Backer was born in Belgium, but moved with his family to Melbourne, Australia when he was two. Originally a member of the indie band Downstares, Backer began performing under the name Gotye in 2001 when the band disbanded. Aside from his solo work, De Backer has been a member of the indie band The Basics since its formation in 2002.
Gotye's second album Like Drawing Blood was featured by Triple J in May 2006 and was voted Number 1 in the listeners poll of the Best Album of 2006 . The album was also nominated for a J Award that year. Two tracks from that album, Learnalilgivinanlovin and Heart's A Mess, were ranked 94 and 8 respectively in Triple J's Hottest 100 for 2006. Like Drawing Blood has been certified Platinum.
In September 2006, Gotye was nominated for an Australian Recording Industry Music Award (ARIA award) for best independent release for his album Like Drawing Blood, and won 'Most Outstanding New Independent Artist' at the inaugural Australian Independent Record (AIR) Chart Awards.
In 2007, Gotye won the ARIA for best male artist. As a result of the publicity of the nomination, Like Drawing Blood re-entered the ARIA album chart and was named iTunes UK Album of the Year in 2008.
In 2009, Heart's A Mess came in at #77 in Triple J Hottest 100 of all time, voted by the Australian public.
Amidst the lead-up to Gotye's third album, Like Drawing Blood re-entered the ARIA charts in mid 2011, peaking at its highest ever position of 13.
After the success of Like Drawing Blood, De Backer was able to establish a permanent home, still in Melbourne's South East. In 2010, De Backer set up a recording studio in a barn at his parents' farm and set about recording tracks for his third album. He released a new single, Eyes Wide Open, in mid-October 2010, online and on 10" vinyl. The single received generally positive reviews and reached number 25 in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2010. It was also shortlisted for the 2011 APRA Music Awards in the Song of the Year category.
In late March 2011, De Backer revealed the album's title to be Making Mirrors. This title was inspired by an artwork, painted by De Backer's father in the 1980s, discovered by De Backer amongst old bills and newspapers in his parents' barn, which was later edited in Photoshop to become the album artwork. "The mirror reflects on artwork and it is all very related to self-reflection and introspection on the album."
On 19 May, it was announced that the album would be released on 19 August 2011, with the album launch the following day at the Sydney Opera House as part of the Graphic Festival which will feature animators and a 10-piece orchestra as part of Gotye's performance. De Backer also released a follow-up single to Eyes Wide Open titled Somebody That I Used to Know, which was released 6 July 2011, and debuted at #27 on the ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart. The single became something of a sensation, quickly moving up the ARIA singles chart despite comparatively low airplay to many other charting singles at the time. The track was further boosted by endorsements from well-known celebrities Ashton Kutcher and Lily Allen via Twitter, exposing Gotye's music to their millions of followers. The single has gone on to reach 6× Platinum (420,000 units sold) status.
On 15 July 2011, it was announced that Gotye's single Somebody That I Used to Know had come third in the 2011 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition. As part of the prize, Gotye won a spot to perform at Song Summit 2012 at Darling Harbour, 26–28 May 2012.
On its first week of release, Making Mirrors came in at number one on the ARIA Australian album chart, making Gotye the first Australian act to simultaneously hold both the number one single and album since Silverchair, who achieved the same feat in 2007.
On 11 October 2011, it was announced that Gotye had been nominated for seven ARIA Awards. Due to the release date restrictions of the eligibility period, Making Mirrors could not be nominated, and the seven nominations all related to the single Somebody That I Used to Know. Gotye was nominated for Highest Selling Single, Single of the Year, Best Pop Release, Best Male Artist and three awards in the ARIA Artisan category: Best Video (Natasha Pincus), Engineer of the Year (Francois Tetaz) and Producer of the Year (Wally De Backer). On the same day the nominations were revealed, the winners of the Artisan categories were announced, with Gotye and the album personnel winning all three. On 27 November 2011, Gotye took out three of the four remaining ARIA Award nominations. Single of the Year, Best Male Artist and Best Pop Release.
"Somebody That I Used To Know" has become an international hit, reaching #1 in Australia, Belgium, United Kingdom, Poland, Austria, Ireland, Norway, The Netherlands, New Zealand and Germany, and also reached #1 on the alternative radio airplay charts in The United States and Canada (on the pop charts in those countries, the song has reached #5 and #11, respectively).
A Distinctive Sound
Gotye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All right, let's get acquainted (hello there)
Music from the bass perspective
This is a journey into sound
A journey which along the way will to bring you
New color, new diminution, new values
And a new experience, stereophonic sound
(And now ladies and gentlemen, our feature act tonight)
(Stop!)
(Get it, get it, get it!)
