Kimbra's whole part in this song starting from "Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over" does so much for me. It takes the idea that the lead singer has been victimized and completely turns it on it's end. After Kimbra's verse I feel like I can really hear Gotye becoming more defensive and questioning his side of the story. He isn't just a victim, he has to defend his actions which gives the song so much more depth than if it was just another singer complaining about how his ex ruined him.
Agreed. The song is clever in the way that it sets the audience up to feel sympathetic towards Gotye, but then this realisation that he screwed up shifts out empathy onto Kimbra. I love that Kimbra's response to Gotye's defense is just as powerful without words.
Agreed. The song is clever in the way that it sets the audience up to feel sympathetic towards Gotye, but then this realisation that he screwed up shifts out empathy onto Kimbra. I love that Kimbra's response to Gotye's defense is just as powerful without words.
Remember that her reply isn't necessarily the truth, it's just her side of the story. Maybe they are equally blameless, or equally to blame, but it's not clear that she in fact is right. It sounds like they both did things wrong, and out of that we get a really good song out of it. Although I do agree it's clever that her perspective differs from that of the other verses and the chorus, very nice.
Remember that her reply isn't necessarily the truth, it's just her side of the story. Maybe they are equally blameless, or equally to blame, but it's not clear that she in fact is right. It sounds like they both did things wrong, and out of that we get a really good song out of it. Although I do agree it's clever that her perspective differs from that of the other verses and the chorus, very nice.
I agree with you, he is more defensive and it seems to me like he was crying inside, he wants her back, but he don't want to change his mind and admit he has his fault too. He always repeat again his "song" when she is trying to tell him something or explain and he uses it everytime he fells danger.. (As when he is singing the chorus for the second time, she is singing only the voice without text, like it is all he hears, when she is talking, because he wants to prove he is the only right...
I agree with you, he is more defensive and it seems to me like he was crying inside, he wants her back, but he don't want to change his mind and admit he has his fault too. He always repeat again his "song" when she is trying to tell him something or explain and he uses it everytime he fells danger.. (As when he is singing the chorus for the second time, she is singing only the voice without text, like it is all he hears, when she is talking, because he wants to prove he is the only right one.) The second thing I would like to add is, that he is like bound to his background - wall - and he is maybe to proud to make a responsive step. But inside he would like to (we can call it heart), but the bound to his statements won't let him (let's call it brain). For all the time song lasts, he doesn't move even a little.
I agree with what you pointed out FoodandLiquor. Kimbra's words back to Gotye have everyone suddenly feeling empathy towards Kimbra but I do feel there may be more to the story too. For example the idea "he felt lonely in her company" leads me to think she would neglect him or that she wouldn't talk to him. But then you hear her saying "I don't want to live that way, reading into every word that you say" and you start to wonder if she's shutting down (not talking) because she's sick of Gotye accusing her or his blaming her for...
I agree with what you pointed out FoodandLiquor. Kimbra's words back to Gotye have everyone suddenly feeling empathy towards Kimbra but I do feel there may be more to the story too. For example the idea "he felt lonely in her company" leads me to think she would neglect him or that she wouldn't talk to him. But then you hear her saying "I don't want to live that way, reading into every word that you say" and you start to wonder if she's shutting down (not talking) because she's sick of Gotye accusing her or his blaming her for he did whatever he did to her. It would be interesting to know if Kimbra wasn't communicating enough before the arguments started or if she started to shut down "after" Gotye started arguing/blaming her. Anyhow it does sound as if both people were to blame with Gotye being more guilty (at fault) than Kimbra was. What a song :) You make some good points too Kalimka ;)
Elcheeserpuff was right on, I believe with the meaning. He was hurt so much before, that when he was in the relationship with Kimbra that he wasn't even right, and then she told him what he told her "you said that you could let it go, and I wouldn't catch you hanging on to somebody that you use to know" and then he gets more aggressive with her. He was directing the last part to her, "You didn't have to cut me off" You didn't have to do what the other girl did to me too....
Elcheeserpuff was right on, I believe with the meaning. He was hurt so much before, that when he was in the relationship with Kimbra that he wasn't even right, and then she told him what he told her "you said that you could let it go, and I wouldn't catch you hanging on to somebody that you use to know" and then he gets more aggressive with her. He was directing the last part to her, "You didn't have to cut me off" You didn't have to do what the other girl did to me too.
