I remember when this song won the Grammy for Record Of The Year in 2013. Prince presented the award, and when he opened the envelope, he said "I love this song". Having Prince say something like that about your music was perhaps better than winning the award.

I have watched a lot of reactions to this song, and you are the first one who seemed to grasp the meaning of Kimbra's line "You said that you could let it go, and I wouldn't find you hung up on somebody that I used to know." He is still hung up on his ex, and a lot of people miss that part.

“That’s an extreme level of happiness, or a weird lie in your mind that’s truly sadness”-😮😮😮 You are the best reactor.

Shon, I'm a 74 year old white guy--do you know how cool you are?? I'm completely fascinated by your reactions. You're really intelligent and insightful, more so than most reactors I've tuned into. You seem to be the type of person I (or anyone) would want to hang out with, get into a discussion with, have a beer with. It's odd, I know, but when I watch your videos, I want to call you on the phone and chat about it. You make me feel like I've known you forever. That's so strange for me. But, hey, I like it, right? 🙂 I always look forward to what you have to say...

He's still shattered and can't get over it, but she became a whole person at the end when the paint came off. Great reaction!

Hold that thought… Kimbra entering the chat

Also, the fact that this song IS so relatable, on top of being stupid catchy, has got to be why it was such a huge hit.

I LOVED this analysis -- noting that he lets you "sit" with the first couple of lines, the insights you have on relationships and addiction to sadness... treating conversations like a test... best reaction I've seen. You are ON it!

Oh shit you did not disappoint. Yeah, this is an amazing song, and the video really does it right. So glad you enjoyed it. You would probably like several songs by Kimbra. She is really talented, and a fantastic singer.

Love your thoughtful and insightful reaction. A lot of people think when she says he was "hung up on somebody that you used to know" that she's referring to a prior girlfriend he was still thinking about when he was dating her. I don't see it that way. I think she's referring to herself and to his desire to actually stay connected after the break up. She said "we could still be friends" only as a politeness, not because she meant it. She wants to be only "somebody that he used to know". She gets unpainted while he's still painted, signifying the unified relationship and the asymmetric breakup.

love how you go in so on one side then hear the other and you feel for both of them of the loss of love, especially if you've been through it. Fantastic reaction Shon!

I am at the halfway point of the video, and I am loving how you have taken the first half of the song. As usual you are really catching the meaning thus far. I am very excited to see how you react to the switch that is coming. You really really have a fantastic channel.

Awesome song, when you’re in lust & everything is amazing it’s all good. After time goes by you realize you didn’t even know each other at all.💯

I love how we get her side of the story too . Not just his.

Ultimately, there’s two sides to every story…one of the greatest songs ever written. UPDATE: In response to some of you, if not all of you, I’m likely many years older than you, been around for a while, and I love to stay on top of almost every music trend, or special artists that come out of nowhere…so for me, Gotye was one of those artists at that time, and this song was culturally significant, in that it was played everywhere all the time on many radio stations playing top 100, easy listening, indie-stations, college stations, etc. The song also won two Grammy’s in 2013 for Best Pop Duo Performance, and Record of the Year….ALSO, the song is a great song…My opinion is my opinion, and I base it on many things. When I say a song is one of the greatest songs ever written, I say that with evidence of its cultural impact, and its accolades (in many forms). The song and video were even parodied on Saturday Night Live, and to me, anything that gets parodied on SNL, is considered culturally significant (wether it’s good or bad). ☮️❤️😃

Love love love this song! I had that breakup, he was pissed even though he was the cheater. He just didn’t think I would shut the door forever.

I love when she walks over to him. We see the paint on her back, but assume there’s nothing on her front. And Gotye can see that from his angle… watch his face. He’s gotta be thinking “Don’t look at her chest. Don’t look at her chest. Just keep eyes locked on the cameraman, Gotye. HR has already talked to you about this.”

We all have somebody we used to know.....great reaction!

Fast becoming my fav reaction channel bro, keep up that energy and insight, I heard this song 20x a day when it came out and you're still showing me stuff for the first time.

Our greatest fear is to die alone and not even leave a ripple in our wake.

