding attacks and hidden meanings into things that are, in reality, innocent. Those types of people are just as real as gaslighters and narcissists.
I was going through a breakup with a gaslighting, abusive partner when this song came out. What it meant for me - the guy is unhappy, for unclear reasons, but seems to be taking a passive approach to dealing with it. Says he doesn't care, he's happy it's over, but even after it's over, he still finds ways to criticize her. She didn't break up the 'right' way. She didn't leave herself available to him, to soothe his wounds. So he does care - about himself.
She, on the other hand, has woken up to his mistreatment. How everything in their relationship was always her fault, according to him. And realizes that's no way to live. So she moves on. And is pissed that he's *still* trying to guilt her into doing what he wants.
But that's what was going on in my life, and you may see it differently based on your life experience.
my take was that he was cheating on her and she called him out on it. she says "and i wouldnt catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know" and now hes referring to her as somebody that he used to know. classic narcissist. returning to the x during the next relationship.
If you’ll notice, in this video, he’s not singing to her. That’s the first clue. She’s upset that he’s still hung up on somebody he used to know. Second clue. He doesn’t notice her verse, and just continues his song. Add these up, and she’s in a newer relationship with him, and struggling with reading into what he’s saying to find that he IS still hung up on somebody he used to know. This isn’t the two sides of the story, this is the aftermath of his story permeating into his new relationship, and the way he’s treating her is inadvertently leaving her feeling like he felt, lonely in the other person’s company. He’s also painting any issues they have as her fault (had me believing it was always something that I’d done), instead of the truth, which is that he’s still hung up on somebody he used to know.
Thanks for your input Dr. Phil🙄
@@WilliamArcher-King do you not know what song analyses are??
@@SomeOne_ww Really not giving a fk🤨
I like your interpretation and it makes more sense. I never thought of it like that. I initially thought he was in denial about the breakup, pretending not to care with bravado and saying he was happy it was over, but clearly not over it by the way he laments her handling of the breakup and its aftermath.
@@NCardude I can’t take credit for the interpretation, but I appreciate the backup. I believe that the interpretation I mentioned was stated as fact by a “reaction channel,” but one I’m fairly certain does either major or genius lyrics research beforehand. I’m not currently naming names, I’ll save that for a dis/res track later.
Edit: Oh, and he still is in denial, at least fooling himself into thinking that his ex’s actions were far too harsh for the way things ended, and were, throughout their relationship. If he’s not fooling himself, he’s certainly fooling his new pre-ex, who will become another somebody that he used to know and used to know him.
This song had one if the most memorable comments to this day, it was something like "This guy paints himself like the backgriund and its art, I do it snd get bannrd from the local baskin robins".
LOL
So brilliant at every level: the music, the singing, the lyrics and the phenomenal art work that shows the girl being removed from the picture. The composition to juxtapose both sides of the story makes you really think about the relationship they were in. I think people start out empathising with him but when Kimbra’s verse comes along you are shocked into realising there’s a lot going on. Brilliant.
well put!! The only thing I differ on is I think she removed herself. Note the shrugging she does at the beginning - like she's shaking herself clear of his world. Also love the metaphor of patterns of behaviour in the artwork. There is a lot going on here.
@@hsmith1180 Yes, that’s a good point. You could study this video clip for hours. I don’t know who produced it but storytelling at its best.
This is one of those songs I feel that suffers without it's video...the interplay between the two of them when Kimbra dives into her verse really makes this song work for me in a way that the audio alone doesn't.
I still hear it pretty regularly on the radio and watching the video just now is the first time in a long time it actually hit me emotionally.
This song actually hits very similar to me as "You're Somebody Else" by Flora Cash.
I love the way the paint comes off of her at the end fully removing herself from the picture/relationship.
Oh yes, this hits in the same spot as “You’re somebody else”!
After my last breakup (broke up, stayed super close friends for years, but the breakup rotted things between us and it all ended horribly with her cutting me off completely), this song suddenly hit me like a train and it quickly became one of my favorites. It's a very specific pain that's different to a simple breakup, and I love that Gotye and Kimbra captured it so perfectly.
I know those feels, hope you’re doing better these days
@@TheSeanLiddle Ah yeah, I'm over it now, I'm more annoyed that it killed our podcast than anything these days, haha.