You can see his facial expression when she started singing, it was more of your point is not making sense, you didn't have to leave me like that. Then when he started to sing the chorus towards her, his face goes into more of a 'that's not a good enough reason'or 'you didn't have to do it in that way' face. Its wrong how she changed her number, and had her friends pick up her stuff, she just left him, and wanted nothing to do with him, she just made it see, like she forgot him like it was easy.
And its not the fact that he still loves her, that's bothering him, its the fact that she moved on like he didn't mean anything to her and then Kimbra did the same thing.
@elcheeserpuff i actually felt more bad for him after her part. all he wanted to know was why she was lying and pretended to want to be friends. that it hurts him that she doesnt acknoeledge him. he doesnt seem to be shying away from responsibility and keeps saying how he convinced himself to be happy, and was trying to ignore the problems. she shows up and immediately blames him and doesnt bother taking responsibility. it takes two to tango, and she seemed to want to be the victim.
@elcheeserpuff i actually felt more bad for him after her part. all he wanted to know was why she was lying and pretended to want to be friends. that it hurts him that she doesnt acknoeledge him. he doesnt seem to be shying away from responsibility and keeps saying how he convinced himself to be happy, and was trying to ignore the problems. she shows up and immediately blames him and doesnt bother taking responsibility. it takes two to tango, and she seemed to want to be the victim.
@elcheeserpuff i actually felt more bad for him after her part. all he wanted to know was why she was lying and pretended to want to be friends. that it hurts him that she doesn't acknowledge him. he doesn't seem to be shying away from responsibility and keeps saying how he convinced himself to be happy, and was trying to ignore the problems. she shows up and immediately blames him and doesn't bother taking responsibility. it takes two to tango, and she seemed to want to be the victim.
@elcheeserpuff i actually felt more bad for him after her part. all he wanted to know was why she was lying and pretended to want to be friends. that it hurts him that she doesn't acknowledge him. he doesn't seem to be shying away from responsibility and keeps saying how he convinced himself to be happy, and was trying to ignore the problems. she shows up and immediately blames him and doesn't bother taking responsibility. it takes two to tango, and she seemed to want to be the victim.
Kimbra's whole part in this song starting from "Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over" does so much for me. It takes the idea that the lead singer has been victimized and completely turns it on it's end. After Kimbra's verse I feel like I can really hear Gotye becoming more defensive and questioning his side of the story. He isn't just a victim, he has to defend his actions which gives the song so much more depth than if it was just another singer complaining about how his ex ruined him.
Really fantastically done!
I totally agree, that was the turning point in the song. I love it, it is such a great song.
I totally agree, that was the turning point in the song. I love it, it is such a great song.
Agreed. The song is clever in the way that it sets the audience up to feel sympathetic towards Gotye, but then this realisation that he screwed up shifts out empathy onto Kimbra. I love that Kimbra's response to Gotye's defense is just as powerful without words.
Agreed. The song is clever in the way that it sets the audience up to feel sympathetic towards Gotye, but then this realisation that he screwed up shifts out empathy onto Kimbra. I love that Kimbra's response to Gotye's defense is just as powerful without words.
Remember that her reply isn't necessarily the truth, it's just her side of the story. Maybe they are equally blameless, or equally to blame, but it's not clear that she in fact is right. It sounds like they both did things wrong, and out of that we get a really good song out of it. Although I do agree it's clever that her perspective differs from that of the other verses and the chorus, very nice.
Remember that her reply isn't necessarily the truth, it's just her side of the story. Maybe they are equally blameless, or equally to blame, but it's not clear that she in fact is right. It sounds like they both did things wrong, and out of that we get a really good song out of it. Although I do agree it's clever that her perspective differs from that of the other verses and the chorus, very nice.
I agree with you, he is more defensive and it seems to me like he was crying inside, he wants her back, but he don't want to change his mind and admit he has his fault too. He always repeat again his "song" when she is trying to tell him something or explain and he uses it everytime he fells danger.. (As when he is singing the chorus for the second time, she is singing only the voice without text, like it is all he hears, when she is talking, because he wants to prove he is the only right...
I agree with you, he is more defensive and it seems to me like he was crying inside, he wants her back, but he don't want to change his mind and admit he has his fault too. He always repeat again his "song" when she is trying to tell him something or explain and he uses it everytime he fells danger.. (As when he is singing the chorus for the second time, she is singing only the voice without text, like it is all he hears, when she is talking, because he wants to prove he is the only right one.) The second thing I would like to add is, that he is like bound to his background - wall - and he is maybe to proud to make a responsive step. But inside he would like to (we can call it heart), but the bound to his statements won't let him (let's call it brain). For all the time song lasts, he doesn't move even a little.