Come on, Come on, Come on
That was the harpsichord
Now-a-days, most homes seem to prefer
The television or radio, to the harpsichord,
But you still hear the piano, all the time
A flute couldn't do that
These are some of the difficulties
With being a disposition and talking to you
And just wanting really deeply to relate to you
And touch you, not physically, but with vibration (ha ha ha ha)
Never heard metal sound like that before
The drummer is the heartbeat
Everything comes from him
He is the beat, the time, the heartbeat
It's just like a heart pumping blood
To the rest of the body
He is the heartbeat of a band, a group
He is the heartbeat
I think around midpoint in my career
I started to experiment with sounds
And then it became very important to
Get a distinctive sound
Get a distinctive sound
Get a distinctive sound
Maybe if I spend more time practicing,
Eventually I can get it together
Um, here's some more music
All right! Here we go!
Now were going to use a little power kicks
Like I showed you before
We're going to chuck-em real good
A-minor to F
Just like all the heavy metal guys use, okay
Lets get some of that smoke just like on MTV
Yeah! all right!
Music, all right
Yeah! all right!
Would you say that again
Yeah! all right!
Let's play a note
Yeah! all right!
Here's some more music
Yeah! all right!
Get a distinctive sound
Get a distinctive sound
Get a distinctive sound
Get a distinctive sound
We've covered a lot of ground, haven't we?
If there's a part of our story you don't understand
Why don't you turn this record over
And start playing over again
Over again
Over again
The lyrics to Gotye's song "A Distinctive Sound" seem to be a tribute to music and the art of creating a unique and recognizable sound. The first few lines seem to be an introduction to one of the most important aspects of music, which is groove. Groove is what makes people dance and connect with the music on a physical level, and the lyrics urge the listener to learn how to groove.
The rest of the lyrics touch on different instruments and aspects of music production. There are references to the harpsichord and flute, which are both ancient instruments but have fallen out of favor in modern times. There's also a mention of the drummer being the heartbeat of a band, emphasizing the importance of rhythm and timing.
The lyrics also acknowledge the importance of experimentation and finding a distinctive sound. Gotye seems to be saying that every artist needs to find their own unique voice and style, something that will make them stand out in the crowded music scene.
Overall, the lyrics to "A Distinctive Sound" celebrate the joys of music and creative expression, and urge the listener to explore and experiment until they find their own signature sound.
Line by Line Meaning
This will teach them how to groove
We are going to introduce a new style of music that will make people want to dance.
All right, let's get acquainted (hello there)
We are going to start this journey together, so let's get to know each other.
Music from the bass perspective
We are going to focus on the lower frequencies of music and experience it from a bass-heavy perspective.
This is a journey into sound
We are going on a musical journey that will take us through various sounds and genres.
A journey which along the way will to bring you
The journey we are embarking on will bring new experiences and musical ideas.
New color, new diminution, new values
We will encounter new sounds, rhythms, and emotions as we go on this journey.
And a new experience, stereophonic sound
In addition to the various musical styles we'll encounter, we'll also experience stereo sound that will further enhance the listening experience.
(And now ladies and gentlemen, our feature act tonight)
We are about to introduce our main musical act for the night.
(Stop!)
We need to pause and take notice of something important.
(Get it, get it, get it!)
We are excited and energized by this music and want to encourage others to feel the same way.
Come on, Come on, Come on
We want to urge people to join us in enjoying and dancing to this music.
That was the harpsichord
We just heard a harpsichord, which used to be a popular musical instrument, but is not commonly used anymore.
Now-a-days, most homes seem to prefer
These days, most people choose to listen to the radio or television instead of traditional instruments like the harpsichord.
The television or radio, to the harpsichord,
Modern technology has made it easier and more convenient to listen to music through the television or radio, rather than playing an instrument like the harpsichord.
But you still hear the piano, all the time
Despite changes in musical taste, the piano has remained a popular instrument and is often heard.
A flute couldn't do that
The piano has a unique sound that sets it apart from other instruments like the flute.
These are some of the difficulties
There are certain challenges that come with trying to communicate and connect with others through music.
With being a disposition and talking to you
As a musician, it can be difficult to express oneself and connect with listeners through music alone.
And just wanting really deeply to relate to you
Despite these obstacles, the musician wants to connect with the audience on a deeper level and create an emotional bond through music.
And touch you, not physically, but with vibration (ha ha ha ha)
The musician wants to connect with listeners through the physical and emotional vibrations created by the music.
Never heard metal sound like that before
The musician is experimenting with new sounds and styles, and has created something unique and original that has never been heard before in the metal genre.
The drummer is the heartbeat
The drummer is a crucial part of the musical group and provides the rhythm and timing that serves as the pulse of the music.
Everything comes from him
All other elements of the music, including melody and harmony, are built upon the foundation laid by the drummer's rhythm and timing.
He is the beat, the time, the heartbeat
The drummer is responsible for keeping the beat and providing the timing that makes the music possible.
It's just like a heart pumping blood
The drummer's role in the band is similar to the role of a heart pumping blood throughout the body.
To the rest of the body
The drummer's rhythm and timing serve as the foundation on which the rest of the music is built.
He is the heartbeat of a band, a group
The drummer is the key component that makes a musical group function and determines its overall sound and feel.
I think around midpoint in my career
At a certain point in my career as a musician,
I started to experiment with sounds
I began to explore new musical styles and sounds.
And then it became very important to
As I continued to experiment and develop my sound,
Get a distinctive sound
I realized the importance of creating a unique and recognizable sound that would set me apart from other musicians.