I'm in my 50s and have only had 2 long-term relationships. I don't miss either of them. I've paid off my mortgage, have complete control of the remote and what I watch, let a room get messy, wash clothes when I have enough clothes. My first left after 14 years for someone they worked with. Behind my back they were looking for a house. That lasted 11 months... I met my next partner and we were together for 12 years. They cheated the whole time... Emptied my house when they went... I found out recently they've been cheating on the person they left me for with a friend of a friend. Then a relative of mine saw them with the partner out shopping. They wouldn't have paid for anything...
I miss both like a gunshot wound to the genitals. I go on dates and do wtf I want. I answer to me. My advice to anyone in a toxic relationship is to cut the cord and get out.
I think so many people missed the message originally, because the song was already so different in tone, but felt familiar in sentiment. BUTTTTT.... she says "And 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"
And he'd described being unhappy in a relationship YET also saying 'I was glad it was over' AND THEN saying 'but you didn't have to cut me off'. So he's essentially saying he was a baby man who didn't take responsibility for his choices or stand up for his needs and yet wanted his exes to just be sweet to him forever so he never had to deal with any unhappiness. And she comes along and is like 'I don't wanna deal with you always hung up on the past person'. Essentially... he's exhibiting narcissistic behavior and trying to 'have his cake and eat it too' (even tho i hate that phrase).
Wow! Spoken like a true simp.
Precisely
❤❤❤❤ absolutely! Completely narcissistic behavior..
Kimbra is an unbelievable talent in her own right. Her album "Vows" is an absolute classic. Every track on that album is AMAZING.
I just realised that in Kimbra's verse she is describing being gaslighted. And I think this is from before that term even got traction.
This. And now, after the fact, she knows she was gaslit, which is why she has so much anger.
It was right about the same time; the term started getting popular in 2010, and the song is from 2011. The actions it describes are much older, of course; as I'm sure you already know, the term comes from the 1944 movie "Gaslight."
@@susanowen1709 I didn't, but I only stated noticing used in this way within the last decade.
@@Accolonian Yeah, the movie has been around a long time, but the verb "gaslighting" is pretty recent.
@@susanowen1709 Well actually 👆🤓
“Gaslight” is a 1938 play that got adapted into a move years later
breakups are rough. the lack of dopamine feels like drug withdrawls
great reaction, love this song because it does offer a view into both sides of a breakup, which most don't. As far as acting like the other person is someone you don't know; depends a lot on the variables. how long/ well did they know each other, how long was the relationship, what caused the break up. I was married for almost 7 years and a month after our divorce was final he remarried, so yeah, I went with acting like he was someone I didn't know because apparently, I really didn't.
I don't think it's talking about only one relationship.... Kimbra's part sounds like a new relationship in which the partner is still thinking of the past gf/relationship , hence "that i wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know".
Love this song but really enjoyed their live version done in the studio. Was just really cool seeing them in that performance.
I agree, it's worth stopping back through this one.
'Cold shoulder' can be a protective mechanism- in some break ups seeing/speaking et etc the other person can be a reminder of what once was and that something has been lost, this can re-trigger pain/trauma each time you have contact with the person.
The live in the studio version of this is amazing.
I think its best to stop all contact to be able to move on.. it hurts, but trying to "just be friends" with someone who you shared your life with hurts even more.
The best songs elicit emotion and are relatable; it's why there are so, so many about love and relationships and breakups and heartache...
It blew my mind when I learned that radio stations were editing out Kimbra's verse. The song is woefully incomplete without both sides.
Lol what? Ive never heard an edit without her verse. The song would become utterly pointless without it
The song is a break up between a narcissist and their victim. He is playing the wounded one and the listener almost sympathizes with him until she (the victim) speaks. Then you hear the otherside of the story and realize he is a narcissist. He is upset because she left. He doesn't want her love. But her treating him like a stranger like they didn't exist pisses him off. Narcissist want to be both in control and victimized. The real victim moved on yet the narcissist is singing about the past cause THEY are still hung up on somebody they used to know.
I love this song - but I think it's deeper than that... Kimbra sings; And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know. It makes me think Gotya is still stuck in relationships from before Kimbra's verse... just a thought...
