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).
Thanks for Your Time
Gotye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But your call is valuable
It's very valuable
We hope this doesn't inconvenience you
Because you're valuable
You're so very valuable!
If you wish to make a complaint
Of course you may have to wait
But that's understandable
Isn't that understandable?
Don't ask me, I just work here man
Don't ask me, I just work here man
(It sounds to me like you need help!)
We're very good to you
I hope you know we're good to you
(Let me put you through to someone else)
They'll know just what to do!
I'm sorry, I can't help you
Don't ask me, I just work here man
Why don't you fill out a form?
We can't get back to you
Of course we can't get back to you
But rest assured, we'll take your comments on board
Your thoughts make change!
Thanks for your time
(Don't ask me, I just work here man)
Thanks for your time
(Don't ask me, I just work here man)
Thanks for your time
(Don't ask me, I just work here man)
Thanks for your time
Let's spend some time togetherâ?¦
We'll save you money!
The lyrics of Gotye's song "Thanks for Your Time" are a powerful critique of the modern customer service industry. The song is reminiscent of the frustration felt when contacting customer support, and the feeling of being treated as just another number in the queue. The lyrics begin with an ironic statement, "You have been placed in a queue, but your call is valuable, it's very valuable." This statement highlights the contradiction in the notion that a customer's call is valuable, yet they have to wait in a queue. The lyrics then continue to express that customers are vital to businesses, yet they often feel insignificant and undervalued.
The verses also highlight how customer service operates around handling complaints. The line "If you wish to make a complaint, we can handle it, we're well prepared to handle it," again emphasizes the contradicting nature of the customer service industry. The line, "But that's understandable, isn't that understandable?" is added after telling the customers they might have to wait, imagining that somehow wait times are okay when they are not.
Towards the end of the song, when they suggest filling out a form, the customer is told not to expect a response and to allow thoughts for change, despite leaving him/her feeling unsettled. The repetition of "Thanks for Your Time," especially when coupled with the line "Don't ask me, I just work here, man" encourages the customers to accept the customer service to be unhelpful.
Line by Line Meaning
You have been placed in a queue
Please hold and wait for the next available operator.
But your call is valuable
We appreciate your call and want to assist you as soon as possible.
It's very valuable
Your call is important to us and we value your time.
We hope this doesn't inconvenience you
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.
Because you're valuable
We understand your worth and want to ensure your satisfaction.
You're so very valuable!
We recognize your value and want to help you in any way we can.
If you wish to make a complaint
Please feel free to express any concerns or issues you may have.
We can handle it, we're well prepared to handle it
We are fully equipped to address and resolve any issues or complaints voiced by our customers.
Of course you may have to wait
Please be aware that due to high call volume, there may be a wait time for an available operator.
But that's understandable
We appreciate your understanding and patience in this matter.
Isn't that understandable?
We hope you can see our point of view and understand our procedures.
Don't ask me, I just work here man
Unfortunately, I may not have the authority or ability to address your concern.
(It sounds to me like you need help!)
It seems like you are experiencing an issue that requires assistance.
We're very good to you
We strive to provide excellent customer service and support.
I hope you know we're good to you
We hope our efforts to assist you have been satisfactory.
(Let me put you through to someone else)
I will transfer you to another department or representative who may be better suited to address your concern.
They'll know just what to do!
The next representative will have the necessary skills and expertise to assist you.
I'm sorry, I can't help you
Unfortunately, I may not have the knowledge or resources to address your concern.
Why don't you fill out a form?
Perhaps a written form may be a more effective means of submitting and addressing your concern.
We can't get back to you
Please understand that we may not be able to contact you regarding your submission.
Of course we can't get back to you
We apologize for any inconvenience, but unfortunately, we may not be able to respond to your submission.
But rest assured, we'll take your comments on board
We will take your feedback seriously and strive to improve our services based on your comments.
Your thoughts make change!
Your input is valuable, and we appreciate your willingness to share your thoughts.
Thanks for your time
We thank you for taking the time to contact us and voice your concerns.
(Don't ask me, I just work here man)
I may not have the authority or resources to assist you, but I assure you that your concerns are important to us.
Let's spend some time togetherâ?¦
We would like to work with you to find a solution to your issue.
We'll save you money!
We aim to provide cost-effective services and support to our customers.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Walter Andre De Backer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Damian Peralesx
[Verse 1]
You have been placed in a queue
But your call is valuable, it's very valuable
We hope this does not inconvenience you
(Because you're valuable, you're so very valuable!)
[Verse 2]
If you wish to make a complaint
We can handle it, we're well prepared to handle it
Of course you may have to wait
But that's understandable, isn't that understandable?
[Hook]
Don't ask me, I just work here man
Don't ask me, I just work here man
Don't ask me, I just work here man (Work here man)
[Verse 3, computer voice]
It sounds to me like you need help!
We're very good to you
I hope you know we're good to you
Let me put you through to someone else
They'll know just what to do!
Me, I'm sorry, I can't help you
[Hook]
Don't ask me, I just work here man
Don't ask me, I just work here man
Don't ask me, I just work here man
Don't ask me, I just work here man (Work here man)
Don't ask me, I just work here man
Don't ask me, I just work here man
Oh, don't ask me, I just work here man (I just work here man)
[Skit, female computer voice]
Directory assistance
Hi, could I please speak to Miss...
What name please?
Oh, shit
I'm sorry, I didn't hear that
Just put me through
I'm sorry, yes or no, did you request Melbourne Zoo?
No, you bitch!
Please hold, and an operator will complete your request
S**t
[Verse 4]
Why don't you fill out a form?
We can't get back to you
Of course we can't get back to you
But rest assured, we'll take your comments on board
Your thoughts make change!
[Bridge]
Thanks for your time
Thanks for your time
Thanks for your time
Thanks for your time
Thanks for your time
(Don't ask me, I just work here man)
Thanks for your time
(Don't ask me, I just work here man)
Thanks for your time
(Don't ask me, I just work here man)
Thanks for your time
(Don't ask me, I just work here man)
Thanks for your time
(Don't ask me, I just work here man)
Thanks for your time
(Don't ask me, I just work here man)
Thanks for your time
(Don't ask me, I just work here man)
Thanks for your time
(Don't ask me, I just work here man)
[Outro, commercial jingle by female singer]
Let's spend some time together, we'll save you money
Shinigami Kitsune
He's a literal musical genius, but most of his music is criminally underrated...
stanisławignacy
Although he got rewarded by having a giant hit, one of the biggest song since 2000. I think that's good achievement :)
Mahna Mahna
@stanisławignacy A blessing and a curse. Now he's "that guy with that song we got sick of because they overplayed it so much." Which obscures so many other great songs he's made.
Unreleased Creativity
Overrated Asf
Morshu Gaming
More like "Criminally unpopular"
Micklenier
@Unreleased Creativity wonder what you consider underated then...
though yes i would probably say overrated (not by a lot though)... still pretty amazing andGotye should have gotten more attention over the years (other then "Somebody that i used to know")Cora Line
all of gotye's stuff is pure gold. he's such an inspirational artist
Lachlan Earl
So true, it is much better than the music people are playing on the radio now
Ian
And underrated
Alexa H
Cora Line your so right!