Wouter André De Backer, popularly known as Gotye, had a modest start in Australia with his early albums in the early 2000s. It wasn’t until 2011 that he skyrocketed to global fame with his hit single “Somebody That I Used To Know,” featuring Kimbra. The song topped the Australian charts within weeks of its release in July 2011, marking the beginning of its worldwide success.
In November 2011, Gotye and Kimbra performed the song live on KCRW radio in the US, a month before its official release there. Their captivating performance, recorded and shared online, quickly gained attention, accumulating over 89 million views to date. Little did they know, this performance would set the stage for the song’s massive success.
Just two months later, “Somebody That I Used To Know” entered the US charts at number 91, eventually reaching number 1 by April. It remained at the top spot for eight weeks, becoming the best-selling digital single of all time in the US, with 7.9 million copies sold.
The song’s success was not only due to its catchy pop sound but also its creative music video directed by Natasha Pincus. The stop-motion video, featuring Gotye and Kimbra being painted, garnered over 2.2 billion views, showcasing its lasting impact.
Despite his early 2010s success, Gotye has kept a relatively low profile, focusing on other projects like launching his record label and playing with his bands. In a surprising move, he chose not to allow advertising on the YouTube video for “Somebody That I Used To Know,” foregoing potential revenue.
In 2018, Gotye announced plans for a fourth solo album, showing that he still has more to offer. Fans can stay updated on his latest work by subscribing to his YouTube channel and following him on social media.