Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Remember that eargasmic, emotionally-charged radio hit song from 2011 that goes, “Now you’re just somebody that I used to know”? The man behind that viral track, Gotye, went from being an unknown artist to an overnight instant star, but as soon as he reached the peak of fame, he disappeared into thin air.
The song accumulated over 2.3 billion views on YouTube through the years, and with this staggering figure, many wondered why he never released any new music or launched a full-blown music career. It is true that Gotye never made money from this song, and he truly missed out on a huge chunk of money.
Gotye Almost Made $10 Million From His Viral Hit Song ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’
Wally de Backer, more famously known as Gotye, turned down the offer to monetize his song ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ on YouTube, and this is the reason why it does not have any pop-up ads. These ads allow artists to earnrevenuefrom streaming and downloads. He could have put $10 million in his bank account just from one song alone, but he ultimately refused. In an interview viaNews.com.au, the singer explained:
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 may make. I’m like that with all my music. I generally never want to synch my music for products.
Apart from getting rid of the ads, he also declined lucrative offers to use the song for big commercial enterprises, although he allowed student films and low-budget projects to use it for free.
Somebody That I Used to Knowcame from a small sample of Luiz Bonfa’s 1967 song Seville. Gotye composed the lyrics, then added in the tune, and the rest is history. There had been issues with clearing samples in the beginning, but the musician settled it immediately and offered fifty percent of the song’s royalties to Bonfa’s estate.
“I didn’t realize that you can train that instrument”: Most of Us Didn’t Even Know Billie Eilish Has Been Taking Music Lessons Since 2 Years
He revealed that there were nolawsuit issues. Gotye reflected on his journey and realized that “it made more sense to focus on creative things and not get hung up on money and lawyers and courts.” The Belgian-born Australian singer is definitely one of the few rare artists who prioritize their art over money.
Did Gotye Quit Making Music?
Gotye became an overnight sensation after the release of the song, but he eventually disappeared from the scene and reportedly quit music. This is not entirely true. The singer returned to his former band, The Basics, which was formed in 2002.
“It is as unnatural as sh**ting in front of someone”: Aurora’s Confession About Being an Introvert and a Music Icon is a Contradiction That Makes Her More Genuine Than Taylor Swift Could Ever Be
The group no longer does live performances as announced back in 2021, but they remain active and continue to work on recording new albums.
Fans are certainly missing Gotye’s music because of his powerful vocals and brilliant lyricism, and that is evident in the ever-growing number of views on the song’s official music video.
Ariane Cruz
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3531
Ariane Cruz is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on TV shows with over 3,000 articles published. Her love for pop culture and the creative arts fuels her passion to deliver engaging and informative stories. Her daily consumption of films, shows, and books keeps her energized for the day, along with her mission to serve as the bridge between fans and their favorite franchises.
More from Ariane Cruz
‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ Box Office: Scarlett Johansson Fails to Beat Chris Pratt in 1 Key Area
Game of Thrones: Every Main Villain From Each Season Ranked From Least to Most Impactful
George R.R. Martin-Brandon Sanderson WorldCon Controversy Explained: The Winds of Winter Drama Continues
Recommended
Kevin Hart Is Trading Dwayne Johnson for Another WWE Star in New Netflix Film
Perfect Match Season 3: How Did Ollie Propose to AD?
Severance Season 3: Why Isn’t Ben Stiller Directing? Details Inside
Timo Tjahjanto Shades Keanu Reeves Film: Why is Nobody 2 Not a Desperate John Wick Ripoff?
Why Is Sharon Stone Dissing Basic Instinct Reboot Despite Years of Clout? Details Inside
Anya Taylor-Joy and Meryl Streep Circling Same Role In Cameron Crowe’s Next Big Bet: Reports
