Opinions on "Gotye" songs?

[Jinx]

There's a singer/band with a different sound played on the what-is contemporary radio these days. The title is "Somebody I Used to Know". To me, his style is reminiscent of The Police (c.1980s rock band). So, my question is what do you think of his other songs? Is this signature song typical or an exception to Gotye's (and Kimbra's?) other tunes???

[Antinor01]

After the whiny bullshit of Somebody That I Used To Know, I have no desire to hear anything else from him. The person in that song really needs to get over it.

[Sicks Ate]

I heard 'Sting' the first time that song came on as well.

I can't get it to come into my head right now, but the single he recently released that is getting a lot of radio play now also reminds me of a rip-off of another artist.

[polar bear]

The first ten times I heard the song (radio or tv), I just thought is was an old Sting or Police song that I didn't know. I believe I even googled 'sting somebody I used to know'... don't know about the rest of his stuff though.

[Alessan]

Originally Posted by Sicks Ate

I heard 'Sting' the first time that song came on as well.

Seriously? Because I heard Peter Gabriel.

[Sicks Ate]

Originally Posted by Alessan

Seriously? Because I heard Peter Gabriel.

Yes, I never thought Peter Gabriel...but I just Wikipedia'd Gotye and saw that that is a common comparison.

Now that I think about it I can hear it, though.

[Hal Briston]

Am I the only one who hear's Ozzy's voice during the "But you didn't have to cut me off..." part?

(And a quick googling of "Gotye Ozzy" shows that no, no I'm not)

[Jinx]

Originally Posted by Alessan

Seriously? Because I heard Peter Gabriel.

Hmm, I could see that (ala: Peter Gabriel "In Your Eyes"), but...a Sting sound-alike seems more dominant.

[BottledBlondJeanie]

Hearts a Mess, one of his more popular songs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_CM5...e_gdata_player

[jackdavinci]

I enjoyed Somebody, but his style is experimental so his other songs are not really like that one. I was only able to find one other song of his that I wanted.

[Bob Ducca]

This seems like a good place to share this. It's a cover/mash-up of the Gotye song and Carly Rae Jepson's "Call Me Maybe" by the duo Pomplamoose.

Don't be scared, it's actually really good. Better than the sum of its parts, for sure. The video is interesting as well.

[Musky Moon]

The whole album evokes the 80's and it's many sounds. Some songs have a new wave feel, others have a top 40's romantic pop thing going on. The one song that doesn't fit this description is also my favorite "State of the Art". That reminds me of a techno-reggae on codeine.

[MostlyClueless]

It's great to see Gotye's getting some recognition, but I hope he will be remembered for more than just that single song. His stuff is so diverse, there's plenty for everyone.

My favourite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWIKQMBBTtk

[Inner Stickler]

Gotye's fine but it was through STIUTK that I learned of Kimbra and she's just fantastic. Settle Down is amazing.

[Barkis is Willin']

What is this "Somebody I Used to Know" that you speak of? I have not heard it in the past two hours. But seriously folks, Peter Gabriel is who I immediately thought of. There is even a parody song out there on youtube that draws the comparison.

[mhendo]

Originally Posted by Alessan

Seriously? Because I heard Peter Gabriel.

Same here.

The only place i hear top-40 music is at the gym, and when they started playing this song on the radio i thought it was good. I described it to my wife, and said that the singer reminded me of Peter Gabriel, and she immediately knew who i was talking about.

I really love this cover by Canadian band Walk Off The Earth.

[Hypno-Toad]

Originally Posted by MostlyClueless

It's great to see Gotye's getting some recognition, but I hope he will be remembered for more than just that single song. His stuff is so diverse, there's plenty for everyone.

My favourite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWIKQMBBTtk

I liked that video. Will have to get that song.

[Lasciel]

I love Pomplamoose so very much. They make me quite happy, and their house/studio?/workshop/ makes me insanely jealous. There's soooo much awesome musical crap in there just piled in the corners. Unbelievable.

As for Gotye - eh. The only problem I have with "Somebody that I Used to Know" is that it gets stuck in my head like a motherfucker.

