Somebody That I Used To Know hits 2 billion views 11 years after its release
Topics: Music, Celebrity, YouTube, Entertainment
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: Eleven
Topics: Music, Celebrity, YouTube, Entertainment
'Somebody That I Used To Know' - the hit song from Belgian artist Gotye has just hit a major milestone, 11 years on from its release.
While it is a very catchy song, it is fair to say that 'Somebody That I Used To Know' is best known for its smash-hit music video.
And now, that music video on YouTube has recently hit a staggering two billion views - though it is a way off from the 'Baby Shark Dance' at over 11 billion views on the website.
Advert
In the unique video that defined 2010s music, Gotye can be seen with New Zealand musician Kimbra, who was a featured artist on the track.
The pair appear naked while standing in front of a blank canvas that gets brighter throughout the video with colour.
The two singers take it in turns to sing their part of their breakup song while fading into the coloured background.
To this day, the song and the music video paints a deep picture that many people can relate to.
Eleven years on and 2 billion views later, fans are still loving this song and the classic music video that goes with it.
A recent YouTube video read: "I keep coming back to this song, and I probably will for the rest of my life. Masterpieces really are eternal."
And a second added: "2 billion views... all I have to say is just wow, well deserved, this song is a masterpiece."
In its first year, 'Somebody That I Used To Know' sold over 1 million units in the UK - back when buying physical singles was a thing.
In the same year, it was downloaded an impressive 6.8 million times in the US, and also peaked at Number 1 in the charts in 26 different countries.
Gotye's 2012 tour, just a year after the much-loved song was released, was actually the singer's last tour under the name 'Gotye'.
It was reported that the Australian-native was never in music for the fame and the success of 'Somebody That I Used To Know', which blew him away.
The singer was also not keen on monetising his music, and at one point stopped adverts running on YouTube for his music videos.
Speaking to news.com.au in 2017, the singer said: "I’m not interested in selling my music.
"That’s the reason I don’t put ads on my YouTube channel, which seems strange to people in today’s climate, but that is a decision you can make. I’m like that with all my music.
"Ads are calling for our attention anywhere we turn in the world.
"I decided it made more sense to focus on creative things and not get hung up on money and lawyers and courts."