I think it's nice that you also delve into older music.
Merry Christmas ❤
I agree that there seems to be more depth to that verse. Other than your theory, I wonder if she may be referencing that she might have grown during the relationship and that he might be struggling with accepting the new version of her...??
Yes.
He told her she wouldn't catch him caught up on somebody that he used to know.
The implication being that he was stuck on the previous relationship before her and that ultimately ruined this one.
Now that she is somebody that he used to know, is that cycle doomed to repeat in his next relationship?
Perhaps the deeper meaning is not realising what you have until it's gone.
He had baggage. Don’t we all.
yes I agree - he has been using her as a "2nd best" substitute for some other woman. There is so much going on, such a complex relationship and I love how they both portray the anger & frustration.
The MV also tells a great story too. He is letting himself get consumed by the situation (paint covering him) while he speaks about his side of things, she is already fed up (appears already fully painted) and tries to say her piece, but decides to give it up (steps away from him after "screaming) and detaches herself from it all (paint coming off) until she is fully separated from it as he keeps repeating the same thing and stays in it whilst claiming he didn't need her but clearly still being consumed by it all.
This has always been my take on the song + mv as a whole, haven't even seen anyone else point this out yet. I confess I didn't bother with many reactions back then, and then the craze just died.
Same! Thanks for articulating it.
Anyone notice that when her part ends and he sings again she is doing the melody singing...its her "yelling" at him while he is trying to tell her his side the whole time he is singing... both sides feel unheard
I love the symbolism of how he literally just blends into the background.. we all have people like that we kinda just forget
Wow...I missed that about him "blending into the background" but understood her being "unpainted" as a reference to her no longer being in the picture." Thank you.
I think what most people don't realize that she's the person he used to know that he's caught up in. He said they could be friends but then was constantly telling her she wasn't the person he used to know and rehashing the relationship. She blocked him most likely because he would send screenshot texts at 3am throwing her words back in her face or angry voice-mails. So bad that she wouldn't even go get her stuff from him.
People always hear the lonely part wrong too, he may have felt lonely but she probably felt smothered and drowning because he demanded her attention.
When this song first came out, I was him. Listened to this thousands of times because i was in a break up and swore this song was written for me and was my anthem. I heard her words but never listened to them. For years i thought she was the toxic one. That was until i got therapy and discovered self awareness. Then it randomly played one day. I hadn't heard it in years. And then i listened to her words. Literally paused it and thought wtf, i was the toxic one. 😂 then relistened and listened to his part again. Messed me up for days because i put that ex through hell and he was a good guy. Didn't even block me after i used a text bomb app to send him 324 F.U texts at 3am, next afternoon apologied, promised i wouldn't do it again and we could really be friends. Then 5 nights later at 2am, i wrote a book in texts messages because he wasn't answering. A few more times and he blocked me. And i just couldn't believe he would do that after all we been through and saying we could remain friends. Felt that way for a every long time. And really he was just protecting himself because i was screwed up. He tried because he did care and didn't want to cut me off. But i left him no choice.
Your not alone I literally did the same things. I'd promise not too and I'd think of something and I'd say fuck it I don't care. Send hundreds of text and after they completely cut me off. I was always self reflecting but for some reason that was when it hit me it was me. Really both of us but it was me making it impossible to stay in contact. Just like you said I couldn't believe she actually did that. Even though I was pushing her almost like a test to see if she really did care. But I guess that's life.
My 23 yr marriage broke down in divorce when this song came out. So relatable at that time but happy to say 12 yrs later we have remained good friends.
In my experience (I'm 47), breakups have been the result of betrayal of trust/loyalty...those kinds of people I have no interest in remaining friends with...I can't be friends with someone that I can't fully trust...I won't even pretend to
As you said, this was everywhere, so many covers on youtube. Interestingly enough, rather than go after people with copyright strikes or whatever, Gotye worked with them and made a new song just using edited and layered youtube clips, its well worth a listen. 'Somebodies : a youtube orchestra' I've not seen another artist do this, quite rare, and very good.
An awesome Australian and New Zealand collab . Kimbras a trippy artist .
Here here
One of the few songs that gets blasted everywhere that I actually really enjoy.
I saw the dance piece based on this, but I hadn't listened to the lyrics. Glad to watch this - really great song. Thanks for doing this one.
