The lyrical interpretation seems pretty straightforward to me, and thus I don't think it is worth dissecting. The video, however, is much deeper. So I've decided that I'm going to analyze the video in this essay.
VIDEO INTERPRETATION (in chronological order):
Abstract Mosaic Art
Mosaic art is a form of art which divides a surface (usually with straight lines) -- in the video the divisions are also colored in randomly. I think the music video uses this to represent human crowds. In a crowd of people, everyone is different. But try imagining a large crowd of people in your head. If you imagine the crowd in its entirety you don't focus as much on each and every individual. Each individual blends into the whole, just like each colored piece in the mosaic is merely a part of the entire art piece.
Notice how Gotye blends into the mosaic art because he is completely painted (well, except for his right cheek, which I'll talk about later in this essay). He blends in because the video is trying to metaphorically depict someone who blends into a crowd, who doesn't stand out anymore to their loved one, after they end a relationship with that loved one.
Naked to Painted
Notice how Gotye starts out as naked but then becomes painted RIGHT when he sings the third verse. This is important because the video matches what is going on lyrically. Here, Gotye talks about how his lover (Kimbra) harshly cut him off from her life. Gotye then slowly becomes painted -- him being painted represents how he thinks he slowly became a piece of the mosaic, or just a face in the crowd to Kimbra.
Gotye the Statue
Now I'll talk a bit about the use of tableau in the music video. When Gotye's verses end for the first time, he ceases movement and expresses no emotion. This not only marks the beginning of Kimbra's turn to express her side of the story, but it represents how the two lovers must be physically separated from each other to quite some degree. I interpret the video as Gotye and Kimbra -not- arguing face to face. Instead, I think that they are reflecting upon the arguments they had with each other after they broke up.
Kimbra's Turning Stare
This accentuates Kimbra's scorn for Gotye.
Kimbra and Gotye's Unpainted Halves of their Face
A cliche metaphor: It represents two individuals who become one when they are together. However, when they split up they become imperfect and incomplete halves of a whole.
The unpainted back of Kimbra should be seen as a separate theme and unrelated to this metaphor.
Kimbra Walks Towards Gotye
Kimbra and Gotye are not arguing face-to-face. However, their old arguments have had such a strong imprint on their memories that to them, it feels as though they are in fact face-to-face/right beside each other once again.
Gotye and Kimbra Turning Their Heads Towards Each Other
Whenever the two turn their unpainted faces towards the viewer (i.e. Gotye turning to his left, Kimbra turning to her right), it is representing something. First, I argue that the unpainted side of their faces is the only thing that sticks out in the mosaic -- whenever it is turned towards the viewer it represents how either Gotye or Kimbra stick out of the crowd momentarily. It represents how when the two remember their arguments, they cease becoming strangers (i.e. 'somebody that I used to know') for a moment in time.
It also represents how one can never completely cut their loved one from their memory. To support this, notice how Gotye's unpainted side turns almost randomly towards towards the viewer and back -- the video is trying to illustrate that Gotye is still not merely 'somebody that -she- used to know' in spite of Kimbra's efforts to forget Gotye. This is because the memories of Gotye sporadically fade in and out of her mind, even when she doesn't want to remember some of those memories. Likewise, Kimbra is not always a stranger (or 'somebody that -he- used to know') because her unpainted side turns back towards Gotye several times in the video.
Kimbra walks away from Gotye
This represents the 'argument' part dying down -- Gotye and Kimbra are no longer thinking about who is right or wrong regarding whether or not Kimbra cut off Gotye too harshly. They are no longer imagining their old partner right beside them shouting in each others ears. They go back to reflecting upon the mere fact that they are strangers to each other and so the video shows Kimbra walking away.
8*. But then why is Kimbra walking towards and away from Gotye instead of Gotye walking towards and away from her?
This would require an additional interpretation of the video. To understand this, the video also has to represent how Gotye may not have been the only victim here. Kimbra walking towards and away from Gotye instead of the other way around may represent how Kimbra was making an effort to resolve things by traveling towards Gotye first. However, in the end she gives up due to frustration (the 'ooooh/ahhhhh' part sang by Kimbra).