The rest of the album isn't nearly as earwormy, but its ok. I'm still getting used to the overarching weirdness, so none of them are precisely my favorite songs, but they're not bad. Don't know that I'll buy it, but haven't decided not to yet.

Another good cover of "Somebody" is the acapella group Pentatonix, who are frigging awesome in their own right, and their cover is haunting. They're actually where I heard the song first - a really long time back, before the original started playing every 10 minutes on every radio station ever.

[John Mace]

This was overplayed 2 months ago. I would hardly call it "new".

It's already got a parody version on youtube. You have to see Gotye's original video to appreciate the parody.

[FoieGrasIsEvil]

I agree with whomever heard Ozzy in the "you didn't have to cut me off" part.

Oh, and lets also not forget the Star Wars That I Used To Know parody: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJlbPXZEpRE

[Lasciel]

I was just about to reply with the Star Wars Parody and got Ninjaed!

[Aspidistra]

Originally Posted by Lasciel

Another good cover of "Somebody" is the acapella group Pentatonix, who are frigging awesome in their own right, and their cover is haunting. They're actually where I heard the song first - a really long time back, before the original started playing every 10 minutes on every radio station ever.

The Pentatonix version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOKuAigsrec

The first one I heard too, and I think it's much better than the original.

[GuanoLad]

When I first Somebody That I Used To Know, I said to myself "Is that Sting? No, it's Gotye. I think. No, wait, it's Peter Gabriel. No, definitely Gotye. No.... Damn it. I think it's definitely Peter Gabriel."

I already knew Gotye, not only because he's an Australian artist (technically - he wasn't born here, but has lived here since age 2) but also because I loved Heart's A Mess.

My favourite song of his (and video) is Bronte. It's a sad, pragmatic song about a pet dog's death (not Wally's* dog, but a friend of his).

*Gotye's real name is Wally DeBacker

[elfkin477]

I like Easy Way Out a ridiculous amount too. My only objection is that it isn't longer.

[Smapti]

I'm definitely getting a "Button, Button" vibe off of the Pamplamoose version. Very interesting.

[Ambivalid]

Originally Posted by Alessan

Seriously? Because I heard Peter Gabriel.

Me too.

Originally Posted by John Mace

This was overplayed 2 months ago. I would hardly call it "new".

No shit. I was turning the station months ago.



This guy is a prime example of a "one hit-wonder".

[MrDibble]

Love Gotye. Not heard a crap song by him yet.

I think, in addition to the music, is that he's one of those artists (less of them these days) who still takes trouble over his videos. I've loved all his music videos.

[GuanoLad]

Originally Posted by Ambivalid

This guy is a prime example of a "one hit-wonder".

That's a bit premature, it's his first international hit and it was only a few months ago.

Here's an interview where he talks a bit about that aspect, though.

[mhendo]

Originally Posted by Ambivalid

This guy is a prime example of a "one hit-wonder".

Yes, he's so lame and useless!

I mean, in his whole career, this 32-year-old has only had one solitary song that topped the charts in 26 countries across the world. What a loser!

Look, it's entirely possible that this will be his only really big hit, but that doesn't mean he's a poor songwriter and musician, or that this is his only decent piece of work.

His hit song is from his third album, and quite a bit of his other stuff is pretty good. He has a relatively small but reasonably committed following in Australia, and i'm sure that quite a few more people across the world have checked out his other work since hearing "Somebody That I Used to Know."

[Alessan]

Everyone's a one-hit-wonder until their second hit.

[Ambivalid]

Originally Posted by mhendo

Yes, he's so lame and useless!

I mean, in his whole career, this 32-year-old has only had one solitary song that topped the charts in 26 countries across the world. What a loser!

Look, it's entirely possible that this will be his only really big hit, but that doesn't mean he's a poor songwriter and musician, or that this is his only decent piece of work.

His hit song is from his third album, and quite a bit of his other stuff is pretty good. He has a relatively small but reasonably committed following in Australia, and i'm sure that quite a few more people across the world have checked out his other work since hearing "Somebody That I Used to Know."

Sorry, I shouldn't have said "guy" I should have said "song". To me, it has all the hallmarks of a one-hit-wonder.

