# @popbase on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DaeIQxQzp6W
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/67447231-popbase-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/ffb0498ad0.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-07-07T00:00:00.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Pop Base (@PopBase) — https://gondola.cc/PopBase

## Caption

15 years ago, Gotye released 'Somebody That I Used to Know.' 

Written, produced, and performed by Belgian-born Australian musician Wouter "Wally" De Backer under the name Gotye, it dropped July 5, 2011 as the second single from his third album, Making Mirrors. He wrote and recorded it at his parents' house on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, drawing on his own experiences with relationships ending. The song samples Luiz Bonfá's 'Seville,' and Gotye built it piece by piece — starting with the sample, then drums, then the lyric, melody, and wobbly guitar line. Kimbra's now-famous vocals almost didn't happen: a "high profile" singer originally attached to the track canceled last minute, and Gotye's own girlfriend didn't work out as a replacement before Kimbra stepped in.

The rollout fueled its mystique — leaked audio hit iTunes before the official release, and radio stations in Australia, Belgium, and Holland picked it up early, creating global buzz ahead of launch. The iconic music video, directed by Natasha Pincus, shows Gotye and Kimbra nude against a white backdrop as body paint gradually blends Gotye into the background via stop-motion, based on 1980s artwork by Gotye's father, with painting handled by artist Emma Hack over 23+ hours. The video surpassed 2 billion YouTube views and was famously spoofed by Andy Samberg and Taran Killam on 'Saturday Night Live' the same night Gotye performed the song live.

Iit topped the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks, hit number one in 26 countries, and spent 59 weeks on the Hot 100, becoming one of the best-selling digital singles ever. It swept the ARIA Awards (Single of the Year, Best Video, Best Male/Female Artist) and won the Triple J Hottest 100 for 2011. At the 55th Grammy Awards, it won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Record of the Year, while Making Mirrors took Best Alternative Music Album.

#gotye #popculture

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## Tags

gotye, popculture

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