Somebody That I Used To Know | Gotye feat. Kimbra

What is the meaning and main idea of Gotye feat. Kimbra's Somebody That I Used To Know song? What is the message the song tries to convey? Continue reading this article to find the answers. But before we discuss further, please read through the complete lyric of the song below.

Somebody That I Used To Know - Gotye feat. Kimbra

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 that it was over

CHORUS
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
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...

CHORUS

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

Somebody...


Meaning, Main Idea, and Message of the Song

Looking closely at the complete lyric of Gotye feat. Kimbra's Somebody I Used To Know song above, I could tell that the song is about one's disappointment to her/his ex lover. S/he is disappointed since the one s/he loved has drastically changed after their separation. Of course, the singer is aware that they are no longer spouse. But, he expects, it doesn't mean that they have to be stranger to each other. Being friends is much better, the singer thinks. Moreover, the singer is actually also happy with the ending of the relationship since he realizes that they are not right for each other. But, again, the singer thinks it is too much that with the ending of their romantic relationship their friendship also ends.

Meaning of the song in our life

Most, if not all, songs represent real condition that hapens in our life. This song is also not different. It pictures what sometimes happens between spouse of lovers when their romantic relationship is over.

As you must have known, commonly there are two kinds of attitude that people take when their romantic relationship with someone fails. Some people choose to keep good relationship with their ex lover as friends. And some other choose to abruptly change their attitude toward their ex. The first group will usually keep in touch with each other. Of course, initially it is very difficult. However, if they keep trying, the comfort of such new relationship as friends will finally come.

Meanwhile, instead of trying to keep good relationship, the second group will choose to consider theri ex as strangers or worse, enemy. They avoid meeting with their ex. If they happen to run accross at the street, for example, they try to seek for different way in order not to meet. Of course, such attitude wil hurt both sides. Their comfort zone greatly narrows since it often happens that while trying to avoid someone they will also have to avoid people who are close to the person you are trying to avoid. Isn't that bad? Therefore, allow me to give you advise: when your romantic relationship has to end, whatever it takes, keep good relationship with your ex.

Well, that's my interpretation of Gotye feat. Kimbra's Somebody That I Used To Know song. Your comments are highly appreciated.

28 comments:

  1. Spot on, unfortunately I was recently left behind by my wife/friend/lover for over 30 years (we met in high school) a friend introduced me to this song and it was as if it had been written right out of my life story. I always told my wife if we were to ever part we should remain friends but even though I thought things were going well... well I guess I was wrong.

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    1. It's especially hard when you have been with the person for a long time and loved them too.

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    2. Sorry to hear that. Life can be full of sadness sometimes. But then, we eventually grow into better people and make smarter choices.

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  2. Each relationship is different. When one person is particularly controlling or manipulative, then the last thing the other person would want to do is be remembered of that person. Here in the above song, you can see the clever way in which the female is trying to justify her actions and how as she is doing so, the other person is being intimidated and made to feel nothing. On the other hand, one could take the view point he is acting quite clever playing the victim, although I personally am more drawn to the idea that he genuinely is the victim and although came to the point where he was relieved to be free of this, at the same time finds it hurtful to be cast aside being made to feel so meaningless and of little worth.

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  3. Uh, no. There is something darker happening here I'm afraid and it comes out at the climax of the song when Kimbra hits the triple forte "used to know!" This guy has problems. He can't find happiness in a relationship, but he can't let them go. He's a serial offender. The best part about this song is you actually feel for him in the beginning for all the reasons noted in the above comments, but the girl calls the issue out in the end and you realize the one you sympathized with is the psycho. He couldn't get happy with her and was hung up on the girl that came before her, who he also was probably not happy with. The girl in this song (Kimbra) got out for sane reasons, he's happy it's over for insane reasons because he can't get close to people. I will go one step further to say this song is a statement about the screwed up nature of a generation that struggles with commitment and struggles with simple contentment.

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    1. I agree with you in some parts but not the whole thing.

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    2. I on the other hand agree with you entirely! Thanks putting this interpretation out there.

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    3. Agree in most parts but don't see it as a problem of a generation. There are just people in this world that are not able to love, to commit, to trust, for various reasons. They are, however, very good at manipulating others and although their behaviour patterns have caused all the hurt, love to play the victim. Sure, it's much easier this way. You don't have to reflect on your actions, which might be extremely painful. The way, the guy in the video looks away when the girl tries to give her point, I think tells that he doesn't want to address the real issues, he ignores her and one asks oneself who the person is that really cut the other off.

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    4. I see it much the same way as you do! He wasn't happy in the relationship and then he's complaining that it ended... anyways, you can check out my blog for my whole interpretation!

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  4. You sir are a retard.....

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  5. I think you are correct with that he is happy the relationship is over but hurt that she has cut his friendship off and treats him like a starnger but I belive in her verse that she let him go because he is still not over the girl before her..hence "You said that you could let it go
    And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know"..i belive he was always comparing her to his ex and instead of excepting her for her was always making her feel like she is doing somethning wrong

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    1. I agree with you, even thought some people would think that "And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know" verse could mean that he cheated with his ex.

