Gotye is the stage name of Belgian-Australian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Wouter “Wally” De Backer, who rose to international fame as a largely solo indie-pop project. His 2011 single “Somebody That I Used to Know,” featuring New Zealand singer Kimbra, became a worldwide phenomenon from the album Making Mirrors.
The track’s sparse arrangement, haunting melody, and raw lyrics about a painful breakup resonated deeply with listeners, propelling it to number-one status in more than 20 countries and earning multiple Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year. Its distinctive sound and striking body-paint music video helped define early-2010s pop culture.
- Built around a sampled guitar riff from Luiz Bonfá’s 1967 track “Seville”
- Features Kimbra’s memorable counter-vocal in the second half
- Spent eight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100
- Remains one of the best-selling digital singles of all time
More than a decade later, the song continues to stand as Gotye’s signature hit and a defining anthem of modern heartbreak.