“I guess he’s somebody that we used to know”: Gotye’s Iconic Song Turns 13 But Fans Are Worried About the Singer After He Vanished from Mainstream Without a Trace
Before reels and social media made the song famous, Gotye’s Somebody That I Used to Know had already reached the coveted number 1 spot on the Billboard Top 100 in 2012. What’s more, the singer won three Grammy Awards the following year for leaving an indelible mark and a memorable song for the world.
However, the one thing that has bothered fans ever since is Gotye’s vanishing act. The singer has not released a song since and has not been seen in public. The one-hit wonder singer has been speculated to have taken a step back from singing after delivering one chart-busting breakup anthem.
Fans Speculate Gotye’s Absence from the Music Industry
Somebody That I Used to Know is not just a song, it’s a feeling. Everyone who has been through heartbreak and that terrible feeling of loss knows how the song deeply resonates with the gnawing emotions. On July 5, 2024, Gotye’s iconic hit song turns 13 years old. Released in 2011, the song managed to climb to the top of every music chart and became a staple song in every breakup playlist.
As fans celebrate one of the greatest songs he wrote and sang, they wonder what the artist is doing now. Many are even calling the song a self-fulfilling prophecy since Gotye cut off the fans and left them in the lurk. The hit song made over $10 million in revenue and is still amassing views on the official YouTube video.
I guess he's someone that we used to know
— Lain || a Psychotic Poet ⸆⸉ (@mothtoaflame13) July 5, 2024
maybe he was just writing the whole song about himself
— Angelos (@bwa_ang100it) July 6, 2024
but he didn't have to cut us off ☹️
— wyn!! || LMK SEASON 5 💥 (@svperstarr_) July 5, 2024
A self-fulfilling prophecy.
— Theo I. Buniel 🇵🇭 (@bunieltheo) July 6, 2024
Gotye is the Belgian-Australian artist’s stage name while Wouter Andre De Backer is his real name. In 2017, Gotye revealed that he has no intention of monetizing his music.
For him, music is all about expressing himself and getting lost in the feeling. He even stopped running ads on his songs on YouTube. Moreover, he appears to be wary of fame and stardom, so he chooses to focus more on his personal passion projects.
Where is Gotye now?
According to Unilad, the widely famous musician has been living a quiet life in Australia where he spent his formative years. While Gotye has not released more music since Somebody That I Used to Know, he has been working on a couple of things. In 2014, he launched his record label titled Spirit Level.
Moreover, he has been on a journey to preserve the musical legacy of Jean-Jacques Perrey, who spearheaded the electronic music era. The newsletter in which he said goodbye to his fans was cryptic too. So, fans don’t know for sure if Gotye will ever come back to pop music and release more songs. Till then, we will just have to wait and pray for the singer to take the music industry by storm once again.
