You remember 2011. You couldn't walk into a grocery store or turn on a car without hearing that xylophone riff. Gotye’s "Somebody That I Used to Know" wasn't just a hit; it was a cultural takeover. But honestly? The song's longevity didn't just come from the original track. It came from the absolute explosion of the somebody that I used to know cover phenomenon that followed.
It was a weird time for the internet. YouTube was transitioning from a place for cat videos into a legitimate launchpad for global superstars. Everyone and their mom had a guitar and a webcam. But while most covers are forgettable background noise, a few specific versions of this song changed how we consume music forever.
The Walk off the Earth Effect
Let's talk about the five people on one guitar. You know the one.
When Walk off the Earth posted their somebody that I used to know cover in early 2012, it felt like magic. Five people huddled around a single acoustic guitar, tapping the body for percussion, plucking strings over each other's shoulders, and harmonizing like their lives depended on it. It wasn't just a cover; it was a gimmick that actually worked because the musicianship was top-tier.
They didn't have a big studio. They had a room with some nice lighting and a creative idea. That video currently sits at over 200 million views. It proved that a cover could be more than a tribute—it could be a standalone piece of performance art. It basically invented the "viral music video" blueprint that thousands of indie bands have tried to copy since.
What’s wild is how much Gotye himself embraced it. Instead of sending cease and desist letters, he curated a "mashup" of hundreds of covers, including theirs. He saw the internet’s obsession as a massive compliment. Most artists today would kill for that kind of organic engagement, but back then, it felt like a happy accident.
Why This Specific Song?
Why did every singer on the planet choose this one? It's not just because it was popular.
Technically speaking, the song is a masterpiece of simplicity. It’s built on a sample from Luiz Bonfá’s "Seville," which gives it that haunting, vintage backbone. The vocal range is accessible but allows for huge emotional peaks. You start low, whispering about heartbreak, and then you get to belt that "But you didn't have to cut me off!" line. It's catharsis in a 4-minute package.
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Musicians love it because the structure is flexible. You can turn it into a heavy metal anthem, a jazz standard, or a synth-pop dance track. It's a "chameleon" song.
Pentatonix and the A Cappella Revolution
Then came Pentatonix. Before they were a household name winning Grammys, they were just a group of insanely talented vocalists trying to make a mark. Their somebody that I used to know cover stripped away the instruments entirely.
They used their voices to mimic the percussion and the bassline. It was jarring in the best way possible. By the time Kimbra’s verse (originally played by Kirstin Maldonado in this version) hits, you forget there’s no band behind them. It showcased the song's melodic strength—it doesn't need the bells and whistles to be a gut-punch.
The "80s Remix" and Nostalgia Bait
Fast forward a few years. The internet's obsession with the 80s hits a fever pitch.
Producer TRONICBOX released a version that reimagined the track as a 1988 pop ballad. Think big drums, shimmering synths, and a saxophone solo that feels like it belongs in a montage from The Breakfast Club.
It’s hilarious. It’s also incredibly well-produced.
This version went viral because it tapped into a different kind of "cover" culture—the "What If?" genre. It wasn't just someone singing the lyrics; it was a complete tonal shift. It made people realize that Gotye's writing was so solid it could survive a total genre transplant. People actually started preferring the 80s version for their retro-themed parties.
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Mayday Parade: If you grew up in the "emo" phase, this version is for you. They turned the indie-pop track into a pop-punk powerhouse. It’s loud, it’s whiny in the best way, and the energy is frantic. It highlights the anger in the lyrics that the original keeps somewhat repressed.
Three Days Grace: Speaking of anger, this rock version takes it to a 10. Matt Walst’s gravelly vocals turn the song into a breakup anthem for people who want to break things. It’s a complete departure from the polite, rhythmic vibe of the original.
Elliott Trent (R&B version): This one is smooth. It slows everything down, adds some soul, and turns the song into a late-night vibe. It proves the song doesn't have to be a quirky indie hit; it can be a "slow burn" record.
The Controversy of the "Correct" Interpretation
There's a lot of debate among fans about which somebody that I used to know cover actually respects the lyrics the most.
Gotye’s original is a conversation. It’s two sides of a story. He’s complaining about her; she comes in and tells him he’s remembering it all wrong and being a drama queen.
A lot of covers fail because they treat it as a solo song. When a solo artist sings both parts, the "he-said-she-said" tension is lost. That’s why the best covers—like the one by fun. and Hayley Williams—keep the duet format. You need that clash of perspectives. Without Kimbra's (or a guest singer's) rebuttal, the song is just a guy complaining about his ex. With it, it’s a nuanced look at how memory fails us after a breakup.
Impact on the Artists
For many of these creators, the cover wasn't just a hobby. It was a career-maker.
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Walk off the Earth went from an indie band in Ontario to touring the world. Pentatonix became a global brand. Even smaller YouTubers found that the "Gotye algorithm" was their ticket to a million subscribers.
But there’s a downside. The "cover artist" trap is real. Once you're famous for a somebody that I used to know cover, it's incredibly hard to get people to listen to your original music. You become the "Gotye people," and that’s a heavy shadow to step out of. Some succeeded. Others stayed in the 2012 time capsule.
How to Make Your Own Cover Stand Out
If you're a musician today looking to tackle this beast, don't just copy the original. We’ve seen the five-people-one-guitar thing. We’ve heard the 80s synths.
The most successful versions in 2026 are the ones that lean into hyper-niche genres. Maybe it’s a lo-fi hip-hop version for studying. Maybe it’s a folk version played on traditional instruments.
Focus on the perspective. If you're covering it, decide whose side you're on. Are you the narrator who feels wronged? Or are you the one who had to "cut them off" for your own sanity? The emotional weight you bring to those lyrics matters more than the gear you use.
Actionable Steps for Music Discovery
- Listen to the "Gotye-Mashup" on YouTube: It’s a 10-minute video where Gotye himself edited together hundreds of different covers. It’s the ultimate tribute to internet creativity.
- Check out the 80s Remix: If you haven't heard the TRONICBOX version, do it now. It’ll change how you hear the melody.
- Compare the Duets: Listen to the original, then the fun./Hayley Williams version, then the Pentatonix version. Pay attention to how the dynamic shifts when the "female" verse is handled differently.
- Support the Indie Creators: Many of the bands that got famous from this song are still making music. If you liked a specific cover, go check out their original discography. They deserve the click.
The song is a decade old, but the "somebody that I used to know cover" archives are a treasure trove of what happens when the whole world decides to sing the same story at the same time. It’s a rare moment in digital history that we probably won't see again in the same way.