True. If a couple once loved each other. How can that love disappear one day to the next. It's like someone passing. 😢
The studio take of this is amazing. Their interplay in it is soooo good.
You are the sweetest person on RUclips, I swear! Love your channel, thank you for all of your kindness and sharing your knowledge ✌🏽
It’s so well written but more importantly it’s so well performed. You feel every word.
Within the context of this song, she realised he was gaslighting her (look it up, it's a terrible situation to be on the receiving end of). The only way to deal with narcissists is cold-turkey; cut them out of your life; no good will come from seeing them ever again (which is why her friends collected her things).
This is not a normal breakup song about a normal relationship.
Yup, the first time I heard it years back I recognized he was the abuser who couldn’t fathom that she wanted nothing to do with him, and she ran out because she realized she wasn’t crazy and he was gaslighting and lying constantly.
@@staciecarrel4492 that's such a 2024 approach to the song ... also you take for granted that her side is actually the complete truth while usually the truth is somewhere in between the two parties involved.
@@DaveDEF82 well his whole part is “yeah we were unhappy, and I know you dumped me, but why won’t you return my calls?” She basically says “you were an asshole and manipulative, so of course I want nothing to do with you”. I think it’s fair to believe her over him.
It’s one of those songs where you recognize what it is when you’ve been through it. I’m glad you’re out of that situation.
Unless you had a kid with that person you can't get rid of them
Saw Kimbra live in Boston WHAT A VOICE. Give her a listen Plain Gold Ring is a banger.
This song is one of my favorites.
I loved his fist album, especially ‘Hearts a Mess’. Also loved the second album. I find it really interesting that when he hit popularity with this song he decided to go back to his small time Melbourne band and just do local gigs. I wonder if that was in response to not liking the lifestyle of the busier bigger music industry. Because god knows he’s got crazy songwriting chops and his music always sounds interesting! Great reaction. Thanks
Yes I think he found the whole industry circus too much & people didnt really understand his art - when he did live performances they expected the usual concert stuff & he doesnt do that. He actually says he was shocked this song got so popular.
@YFIOFmate I still have "Heart's a Mess" on one of my playlists.
Her voice is so powerful!!!
This song has so many twists and turns. It's truly a hypnotic song with its melodies and will stick with you for days and days. What I take from this song is that he dated someone before Kimbra. For whatever reason they broke up but he can't completely move on from her. He then met Kimbra and started a relationship with her but could not let go of his previous love. So, as time went on he would do and say things to Kimbra to wound her and then blame her in hopes that she will want to break up, but remain friends. When she realizes he's not going to change and she's finally had enough she breaks up with him and he's fine with it because he's still hooked on his ex. At first she still wants to be friends but you know how hard that is when you truly love someone, so she decided to cut him off completely, had her friends go over and collect all her records and then changed her number so he didn't have any way to reach back out to her. He couldn't understand why she couldn't be friends and that's because her love for him was much deeper than his for her because he was still hung up on somebody that he used to know. She moved on and he's still fighting the feelings he has for his ex. He's never really going to be able to give all his love to someone until he finally works through his feelings he has with his ex. Crazy...I feel like most of us have been in 1 or both of those situations before and can feel both of their pain.
Hey Cliff, I don’t often leave comments, but I’ve been following you for a while now.
I just wanted to say, beside the breakdowns/reactions, I love how you talk to your subs and talk so openly about mental health. That’s a testament to your character xxxxx
Back when this song came out I felt like I could relate... My past self felt like someone I used to know. I felt like my life and experiences had made me into someone I did not recognize or want to be and I longed to find my way back to my previous outlook on life. But nomatter what I did there was no way to ignore what had passed and what I had become... All I could do was to keep moving and accept that nothing would ever be like it was...
That gave me a whole new level of self awareness. Thank you! 😊
Same here , i came out a DV relationship at the time this song came out i was no longer the happy go lucky person i once was, i didn't know who i was anymore questioned everything in my life and my choices on partners blaming myself for everything that went wrong .(still do ) Think that was down to who i was with at time and what he emotionally and physically did to make me feel like that .
same..i feel u
I heard a song by the Mables, an Australian band. Boyfriend and girlfriend wrote a song Shifting Sands. I found a record years ago but lost it. It was so powerful but they decided to stop releasing it.