I agree with what you pointed out FoodandLiquor. Kimbra's words back to Gotye have everyone suddenly feeling empathy towards Kimbra but I do feel there may be more to the story too. For example the idea "he felt lonely in her company" leads me to think she would neglect him or that she wouldn't talk to him. But then you hear her saying "I don't want to live that way, reading into every word that you say" and you start to wonder if she's shutting down (not talking) because she's sick of Gotye accusing her or his blaming her for...
I agree with what you pointed out FoodandLiquor. Kimbra's words back to Gotye have everyone suddenly feeling empathy towards Kimbra but I do feel there may be more to the story too. For example the idea "he felt lonely in her company" leads me to think she would neglect him or that she wouldn't talk to him. But then you hear her saying "I don't want to live that way, reading into every word that you say" and you start to wonder if she's shutting down (not talking) because she's sick of Gotye accusing her or his blaming her for he did whatever he did to her. It would be interesting to know if Kimbra wasn't communicating enough before the arguments started or if she started to shut down "after" Gotye started arguing/blaming her. Anyhow it does sound as if both people were to blame with Gotye being more guilty (at fault) than Kimbra was. What a song :) You make some good points too Kalimka ;)
Wow, very insightful!
Wow, very insightful!
Elcheeserpuff was right on, I believe with the meaning. He was hurt so much before, that when he was in the relationship with Kimbra that he wasn't even right, and then she told him what he told her "you said that you could let it go, and I wouldn't catch you hanging on to somebody that you use to know" and then he gets more aggressive with her. He was directing the last part to her, "You didn't have to cut me off" You didn't have to do what the other girl did to me too....
Elcheeserpuff was right on, I believe with the meaning. He was hurt so much before, that when he was in the relationship with Kimbra that he wasn't even right, and then she told him what he told her "you said that you could let it go, and I wouldn't catch you hanging on to somebody that you use to know" and then he gets more aggressive with her. He was directing the last part to her, "You didn't have to cut me off" You didn't have to do what the other girl did to me too.
You can see his facial expression when she started singing, it was more of your point is not making sense, you didn't have to leave me like that. Then when he started to sing the chorus towards her, his face goes into more of a 'that's not a good enough reason'or 'you didn't have to do it in that way' face. Its wrong how she changed her number, and had her friends pick up her stuff, she just left him, and wanted nothing to do with him, she just made it see, like she forgot him like it was easy.
And its not the fact that he still loves her, that's bothering him, its the fact that she moved on like he didn't mean anything to her and then Kimbra did the same thing.
@elcheeserpuff i actually felt more bad for him after her part. all he wanted to know was why she was lying and pretended to want to be friends. that it hurts him that she doesnt acknoeledge him. he doesnt seem to be shying away from responsibility and keeps saying how he convinced himself to be happy, and was trying to ignore the problems. she shows up and immediately blames him and doesnt bother taking responsibility. it takes two to tango, and she seemed to want to be the victim.
@elcheeserpuff i actually felt more bad for him after her part. all he wanted to know was why she was lying and pretended to want to be friends. that it hurts him that she doesnt acknoeledge him. he doesnt seem to be shying away from responsibility and keeps saying how he convinced himself to be happy, and was trying to ignore the problems. she shows up and immediately blames him and doesnt bother taking responsibility. it takes two to tango, and she seemed to want to be the victim.
@elcheeserpuff i actually felt more bad for him after her part. all he wanted to know was why she was lying and pretended to want to be friends. that it hurts him that she doesn't acknowledge him. he doesn't seem to be shying away from responsibility and keeps saying how he convinced himself to be happy, and was trying to ignore the problems. she shows up and immediately blames him and doesn't bother taking responsibility. it takes two to tango, and she seemed to want to be the victim.
@elcheeserpuff i actually felt more bad for him after her part. all he wanted to know was why she was lying and pretended to want to be friends. that it hurts him that she doesn't acknowledge him. he doesn't seem to be shying away from responsibility and keeps saying how he convinced himself to be happy, and was trying to ignore the problems. she shows up and immediately blames him and doesn't bother taking responsibility. it takes two to tango, and she seemed to want to be the victim.