I remember when Prince read the envelope when they won the Grammy and he said "oh, I love this song" Can you imagine Prince presenting you with a Grammy? So dope
i always considered this song to be the #1 pop hit of the 2010s. It's infectious, an earworm, extremely well written. You also get both perspectives which isn't always common
Thats awesome. I thought that he was Camouflaging into the background so she couldn't see him anymore. Then she camouflaged so they couldn't see each other(together but with issues) She then broke free from his picture and he is left unseen in his camouflage
It rarely is. I had that experience with a woman at work. We got the story (which was true) that she went home one night and her husband had left with the kids. Later, she told us that he had kept detailed notes over the past 18 months of every minor thing she did. It was about 4 or 5 years later when it was clear that she had a massive alcohol problem which in her next relationship resulted in the police being called on both parties. She lost her job and unfortunately passed away a few years later. It seemed as though she had managed to somewhat turn her life around.
@@syd3825 never heard that one before. Around here we say that there's your side of the story, his side of the truth and somewhere in the middle is the truth.
"I don't even need your love, but you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough.." that's the line for me.. this song makes you feel it from both sides.. and that's why it's timeless
I'm a metalhead that rarely likes most of the music that you hear on Top 40 radio stations, but I loved this song when it came out. It just sounded different... I mean, what other popular songs can you think of that prominently feature a xylophone??
Apparently it took many years to write, and that it was only when he imagined it as a duet that it finally came together. It'd be nice to think that all of that hard work might have been what created the respectful qualities that tugged someone like yourself, across a genre border. I have a couple genres I prefer. But I'm always most impressed when people find ways to pull me into the genres I'm not that "m rarely hot on. Then I know they really had to do a great job.
@@relaxandsucceed4282 I'm not a "metalhead", I actually don't even like metal all that much. I enjoy good music period (subjective, I know). But this is one of those songs that I heard "somewhere" and it just grabbed me. As soon as I could, I tracked down the song info so I could listen again.
@@relaxandsucceed4282 Exactly. I have preferences, but if something is good enough, genres don't matter. That's how this one is. You can tell he put a lot of work into it.
The beauty of the song is it starts as a typical "she hurt me" song, but then "she" pops out and is all, like, "Oh, wait a minute, you're forgetting about how you done *me* dirty." It highlights both sides of a bad breakup.
i feel it really paints him as toxic. he felt lonely and sad while with her, but still wants her to remain around for his own ego. he says she 'stooped so low' with no example aside from cutting him off, which is not 'stooping low'. the male part sounds like a self absorbed toxic narcissist who doesnt actually realize thats what they are. then 'he screwed her over' and made her feel like it was her fault. it's a typical 'she hurt me' song until you realize he was the problem all along, and is trying to slag her for not keeping contact, presumably because it hurt his ego.
@@johns783 I can see that. Given Gotye's acting in the video, which I could see shoring up that opinion, I can definitely see that. Playing a little bit of Devil's Advocate, though, cutting off all contact, changing the number, and sending friends to pick up her stuff does sound like it _could_ be "low". I'm not absolving him or anything, mostly just pointing out another interpretation.
This song reminds me of that saying that when women say they are done, they’ve been done for a long time while men say they are done & still have to go through the anger/mourning of a relationship. From the lyrics it sounds like he took her for granted she tried to tell him but by the time he realized she meant it, she was already done. So she seems callous & unfeeling to his pain but that’s bc she has already gone through this anger/mourning stage. She is in the acceptance stage while he is still processing. I also like that this song shows mainly how bad communication from all parties is what usually tears relationships apart, it’s rarely just one side that’s completely in the wrong.
His lines kinda show they just weren’t good for each other with lines like “I felt you were right for me, but felt so lonely in your company” and “I’ll admit I was glad it was over. To me it feels like her describing that he was putting blame on her for all their problems while he describes what seems like her being emotionally distant
@@doges6467 its more her side that shows they were wrong. "All the times you screwed me over" "making be believe that it was always something that I'd done.
@@doges6467 Not necessary because he could be the one being emotionally distant, especially because he mentioned that she claimed be so happy that she could die meanwhile he talked like he always was detached emotionally from her, like his heart was never in the relationship. A person can feel lonlynees because personal issues/problems, not just for how they are treated.
And Kimbra says: "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 she did, it seems)
I just learned about this song a couple months ago! In the video, did you notice how he closes his eyes and looks almost guilty when she's "yelling" at him? And then he goes into "but you didn't have to cut me out . . ." The representation of an argument is spot on.
Yeah I noticed that too! And the fact that he’s not in complete denial, but instead rebuttals with “but you didn’t have to cut me off!” Showing he knows he’s not completely in the wrong or right. Great detail!!
@@ILikeSoda229 I see the opposite. he knows hes completely in the wrong, but in typical toxic person he makes it her fault. which is exactly why she'd left in the first place, as per her verse.
I read somewhere that it was a song about escaping a narcissistic relationship. Thinking about it from that perspective puts quite a different spin on the lyrics.
