Friday, July 13, 2012

Lyrical Lies - Somebody That I Used to Know

This column will strip away the catchy instrumentals and analyze the ridiculousness of the lyrics in popular songs.  I understand it is taking things to the extremes, but that's what I do - I go to extremes.  I am not going to comment on repeating lines or verses other than to occasionally note how much repetition there is in all songs.  In this addition, the stuff in red is what the girl is singing.

Song:  Somebody That I Used to Know
Artist:  Gotye

“Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
” 
That’s where your mind went right off?  Remembering when she said she could die?  Kind of morbid.
“I told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company”
 
How right can you be if you feel lonely?  No way this whole song is about being dissed by a girl who made him feel lonely even when he was with him, right?
“But that was love and it's an ache I still remember”
 
Well I was wrong.  It aches when you got rid of the lonely feeling, huh?  Do you now feel smothered by being single?  You are an enigma Goyte.

“You can get addicted to a certain kinda sadness”
We know, we have all seen Jersey Shore.
“Like resignation to the end, always the end”  

More of this super upbeat guy – he reminds me of Richard Simmons.
“So when we found that we could not make sense
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad that it was over”  

Very adult of you.  You talked it out, decided to go separate ways but be friends – which no one actually means.  Typical break-up.  He doesn’t think they are actually going to still be friends does he?

"But you didn't have to cut me off
Make it like it never happened and that we were nothing "

He did not get the memo.  Can you imagine how surprised she was when she heard this - "Wait, you actually wanted to be friends?  Why?  We aren't even doing it anymore?"
"I don't even need your love, but you treat me like a stranger
And that feels so rough"

I guess she didn't know he is the only guy who likes to be surrounded by ex-girlfriends.  What a bitch.

"No, you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records"

She has records?  This changes things - dump that bitch.
"And then change your number"

What a bitch again!  I can't believe she didn't want to talk to you!?!?  And to change her number after only a few hundred calls - in-excusable.
"Guess that I don't need that though"

Poor guy, so many pressures in your life.
"Now you're just somebody that I used to know"

That's the definition of an ex!  So much complaining.

"Now you're just somebody that I used to know"

What
"Now you're just somebody that I used to know"

Oh - Got it


Oh good- now we get to hear her side of the story...
"Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over"

Now it comes out - you are an ass.
"But had me believin' it was always something that I'd done"
And really manipulative.  Nice.

But I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
You said that you could let it go
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know-oh-oh

Sounds pretty realistic to me.  Why would Gotye even let this part in here.  Best case scenario - this song blows up, someone listens to the words, and everyone hates me.  Makes no sense.

"(oh)"
I left this in here because you could basically put this under the entire song.

Now hit that repeat button about 40 more times on the "somebody that I used to know" and you have the rest of the song!


"This is the girl in the music video.  Of 100 pictures this is the closest one to hot."

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