I’m sorry for your headache. That’s awful.
Try watching the dance by CKD group to this song. It’s amazing.
I’m 73 yo female.
I LOVE ❤️ both the song ang the dance interpretation.
It relates to EVERYONE who has had a broken heart. Which is EVERYONE.
I applauded when they received a Grammy (from PRINCE).
This song is for
ALL of us.
Gotye lays down the clues in the first two verses. It's a subtle pathology he's outlining...his own. "You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness....always the end." He's in love with the break up part of a relationship, not the relationship itself. He makes it sound like it was mutual "we found we could not make sense" but he was relieved when it was over. Now....he doesn't need her love...which is a red flag thing to say if you're suffering from the loss of that love, but he's loving being the victim and pissed that she called it...."hung up on somebody that you used to know"...and pissed that she cut contact so that he can't revel in the misery. It's a brilliant, creepy glimpse into the mind of a serial relationship ender.
Brilliant
Absolutely 💯 brilliant synopsis. Wow!!
you do know it just a song ?
I see it differently. She's not the girlfriend from the first verse. She's girlfriend #2. The relationship that he's ruined because of his baggage and lack of closure from the first relationship.
I absolutely love how you listened to this. Rewinding it back to the start of Kimbra's first verse. ☺
There's always 3 sides to a break-up. His side, her side and the truth.
Untrue
and now she is out of the picture - brilliant video
Love this song since "Glee" 😁
Greetings from Berlin 😎
From what I understood of the of the lyrics they were both unhappy in the relationship she decided to call it off because she felt gaslighted and taken advantage of. He was okay with that decision because he was rather apathetic about the relationship, it sounded like he felt trapped....
She told him they could still be friends, but at some point she decided to cut contact. That made him angry or hurt and he decided to treat her like a stranger.
Love Kimbra, Settle Down hit me really hard a few years ago and then Cameo Lover, her voice is amazing as is her offbeat vibe..
First. 😉 This is still a very good and classic song! Most of us have been there buddy with a bad breakup.
And mostly only after a couple of weeks, months or even years you realize that that it was better that this relationship ended.
I hope you are doing a lot better now because I like you man... You are a good dude!
Gotye really is a brilliant artist. He writes much of his music primarily with samples from other songs. “Somebody That I Used to Know” is primarily written off a sample from Luis Bonfas “Seville”. Sometimes he will even take 2 or 3 short samples from different tracks and build a song out of that. He builds incredible landscapes in sound that sound unique and original. He was so into music as a child that his influences reach far and wide. He understands how to manipulate sounds in a way to make them sound new and interesting. It’s worthy to dive a little further into his catalog. All of it is interesting and well written and worthy of listening to.
It depends, as usual in life. In this song, I think Kimbra had to cut contact because she believed he was gaslighting her. At least that's the term we use or overuse now. The point is, she doubted a lot of her own reactions and perspectives on things and she thought he was contributing to that by being overbearing and judgemental. So she felt that to trust her own judgment again, she had to be away from him. I've been in this relationship dynamic and have also seen it from outside twice, happening to friends.
Came here...left a like and ran away! That song played so many times in Portugal that I may die of overdose!
(I'm ok with everyone that loves it, ok? 😊 )
Cliff you missed it. He was a narcissist. Accepted her into his life then screwing her over by never actually being in the relationship. Caught up in yourself and the past one that created the narcissist. Gaslighting her to where she blamed herself. She saw it and split. And he plays narcissist victim. Classic.
Spoken like a true woman
Just he ye 😂
You caught all of it - all the marketing. It was written by ONE person. And strategized by ONE person to 'include controversy' (aka a female victim) to trigger the masses when in fact all the words, all the emotions and thoughts are from a SINGLE person. Yes, even the gaslit woman 'blaming herself' part.
It's one of my favourite songs but not one that finds its way on to my playlists. You always come across this and it's one for heartbreak or one not to listen too when you're heartbroken. Love to hear your views on such deep music though since discovering you through Ren & Blackpink reactions earlier in 2023. Wishing you a happy new year in advance and hope things with RUclips continue to be successful given your past troubles
For anyone out there going thru a rough breakup, know that the emotional pain is part of the closure & healing process - something you really need to endure before getting into another relationship.
