Somebody That I Used To Know (Gotye)

“Somebody That I Used To Know” is a song about the painful aftermath of a breakup, where the former lovers struggle to move on and understand their changed relationship.

Did you know?

The song’s lyrics vividly depict the emotional turmoil experienced by both parties after a breakup.

Gotye sings about how the other person has become a stranger to him, stating, “You didn’t have to stoop so low / Have your friends collect your records / And then change your number.”

This line suggests feelings of betrayal and the desire to cut off all ties.

Kimbra’s part, on the other hand, reflects the other side of the story, where she feels misunderstood and hurt by the accusations, singing, “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.”

The song’s chorus, “But you didn’t have to cut me off / Make out like it never happened / And that we were nothing,” underscores the theme of rejection and the struggle to accept the end of the relationship.

The minimalist musical arrangement, with its stark contrast between the verses and the chorus, mirrors the emotional detachment and the raw pain of the breakup.

Overall, the song captures the universal experience of heartbreak and the difficulty of moving on from a significant relationship.