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Somebody that I used to know

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The short chorus hook from Gotye's Somebody That I Used to Know, used in memes and edits about exes, breakups and people who suddenly changed on you.

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About this sound

The short chorus hook from Gotye's Somebody That I Used to Know, used in memes and edits about exes, breakups and people who suddenly changed on you.

This clip is the instantly recognisable chorus line from Gotye's 2011 hit, sung in his strained, plaintive voice over the song's sparse xylophone melody. It lasts only a few seconds, but the melody and the phrasing carry a whole story of rejection and distance, which is why it lands so hard out of context. Played over a photo, a chat screenshot or a blank stare, it turns a small betrayal or a sudden cold shoulder into a dramatic breakup moment, half sincere and half comic in its hurt.

Pro tip

Cut in right on the vocal entry after a beat of silence, and freeze or slowly zoom the last frame while it plays. Pair it with a before-and-after photo swap, and do not layer dialogue over the line or it loses its sting.

How people use it

Showing an ex who now acts like a stranger
Reacting when a friend ghosts the group chat
Scoring a before and after friendship fallout edit
Joking about a coworker who changed after promotion

More information

Somebody That I Used to Know was released in 2011 by Australian artist Gotye, featuring New Zealand singer Kimbra, and became a worldwide number one built around a sample from Luiz Bonfá. Its stark video and singalong chorus kept it in pop culture long after the charts, and short clips resurfaced on TikTok and meme pages as a shorthand for estrangement. It now sits alongside Hello darkness my old friend as a go to lyric for mock heartbreak and distant exes.

FAQ

What is the Somebody That I Used to Know sound?

This is a short clip of the chorus from Gotye's 2011 hit of the same name. The line sums up feeling cut off by someone once close, which is why editors use it over breakup, ghosting and fallout moments online.

Who sings Somebody That I Used to Know?

The song is by Australian artist Gotye, whose real name is Wouter De Backer, and the full track features Kimbra on the responding verse. This short soundboard clip focuses on Gotye's lead vocal from the famous chorus section.

Why do people use this sound in memes?

Because the lyric turns ordinary distance into high drama. A friend ignoring messages, an ex pretending not to know you, or a character being betrayed all become funnier and more painful when that familiar chorus plays over the moment.