Somebody That I Used to Know
Gotye / Kimbra Lyrics


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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 it was over

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
No, 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
But 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

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
No, 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
Somebody (I used to know)
(Somebody) now you're just somebody that I used to know
Somebody (I used to know)




(Somebody) now you're just somebody that I used to know
I used to know, that I used to know, I used to know somebody

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Somebody That I Used To Know" by Gotye featuring Kimbra appears to be a conversation between two ex-lovers who are now distant acquaintances. The song explores the aftermath of a failed relationship and the lingering emotions that come with it. Gotye reminisces about the happier moments of their past, admitting that he was in love with his former partner, and it still hurts to think about it. However, he also acknowledges that their relationship was not healthy and that it was a relief to end it.


The chorus of the song highlights the bitterness and frustration that Gotye feels towards his ex-partner's behavior after the breakup. He seems to have been cut off entirely and left alone without any closure. The imagery of cutting off and switching numbers seems to symbolize just how definitive the severing of their relationship was. Gotye feels like he has been treated unfairly after the breakup; he didn't need his former partner's love, but he expected to be treated with respect, and the rejection has left him feeling like a stranger. The song ends with Gotye accepting that his ex-lover is just somebody that he used to know.


Overall, this song touches on the common experiences of heartbreak and post-breakup struggles. It highlights the complex mixture of emotions that can come with a relationship's end, and the actions that can leave lasting scars.


Line by Line Meaning

Now and then I think of when we were together
Reflecting on past memories of being in a relationship


Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
Recalling a moment when the other person expressed extreme happiness


Told myself that you were right for me
Believing the other person was the right partner


But felt so lonely in your company
Feeling alone and disconnected while with the other person


But that was love and it's an ache I still remember
Despite the loneliness, still feeling nostalgic for the love that was there


You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness
A certain type of sadness can become a familiar and consistent feeling


Like resignation to the end, always the end
Feeling resigned to the inevitable end of the relationship


So when we found that we could not make sense
Realizing that the relationship wasn't working


Well you said that we would still be friends
Agreeing to remain friends despite the breakup


But I'll admit that I was glad it was over
Admitting relief at the ending of a difficult relationship


But you didn't have to cut me off
Feeling hurt by the other person's complete cutoff and absence


Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
Pretending the relationship never existed or meant nothing


And I don't even need your love
Not wanting the other person's love or affection


But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
Being treated by the other person like a complete stranger hurts


No, you didn't have to stoop so low
Feeling betrayed by the other person's actions and behavior


Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
Removing all trace of the relationship and cutting off contact


I guess that I don't need that though
Realizing that it's not necessary to completely erase the past relationship


Now you're just somebody that I used to know
The other person is now just a memory


Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Again reiterating that the other person is now just a memory


Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Repeating that the other person is now just a memory with a slight variation


Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
Reflecting on moments when the other person hurt and betrayed


But had me believing it was always something that I'd done
Blaming oneself for the other person's actions


But I don't wanna live that way
Not wanting to continue living with that kind of blame and hurt


Reading into every word you say
Overanalyzing and looking for hidden meanings in the other person's words


You said that you could let it go
Believing the other person was able to move on from the past relationship


And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know
Assuming the other person wouldn't be nostalgic for the past relationship, but realizing it's possible




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Luiz Bonfa, Walter Andre De Backer

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@nipungrover7058

gotye ignoring what she's saying and just saying "you didn't have to cut me off" is such a beautiful detail. He hears her but he is so caught up in his own pain that he doesn't look her direction until she starts to go away and him knowing her starts to fade away. He looks in her direction, she's still there but he doesn't know her anymore, she's different, she's distant. Somebody that he used to know. She still exists in his space but it's not who he knew.

I used to enjoy this song. Something Terrible happened last year and she cut me off. I never heard from her again, the song started to hurt a lot when i paid attention to the lyrics.

It's the eerie feeling that they as are still alive but you're strangers, a person who you used to share every single thing in your life, and all of a sudden you don't even know them anymore.

I can't describe how much the lyrics resonate. "You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness" and the pain even tho he says "but I'll admit they I'm glad it was over".

I'm sorry for anyone going through that ❤ it'll all be good in the end, it'll all work out



All comments from YouTube:

@TheStormBolt-gf8qi

Memories

@udjdjjdnx3978

Borra tu comentario master

@Prima422

Ricardo? I'M SUCH A BIG FAN

@TheDonjones19

Always the end. You said we would still be friends. You didn't have to cut me off

@BartSimpson90s

@@udjdjjdnx3978 alch, pinche morra basica

@udjdjjdnx3978

@@BartSimpson90s .-.

472 More Replies...

@888crispin

Maybe he's been camouflauging into our walls this whole time.
Maybe he never left.

@dayen9470

Lol

@ALISONC83

C0ntho that maybe me happy not gonna lie

@JoNJamEz1

Shoto. Todoroki.1A1 I had a mini stroke reading that becuase you put maybe instead of made me, llooll

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