Paint fades from Kimbra's back
First, it is important to note that because porn is not normally allowed in a music video, Kimbra's back had to be the side painted and not her front.
Second, the analysis: Above, I argued that whenever the unpainted side of either of their faces face the viewer, the video is trying to illustrate how that is a moment when that person ceases to become a stranger to the other person.
Accordingly, since Kimbra's back loses her paint near the end, this represents how she really, really ceases to become a stranger to Gotye. Again, this is because her back had a lot of paint on it (thus, she was almost always just a person in the crowd to Gotye) and then it faded, so she is now not just a person in the crowd (or 'somebody that -he- used to know) to Gotye. What does this all mean? See the End analysis below.
End (i.e. Tragedy)
The ending of the music video is somewhat tragic for Kimbra. It is much, much more so for Gotye.
Kimbra sees Gotye as just 'somebody that -she- used to know,' a mere face in the crowd (i.e. mosaic). Again, the reason is because only a bit of Gotye's face is unpainted. She will remember him from time to time, but he isn't that important to her anymore. It is somewhat tragic for Kimbra because she tried to resolve things between them -- she didn't think that she cut off Gotye as harshly as he puts it.
Gotye, at the end of the video however, does not see Kimbra as just 'somebody that -he- used to know.' She stands out in the mosaic -- if Gotye ever saw Kimbra in a crowd, she would stand out immediately because he misses the relationship that much more.
The lyrics defend this argument:
"You said that you could let it go
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know"
Kimbra thought that Gotye would have been able to get over the breakup. She was clearly wrong as seen by Gotye's response in the next verse:
"But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough"
I would argue that Gotye is in denial. It seems like he has gotten over the break-up...
Gotye: "I guess that I don't need that (*'that' refers to her love) though"
...but notice how he says 'I guess.' This likely represents Gotye's uncertainty and lack of confidence in his claim (i.e. that he has gotten over the relationship).
BONUSES
At the end, both Gotye and Kimbra say 'somebody' in a fading out tone. Since they are looking at each other and their unpainted sides are shown to the viewer, they are both probably reflecting about each other (like I have argued throughout the essay.)
When Gotye counters Kimbra in the last verse, Kimbra is making an 'uhhhhh/ahhhhh' noise. That represents how whenever she remembers his argument ('But you didn't have to cut me off...'), it bothers her because Gotye claimed that he was going to get over the relationship, yet he hasn't.
Feel free to argue against my analysis of the video if you have good reasons to back your claim up. Just state that you're replying to my interpretation.
Also I didn't spend that much time on this (I probably only spent like 1-2 hours) so if I missed anything feel free to add things that may supplement my interpretation.
EDIT: Gotye's face in fact is painted (white!) on the right side. My mistake! This still doesn't affect my argument. What this shows is that Gotye is even more of a stranger to Kimbra than I had previously thought! Haha!
EDIT: Gotye's face in fact is painted (white!) on the right side. My mistake! This still doesn't affect my argument. What this shows is that Gotye is even more of a stranger to Kimbra than I had previously thought! Haha!
Still, when he turns his head left it sticks out of the mosaic just like Kimbra's does. So I don't think my #5 is completely wrong.
Still, when he turns his head left it sticks out of the mosaic just like Kimbra's does. So I don't think my #5 is completely wrong.
Interesting interpretation! I like how you likened a mosaic to being mostly straight lines and how when she says "reading in to every word you say" is like she has to read between the lines? Maybe that is why his cheek is painted white and her's is bare because she always remains honest, maybe? But, a mosaic can also be created by breaking something into fragments and then reassembling the pieces to create something different. I have no idea.
Interesting interpretation! I like how you likened a mosaic to being mostly straight lines and how when she says "reading in to every word you say" is like she has to read between the lines? Maybe that is why his cheek is painted white and her's is bare because she always remains honest, maybe? But, a mosaic can also be created by breaking something into fragments and then reassembling the pieces to create something different. I have no idea.