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  6. sorry didnt read the Anonymous post from April 17..I agree

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  7. This is like real life, he is saying that she shouldn't have "cut" him off, stoop so low, and treat him like a stranger but yet he is saying that he doesn't need her love and was happy that it ended, also he is technically saying that he wasn't happy in the relationship. She is telling him that he "screwed" her over and that what he blamed her for the bad things that happened. She doesn't want to live that way, and prefers to not a any strings with him after he hurt her,and isn't that fair? He doesn't seem to understand that but I have to say he does seem hurt. Personally if I loved a person, and he/she hurt me and the relationship ended bad I wouldn't like to stay friends (only if I still had feeling for the person) because "he/she hurt, I still love him, but it ended bad" I would try to forget and move on, but having a friendship with the person you still love doesn't help trying to forget them.

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  8. i think, this guy broke off with his ex... is now in a new relationship with kimbra... but still misses his ex ... and kimbra is frustrated that he is still hung up on somebody he used to know...this guy realizes it is hurting kimbra... but despite himself he still thinks about his ex.

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  9. Really if he is happy of how it ended leave it be, moving on is hard and unless he want to mend what he did wrong leave it I am in a position where I am the female, maybe eventually it can be fixed but highly doubt it unless you want to fall into a repeat of the past. It sucks to lose a relationship like that maybe there just a chapter in each others lives in my experience I can only give him so many chances before I realize there's no point anymore he scared of losing the attention from the other person, my experience is he is a classic asshole and although we act like strangers he wants me in his life he doesn't deserve he doesn't care so goodbye forever Juan! I loved you and now your just somebody that I use to know, I wish it couldve been different but when two people want different things the compromise usually never happens and ends with the same reaction between oil and water. It's easier to erase someone from your pass than trying to figure out a comprise especially cause its an open invitation to old wounds and at risk of temptation, she's not stooping low she's saving herself another potential heartache, is what I say.

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  10. yapp..
    thats like my condition today

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  11. Hi! I´m not a native speaker. I´d like to know the exact meaning of this part "have your friends collect your records and then change your number" Especially the meaning of records. Is he talking about music records or information?
    Thanks and please excuse any misspelled word or ungrammatical sentence.
    Regards,
    Gerardo from Costa Rica

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    1. Hi,
      Gotye has used a good example of what happens when a relationship ends. You have to collect your music records. If you really want to avoid the person you get your friends to collect them for you, and you change your phone number so they can't call you.

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  12. I think they loved each other ..it started to untangle ...and they failed to communicate their unhappiness ...leading to it ending. Letting go of a relationship is hard ... so they are blaming each other in turn because they don't want to admit that it is both their failure .. He wants to be friends because it is not such a harsh break and he still wants her in his life ... she is too hurt and is hoping by ignoring him...like he dosen't exsist it wont hurt soo much .The end of a relationship can be like a death ...as that person will never mean the same to you ...

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  13. I stopped reading the comments. I wasn't agreeing with any I saw. Maybe someone got it but I didn't keep reading.
    Here's what I think and I think I'm right like everyone else does. ; )

    He was a f**khead to her. Had her wrapped around his finger. Was petulent and wasn't that into her (probably because he was narsistic). He wanted it over and that came to be. It hurt her greatly. Then he regretted it and wanted her back. She finds the "he's still hung up on somebody that he used to know" -- which is her. She feels played with and she's not going to take it anymore. Watch in one of the music videos to the song how ashamed he looks when she sings this lyric. I think people want to take his side in the song because he's a man and he's a sexy sensitive guy. I know this situation because I have been that man. A self important impetulent jerk. Anyway, that's my read.

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    1. Thank you for your post. It's how I interpreted it and it's amazing that you can admit to being that "jerk".

      I have been on the other side of it as the girl. My ex was always insecure and petrified I would cheat on/leave him which I didn't understand at all as I was deeply in love with him (I once said to him the exact words "I am so happy I could die"). On the other hand he called me his soul-mate and said no one had understood him better. Eventually one day he broke it off saying he couldn't cope with the thought of me leaving him (wtf?!). We stayed "friends" but ended up lovers again where he flipped between telling me I was "the love of his life" to "I don't want this relationship" but couldn't stand to "lose our friendship" but I eventually broke it off for the final time as it was too upsetting.

      We did stay friends for a while after that but ever since he acted like the victim, like it was my fault, but also telling me how ashamed he is of the way he treated me, as well as saying things all the time about his feelings that could be "read into" and it completely screwed up my head. So after 3 years of this crap I cut him off so I could get on with my life. I do occasionally bump into him and he still doesn't understand why I cut him off and acts like the guy in this video.

      So I do disagree with the blogger here, I remained friends with two exes. The first guy did end up a good friend but the second one really messed with my head and almost ruined the relationship I am in now, so it is not always worth clinging on.

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  14. Sorry. One of my sentences is messed up. It should read: "She finds that he's "still hung up on somebody that he used to know" -- which is her".

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  15. i think that is so trrrrruuuueeee.... but im the second group i cant be friends with my ex.... ever.

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  16. He wants his cake and eat it too!

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  17. I don't understand what does he mean with "Have your friends collect your records And then change your number" Somebody can explain me this?

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  18. She decided to cut off contact with him. So she sent her friends over to get her music cds (and probably other stuff she left) and then changed her phone number so he couldn't call her. He wants contact and she's done.

    This is a bittersweet song. But I agree that she throws his own words back in his face "you said that you could let it go and i wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know". He is sorry he let her go even though he is pretending he's glad it's over. She has moved on and he regrets his decision now.

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