One of the most popular songs for a while now is "Somebody That I Used to Know," by Gotye, featuring Kimbra. At the time of this writing, it is number 3 on the iTunes charts. From the title, before hearing the song, I assumed that it deals with growing apart from an ex that the person hasn't gotten over. I was right -- partially.
The song is constructed in a he said/she said fashion. The male's point of view is expressed first. They obviously broke up since the first verse begins with, "Now and then I think of when we were together". He also knows the girl was head over heals in love with him: "Like when you said you felt so happy you could die". Now here's the weird part: He didn't feel the same way. As he remembers the relationship, he recalls loneliness, aches, sadness, resignation. When he thinks about the breakup, he says, "Well you said that we would still be friends; But I'll admit I was glad it was over".
The girl, who was clearly in love with him, apparently feels betrayed by him, since she says: "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". It seems she's the one who broke up with him, and that he was fine with it. This makes sense since he was obviously miserable in the relationship anyway. She says, "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". Basically, she's telling him that she doesn't like the way the relationship is going. He, instead of doing something about it, is perfectly fine with letting her go. At that point, she has no further obligation towards him, since he showed he doesn't care about her. He said it black on white that she'd be just a part of his past, somebody that he used to know. So don't complain when she moves on, buddy.
In a normal relationship, I could understand being upset, even after breaking up, that the other person moved on so quickly. Yes, it could be insulting that she had her friends take back her records and that she changed her number. Except, when he says, "But you didn't have to cut me off; Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing," it doesn't apply to this case. Because, HE was the one treating her like she was nothing when they were together.
The way I see it, it's the classic case of the lovesick girl falling for the insensitive jerk. The twist is that the audience is expected to pity the jerk. Yes, the guy's the one who's surprised that the girl wants nothing to do with him. He says, "And I don't even need your love; But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough". He doesn't need her but he's still upset that she doesn't actually still want to be friends with him? Let's see: they're together, she's on cloud nine, he's unhappy; he consequently doesn't treat her the way she would like to; she breaks up with him; he's relieved. Why does he even want to still have any kind of relationship with this chick, if she was such a source of melancholy? And he's still the one whining "Now you're just somebody that I used to know".
Personally, I don't have any sympathy for this guy.
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