[John Mace]

The thing about this song is that it has a catchy tune, and a chorus that kind of tugs at you emotionally. Then you realize what the actual lyrics are, and you think: Was this written by some love sick 14-year-old kid?

You didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records
And then change your number

<snip>

Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over

[mhendo]

Originally Posted by John Mace

The thing about this song is that it has a catchy tune, and a chorus that kind of tugs at you emotionally. Then you realize what the actual lyrics are, and you think: Was this written by some love sick 14-year-old kid?

Actually, i sort of like the way that it gives the perspective of each person. The guy is accusing the woman of "stoop[ing] so low" that she won't even talk to him, even though he thought it was an amicable breakup, and then the woman tells us that, actually, the guy was a controlling asshole who was constantly hung up on ex-girlfriends.

I also like the "collect your records and change your number" line, precisely because it's so out of date. Hell, half the people who have purchased this song as a digital download have probably never owned a record in their life, and you don't change your number anymore, you just block a caller.

I must admit, though, that i don't generally look to pop music for deep and satisfying emotional and intellectual stimulation. And with even the lyric-writers that i do believe have genuine depth and talent (e.g., someone like Warren Zevon), i still like their songs for the melodies and instrumentals as much as for the lyrics.

[John Mace]

Originally Posted by mhendo

Actually, i sort of like the way that it gives the perspective of each person. The guy is accusing the woman of "stoop[ing] so low" that she won't even talk to him, even though he thought it was an amicable breakup, and then the woman tells us that, actually, the guy was a controlling asshole who was constantly hung up on ex-girlfriends.

I also like the "collect your records and change your number" line, precisely because it's so out of date. Hell, half the people who have purchased this song as a digital download have probably never owned a record in their life, and you don't change your number anymore, you just block a caller.

I must admit, though, that i don't generally look to pop music for deep and satisfying emotional and intellectual stimulation. And with even the lyric-writers that i do believe have genuine depth and talent (e.g., someone like Warren Zevon), i still like their songs for the melodies and instrumentals as much as for the lyrics.

But you didn't have to defend him so
Analyze his lyrics
and then claim I'm missing the point
I don't even need your post
Your taste in music is bad
and you need to grow up.

[FoieGrasIsEvil]

Originally Posted by mhendo

Actually, i sort of like the way that it gives the perspective of each person. The guy is accusing the woman of "stoop[ing] so low" that she won't even talk to him, even though he thought it was an amicable breakup, and then the woman tells us that, actually, the guy was a controlling asshole who was constantly hung up on ex-girlfriends.

I also like the "collect your records and change your number" line, precisely because it's so out of date. Hell, half the people who have purchased this song as a digital download have probably never owned a record in their life, and you don't change your number anymore, you just block a caller.

I must admit, though, that i don't generally look to pop music for deep and satisfying emotional and intellectual stimulation. And with even the lyric-writers that i do believe have genuine depth and talent (e.g., someone like Warren Zevon), i still like their songs for the melodies and instrumentals as much as for the lyrics.

I like the "collect your records...change your number" line because it doesn't really flow smoothly when you read it, but the way he sings it makes it happen. Its kind of a disjointed phrase but it works somehow.

[MrDibble]

I think the reference to records just screams "Vinyl-collecting hipster" which would be...accurate, probably, based on what I've seen.

[GuanoLad]

He sources his samples from old vinyl. Though that doesn't preclude his hipster-ism.

[Intergalactic Gladiator]

I rather like the song and find it a bit of a catchy he said/she said kind of thing. I also think it's a bit of a spiritual succesor to Human Leagues' "Don't You Want Me," but I may be a little off on that one.

[Eliahna]

My first thought on hearing STIUTK: Is it the 80s again already?

I have that feeling a lot when I listen to the radio these days. I think it's the second step in being an out-of-touch fogey. First: you don't get new music because you think it's all crap. Second: you don't get new music because you remember the first time that style was popular.

[MrDibble]

Originally Posted by GuanoLad

He sources his samples from old vinyl. Though that doesn't preclude his hipster-ism.

Not him, his ex. Although I have noticed that hipsters tend to date in-group.