@@tqueen7131 The girl was the narcissist, the way he described her was spot on, she left bc she also felt like she was being used but doesn't realise the things she was doing to them both in the relationship the denial, which is why when she moves close he side-eyes her and looks annoyed when she yells in his ear but not shocked like he's been in that position before with her in his face. " So when we found that we could not make sense Well, you said that we can still be friends But I'll admit that I was glad it was over" The manipulation he faced through this relationship was her trying to make her way to him somehow through friendship. They will always find a way to keep you around after they know they broke you but cant get what they want anymore. So to keep you close they choose to stay friends
@@mystical_pimp987 I felt he was the narcissist, saying that he didn't really need her but still wanted to have some narcissistic supply. Let me tell you from experience you don't want any contact when you break up with a narcissist, they will try to love-bomb you and keep their hooks in, then they will start in on you again. Her lines: "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 (GASLIGHTING) And I don't wanna live that way (YOU DON'T) Reading into every word you say (WALKING ON EGGSHELLS) This is not a criticism of your comment, just my thoughts. I had never thought of the song in terms of narcissism and listening to it with that in mind makes sense to me.
honestly this will always be one of my favorite songs to date it’s just so beautiful and well done and never gets old no matter how many times it’s played
The genius of this song is you get his perspective in the start where he feels hard done by and she's in the wrong and then you hear her perspective and he isn't as innocent as he first seems.
I've been around so long that I'm almost dirt but this is one of the greatest pop songs of all time. It takes a feeling we all have or will have felt, adds the production layers that make you need or want to hear it over and over and tells the story from two perspectives so it's a complete complex relationship lifespan in a single pop song.
This song is basically a duet, which you don't seem to hear as much anymore. And, they say there are always three sides to every story: He said, she said, and the truth. This song examines one breakup from two perspectives. Good stuff. Great vocals.
@@wilfriedmoortgat1891 he's an Belgium -Australian. He may of been born in Belgium but he's from Melbourne. Read his bio & see for urself mate & then come back & tell me I'm wrong. Who cares anyway, it was the Aussie music industry that got him where he was. It's like every person in Scotland saying AC/DC are Scottish not Aussie....no the Young brothers were born in Scotland but moved to Australia as ten pound poms as kids. ACCA DACCA as us Aussie's call them became a band in Australia, they went thru the Aussie music industry & that hadda huge role in how successful they're today. I understand Belgium don't have much talent in anything no matter the job description so if u wanna claim him as JUST Belgium then go for it mate coz we've got many a successful person in each industry in the world in all aspects of any description. Mainly sport coz that's the only thing we Aussie's care about over every other aspect of life & yeah the Socceroos might be shit when it comes to soccer but in majority of sports we're one of the best sporting nations in the world so Belgium can have him if they're that despo about a bloke that's never been heard or seen of since. Au Revoir mate, take care & cheers from The Great Southern Land 🇦🇺 😊
I saw a comment on someone elses reaction to this that made me see this song in a different light. Kimbra may not be the girl he used to know. What if she's the new girl? He's so hung up on someone he used to know that he isn't paying attention to the new relationship, hence her saying she catches him being hung up on someone he used to know. Then she paints herself out of the picture and the story starts again, she's another girl he used to know that he'll see as abandoning him.
I think just about everyone can relate to this song. “We can still be friends.” How many times have we heard that line? Most of us can not drop down to friend status, nor is it healthy. It’s all or nothing baby.
Eh, I think it depends on both people and the reasons they broke up. It is possible (witnissed it myself alot) but I agree that alot of people cant do it or dont want to.
@@Shyress I know it's possible but I could never date somebody that was friends with an ex and I know that's because of my own insecurities due to life experience; I'm fine with that.
@@Shyress It is not really friendship. One of the parties, usually the man, still has feelings for the other and think that remaining "friends" with that person will give them chances to get back together in the future. It never ends well. It is worse.
I really like in the end of the video how she comes out of the painting thus fully removing herself and moving on. In art the style of the painting in the background of the video is called abstract, the definitions for abstract are Considered apart from concrete existence. Not applied or practical;theoretical. Difficult to understand; abstruse. all three definitions based on what both have sung could be used to define the failed relationship. Great reaction and I'm enjoying watching you guys, and Asia, fantastic smile!
I simply cannot believe that adults that live in a country where they have radio's and play music in stores never heard this song. This song is awesome, it has the quality of a good 80's song.
I love this song. It's the only song I've ever heard by him though. It got a ton of radio play. The alternative rock station in Atlanta used to play it pretty regularly up until the station shut down maybe 2 or 3 years ago.
@@scottvanhille5688 Maybe but this song was played pretty regularly up until like 2018 then my old alternative station turned into a reggaeton station.
Honestly, after I heard this jam I wanted to hear more from him. I also like this other song of his called Heart's a Mess or Your Heart's a Mess or something. The video is a trip. I gotta dig deeper but I like the music so far👍
Wally is amazing, he has several songs of this calibre, my favourites are "Hearts a Mess" /watch?v=MpN1j8R5lZ8 and "The Only thing I know" /watch?v=7tdFa75OXlY. Watch him live too, he's great. There is a Triple J live at the wireless performance he did where he plays multiple instruments. He has a group of musicians that he swaps out depending on which instrument he is playing for a particular song.
I was watchin some performances of them and (this song is going on 13 years old and its still incredible, still watchin it lol) then saw there was a reaction from you guys and I was like oh no way! So glad you guys watched this. Glad you liked it. This broke the music scene in my opinion when it came out. There was nothing like it. It's the most haunting, sad, yet beautiful pop songs ever.
He's in red, anger, she's in green, choosing life and moving on. He ignores her and won't look at her as she tries to talk to him. Definitely 2 sided breakup.
I love how they give both sides of the story... her version and his, culminating in them yelling at each other in song, even though the original verses for each character are calm and beautiful... literally acting out the beauty and heartbreak of love. I also love how the video shows this with the painting of their bodies. He starts off naked and slowly gets covered, she starts painted eventually becoming naked, and there's a brief overlap in the middle. a visual portrayal of these two people who are apart coming together then falling away. as the old saying goes, "it takes two to tango". props to Gotye for finding such an honest way to express both sides, not just his side... and for the video creator to come up with this body paint scheme to visually take us through these people coming together, and breaking apart. fantastic song and video.
