How to Create an Overnight Success in 10 Years!
The man behind the best-selling single of 2012, Gotye, is a Belgian-born but Australian-raised singer-songwriter.
His signature song, Somebody That I Used to Know, appeared on his third album, Making Mirrors (2011).
The phrase “It takes 10 years to create an overnight success” fits perfectly here. While the world may not have heard of Gotye before this release, he had been steadily building his career for over a decade.
His first release came in 2001—a self-produced four-track EP, printed in just 50 copies. With handwritten sleeve notes, he sent it to anyone he thought might listen in and around Melbourne.
By following up with each recipient, he caught the attention of Triple J, a radio station that would go on to play a crucial role in his career.
After two more EPs, Gotye signed with the indie label Creative Vibes and compiled all the tracks into his debut album Boardface (2003). The standout track here, in my opinion, is Out Here in the Cold.
His next album, Like Drawing Blood (2006), received heavy rotation—especially on Triple J—and even topped their listener poll for Album of the Year. It eventually sold 70,000 copies in Australia, building momentum beyond his home country.
By 2008, the album had gained international attention, winning iTunes U.K.’s Album of the Year.
The highlight from Like Drawing Blood is the haunting Hearts a Mess—be sure to check it out in the playlist above.
In 2007, Gotye released Mixed Blood, a remix album featuring reworkings of tracks from his previous records.
All of this led to the release of Making Mirrors in 2011, where Somebody That I Used to Know appeared as the second single.
Initially released by indie label Eleven, the song performed well in Australia. But once major label Universal picked it up, Gotye shot to #1 across the globe by Christmas and early 2012.
The song that made Gotye a global name was, remarkably, recorded at his parents’ house.
Gotye Tunes | Related Pages
Somebody That I Used To Know | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Dm C | Dm C | Dm C | Dm C |
Now and then I think of when we were together…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Somebody That I Used to Know (Gotye) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Gotye on the web
