Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” featuring Kimbra became one of 2012’s defining songs. The Belgian-Australian artist’s breakup ballad topped charts globally and spawned countless covers before Gotye famously retreated from fame.
Artistic Origins
Australian artist Gotye (Wouter De Backer) created the minimalist, xylophone-driven track sampling Luiz Bonfá’s “Seville.” The song’s stripped-down production and raw emotional honesty stood out in EDM-dominated 2012 pop landscape.
Viral Music Video
The music video featuring Gotye and Kimbra painted as living canvases became iconic. Directed by Natasha Pincus, the stop-motion body-painting video garnered over 2 billion YouTube views, becoming one of the platform’s most-watched videos ever.
Global Domination
Topped charts in 23 countries, including 8 consecutive weeks at #1 on Billboard Hot 100. Won Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at 2013 Grammys. The song’s distinctive sound made it impossible to ignore.
Cover Phenomenon
The song inspired thousands of covers across YouTube—from Walk off the Earth’s 5-people-1-guitar version to pentatonix’s a cappella rendition. Parodies flooded the internet, cementing it as a cultural touchstone.
Gotye’s Retreat
After massive success, Gotye largely disappeared from the music industry. He refused to monetize “Somebody That I Used to Know” on YouTube, forgoing millions in ad revenue. He returned to experimental music and his band The Basics, rejecting pop stardom.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somebody_That_I_Used_to_Know