Gotye

Gotye Artistfacts

  • May 21, 1980
  • Gotye's real name translated into English is Wally, but "Gotye" is actually a version of his birth name. The Belgian singer was born "Wouter," which translates to "Gaultier" in French. As a kid, Gotye's mother called him "Gaultier" as a pet name, which is pronounced "Goat-Ye."
  • Besides being a singer-songwriter, Gotye is also the leader of a rock and roll band called The Basics. With the band, Gotye says he tries to keep the music within the parameters of what guitars, bass, and drums can do, while his solo work is open to whatever direction inspiration takes him in.
  • Both actor Ashton Kutcher and singer Lily Allen tweeted about Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know" to their millions of followers, helping boost the single's sales to over half a million copies.
  • Although millions of people have seen Walk of the Earth's cover of Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know" on YouTube, the singer describes his own attitude towards it as "mildly cynical." The clip, which features the five members of the band playing and singing the song on one acoustic guitar, impressed Gotye but he told The Toronto Sun that he hopes WOTE were signed because they are "interested in creating original music."
  • "State of Art," a track on Gotye's platinum Making Mirrors album, was created using a primitive 1970's organ that the singer bought used for $100.
  • Gotye's album Making Mirrors is hugely successful, but singer admitted to Rolling Stone that he suffered from depression while making it, saying "There were points where I thought I wouldn't be able to finish a record that I was really into."

Comments: 1

  • Lemaydali from MaineWhat artistic influences show up on the vid " giving me a chance?"looks like Matisse, Dali, Tanguy, Joan Miro.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.

Judas Priest

Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford, Richie Faulkner and Glenn Tipton talk twin guitar harmonies and explain how they create songs in Judas Priest.

David Gray

David GraySongwriter Interviews

David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.