Gotye’s 2011 hit song, “Somebody That I Used to Know,” featuring Kimbra, resonated globally, topping charts and sparking conversations worldwide. While celebrated for its catchy melody and unique music video, a closer look at the Song Somebody That I Used To Know Lyrics reveals a narrative steeped in gendered power dynamics and a distinctly male perspective on a breakup. This article delves into the lyrical content of “Somebody That I Used to Know,” offering a feminist analysis of its portrayal of relationships, blame, and the marginalization of the female voice. We will explore how the seemingly relatable breakup anthem subtly reinforces patriarchal norms and invites critical examination.
Unpacking the Male Perspective: Hurt, Entitlement, and the Blame Game
The song opens with Gotye’s character lamenting the aftermath of a relationship’s end, immediately establishing a tone of personal grievance. The song somebody that i used to know lyrics from the male perspective are laden with self-pity and a sense of being wronged. He recounts, “Now and then I think of when we were together / Like when you liked me better,” suggesting a nostalgic longing for a time when he felt more valued in the relationship. However, this quickly shifts to resentment as he continues, “Said you’d be happy for me if I ever went away / Well, you didn’t have to stoop so low.” This line reveals a central conflict: his displeasure with his ex-partner’s reaction to the breakup, specifically her decision to cut ties completely.
The song somebody that i used to know lyrics highlight a striking self-centeredness. He admits, “I’ll admit that I was glad it was over,” indicating a lack of investment in the relationship’s continuation. Yet, his primary concern isn’t the relationship’s failure itself, but rather his ex-partner’s refusal to maintain a connection afterward. He sings, “But you didn’t have to cut me off / Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing.” This reveals an expectation of continued access and relevance in her life, even after the romantic relationship has ended, showcasing a sense of entitlement that is arguably rooted in gendered expectations. He seems to believe that despite his own detachment and potential misdeeds, he deserves a place in her post-relationship life.
The Marginalized Female Voice: Kimbra’s Counter-Narrative
Midway through the song, Kimbra’s voice emerges, offering a crucial, albeit brief, counterpoint to Gotye’s narrative. Her song somebody that i used to know lyrics provide a glimpse into the woman’s perspective, revealing a history of emotional manipulation and self-doubt. She sings, “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.” This powerful line suggests a pattern of behavior where the male character shifted blame and responsibility onto her, causing her to internalize fault for his actions. This dynamic is unfortunately common in relationships where power imbalances exist, and women’s experiences are often minimized or dismissed.
However, Kimbra’s verse is strategically placed and limited within the song’s structure. Her voice arrives late, is significantly shorter than Gotye’s, and is ultimately framed within his overarching narrative. This structural choice mirrors the real-world phenomenon where women’s voices are often relegated to the margins, their experiences secondary to the dominant male perspective. While her lyrics hint at a deeper, more complex story, they are ultimately subsumed by the male character’s dominant grievances. The song somebody that i used to know lyrics, in its entirety, prioritize the male experience of the breakup, effectively silencing the female perspective.
Visual Reinforcement: The Music Video and the Male Gaze
The music video for “Somebody That I Used to Know” further reinforces the song’s gendered dynamics. It begins with Gotye in the foreground, nude and vulnerable, immediately inviting sympathy and positioning him as the central figure. As he sings, he is progressively painted, blending into the background, visually representing his emotional blending and perhaps even his emotional exposure.
Kimbra’s introduction in the video is delayed and visually distinct. She emerges painted onto the wall, initially indistinguishable from the background, symbolizing her initial lack of agency and voice within the narrative. When she does sing, the camera angles and framing predominantly maintain a “male gaze,” focusing on her in relation to Gotye and not granting her a direct, empowered address to the audience. In the video’s conclusion, as Kimbra steps back and her paint is removed, she is left nude and vulnerable, while Gotye remains visually prominent until the very end. This visual narrative underscores the song’s lyrical themes, reinforcing the male perspective as central and the female perspective as secondary and ultimately, disappearing.
Patriarchal Echoes in a Popular Anthem
The widespread popularity of “Somebody That I Used to Know” highlights a concerning cultural phenomenon. The song somebody that i used to know lyrics, while seemingly about a universal experience of heartbreak, subtly perpetuate patriarchal messages. The focus on the male character’s hurt and entitlement, coupled with the marginalization of the female voice and perspective, resonates with societal norms that often prioritize male experiences and minimize female agency in relationships. The song’s success suggests that these underlying patriarchal assumptions are deeply embedded within popular culture and are readily accepted by a broad audience.
By critically analyzing the song somebody that i used to know lyrics and its accompanying music video, we can begin to understand how popular media can subtly reinforce gender inequalities. “Somebody That I Used to Know” serves as a powerful example of how even seemingly innocuous breakup songs can carry deeper cultural messages about gender, power, and whose stories are deemed worthy of being heard. Feminist analysis of popular culture, like this exploration of Gotye’s hit, is crucial for uncovering these hidden messages and fostering a more equitable understanding of relationships and gender dynamics in our society.
Suggested Readings:
- Bordo, Susan. Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture, and the Body. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1993.
- Kemp, Sandra, and Judith Squires. Feminisms. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.
- Price, Janet, and Margrit Shildrick. Feminist Theory and the Body: A Reader. New York: Routledge, 1999.
- Rose, Jacqueline. Sexuality in the Field of Vision. London: Verso, 1986.
Featured image caption: Music video, Gotye, “Somebody that I used to know,” YouTube.