I think my favorite moral of this story is there is always 2 sides to every story. People here the first story they hear and automatically take his side until you hear hers and you're like, "ooooohhh... yeah... imma just head out." Lol
For me, the guy's the bad guy. He knows he's in a dying relationship, but he stays in it, not because he loves her, but because he just wants the relationship. She on the other hand, did love him, but when they broke up, she moved on while he couldn't, not because he suddenly loved her or even missed her, but because she wasn't more heart-broken by it. He's hurt because he's not The Ex, but just an old boyfriend.
well it's your opinion, but i think it can be both ways. Broken a longtime relationship is hard and you easily become bitter and it can become nasty. Every person acts different and most of the time both sides commit bad actions. I for myself can relate pretty well to that scene, because i was the guy. I was 7 years in an relationship and could 100% understand the drama. I knew she was hurt the same way that I was, but she slept with many men short after, she compensated it different. I locked myself up and she searched for easy entertainment to get her head clear. We both knew it was over and never will be a new start, we were to different at the end and maybe we will never see us again.
I like the visual where she is washed clean of the relationship, while he just fades away from her into the background. I have heard it said that the opposite of love is hate. In my opinion. The opposite of love is indifference.
@@esdrasfilipe431 Judging by the lyrics, he definitely comes across as the "bad" guy or toxic one. He didn't like her that much and was happy with the break up, yet he's upset that she's moving on without him.
Legit shedding tears hearing you both describe the story of this song. It’s so real and so emotional. I did not appreciate this song when it came out. But now I’ve gone through this
This is crazy, I’m only 31 and I had no idea this was their song, TDG: (three days grace) covered this and I thought it was their song until just now lol damn I had no idea and I love your reactions obviously or I wouldn’t have discovered this lmao
He was expecting to be friends or at least just ok with the breakup. Instead she totally erased him from her life. Not blaming anyone. Maybe she should have said, when it's over everything is over so he'd know what to expect. You miss people when they are gone from your life even if you said you were glad it was over. But he needs to remember that too. Love this song. Was a huge hit.
I hated this song when it first aired. I was about 15 and was in the height of my emo phase. Coming back to it years later I realised what a stunning voice these 2 have. I truly miss when songs relied entirely on the singers raw voice and simple melody, Not an intricate melody with 50 different instruments and an average singer with layers of autotune.
I always liked the art in this one. The exposition of how people are always divided into pieces in the abstract and then matched to the environment in which we paint them. That is the essence of the song and the crime both have committed against one another.
Great reaction. This song is exactly how it feels sometimes after a breakup. The more emotionally invested someone is determines how bad the feelings can get. I know I’m gonna sound like an a-hole but I can love intensely but when it’s over for either me or her, I can say seeya and not think about it that much.
I absolutely love Wouter "Wally" De Backer also known for a time as Gotye --- He is someone who is a true artist and has walked away from crazy fame and follows a different path -- He still is involved with The Basics -- a band he has been a part of for many years -- After the Gotye project success -- he opted to archive the legacy of a man who composed music for the ondioline because he loves to tinker with unusual sounds and instruments I Adore the song Hearts a Mess and the video is fascinating ua-cam.com/video/MpN1j8R5lZ8/v-deo.html and Smoke and Mirrors is fabulous too ua-cam.com/video/0FlSdHyXYO8/v-deo.html -- I admire him for not being consumed by fame and fortune and being true to himself
I remember when this came out- it sounded so different from everything else out on the radio at that time. Gotye reminds me of an alternate universe Beck.
Gotye is an Australian artist and Kimbra is from New Zealand. This is a great collaboration between the two and although the both have other music, this is the one more people know them from. Gotye time in the spotlight wasn't that long but when he was his music was always in the chart.
Wally dips in and out of the Melbourne band scene - sometimes on his own, sometimes with a band, but this old track has, for me, always reminded me of post-Genesis, Peter Gabriel - 'Blood Eden', 'In Your Eyes', 'Digging in the Dirt' and, maybe one or two others. Even Wally's film clip has visual elements that were explored by Gabriel in the '80s. Close your eyes and you can almost hear Peter Gabriel singing this song. Would be interesting to see Goyte and Gabriel performing together.
Gotye is an AMAZING artist. He really is. This song was poppy and mainstream but his work is really awesome. He is one of my favorite artist. He plays every instrument and uses unconventional materials to make music and sounds. I saw a short doc on how he made his last project and it showcased how innovative he is. This song doesn't do his work justice.
I think I may have been in a dept store like urban outfitters when I qst heard this song. I dont even know how I ended up finding it tonight but I love this song from the qst second then and now!
I enjoy the personal comments during the songs. Please do somes reactions to Violent Femmes (80's American folk punk) and Our Lady Peace(90's alternative). Two of my favorite bands.
Great video, this song and music video are iconic. Sadly this song is kind of my life right now. My fiance had mental problems, she's been in the mental ward. When her mom passed, she completely lost it. Would Stay out all night, super paranoid, wouldn't get help. Then she got a bit better, but wouldn't stop drinking and staying out all night. I kept trying and trying to help her. Broke up and got back together a few times. But finally I couldn't take it anymore. She is almost completely out of my life, but I can't get over her. It seemed so easy for her to forget me. She actually lives in the same trailer park. We were going to get married on Valentines day, she was my first real love. 😭 Now she's just somebody that I used to know.
