Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know

In 2011, Belgian-Australian mastermind Wally De Backer—known as Gotye—crafted an unassuming miracle in a converted barn studio. Driven by a sampled guitar riff from Luiz Bonfá’s obscure 1967 track "Seville," "Somebody That I Used To Know" became an unstoppable global juggernaut. Enhanced by New Zealand singer Kimbra’s fiery counter-vocal, the song offered a painfully relatable post-breakup duel wrapped in a haunting xylophone melody.

Its iconic music video, directed by Natasha Pincus, elevated the track into pure visual poetry. Shot over a painstaking 23 hours, Gotye and Kimbra stood completely bare as intricate geometric body paint gradually camouflaged them into a backdrop—a breathtaking visual metaphor for ex-lovers fading into forgotten memory.

Time Capsule (2011): This indie anthem captured the zeitgeist of a rapidly shifting cultural landscape. In 2011, as Spotify officially launched in the United States, Tumblr transformed internet culture, and the final Harry Potter movie shattered box office records, Gotye’s organic masterpiece defied radio norms. It sliced through a pop scene dominated by electro-house bangers, proving that eccentric, heart-wrenching artistry could still conquer the modern world.

• Chart Legacy: "Somebody That I Used To Know" is certified RIAA Diamond in the US, won two Grammy Awards in 2013 (including Record of the Year), and has accumulated over 2.2 billion views on YouTube and over 1.8 billion streams on Spotify.
• Current Status: Gotye (Wouter De Backer) placed his solo moniker on indefinite hiatus, choosing to focus on playing drums for the Australian indie-rock band The Basics, co-running his independent record label Spirit Level, and founding the vintage electronic music preservation project Forgotten Futures.
• Touring Details: There are no active or announced solo tours for Gotye, as he has not toured under his solo artist name since the conclusion of his Making Mirrors world tour in 2012.
• Financial Insights: Gotye's net worth is estimated between $10 million and $12 million, driven by continuing songwriting royalties, despite his famous decision to turn down YouTube ad monetization on his record-breaking music video, forfeiting millions in potential revenue.