He is a graduate of the University of Oregon where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance. During his collegiate years he co-founded UO's premier men's a cappella group “On the Rocks” and most recently appeared with the group on NBC's The Sing-Off. When Peter isn't off performing or recording collegiate a cappella and works out of his home studio, Peter Hollens Productions.
Peter Hollens has been involved with music throughout the Northwest and beyond performing in such venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Beacon Theatre in NYC. Originally from Ashland, Peter graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal performance, where he co-founded the U of O's award-winning male a cappella group On the Rocks. Since his time with the group he has become very involved with collegiate a cappella, recording, producing & judging international competitions both along the West Coast and in New York City.
Somebody That I Used to Know
Peter Hollens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 that 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
The lyrics of Peter Hollens's song "Somebody That I Used To Know" tell the story of a past relationship that ended badly. The initial verses take us back to when the relationship was still new and the singer was convinced that the other person was the right one for them. However, as time passed, they realized that they felt alone in their partner's company. Despite this, the singer still remembers the love they shared, which now brings an ache.
The chorus explains the addictive nature of sadness that one might get used to when a relationship ends. The singer admits that they were happy that the relationship ended, but they didn't expect their partner to cut them off and treat them like a stranger. The second verse describes how the singer felt mistreated in the relationship and was made to feel guilty for everything that went wrong. However, their ex-partner convinced them that they could let go and move on without being hung up on something they used to know.
Overall, the song is about moving on after a relationship ends and the pain that comes with letting go of someone who was once a big part of your life. It highlights the complicated emotions and different types of sadness that accompany the end of a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Now and then I think of when we were together
I sometimes reminisce about our relationship in the past
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
When you expressed your profound joy and contentment with me
Told myself that you were right for me
I convinced myself that you were the perfect match for me
But felt so lonely in your company
However, I experienced immense solitude in your presence
But that was love
Despite my emotional distress, I still believed that it was love
And it's an ache I still remember
The pain of that experience is still etched in my memories
You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness
It is possible to be addicted to a specific type of sorrow
Like resignation to the end, always the end
Resigning oneself to perpetual failure and defeat
So, when we found that we could not make sense
When we became incapable of rationalizing our arrangement
Well, you said that we would still be friends
You promised to maintain our friendship despite our separation
But I'll admit that I was glad that it was over
But honestly, I was relieved that it had ended
But you didn't have to cut me off
You did not have to sever all ties with me
Make out like it never happened
And pretend that our relationship never existed
And that we were nothing
And pretend like we meant nothing to each other
And I don't even need your love
I do not require your love to survive
But you treat me like a stranger
However, you behave towards me as if we are unknown to each other
And that feels so rough
And it is incredibly painful for me
No, you didn't have to stoop so low
You had no reason to behave so badly
Have your friends collect your records
Sending your friends to retrieve your belongings
And then change your number
And changing your contact information
I guess that I don't need that though
But honestly, I do not require your possessions
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now, you are just a person from my past
Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
Occasionally, I recall all the times you betrayed me
But had me believing it was always something that I'd done
And had me believing that it was always my fault
But I don't wanna live that way
However, I do not wish to continue down that path
Reading into every word you say
Analyzing every single thing you say to me
You said that you could let it go
You claimed to have moved on from our relationship
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody
And that you would not be hung up on someone like me
That you used to know
That you were once familiar with
Somebody I used to know
Someone who was once very close to me
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now, you are just a person I used to be close with
I used to know
I was familiar with you
That I used to know
You were someone I once knew very well
I used to know
I used to be acquainted with you
Somebody
Someone who was once important to me
Contributed by Sophia W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Franky Suarez
OMG Evynne's voice sounds INCREDIBLE ★★★★★
whomee2
I've lost track of how many times i've watched this video and every single time I am struck by how much talent goes into every single part, every vocal line, every sound effect - just amazing
EmilytRoberts
Finally. Someone who can not only sing, but has a beautiful voice!! Peter, this is absolutely amazing. Please never stop! Your singing is stunning. Big fan!!!
Nerd for Sci-Fi
Dude as a singer i can only be in shock about how amazingly talented you are
Trevor Wingard
Dude, you have an awesome voice. It's nice to see somebody that can actually sing these days instead of relying on autotune.
Jason Dahl
I've gotta say, out of all the covers I've listened to, this is one of the most creative one I've seen. Others would follow the same structure of the song, but for me it seems like you went ahead and made it your own thing! Way to go!
Brian Shaw
I love this way more than the original. It has the true feelings of heartbreak and betrayal that would be involved in a breakup. Unlike the original which had a hint of apathy and arrogance.
Joseph Barnes
Definitely.
Michelle V
Amazing! And I loved Evynne's voice ♡ Wow.
BlueMewSings3
This is still one of my absolute favorites! Love your two voices. Also love your pieces with Lindsey Stirling. Keep up the great work. You have a real gift. Thanks! :-) The dislikers are nuts.