Somebody That I Used to Know was released by Gotye, featuring Kimbra, in 2011 and became one of the decade's biggest international hits, topping charts in many countries. Its distinctive chorus and instantly familiar melody made it a natural choice for parodies, covers and short-form edits long after its chart run. Online, creators now use the hook less as a straightforward song clip and more as shorthand for separation, moving on and faded connections, which keeps the short excerpt circulating in memes, reaction videos and nostalgic compilations.
About this sound
The catchy chorus hook from Gotye's Somebody That I Used to Know, often dropped into memes and edits for breakups, awkward goodbyes, and nostalgic reveals.
A short, instantly recognisable slice of Gotye's early-2010s hit, built around the familiar vocal line from Somebody That I Used to Know. The melody is bright but wistful, with a steady, almost marching rhythm that makes the chorus land quickly even in a clip only a few seconds long. Heard on its own, it carries a mix of nostalgia and gentle irony: a once-serious breakup song now feels like a punchline for endings, exits and people drifting apart. That contrast is why it works so well in short videos, where a single familiar phrase can turn an ordinary goodbye into something funny, bittersweet or deliberately dramatic.