The end of one relationship means that you’re now moving toward the person you’re meant to be with. Maybe it’ll be your next relationship, or maybe you’ll have to go thru 2 more breakups before finding the right person, but with the pain of each ended relationship you become that much closer to finding The One. And that’s true.
Remember: When you’re in a relationship with someone, be good to that person - treat that person with respect - and have that same expectation for the way you’re treated. Remember that you are worthy of respect, always. But YOU are responsible for making sure you’re treated well. If you’re not, you gotta walk away & not put up with it. When you tolerate being treated badly, you’re just enabling a toxic cycle to continue.💗♥️💗
I'm glad your strong enough now to be able to do this song. It shows growth. Keep up the good work
It’s interesting that they’re fading into the background of each other’s portraits.
…what happens when they’re someone we used to know.
One of my favorite songs. At its base I think its about uncertainty. Likes the girl, but not enough to commit while not wanting her to go. She picks up on this vibe and leaves. He is hurt even though he's unsure of his feelings. Complex but common emotions.
from the jump, me too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahah I literally would turn this song off at every turn where possible.. but then I listened to it, and man its catchy.. and literally, about a week ago I actually seeked out the song/video just to listen to it! haha .. some times you just never cease to amaze yourself! .and I also went through a rough breakup around this time.. so maybe the same reason subliminally why I avoided it, but didn't realize it at the time.. Merry Christmas and happy new year, and any other holiday you may celebrate.. this song actually gives me chills because it is so relatable to the last relationship I was in.. brief story.. at the tail end of it, she texted me while I was at work to tell me she had planned a vacation to the shore with her 2 kids on Wednesday... it was Monday.. :/ .. So what did I do.. waited until she left, texted her that I was going to take this opportunity to get my ish and go. so I did.. I got 1 reply.. that was the last we spoke over a year ago now.... I've helped raise your kids with you for 7 years and you go on vacay without me like im the sitter.? yeah... now you're just somebody that I used to know... And to your point Cliff.. this is the only ex that I won't talk to anymore, I have or still talk to all of my exs and in most cases have really cordial, nice relationships with them that are all strictly plutonic.
The Bad Lip Reading version of this is a bop
This is one of the best One Hit Wonders!!!
❤ I was a painted model the painted me into MASSIVE backdrops as camouflage. The company may have been influenced by this video but the paintings took weeks and each job took about 4-8 hours to paint me in. Brings back memories.
Like most of us, I went through this breakups just like this but i was the one that would treat her like a stranger after the woman would give me the "But we can still be friends" line. Once years later i saw my ex that i had a years long relationship. I was in love with this woman. She asked me why i treated her like a stranger. I told her this,
"I treated you like a stranger cuz i was so madly in love with you that it hurt too much to treat you like a friend" i think that hit home with her and she then understood. We parted ways after that and never saw each other again.
Dude, this was a great reaction. Good job listening and understanding the lyrics.
I Absolutely love this song
Kimbre is a beast. There's a couple of vids of this that are well worth a watch: one has the music removed to showcase their voices, the other highlights the mix of different songs used - from Baa Baa Black Sheep to African drums
Agree about Kimbra, you need to deep dive she's got some interesting sound jazzy, and loves sound exploration.
She said “you said that you could let it go and I wouldn’t catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know”….. it’s so quick, but tells the whole story - from her side, she read into it that his heart was elsewhere.
Somebody that I used to know all the way to Kev's Hey Santa Claus. We are a complex people us Aussies.
Well done, Cliff!
This song was everywhere in the aftermath of my toughest breakup. I listened to it, though, and in some ways, I could relate to both sides.
As for my most important exes, I'm on good terms with three out of four. In the three cases, the breaks were clean, with no contact for 6 months, a year, and 5 years respectively. But ultimately, there was a mutual willingness to review what happened with honesty in order to heal, grow, understand, make amends, and forgive.
I'm not sure many people get or want that opportunity, but I'm grateful for it. And in the one case where it didn't happen, I'm grateful for that too, because that woman probably couldn't step up to an honest conversation. She wasn't that great of a human, I played the fool, and I really have no one to blame but myself. There's no upside to rehashing that particular shit show 😂
Here's to being healthy and loving internally before trying to share something with another person. And here's to never wasting time on someone who hasn't learned to love themself yet.
