Remember when “Somebody That I Used to Know” was the biggest song on the planet? The dynamic duo behind the global smash hit, Gotye and Kimbra, dropped a smoldering performance of the ballad around the time of the song’s release, drawing 22 million views. Seeing the pair perform the breakup anthem live really showcases the incredible chemistry that sent “Somebody That I Used to Know” multi-Platinum across much of the planet.
Gotye opens proceedings with his whispery croon before singing that heart-rending falsetto hook in the chorus. The Aussie songwriter sets ‘em up, then Kimbra comes in and knocks ‘em down when she makes her show-stopping feature at 2:30. That magical moment when Kimbra reaches the climax of her vocal part then Gotye harmonises with her is total goosebumps territory and had fans replaying it again and again. The Music Man is confident in saying that this duet, much like the hit single, is lightning in a bottle!
Gotye and Kimbra’s studio session on “Somebody That I Used to Know” is the second-most popular performance of the hit on YouTube. Fans gave plenty of love below the video, adding comments such as “The song has always felt private and intimate. Like we were invited to a private conversation. I think it’s what makes it so legendary” and “Him singing to her while she turns away says everything about the song – it’s the whole story in one moment.”
Gotye and Kimbra recorded the most popular live cut of “Somebody That I Used to Know” when they dropped into the Californian radio station KCRW. Seeing Gotye and his band perform live really highlights how unusual and creative his arrangement of the song is, as it’s far from the usual live setup. The performance also makes it clear that Kimbra was the perfect choice for this collab – it’s impossible to imagine anyone else delivering her hard-hitting vocal feature the way she does.
Gotye released “Somebody That I Used to Know” on July 5, 2011. The single was a sleeper hit and eventually built to become the highest-selling single worldwide in 2012. The ballad topped the charts in more than 30 markets worldwide and became the biggest hit from any Aussie artist in the 2010s.
The Music Man readers may recall that Gotye made the surprise decision to step away from the spotlight after scoring his worldwide breakthrough with “Somebody That I Used to Know.” The Belgian-born, Australian songwriter has not issued another album under the name Gotye since 2011’s Making Mirrors, which featured “Somebody That I Used to Know.” He has instead focused on lower-profile projects, such as releasing one-off singles and issuing two albums with his indie band The Basics.