“Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye featuring Kimbra became one of the biggest hits of 2011. Released as part of Making Mirrors, the song tells the story of a breakup from two perspectives. The lyrics capture the pain, confusion, and bitterness that can come when a relationship ends badly, making the songโs meaning deeply relatable.
This article breaks down the lyrics of “Somebody That I Used to Know.”
“Somebody That I Used to Know” Lyrics Meaning: Line by Line
Verse 1: Love That Turned Cold
Now and then, I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy, you could die
The song opens with a memory of the relationship, but thereโs already a sense that something was off.
The phrase “so happy, you could die” suggests an intense, almost overwhelming emotion. It could mean things were passionate, but it could also hint at instability.
I told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
Thereโs denial here.
Trying to convince yourself someone is “right” even when you feel lonely in their presence means something was missing.
It suggests the relationship looked good from the outside, but deep down, something wasnโt working.
But that was love and it’s an ache I still remember
Love doesnโt always mean happiness.
This line suggests that pain and longing can linger even when a relationship is over.
Itโs not just a breakup. Itโs an emotional wound that still hurts.
Verse 2: Accepting the End, but Not Really
You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness
Like resignation to the end, always the end
This describes the way some people get stuck in toxic cycles, almost expecting relationships to fail. Itโs like being so used to disappointment that it feels normal.
“Resignation to the end” suggests that deep down, he always knew it wouldnโt last.
So when we found that we could not make sense
Well, you said that we would still be friends
When things fell apart, the other person tried to soften the blow by offering friendship.
But sometimes, thatโs just empty words. It’s something people say to make themselves feel better.
But I’ll admit that I was glad it was over
Even though thereโs hurt, thereโs also relief. The relationship wasnโt working, and part of him knows ending it was for the best.
But as the next part of the song shows, that doesnโt mean moving on is easy.
Chorus: The Cutoff That Feels Personal
But you didn’t have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
This is where the bitterness kicks in.
Breakups are hard, but being completely erased from someoneโs life is even harder.
The pain isnโt just from losing the relationship. Itโs from feeling like it meant nothing to the other person.
And I don’t even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
The line “I donโt even need your love” sounds defensive, almost like heโs trying to convince himself. But the real hurt comes from how coldly heโs being treated.
He wasnโt expecting love, but he wasnโt expecting to be ignored either.
No, you didn’t have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
The breakup wasnโt just distant, it was brutal.
Cutting off all contact, having friends handle belongings. These are moves that scream, “I donโt want you in my life.”
Itโs not just over. Itโs like he never existed to her.
I guess that I don’t need that, though
Now you’re just somebody that I used to know
Even though he acts like it doesnโt bother him, repeating this line shows that it does.
Heโs trying to sound indifferent, but the fact that he keeps thinking about it proves otherwise.
Verse 3: The Other Side of the Story
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
Kimbraโs verse flips the story. Gotyeโs character feels abandoned, but from her side, he made her feel like the problem.
This suggests emotional manipulation, being made to feel guilty for things that werenโt her fault.
But I don’t wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
Sheโs done overanalyzing everything he says.
This suggests that in their relationship, she was constantly second-guessing herself, trying to interpret what he really meant. Now, she refuses to keep playing that game.
You said that you could let it go
And I wouldn’t catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know
This is her calling him out. He claimed he was over it, but here he is, still thinking about her, still upset.
In the end, the song isnโt just about heartbreak. Itโs about how two people can have completely different versions of the same relationship.
“Somebody That I Used to Know” Song Meaning: A Relationship That Ends in Silence
“Somebody That I Used to Know” is about a breakup where both people see the story differently. One person feels abandoned, while the other feels exhausted from always being blamed. The song explores the emotional whiplash of love turning into indifference.
The song captures what itโs like to go from being close to someone to feeling like a stranger. This isnโt just an ex, but someone who has been completely erased from their life.
Songs Like “Somebody That I Used to Know”
If you connect with the emotions in “Somebody That I Used to Know,” here are some similar songs:
1. “Jar of Hearts” by Christina Perri
“Jar of Hearts” is about someone who keeps coming back into your life after hurting you. It shares the same bitterness and pain found in “Somebody That I Used to Know.”
2. “Take a Bow” by Rihanna
“Take a Bow” is a breakup song filled with sarcasm and frustration. Like Gotyeโs song, it focuses on betrayal and the realization that the other person wasnโt who they seemed.
Related: Best Songs About Cheating
3. “Back to December” by Taylor Swift
“Back to December” takes a different approach. Itโs a breakup song told from the side of regret. Instead of resentment, itโs about wishing things had ended differently.
Related: Best Songs About Missing Someone
4. “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele
“Rolling in the Deep” carries the same intensity as Gotyeโs song, expressing anger and betrayal. Both songs highlight the pain of being shut out after a deep connection.
Related: “Rolling in the Deep” Song Meaning
Conclusion: The Pain of Becoming Strangers
“Somebody That I Used to Know” hits hard because itโs so real. Breakups donโt always come with closure. Sometimes, the person you loved disappears, leaving only memories and frustration.
The song captures that painful shift from being everything to being nothing. Whether you relate to Gotyeโs side or Kimbraโs, the emotions in this song are undeniable.
You can listen to “Somebody That I Used to Know” on Spotify and Amazon.
Be sure to check out more of our Song Meanings articles!