ASIA, I think these were really insightful comments from you at 3:46 - thanks! I live the male & female voices harmonizing in this song - it sounds SO good. Also, doesn’t this song kind of remind you of the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard drama? We all know they are much better apart. Together, they are beyond toxic. Separately, who knows…. Much love to you both!❤️
The video is so intensely artistic. He his giving I been done over and she's been, wow, now you know why I sent someone for records and they are singing in such great harmony but then they trying to sing over each other because they both thing they're right.
Kimbra is well worth checking out, too. Here she is singing Nina Simone's "Plain Gold Ring" live at Sing Sing Studios: ua-cam.com/video/6i1mr9amqeg/v-deo.html This is her voice when she was only 20. Amazing.
So true! I went on a museum tour and concert (begore his Grammy) and can say Gotye is so talented. Most people on l y hear about this song, but he's got 🔥 albums going back years. Love the sounds and visuals of Save Me and Hearts a Mess. Will definitely tune in to see your reactions. Hearts a Mess ua-cam.com/video/MpN1j8R5lZ8/v-deo.html Save Me ua-cam.com/video/O4_lBT1OG_Y/v-deo.html
"You don't even know who they are" - you nailed it Asia. You look at them and shake your head wondering how they can be so entirely different acting compared to when you were together. Its like a split personality.
I remember when Prince read the envelope when they won the Grammy and he said "oh, I love this song" Can you imagine Prince presenting you with a Grammy? So dope
that was a great scene to watch, their faces when he came out and said that...they were so taken back by that being the ultimate compliment
Praise from Caesar, for sure
Who is prince?
@@trikolore very famous and accomplished singer/songwriter/musician
@@trikolore damn u young
i always considered this song to be the #1 pop hit of the 2010s. It's infectious, an earworm, extremely well written. You also get both perspectives which isn't always common
Yep & it's extremely relatable
This and rather be by clean bandit were unforgettable pop drops imo
Beautifully put.
@@BLUETYPHONA yep. Actual real life lyrics. It checks every single box
I *DESPISE* the song.
"You can be addicted to a certain kind of saddness"
That always hit different
That line broke me in a good way…
smashing pumpkins has a similar line. I've always loved it because it is familiar, but it is also a prevalent problem with mental illnesses....
Also reminds me of Dido's "See you when you're 40"
fr
Use to toxicity, deep down feeling like you don't deserve or get better. So being sad is a familiar feeling since childhood.
I love the end, where the paint is coming off of her body. She’s no longer in the picture
I've seen that video 50 times and never made that connection, thank you!!! 😊
I just mentioned that as i noticed not many people realize that part, then i saw your comment! :) lol
Thats awesome. I thought that he was Camouflaging into the background so she couldn't see him anymore. Then she camouflaged so they couldn't see each other(together but with issues) She then broke free from his picture and he is left unseen in his camouflage
Not connected with him no more, also the art could be his creativity of himself....
I see it as he is just part of the background and she is something unique. Or essentially he is somebody she used to know
I like how he gave his side first, then once she gave her side, you could see it wasn’t all her fault! Great song!!
I like getting both sides in the song too. Same with the song 'don't you want me baby'
It rarely is.
I had that experience with a woman at work. We got the story (which was true) that she went home one night and her husband had left with the kids. Later, she told us that he had kept detailed notes over the past 18 months of every minor thing she did.
It was about 4 or 5 years later when it was clear that she had a massive alcohol problem which in her next relationship resulted in the police being called on both parties.
She lost her job and unfortunately passed away a few years later. It seemed as though she had managed to somewhat turn her life around.
@@jspettifer There's an old saying about relationships: There's his side, there's her side & somewhere in the middle is the truth.
It takes two to tango. There are always two sides to every story.
@@syd3825 never heard that one before. Around here we say that there's your side of the story, his side of the truth and somewhere in the middle is the truth.
"I don't even need your love, but you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough.." that's the line for me.. this song makes you feel it from both sides.. and that's why it's timeless
I'm a metalhead that rarely likes most of the music that you hear on Top 40 radio stations, but I loved this song when it came out. It just sounded different... I mean, what other popular songs can you think of that prominently feature a xylophone??
I had the same reaction.
Apparently it took many years to write, and that it was only when he imagined it as a duet that it finally came together. It'd be nice to think that all of that hard work might have been what created the respectful qualities that tugged someone like yourself, across a genre border. I have a couple genres I prefer. But I'm always most impressed when people find ways to pull me into the genres I'm not that "m rarely hot on. Then I know they really had to do a great job.
@@relaxandsucceed4282 I'm not a "metalhead", I actually don't even like metal all that much. I enjoy good music period (subjective, I know). But this is one of those songs that I heard "somewhere" and it just grabbed me. As soon as I could, I tracked down the song info so I could listen again.
@@relaxandsucceed4282 Exactly. I have preferences, but if something is good enough, genres don't matter. That's how this one is. You can tell he put a lot of work into it.
Remember them days when everyone used to sing this and put it on all the time. Wow man we’ve grown so much since then
The beauty of the song is it starts as a typical "she hurt me" song, but then "she" pops out and is all, like, "Oh, wait a minute, you're forgetting about how you done *me* dirty." It highlights both sides of a bad breakup.
i feel it really paints him as toxic. he felt lonely and sad while with her, but still wants her to remain around for his own ego. he says she 'stooped so low' with no example aside from cutting him off, which is not 'stooping low'. the male part sounds like a self absorbed toxic narcissist who doesnt actually realize thats what they are. then 'he screwed her over' and made her feel like it was her fault. it's a typical 'she hurt me' song until you realize he was the problem all along, and is trying to slag her for not keeping contact, presumably because it hurt his ego.