Shon is smart

Powerful and well done song, no doubt. Also...when her part cones in, notice how she "frees herself" (when she rotates her shoulders) from their past...their relationship. When she is (almost) yelling at him...look at HIS face, and the shame, loss and pain her words are giving him.

I am so hung up on this song!...

what are the chances you'd upload this the same day I decided to look for a reaction to this artist from a dozen years ago?? lmao I was binging Stromae when this popped into my head, so maybe they have some vibe in common. He's sort of EDM, though? Raps and sings in French (he's Belgian), so be ready to read those subtitles, but the lyrics are so worth getting. Really interesting videos too.

I have 8 years with the wrong women from 17 yrs old to 25 yrs old, took her abuse, and just could never leave her because of my stupid heart

When the paint comes off Kimbra, it's to symbolize her being "out of the picture. "

A true artist. And musically and vocally sublime.

I clicked so fast and was not disappointed. Ty for reacting to this one!

Very interesting hearing both sides of their story. Such a great song - I can listen to it over and over again. Thank you !

You want your mind blown. 1981 Human League had a song call Don’t You Want Me Baby. It’s very similar to this song. 2 sides of the story.

THERE IS ALWAYS TWO SIDES TO A STORY

The thing about songs that last, true classics.. is that they speak to universal acts of human nature. Doesy matter your "race", gender or wealth.. its things all people can relate to throughout time. Be it now, 40 years ago or 40 years from now.

Kimbra’s voice 🥵 I’ve been in a situation where I had to cut someone off completely and change my number. He had an unpredictable temper and had a habit of blaming everyone around him for his actions. So with this song I always read some underlying abuse due to my experience.

LOL I love your very knowing "oh-ho HO!" 😆

There was also a fun parody for any OG trilogy Star wars fans out there ;)

Kimbra (the woman) had an amazing video of her doing a.live version of settle down.

One of the greatest songs of all time bro ❤

You just get it! You are so insightful and very easy on the eyes 👍❤🇦🇺🦘

Watching a topless guy react to a topless guy is peak 2023

One of the best break up songs ever.

I like how after Kimbra's verse, he sings "but you didn't have to cut me off" while basically cutting off the end of *her verse* himself. Says something about the main speaker of the song.

I absolutely love love love love love love love love this song. But I want you to check on the Pentatonix version of this song I think you would like it

Gotye - Save Me. Very underrated song

Great reaction to a great song. I'd suggest some Steely Dan next.

Parts of this song sound like when Mario goes underground and I can’t unhear it 😊

Probably the best reaction to this song 😊❤❤

Oh damn! I never realized she is the new girlfriend! He can't get over his ex. So spot on!

I never understood this song until you explained it. Thank you

And now you know why the song was so popular

Now you gotta do Kimbra’s “Settle Down.”

I’ve been watching a lot of reactions to this song and you are one of the few that understood what she was saying. I enjoyed your reaction

There are 3 individuals depicted here. He and 2 women. He sings about the first one in his opening stanza. He told himself she was right for him but still felt lonely in her company and that's an ache he still feels to this day. He got addicted to the sadness of knowing it was going to end and when it did she promised they would still be friends. She lied, she just wanted to get away from him. Why? When they broke up she did everything she could to distance herself from him. He begins whining about how unfair and hurtful that was. He tries to comfort himself by saying he doesn't need that aggravation. Enter girl number 2, Kimbra. She got involved with him after his breakup with girl number 1. At this point, they have already separated. Why? He kept screwing her over and making her believe it was her fault. This is probably the same reason girl number 1 dumped him. She didn't want to live with someone like that. On top of that, he said he could let his breakup with girl number 1 go, and "SHE WOULDN'T CATCH HIM HUNG UP ON SOMEBODY THAT HE USED TO KNOW". She could read into his words and actions that he obviously could not. So he dumped him too.

I watched a lot of reactions. You are by far and away the best at understanding lyrics. BY FAR. Thank you.

I must be slow, this isn’t first time I’ve seen the video, but I finally got the point of the artwork slowly filling in. Both showing the “full picture” and showing the illusions he’s constructing around himself, how he’s painting her, and her losing the paint is stripping away his narrative.

Homeboyyyyy "walk off the earth" does some awesome covers, including this one. Pretty please with sugar on top.