Maybe if I spend more time practicing,
I am considering the possibility that, in order to achieve my musical goals,
Eventually I can get it together
I will need to work hard and practice in order to achieve the sound I am striving for.
Um, here's some more music
We are going to continue with more musical selections.
All right! Here we go!
We are ready to embark on the next phase of our musical journey.
Now were going to use a little power kicks
We are going to incorporate some heavy, driving beats into the music.
Like I showed you before
As we discussed earlier, these types of beats are often used in heavy metal music.
We're going to chuck-em real good
We are going to play these beats with intensity and energy.
A-minor to F
These are the chords we will be playing in this segment of the music.
Just like all the heavy metal guys use, okay
These chords are frequently used in heavy metal music and will give our music a more intense and energetic feel.
Lets get some of that smoke just like on MTV
We are going to add some visual effects to the music and create a memorable visual experience for the audience.
Yeah! all right!
We are excited and energized by the music and want to encourage others to feel the same way.
Music, all right
We are enjoying the music and want to encourage others to do the same.
Would you say that again
We want to hear that music again.
Let's play a note
We are going to play a musical note in order to continue the musical experience.
Here's some more music
We are going to continue playing additional musical selections.
Get a distinctive sound
Creating a unique and recognizable sound is a key goal for many musicians.
We've covered a lot of ground, haven't we?
We have explored many different musical genres and styles over the course of our musical journey.
If there's a part of our story you don't understand
If there is something that was unclear or confusing about our journey,
Why don't you turn this record over
We suggest that you go back to the beginning of the record and listen to it again to get a better understanding of our story.
And start playing over again
By listening to the record again, you may be able to gain new insights and appreciate the music in a different way.
Over again
It is worth listening to the music and gaining new insights and appreciation by listening to it multiple times.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Walter Andre De Backer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
VIDLWebby
This will teach them how to groove
All right, let's get aquatinted
(hello there)
Music from the bass perspective
This is a journey into sound
A journey which along the way will to bring you
New color, new dimension , new values
And a new experience - stereophonic sound
(and now ladies and gentlemen, our feature act tonight)
(Stop!)
(Get it, get it, get it!)
Come on, Come on, Come on
That was the harpsichord
Now-a-days, most homes seem to prefer
The television or radio, to the harpsichord
But you still hear the piano, all the time
A flute couldn't do that
These are some of the difficulties
With being in this position and talking to you
And just wanting really deeply to relate to you
And touch you - not physically - but with vibration
(ha ha ha ha)
Never heard metal sound like that before
The drummer is the heartbeat
Everything comes from him
The beat, the time, he is the heartbeat
It's just like a heart pumping blood
To the rest of the body
He is the heartbeat of a band, a group
He is the heartbeat
I think around midpoint in my career
I started to experiment with sounds
And then it became very important to me to
Get a distinctive sound
Get a distinctive sound
Get a distinctive sound
Maybe if I spend more time practicing
Eventually I can get it together
Um - here's some more music
All right! Here we go!
Now were going to use a little power kicks
Like I showed you before
We're going to chuck-em real good
A-minor to F
Just like all the heavy metal guys use, okay
Lets get some of that smoke just like on MTV
Yeah! all right!
Music - all right
Yeah! all right!
Would you say that again
Yeah! all right!
Let's play a note
Yeah! all right!
Here's some more music
Yeah! all right!
Get a distinctive sound
Get a distinctive sound
Get a distinctive sound
Get a distinctive sound
We've covered a lot of ground, haven't we?
If there's a part of our story you don't understand
Why don't you turn this record over
And start playing over again
Over again
Over again
Dqar Qeer
The thing i love about gotye is how much he experiments with different genres. He does reggae with “puzzle with a piece missing” and “state of the art”. He does the 80s pop peter gabriel shit with “night drive” and “giving me a chance”. The 60s soul/motown with “learnalilgivinnlovin” and “i feel better”. And this track sounds straight trip-hop, almost like something from J Dilla’s “donuts” album. Hope he makes solo music again someday.
Cu Adfeng
I seriously don't understand why your music isn't more popular. Other than the mainstream stuff.
DeadCandyLizard
Oh the irony.
Thomas Clements
People don't appreciate music that isn't brain-dead.
x
My hunch is that he couldn’t get the samples cleared outside of Australia for the international release.
Joe Wall
Cu Adfeng same reason artists like aurora & death grips don’t get played. Their not mainstream enough. Which is fine, if you find your groove you found your groove.
DonLeone
It's about main or no main... most prefer tv...like he says in his lyrics...
Joaquín Castro
This guy is a genius. The most underated artist I have ever seen. What a masterpiece
Lerson13
Я к своему сожалению не владею английским, но боже как же меня заряжает эта музыка, она наполняет меня энергией жизни и это здорово.
[ zigzagspacekid ]
Oh I love this song so much. But I can't pick a favorite song by Gotye because they're all artistically charged and deserve their own praises. Amazing work and I would love love LOVE for you to come back. Us Gotye fans are still out here waiting for ya. :)