Gotye's song, "Somebody that I Used to Know" is quite popular; its hits on YouTube go into the hundreds of millions.
I always like to read a song's lyrics; maybe so no one will start laughing after I've made up words. Like Matisyahu's "Struggla"; I was singing "me golly back" to "me na give up."
So the song begins with a guy singing a post-breakup refrain. How their relationship was so promising in the beginning, yet it wasn't quite ideal.
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 it was over
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad it was over
OK, you're cool with the breakup; if anything, ecstatic. So what's the problem?
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
So he, apparently, is getting huffy why the breakup wasn't more amicable on her end. He ends off on a "Fine, who needs you?" note.
Then she enters with her viewpoint.
Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
But had me believing it was always something that I'd done
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
But had me believing it was always something that I'd done
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
Ah, he was a sucky boyfriend, now claiming innocence. She was earnestly trying her best, but he was a jerk, just pushing her buttons. For her own sanity, she made a complete break, and moved on. But now he's whining why isn't she more friendly. She then says, "What's the big deal? After all, 'I'm just somebody that you used to know.' "
Maybe it was because this song was playing during a collapsed romance, but it was kinda applicable at the time. I had always felt on the defensive, to stay one step ahead of his mind games. And frankly, I can't function like that; it requires too much energy.
Can one actually be friends with an ex? Or, does one have to be friends with an ex?
Just shut up and move on, dude.
(As an aside, I am now heartily sick of this song.)
Can one actually be friends with an ex? Or, does one have to be friends with an ex?
Just shut up and move on, dude.
(As an aside, I am now heartily sick of this song.)
10 comments:
Gotye's song is brilliant, in my opinion. At first you kinda sympathize with him, and then when you hear the girl's pov, you realize that he (his character, singing the song) is a jerk, and she just called him out on it. I've seen people remain friendly with their ex, and people try to be friends. But the friends thing can never last, b/c eventually you'll get serious with someone else, and he WILL have a problem with you being friends with your ex, and you'll have to make a choice. It's unavoidable, really.
I don't think I would every want to have to deal with an ex. Eh, so much politeness. Who has the energy?
Yeah, I love the twist in the song too!
The music video is kind of creepy. Also, not a big fan of the song.
I see what you are saying with the song. But remember, you don't always know both sides to every story. Take a situation where a guy breaks up with a girl after being with her for quite awhile, and for no apparent reason at all. The girl finds it hard to move on, and she is the one who sings the main lyrics:
"But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough"
Then you would sympathize with her and say wow she is really hurting, that's a horrible thing of him to do.
"I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know"
Then she could pick herself up and move on and you would admire how strong and brave she is.
There is always two sides to every story. It really depends whose side you are on.
And there is no point in being friends with an ex. Like ZP is fond of saying, "When it's over, it's over."
I am, or have been, friends with some of my exes. Others- not so much, or not yet (note that I've been married for a year, and had a relatively significant engagement before that). It depends on how things ended, how long it's been, and how you've handled it and yourself since, I think. The exes that I'm friends with are truly close and special friends. The ones I'm not so close with- are still generally decent folks, but things were rockier either during or after the break-up. Just how it is.
Altie: Hm, you have a point. It was just that the song was apropos to my own particular dating situation at the time. As for the music video being creepy, I concur, I just like the "Star Wars That I Used to Know" spoof of it.
As for there being two sides to a story, that's for a another post. :)
Maya: Yeah . . . I'm just lazy.
@PL: OMG 'The Star Wars That I Used To Know' is hilarious!
Question for all of you in the 'sphere: Are bloggers ever nervous that someone will know who they are? Some of the things I've read... It's really a point to ponder. Especially if there happens to be any loshon hara involved. Can I just say to all of you- Please be careful when writing about others in your blogs!
FG: Ain't it? I died laughing.
"You didn’t have to change it all.
No more puppets, no more practical effects or nothin’
I don’t even need your love
But you treat me like a wampa and that feels so cold.
No you didn’t have to sell your soul
Do we really need to watch them all again in 3D?
Jar Jar was an all time low
What happened to the Star Wars that I used to know"
Blissful sigh.
Anon: I try to make a point when I blog to write as though people know who I am. I don't want to use anonymity as a shield.
But I am confused - did I refer to anyone specifically? Even if someone knew who I am, they wouldn't know which former date I was talking about.
Hi Frumanista- I actually wasn't talking about you. (Really I wasn't). It's something that's been on my mind and I just wanted to put it out there for all the bloggers to understand and keep in mind.
@ Anon--I think every blogger has their own measure of anonymity and as PL said, I don't think it should be used a shield (to say whatever you want without thinking of the consequences). People that know me, know of my blog. Those that only know me blog, don't know me lol.
p.s. Altie, thanks for the shout out! I was going to comment but then I was going to sound repetitive because I absolutely do not think that you should/could be friends with an "ex". Every thing in our lives needs to have a purpose, kal vachomer, relationships! Any sort of relationship has an emotional investment. When you are dating for marriage, once the decision is made that you are not shayach, there is nothing to continue investing in. It is also not so easy to just turn off previous feelings, even if the person hurt you or you realize that they are not for you.
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