@@johns783 I can see that. Given Gotye's acting in the video, which I could see shoring up that opinion, I can definitely see that. Playing a little bit of Devil's Advocate, though, cutting off all contact, changing the number, and sending friends to pick up her stuff does sound like it _could_ be "low". I'm not absolving him or anything, mostly just pointing out another interpretation.
This song reminds me of that saying that when women say they are done, they’ve been done for a long time while men say they are done & still have to go through the anger/mourning of a relationship. From the lyrics it sounds like he took her for granted she tried to tell him but by the time he realized she meant it, she was already done. So she seems callous & unfeeling to his pain but that’s bc she has already gone through this anger/mourning stage. She is in the acceptance stage while he is still processing. I also like that this song shows mainly how bad communication from all parties is what usually tears relationships apart, it’s rarely just one side that’s completely in the wrong.
nice analysis :)
His lines kinda show they just weren’t good for each other with lines like “I felt you were right for me, but felt so lonely in your company” and “I’ll admit I was glad it was over. To me it feels like her describing that he was putting blame on her for all their problems while he describes what seems like her being emotionally distant
@@doges6467 its more her side that shows they were wrong. "All the times you screwed me over" "making be believe that it was always something that I'd done.
@@doges6467 Not necessary because he could be the one being emotionally distant, especially because he mentioned that she claimed be so happy that she could die meanwhile he talked like he always was detached emotionally from her, like his heart was never in the relationship. A person can feel lonlynees because personal issues/problems, not just for how they are treated.
Yea this song leaves me so torn. Either he's the abusive narcissist and she is the victim or she's the narcissists that's gaslighting him. Idk😅
When he sings You didn't have to cut me off, he sounds like Sting.
I've always thought this could almost be another duet between Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel.
@@jedislap8726 who is Kate Bush? I got no clue.
@@kimtalley4496 Are you joking??
@@jedislap8726 nope
@@kimtalley4496 :(
And Kimbra says: "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 she did, it seems)
She did it lol
@CrusaderWarrior yes, she caught him hung up on somebody that he used to know.
I don’t understand how you guy’s haven’t listened this masterpiece before😅 LIKE HOW!!
Same. Lol
It was sooooo big in Europe.
Maybe because we're older?
@@evelynne2846 they look old asf
@@evelynne2846 true but they should know cuz they look older than me
I'm young and have heard this song plenty
I just learned about this song a couple months ago! In the video, did you notice how he closes his eyes and looks almost guilty when she's "yelling" at him? And then he goes into "but you didn't have to cut me out . . ." The representation of an argument is spot on.
Yeah I noticed that too! And the fact that he’s not in complete denial, but instead rebuttals with “but you didn’t have to cut me off!” Showing he knows he’s not completely in the wrong or right. Great detail!!
Spot on!
@@ILikeSoda229 I see the opposite. he knows hes completely in the wrong, but in typical toxic person he makes it her fault. which is exactly why she'd left in the first place, as per her verse.
I read somewhere that it was a song about escaping a narcissistic relationship. Thinking about it from that perspective puts quite a different spin on the lyrics.
It is her lines are what tells it all.
@@tqueen7131 The girl was the narcissist, the way he described her was spot on, she left bc she also felt like she was being used but doesn't realise the things she was doing to them both in the relationship the denial, which is why when she moves close he side-eyes her and looks annoyed when she yells in his ear but not shocked like he's been in that position before with her in his face. " So when we found that we could not make sense
Well, you said that we can still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad it was over"
The manipulation he faced through this relationship was her trying to make her way to him somehow through friendship. They will always find a way to keep you around after they know they broke you but cant get what they want anymore. So to keep you close they choose to stay friends
@@mystical_pimp987 I felt he was the narcissist, saying that he didn't really need her but still wanted to have some narcissistic supply.
Let me tell you from experience you don't want any contact when you break up with a narcissist, they will try to love-bomb you and keep their hooks in, then they will start in on you again.
Her lines:
"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 (GASLIGHTING)
And I don't wanna live that way (YOU DON'T)
Reading into every word you say (WALKING ON EGGSHELLS)
This is not a criticism of your comment, just my thoughts.
I had never thought of the song in terms of narcissism and listening to it with that in mind makes sense to me.
honestly this will always be one of my favorite songs to date it’s just so beautiful and well done and never gets old no matter how many times it’s played
I like the live versions of the song because you can better hear just how good Kimbra’s voice is.
The genius of this song is you get his perspective in the start where he feels hard done by and she's in the wrong and then you hear her perspective and he isn't as innocent as he first seems.
Such a deep sing. Many layers. I love it. Universal in its themes. Everyone can relate
This was a well-ctafted song in its lyrics and visual delivery. You can really see the ART in this piece of music ❤
Oh, that delicious moment right before Kimbra comes in and we get the other side of the story… 👏👏👏
When we learn Kimbra’s side wuz cold blooded *clapclapclap* !
I've been around so long that I'm almost dirt but this is one of the greatest pop songs of all time. It takes a feeling we all have or will have felt, adds the production layers that make you need or want to hear it over and over and tells the story from two perspectives so it's a complete complex relationship lifespan in a single pop song.
Honestly, Gotye has a few hidden bangers. Hearts A Mess comes to mind.
Definitely. Talented guy.
I know! I’m sad his other stuff didn’t get more attention.