Anywho, nice interpretation and while this song is popular, hopefully it will open the airwaves to other Gotye songs because they are pretty good!
I really liked your interpretation of the video side of this song. However, I think the song itself is important to discerning the subtler meanings. I'll admit that I didn't scour all of the replies, but I did not see thus far anybody mentioning a few points.
I really liked your interpretation of the video side of this song. However, I think the song itself is important to discerning the subtler meanings. I'll admit that I didn't scour all of the replies, but I did not see thus far anybody mentioning a few points.
>
Gotye, in his first and second verse, speaks of the relationship in his own words. Not once does he blame her during that time for the bad parts, though he does mention that she claimed to be happy. He told himself that she was the one meant for him, despite that he always felt lonely when he was with her. He compares the love he felt to an ache but still doesn't blame her. The second verse continues this theme, and ends with him being relieved that she finally ended it when he wasn't willing or mentally capable of it, and believes her when she says they can still be friends.
He doesn't start blaming her for his pain until AFTER the breakup, as heard in the refraint. He feels lied to, but most of all, he feels that he hasn't been acknowledged in all of this. He feels like he's been treated as a spectator, or worse, a piece of furniture. In his hurt, he stops referring to her as a friend, but as somebody (or some 'body') that he used to know.
start="2">
Gotye's complaints are specific. "You didn't have to cut off, make out like it never happened ..." She doesn't even acknowledge what they went through, and she doesn't acknowledge him. The second verse, he feels betrayed because she was pointlessly sneaky, which only serves as a slight. And then she changed her number after claiming they could still be friends, which leaves him in limbo, still unacknowledged and without any real resolution to the relationship. Categorizing her as merely "somebody that I used to know," is his only recourse, casually dismissing her the way that he himself feels dismissed.
Cue Kimbra's verse.
start="3">
The first thing she does is blame him. She doesn't take any responsibility. To her, everything bad in the relationship was his fault, even though she told him she was happy. She doesn't want to have to figure him out anymore, but then she's offended that he's tried to write her off the way she's already written him off.
When he then tries to restate his pain, all she can do is childishly shout him down. She's never pointed out anything solid or particular, she just vaguely cast blame. He acknowledged what she told him, agreed when she wanted to end it, even crediting her for it. But after all of that and claims of still being friends, she snubs him and refuses to acknowledge him as more than something to blame.
I do agree that it results in a tragedy, but in a slightly different way than you do. She still stands out, a figure distinct against the image of his turmoil (the red and green paints). He's blamed and dismissed, but she's a source of continuing emotional suffering for him, an already dysfunctional individual (who was addicted to a sad relationship that left him feeling lonely and pained). He doesn't need her anymore, but he's stuck unacknowledged and suffering from the memory of her, perhaps even addicted to that very pain she left him with by casting him off in place of the pain her love gave him.
@mercownzya "Kimbra sees Gotye as just 'somebody that -she- used to know,' a mere face in the crowd (i.e. mosaic). "
i dont understand how the mosaic represents kimbra no longer seeing Gotye. he has the mosaic on most of the video, and yet she still sees him, and is still affected by their relationship. so much that she is trying to argue with him until the end and keeps looking his way. if what you are saying is true, he would have been painted at the end when she doesnt see him anymore.
@mercownzya "Kimbra sees Gotye as just 'somebody that -she- used to know,' a mere face in the crowd (i.e. mosaic). "
i dont understand how the mosaic represents kimbra no longer seeing Gotye. he has the mosaic on most of the video, and yet she still sees him, and is still affected by their relationship. so much that she is trying to argue with him until the end and keeps looking his way. if what you are saying is true, he would have been painted at the end when she doesnt see him anymore.
@mercownzya Love your interpretation, only thing I can add is the depth of how it seems throughout the relationship he didn't listen to hear so she said very little and even when she has her say he doesn't listen and talks over her
@mercownzya Love your interpretation, only thing I can add is the depth of how it seems throughout the relationship he didn't listen to hear so she said very little and even when she has her say he doesn't listen and talks over her
ABOUT:
The lyrical interpretation seems pretty straightforward to me, and thus I don't think it is worth dissecting. The video, however, is much deeper. So I've decided that I'm going to analyze the video in this essay.
