A Mistake or a Stand Up Act?

Gotye’s 2011 hit “Somebody That I Used to Know” became a global sensation, topping charts worldwide and amassing billions of streams. But despite its massive success, the Belgian-Australian artist has earned relatively little from the song, largely due to his personal choice to forgo ads and licensing deals.

In a refreshing stance against commercialization, Gotye, whose real name is Wouter De Backer, chose not to run ads on his YouTube channel, even though the song’s video has over 2.3 billion views. He explained that he doesn’t want ads interrupting his music, stating, “I’m not interested in selling my music… Ads are calling for our attention everywhere, and that’s not what I want for my songs.”

Further, Gotye has often turned down opportunities to license “Somebody That I Used to Know” for commercial use in movies and TV shows, opting instead to allow student films to use it without charge. He has even shared royalties with Brazilian composer Luiz Bonfá’s estate for using a small sample from Bonfá’s 1967 track “Seville.” Collaborator Kimbra and other artists involved in the production also share in the earnings, leaving Gotye with a smaller portion of the royalties.

Despite limited personal financial gain from his hit, Gotye is grateful for the creative freedom the song’s success has afforded him. Since its release, he has launched two record labels, Forgotten Futures and Spirit Level, and established the Ondioline Orchestra to honor the work of electronic music pioneer Jean-Jacques Perrey. He also remains active in music, both as a solo artist and with his band, The Basics.

While Gotye has hinted at a possible fourth album, he and his bandmates have been balancing music with family life, solo projects, and careers beyond music. In 2017, The Basics announced a quiet retirement from touring, stating they preferred an authentic farewell without the fanfare of a final tour or farewell show.