“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 song’s meaning deeply relatable.
This article breaks down the lyrics to uncover what Gotye and Kimbra are expressing. While the song is open to interpretation, the words paint a picture of a one-sided relationship that ends in silence and resentment.
“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 there’s 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—love that burned too brightly to last.
I told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
There’s 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 wasn’t working.
But that was love and it’s an ache I still remember
Love doesn’t always mean happiness.
This line suggests that pain and longing can linger even when a relationship is over. It’s not just a breakup—it’s 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. It’s like being so used to disappointment that it feels normal.
“Resignation to the end” suggests that deep down, he always knew it wouldn’t 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, that’s just empty words—something people say to make themselves feel better.
But I’ll admit that I was glad it was over
Even though there’s hurt, there’s also relief. The relationship wasn’t working, and part of him knows ending it was for the best.
But as the next part of the song shows, that doesn’t 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 someone’s life is even harder.
The pain isn’t just from losing the relationship—it’s 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 don’t even need your love” sounds defensive, almost like he’s trying to convince himself. But the real hurt comes from how coldly he’s being treated.
He wasn’t expecting love, but he wasn’t 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 wasn’t just distant—it was brutal. Cutting off all contact, having friends handle belongings—these are moves that scream, “I don’t want you in my life.”
It’s not just over. It’s 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 doesn’t bother him, repeating this line shows that it does.
He’s 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
Kimbra’s verse flips the story. Gotye’s 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 weren’t her fault.
But I don’t wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
She’s 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 isn’t just about heartbreak—it’s 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
This song 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.
At its core, the song captures what it’s like to go from being close to someone to feeling like a stranger. The title sums it up perfectly—this isn’t 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 Gotye’s song, it focuses on betrayal and the realization that the other person wasn’t who they seemed.
3. “Back to December” by Taylor Swift
“Back to December” takes a different approach—it’s a breakup song told from the side of regret. Instead of resentment, it’s 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 Gotye’s 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 it’s so real. Breakups don’t 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 Gotye’s side or Kimbra’s, 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!