I still have the Making Mirrors album somewhere. It was great.
This song is basically a duet, which you don't seem to hear as much anymore. And, they say there are always three sides to every story: He said, she said, and the truth. This song examines one breakup from two perspectives. Good stuff. Great vocals.
I like both these artists. They are super artistic and I love that.
When a New Zealander collabs with an Australian Ofc it’s going to be a banger 🔥🇳🇿🇦🇺
Aussie born in Bruges Belgium , so we claim him too ;)
@@daveangels Oh yes, and Belgium 🔥
@@daveangels we can both have him hahahaha
🇦🇺 ❤️ 🇧🇪
@@daveangels yasss we claim him too in Belgium :)
Oz and kiwis are in cricket WC finals 😸
An Aussie boy, Gotye, he's the first Aussie that had a #1 hit in the US since Aussie band Silverchair.
I never knew that!
Hi is Belgian.
Not aussie,hè is from Belgium
@@wilfriedmoortgat1891 he's an Belgium -Australian. He may of been born in Belgium but he's from Melbourne. Read his bio & see for urself mate & then come back & tell me I'm wrong. Who cares anyway, it was the Aussie music industry that got him where he was. It's like every person in Scotland saying AC/DC are Scottish not Aussie....no the Young brothers were born in Scotland but moved to Australia as ten pound poms as kids. ACCA DACCA as us Aussie's call them became a band in Australia, they went thru the Aussie music industry & that hadda huge role in how successful they're today. I understand Belgium don't have much talent in anything no matter the job description so if u wanna claim him as JUST Belgium then go for it mate coz we've got many a successful person in each industry in the world in all aspects of any description. Mainly sport coz that's the only thing we Aussie's care about over every other aspect of life & yeah the Socceroos might be shit when it comes to soccer but in majority of sports we're one of the best sporting nations in the world so Belgium can have him if they're that despo about a bloke that's never been heard or seen of since. Au Revoir mate, take care & cheers from The Great Southern Land 🇦🇺 😊
There's an isolated vocal version that really makes you appreciated their voices.
How have they never heard this? This song won three Grammys and was everywhere.
Not everyone watches the Grammys
@@darkmoondrops perhaps not but that awards show rarely gives two Grammys to esoterica.
I saw a comment on someone elses reaction to this that made me see this song in a different light. Kimbra may not be the girl he used to know. What if she's the new girl? He's so hung up on someone he used to know that he isn't paying attention to the new relationship, hence her saying she catches him being hung up on someone he used to know. Then she paints herself out of the picture and the story starts again, she's another girl he used to know that he'll see as abandoning him.
Very good point!
Ya'll are amazing reactors. You actually listen to the lyrics. Keep it up guys. Hope you hit 1 mil soon.
I think just about everyone can relate to this song. “We can still be friends.” How many times have we heard that line? Most of us can not drop down to friend status, nor is it healthy. It’s all or nothing baby.
Sadly yes
Definitely. I never want to be friends, doesn't matter who breaks up.
Eh, I think it depends on both people and the reasons they broke up. It is possible (witnissed it myself alot) but I agree that alot of people cant do it or dont want to.
@@Shyress I know it's possible but I could never date somebody that was friends with an ex and I know that's because of my own insecurities due to life experience; I'm fine with that.
@@Shyress It is not really friendship. One of the parties, usually the man, still has feelings for the other and think that remaining "friends" with that person will give them chances to get back together in the future.
It never ends well. It is worse.
Powerful song!!! I loved it when I first heard it, I got goosebumps and I still do.
I really like in the end of the video how she comes out of the painting thus fully removing herself and moving on. In art the style of the painting in the background of the video is called abstract, the definitions for abstract are Considered apart from concrete existence. Not applied or practical;theoretical. Difficult to understand; abstruse. all three definitions based on what both have sung could be used to define the failed relationship. Great reaction and I'm enjoying watching you guys, and Asia, fantastic smile!
Agreed! And how she moves in the video while he is static. It is her doing the moving on, both literally and metaphorically.
I simply cannot believe that adults that live in a country where they have radio's and play music in stores never heard this song.
This song is awesome, it has the quality of a good 80's song.
When she started to sing she showed a different perspective of the relationship.
I love this song. It's the only song I've ever heard by him though. It got a ton of radio play. The alternative rock station in Atlanta used to play it pretty regularly up until the station shut down maybe 2 or 3 years ago.
Unfortunately, it's called payola. Record companies would pay radio stations more money to play certain songs to increase album sales.
@@scottvanhille5688 Maybe but this song was played pretty regularly up until like 2018 then my old alternative station turned into a reggaeton station.
Honestly, after I heard this jam I wanted to hear more from him. I also like this other song of his called Heart's a Mess or Your Heart's a Mess or something. The video is a trip. I gotta dig deeper but I like the music so far👍
They play it here on the alt station in New Orleans.
Wally is amazing, he has several songs of this calibre, my favourites are "Hearts a Mess" /watch?v=MpN1j8R5lZ8 and "The Only thing I know" /watch?v=7tdFa75OXlY. Watch him live too, he's great. There is a Triple J live at the wireless performance he did where he plays multiple instruments. He has a group of musicians that he swaps out depending on which instrument he is playing for a particular song.
This song matches so well with my ex leaving me suddenly and doing exactly what the singer sings on the song.
Both artists in this song are amazing o their own. Kimbra has some absolute gems Black Sky and 90's Music are great tracks.
I actually love that you let the track play and responded accordingly! You guys are rare breed. Love from London xx
The pain is palpable. It is hypnotizing. That must be the trip rap groove.