I'm from New Zealand and this is a very popular song in our country as Kimbra is from NZ & Gotye from Aus
When I broke up with David...the pain was epic...he showed up at my door a couple of years later. I told him to leave and never come back. Because I still loved him.
Hello, this is David. I still want u back
@@ElliotAlderson-cg2qk Hi Dave, I am married now!
Great song I’m sure many can relate to. It definitely depends on the circumstances of the break up to determine if staying friends is an option but in my experience, space for both parties is necessary after a breakup so you both can figure out who you are without the other person. Sometimes couples are able to come back together as friends and maintain that new dynamic but other times a clean break is key.
I love this song.
Haven't exactly gone through many breakups (been with my spouse for 26 years), but I am of a sign that excels at door slams. The thing is, I will work my ass off to keep a relationship, unless they do something inexcusable (making plans with me every weekend, then cancelling at the very last minute with excuses like "I need to wash my hair", for three months straight comes to mind), and then the door slam happens. The person becomes a waste of my time and effort. There was one breakup that THEY broke up with me, and I was willing still be friends, but then it became pretty clear that they had cheated, so that was that.
I'd say that it really depends on the circumstances.
You're spot on with breaking up with someone that used to be your best friend. Never made sense to me that people become so hateful.
PTX does a cover of this song. It was released in 2014. It was their first video to go viral.
It was hard to avoid this song... was on the radio all the time. I know there is music I connect to a tough breakup. Hearing the song brings back memories.
Facts dude this song was EVERYWHERE
Why this song now only viral every reaction channel? This is another level ..
PTX does a great cover. It was one of their first that blew up.
So many great songs: Heart's a Mess (cool video, and great live version featuring The Basics & Monty Cotton), Bronte, (also great live version with the Barra-Westwind Band featuring Djalu Gurruwiwi). He's a super-experimental musician. Cool stuff.
I love that Gotye did not monetize this song. With billions of views he could be a multi millionaire but he wants his art to be free and uncorrupted. Sad that he is one this one time wonder artists.
Lyrics:
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
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
And 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
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing (aah-ooh)
And I don't even need your love (ooh)
But you treat me like a stranger, and that feels so rough (aah)
No, you didn't have to stoop so low (ooh)
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number (aah)
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
Source: Musixmatch
One of my favorite songs of all time right up there with American pie
I'm 100% with you on this one, it speaks to everyone going through a breakup and it damn hurts. But here we are, much love x
At the end she is literally out of the picture...love the symbolism in this video
Mad respect on the fact you analyze the lyrics but still keep it entertaining. 👌🏼
Also, I imagine it’s difficult to cover a song that hits the personal feels. Well done sir.
Hope you're doing well man. I keep coming back to this channel because of your caring attitude, not just your reactions. (Though of course I enjoy those too) Remember to take care of yourself as well. You're also free to reach out if you're ever struggling and need a random person to listen.
I actually started listening to this song on repeat before my last break up. Because I knew how it was going to go and it hurt so much. Generally I try to stay friends, because they don't suddenly cease being important to me. They don't suddenly become someone I don't love, or respect, or want to spend time with.
But I have cut people off. The most painful one was that last one because I knew the person well enough to know that we could stay friends... but that THEY needed to disengage to have a future with anyone else. I knew they never would. So I did.
Also, there is a live version of this from KRCW that’s really cool and shows sort of how he creates his beats from many samples of other songs. He has his live band also playing many parts of the song, but he is pressing many buttons on a sample console, and creating the beat live. It gives you a glimpse into the crazy creativity that lives within him to have created all of these songs.
He still thinks about his ex after the breakup and thought things would be different. He's hurt that she ghosted him. She had more hard feelings about the relationship because he kept thinking about his previous ex and gaslighting her. So he has a pattern of behavior that was not good in a relationship. I love how she takes herself out of the picture at the end. It's true we've all been there. Relationships are hard.
totally get you avoiding this, when my kids mum left me "the streets" had just released "dry your eyes". bastard radio stations played it on a loop ha ha , totally understood man , its all good now, i found a great woman and im happier than ever