VIDEO INTERPRETATION (in chronological order):
Notice how Gotye blends into the mosaic art because he is completely painted (well, except for his right cheek, which I'll talk about later in this essay). He blends in because the video is trying to metaphorically depict someone who blends into a crowd, who doesn't stand out anymore to their loved one, after they end a relationship with that loved one.
Naked to Painted
Gotye the Statue
Kimbra's Turning Stare
Kimbra and Gotye's Unpainted Halves of their Face
The unpainted back of Kimbra should be seen as a separate theme and unrelated to this metaphor.
Kimbra Walks Towards Gotye
Gotye and Kimbra Turning Their Heads Towards Each Other
It also represents how one can never completely cut their loved one from their memory. To support this, notice how Gotye's unpainted side turns almost randomly towards towards the viewer and back -- the video is trying to illustrate that Gotye is still not merely 'somebody that -she- used to know' in spite of Kimbra's efforts to forget Gotye. This is because the memories of Gotye sporadically fade in and out of her mind, even when she doesn't want to remember some of those memories. Likewise, Kimbra is not always a stranger (or 'somebody that -he- used to know') because her unpainted side turns back towards Gotye several times in the video.
8*. But then why is Kimbra walking towards and away from Gotye instead of Gotye walking towards and away from her?
Accordingly, since Kimbra's back loses her paint near the end, this represents how she really, really ceases to become a stranger to Gotye. Again, this is because her back had a lot of paint on it (thus, she was almost always just a person in the crowd to Gotye) and then it faded, so she is now not just a person in the crowd (or 'somebody that -he- used to know) to Gotye. What does this all mean? See the End analysis below.
Kimbra sees Gotye as just 'somebody that -she- used to know,' a mere face in the crowd (i.e. mosaic). Again, the reason is because only a bit of Gotye's face is unpainted. She will remember him from time to time, but he isn't that important to her anymore. It is somewhat tragic for Kimbra because she tried to resolve things between them -- she didn't think that she cut off Gotye as harshly as he puts it.
Gotye, at the end of the video however, does not see Kimbra as just 'somebody that -he- used to know.' She stands out in the mosaic -- if Gotye ever saw Kimbra in a crowd, she would stand out immediately because he misses the relationship that much more.
The lyrics defend this argument:
"You said that you could let it go And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know"
Kimbra thought that Gotye would have been able to get over the breakup. She was clearly wrong as seen by Gotye's response in the next verse:
"But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough"
I would argue that Gotye is in denial. It seems like he has gotten over the break-up...
Gotye: "I guess that I don't need that (*'that' refers to her love) though"
...but notice how he says 'I guess.' This likely represents Gotye's uncertainty and lack of confidence in his claim (i.e. that he has gotten over the relationship).
BONUSES
At the end, both Gotye and Kimbra say 'somebody' in a fading out tone. Since they are looking at each other and their unpainted sides are shown to the viewer, they are both probably reflecting about each other (like I have argued throughout the essay.)
When Gotye counters Kimbra in the last verse, Kimbra is making an 'uhhhhh/ahhhhh' noise. That represents how whenever she remembers his argument ('But you didn't have to cut me off...'), it bothers her because Gotye claimed that he was going to get over the relationship, yet he hasn't.
Feel free to argue against my analysis of the video if you have good reasons to back your claim up. Just state that you're replying to my interpretation.
Also I didn't spend that much time on this (I probably only spent like 1-2 hours) so if I missed anything feel free to add things that may supplement my interpretation.
Also if you liked my interpretation give it a thumbs up! (Or a thumbs down of course if you didn't like it).
Also if you liked my interpretation give it a thumbs up! (Or a thumbs down of course if you didn't like it).
EDIT: Gotye's face in fact is painted (white!) on the right side. My mistake! This still doesn't affect my argument. What this shows is that Gotye is even more of a stranger to Kimbra than I had previously thought! Haha!