I was watchin some performances of them and (this song is going on 13 years old and its still incredible, still watchin it lol) then saw there was a reaction from you guys and I was like oh no way! So glad you guys watched this. Glad you liked it. This broke the music scene in my opinion when it came out. There was nothing like it. It's the most haunting, sad, yet beautiful pop songs ever.
He's in red, anger, she's in green, choosing life and moving on. He ignores her and won't look at her as she tries to talk to him. Definitely 2 sided breakup.
I love how they give both sides of the story... her version and his, culminating in them yelling at each other in song, even though the original verses for each character are calm and beautiful... literally acting out the beauty and heartbreak of love. I also love how the video shows this with the painting of their bodies. He starts off naked and slowly gets covered, she starts painted eventually becoming naked, and there's a brief overlap in the middle. a visual portrayal of these two people who are apart coming together then falling away. as the old saying goes, "it takes two to tango". props to Gotye for finding such an honest way to express both sides, not just his side... and for the video creator to come up with this body paint scheme to visually take us through these people coming together, and breaking apart. fantastic song and video.
This song hits so different as an adult with failed relationships
I learned about this song a couple months back. I really like it. His voice, he sounds like sting from the police. For me, thats a good thing
I remember a lot of junk out at the time, and this was playing in a record store and it shocked me! Love it so much!
I like how you feel bad for him until you hear her side of the story.
I think my favorite moral of this story is there is always 2 sides to every story. People here the first story they hear and automatically take his side until you hear hers and you're like, "ooooohhh... yeah... imma just head out." Lol
@@Dessertpvnk Exactly.
@@darlenenoble7232 I feel bad for both
@@rodrigoangelo488 Yea it seems like there were alot of underlying issues that neither of them bothered to address. Now its too late.
How can you not know this song? It's an all-time classic
For me, the guy's the bad guy. He knows he's in a dying relationship, but he stays in it, not because he loves her, but because he just wants the relationship. She on the other hand, did love him, but when they broke up, she moved on while he couldn't, not because he suddenly loved her or even missed her, but because she wasn't more heart-broken by it. He's hurt because he's not The Ex, but just an old boyfriend.
well it's your opinion, but i think it can be both ways. Broken a longtime relationship is hard and you easily become bitter and it can become nasty. Every person acts different and most of the time both sides commit bad actions. I for myself can relate pretty well to that scene, because i was the guy. I was 7 years in an relationship and could 100% understand the drama. I knew she was hurt the same way that I was, but she slept with many men short after, she compensated it different. I locked myself up and she searched for easy entertainment to get her head clear. We both knew it was over and never will be a new start, we were to different at the end and maybe we will never see us again.
I like the visual where she is washed clean of the relationship, while he just fades away from her into the background.
I have heard it said that the opposite of love is hate. In my opinion. The opposite of love is indifference.
This resonates as it reminds me of my last relationship and how it ended.
I don't think there is a bad guy here
@@esdrasfilipe431 Judging by the lyrics, he definitely comes across as the "bad" guy or toxic one. He didn't like her that much and was happy with the break up, yet he's upset that she's moving on without him.
Just love how this song shows there is often two sides of a story and you just proved his point! :D
Asia is absolutely correct. I was married for 26 years. And rhis really says it for me. I was devastated and now I see what she truly is.
This is just an amazing song. It will never age.
Very impossible that you haven't heard from this song. This is a Masterpiece 🔥🔥🔥
Legit shedding tears hearing you both describe the story of this song. It’s so real and so emotional. I did not appreciate this song when it came out. But now I’ve gone through this
Dope reaction been on the playlist since i first heard it
This is crazy, I’m only 31 and I had no idea this was their song, TDG: (three days grace) covered this and I thought it was their song until just now lol damn I had no idea and I love your reactions obviously or I wouldn’t have discovered this lmao
He was expecting to be friends or at least just ok with the breakup. Instead she totally erased him from her life. Not blaming anyone. Maybe she should have said, when it's over everything is over so he'd know what to expect. You miss people when they are gone from your life even if you said you were glad it was over. But he needs to remember that too. Love this song. Was a huge hit.
I hated this song when it first aired. I was about 15 and was in the height of my emo phase.
Coming back to it years later I realised what a stunning voice these 2 have.
I truly miss when songs relied entirely on the singers raw voice and simple melody,
Not an intricate melody with 50 different instruments and an average singer with layers of autotune.
I always liked the art in this one. The exposition of how people are always divided into pieces in the abstract and then matched to the environment in which we paint them. That is the essence of the song and the crime both have committed against one another.
This piece is really unique.
Whatever the text. The way how it was sung, the composition of it, it's really a unique masterpiece.
Y’all gotta be living under a rock
Great reaction. This song is exactly how it feels sometimes after a breakup. The more emotionally invested someone is determines how bad the feelings can get. I know I’m gonna sound like an a-hole but I can love intensely but when it’s over for either me or her, I can say seeya and not think about it that much.
Then you've never really been in love
This song is a masterpiece, almost everybody I know regardless of race likes it
I FREAKING LOVE THIS SONG
U should look more into Kimbra, a very underrated talent. "plain Gold Ring" live. Man its great.
I love the paint. They depicted vulnerability with presence or absence of paint
I love your reaction for songs😊 you two are the best 😃
Asia seriously needs the lyrics for every video.