EDIT: Gotye's face in fact is painted (white!) on the right side. My mistake! This still doesn't affect my argument. What this shows is that Gotye is even more of a stranger to Kimbra than I had previously thought! Haha!
Still, when he turns his head left it sticks out of the mosaic just like Kimbra's does. So I don't think my #5 is completely wrong.
Still, when he turns his head left it sticks out of the mosaic just like Kimbra's does. So I don't think my #5 is completely wrong.
Interesting interpretation! I like how you likened a mosaic to being mostly straight lines and how when she says "reading in to every word you say" is like she has to read between the lines? Maybe that is why his cheek is painted white and her's is bare because she always remains honest, maybe? But, a mosaic can also be created by breaking something into fragments and then reassembling the pieces to create something different. I have no idea.
Interesting interpretation! I like how you likened a mosaic to being mostly straight lines and how when she says "reading in to every word you say" is like she has to read between the lines? Maybe that is why his cheek is painted white and her's is bare because she always remains honest, maybe? But, a mosaic can also be created by breaking something into fragments and then reassembling the pieces to create something different. I have no idea.
Anywho, nice interpretation and while this song is popular, hopefully it will open the airwaves to other Gotye songs because they are pretty good!
I really liked your interpretation of the video side of this song. However, I think the song itself is important to discerning the subtler meanings. I'll admit that I didn't scour all of the replies, but I did not see thus far anybody mentioning a few points.
I really liked your interpretation of the video side of this song. However, I think the song itself is important to discerning the subtler meanings. I'll admit that I didn't scour all of the replies, but I did not see thus far anybody mentioning a few points.
>
He doesn't start blaming her for his pain until AFTER the breakup, as heard in the refraint. He feels lied to, but most of all, he feels that he hasn't been acknowledged in all of this. He feels like he's been treated as a spectator, or worse, a piece of furniture. In his hurt, he stops referring to her as a friend, but as somebody (or some 'body') that he used to know.
start="2">
Cue Kimbra's verse.
start="3">
When he then tries to restate his pain, all she can do is childishly shout him down. She's never pointed out anything solid or particular, she just vaguely cast blame. He acknowledged what she told him, agreed when she wanted to end it, even crediting her for it. But after all of that and claims of still being friends, she snubs him and refuses to acknowledge him as more than something to blame.
I do agree that it results in a tragedy, but in a slightly different way than you do. She still stands out, a figure distinct against the image of his turmoil (the red and green paints). He's blamed and dismissed, but she's a source of continuing emotional suffering for him, an already dysfunctional individual (who was addicted to a sad relationship that left him feeling lonely and pained). He doesn't need her anymore, but he's stuck unacknowledged and suffering from the memory of her, perhaps even addicted to that very pain she left him with by casting him off in place of the pain her love gave him.
@mercownzya "Kimbra sees Gotye as just 'somebody that -she- used to know,' a mere face in the crowd (i.e. mosaic). " i dont understand how the mosaic represents kimbra no longer seeing Gotye. he has the mosaic on most of the video, and yet she still sees him, and is still affected by their relationship. so much that she is trying to argue with him until the end and keeps looking his way. if what you are saying is true, he would have been painted at the end when she doesnt see him anymore.
@mercownzya "Kimbra sees Gotye as just 'somebody that -she- used to know,' a mere face in the crowd (i.e. mosaic). " i dont understand how the mosaic represents kimbra no longer seeing Gotye. he has the mosaic on most of the video, and yet she still sees him, and is still affected by their relationship. so much that she is trying to argue with him until the end and keeps looking his way. if what you are saying is true, he would have been painted at the end when she doesnt see him anymore.
@mercownzya Love your interpretation, only thing I can add is the depth of how it seems throughout the relationship he didn't listen to hear so she said very little and even when she has her say he doesn't listen and talks over her
@mercownzya Love your interpretation, only thing I can add is the depth of how it seems throughout the relationship he didn't listen to hear so she said very little and even when she has her say he doesn't listen and talks over her