I absolutely love Wouter "Wally" De Backer also known for a time as Gotye --- He is someone who is a true artist and has walked away from crazy fame and follows a different path -- He still is involved with The Basics -- a band he has been a part of for many years -- After the Gotye project success -- he opted to archive the legacy of a man who composed music for the ondioline because he loves to tinker with unusual sounds and instruments I Adore the song Hearts a Mess and the video is fascinating ua-cam.com/video/MpN1j8R5lZ8/v-deo.html and Smoke and Mirrors is fabulous too ua-cam.com/video/0FlSdHyXYO8/v-deo.html -- I admire him for not being consumed by fame and fortune and being true to himself
Brilliant concept at the end where the paint is coming off her symbolising her being "Out of the picture"
I love y’all’s views and reactions. Haha. This was cool.
Love this song. Thanks for reacting to it!
damn this is such a good song. i like that discussion it sparked between you two.
I remember when this came out- it sounded so different from everything else out on the radio at that time. Gotye reminds me of an alternate universe Beck.
This song was played on my local radio station back in 2011, good fucking times man
Gotye is an Australian artist and Kimbra is from New Zealand. This is a great collaboration between the two and although the both have other music, this is the one more people know them from. Gotye time in the spotlight wasn't that long but when he was his music was always in the chart.
Wally dips in and out of the Melbourne band scene - sometimes on his own, sometimes with a band, but this old track has, for me, always reminded me of post-Genesis, Peter Gabriel - 'Blood Eden', 'In Your Eyes', 'Digging in the Dirt' and, maybe one or two others. Even Wally's film clip has visual elements that were explored by Gabriel in the '80s. Close your eyes and you can almost hear Peter Gabriel singing this song. Would be interesting to see Goyte and Gabriel performing together.
Highly encourage you to listen to more of his work than just this. I genuinely believe he's one of the most underappreciated artists of our time.
I forgot about this song!!! Now I’ll be singing it for a week!😂❤️
Walk Off the Earth did a fantastic cover of this. With 6 people playing ONE guitar. Better vocals too!!!
Gotye is an AMAZING artist. He really is. This song was poppy and mainstream but his work is really awesome. He is one of my favorite artist. He plays every instrument and uses unconventional materials to make music and sounds. I saw a short doc on how he made his last project and it showcased how innovative he is. This song doesn't do his work justice.
Doesn't it remind you of some sting or something? Also vast did this kind of thing quite a few years ago.
This was a #1 around the world for obvious reasons ... He is from Melbourne, Aust and she is from NZ. Great song.
That one is always a blast when the reaction is by a couple :) Well done =)
I remember when this came out I loved it the minute I heard it 🫶🏾
I relate to this way too much but I love it! Thank You. 💚💚💚
I think I may have been in a dept store like urban outfitters when I qst heard this song. I dont even know how I ended up finding it tonight but I love this song from the qst second then and now!
I enjoy the personal comments during the songs. Please do somes reactions to Violent Femmes (80's American folk punk) and Our Lady Peace(90's alternative). Two of my favorite bands.
Great video, this song and music video are iconic. Sadly this song is kind of my life right now. My fiance had mental problems, she's been in the mental ward. When her mom passed, she completely lost it. Would Stay out all night, super paranoid, wouldn't get help. Then she got a bit better, but wouldn't stop drinking and staying out all night. I kept trying and trying to help her. Broke up and got back together a few times. But finally I couldn't take it anymore. She is almost completely out of my life, but I can't get over her. It seemed so easy for her to forget me. She actually lives in the same trailer park. We were going to get married on Valentines day, she was my first real love. 😭 Now she's just somebody that I used to know.
Coolest cover of this song - Somebody That I Used to Know - Walk off the Earth (Gotye - Cover) - UA-cam
I like the cover, some qb I use to know(Colts and Manning). Awesome 👏
ua-cam.com/video/d9NF2edxy-M/v-deo.html
WOTE is awesome!
new to site, great video breakdown y'all, good stuff
Very nostalgic.. and now they're somebody that we use to know.. 😊
ASIA, I think these were really insightful comments from you at 3:46 - thanks! I live the male & female voices harmonizing in this song - it sounds SO good. Also, doesn’t this song kind of remind you of the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard drama? We all know they are much better apart. Together, they are beyond toxic. Separately, who knows…. Much love to you both!❤️
Gotye is another great Australian artist xxx
You should watch more of kimbra, she is a fantastic New Zealand singer. This was fantastic Aussie New Zealand collaboration.
Oh forgot to say ‘ settle down’ from kimbra is great.
The video is so intensely artistic. He his giving I been done over and she's been, wow, now you know why I sent someone for records and they are singing in such great harmony but then they trying to sing over each other because they both thing they're right.
Kimbra is well worth checking out, too. Here she is singing Nina Simone's "Plain Gold Ring" live at Sing Sing Studios: ua-cam.com/video/6i1mr9amqeg/v-deo.html This is her voice when she was only 20. Amazing.
Great Australian song used to listen to this on the radio taking my daughter to work, great memories. 👍
So true! I went on a museum tour and concert (begore his Grammy) and can say Gotye is so talented.
Most people on l y hear about this song, but he's got 🔥 albums going back years.
Love the sounds and visuals of Save Me and Hearts a Mess. Will definitely tune in to see your reactions.
Hearts a Mess ua-cam.com/video/MpN1j8R5lZ8/v-deo.html
Save Me ua-cam.com/video/O4_lBT1OG_Y/v-deo.html
Talking about the queens of old school country Loretta Lynn's Coal Miner's Daughter is a must
"You don't even know who they are" - you nailed it Asia. You look at them and shake your head wondering how they can be so entirely different acting compared to when you were together. Its like a split personality.
So relatvi
I can relate. There's two sides of every stories.