This song caught me by surprise when it came out It was different

I love it when you get startled by an ad lol!!

Hands down the best reaction to this tune! Shon you da man!

This is one of those songs people will quote until the cows come home, but many never took the time to listen all the way through. It's so worth it. Great song. If you haven't heard it. There's also a pretty good parody called, The Star Wars that I used to know.

Now you need to watch the cover by Walk Off The Earth. "Five peeps playing one guitar"

wow...such an era... song can be gut wrenching

Wow nice reaction! I have been binge watching since finding ur channel. I appreciate that u are always respectful to the artist. AND u are a funny,funny man! Your comments are a crack-up-from the tambourine having to be taken away and given to another kid to allowing only Robert Plant to moan in your ear to flying David Lee Roth-haha. Since u like old school-vintage I think it’s time for u to hear some Lana Del Rey. In particular Candy Necklace off her Tunnel Under Ocean Boulevard release. It is a video of her making the video and features Jon Batiste on a blistering piano. You will love it and thanks for the laughs!

Have to get into Steely Dan. Peg - FM - Hey Nineteen - Time Out of Mind - etc…. Ear candy

As usual Shon...you are so much fun to watch!!!! And Shon, watch it again with the coloring and shapes.... and at the end she " took him off" as the color left her body. Lots of symbolism there.

First video I've seen of yours and instantly subscribed! Loved your reaction to and appreciation of this amazing song ❤

I would recommend listening to Luiz Bonfa- Seville It is the sample in this song, a great record on its own. Kimbra is worth a listen as well. Try something like Settle Down.

Love your reaction. I knew you would get this tune.

We have all been there what he speaks no doubt.

"Save Me" is another great song of his from the same album, you should check it out!

Love your honesty...your one of the best!

Saw Kimbra in concert in Toronto before Covid hit. But part of this song was by Brazilian Luiz Bonfa who died before the song came out.

I'm with her...I'm a Capricorn and if you do me dirty, I'll ghost you like we never even met 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Support from Australia 🇦🇺 brother. This song holds a special memory for me, I used to take my daughter to work, North Brisbane, a place called Redcliffe, this song was always on the radio, in the car great times. You seem like you would be a great friend.

Great reaction to a great song. 👍🏻

The way you interpreted this song was so spot on and wonderful to watch. I've loved this song since it released and you made me really sit with it and think deeper.

You’re my new favorite reactor. Subbed and 👍

One of favorite songs.

You understood! Salute

Three Days Grace did a cover of this one, fire 🔥 🤘

Great reaction, you always 'get it' and I love that about your vids.

Great, insightful review, Shon!

Yup. This song is definitely relatable for probably 99.9% of people. It's simple but effective.

Love your reaction 💜

Stormy by Classics IV

Such a great song. I’m pretty sure Kimbra’s performance is when my son (who was 6 at the time) realized he was heterosexual 🤣

Love this song, a noteworthy cover of it was done by a band called "Walk Off The Earth". There are 5 people playing one acoustic guitar in the video, they said it took 25 takes to get it right. RIP Beard Man

You should check out Allen Stone’s version of this song.

Her paint coming off signifies she is out of the picture

Brilliant reaction!

now ya gotta check out kimbra - "settle down"

If you know, you know. 😂 I’ve had this happen before, and I was really mad about. It wasn’t a bad break up, we were friends years before we dated… now nothing? Change your number, making friends choose, talking shit… wtf, why?? 😂 …but I have also been on the other side, you still want to be friends, cool, but you can’t be bringing all the details of our past dating life into a friendship. You can’t bring drama to people I just started dating. I gotta cut you off. 😂

I love this song. ❤

Oh the pain!

you might enjoy lunatic fringe by red rider

You got it

New (for you) artist recommendation: Tame Impala - The Less I Know The Better (Official Video). Super catchy bass line.

I used to hear this all the time on the radio when it came out in 2012

My man is naked right now he look vulnerable 😂

Random as hell, but this is an older song for sure however I have found myself listening to it again and again over the past month or so. I knew the song when it was "new", but I didn't really like it at the time, or actually it was not the type of song that I would typically listen to. With that begin said, and to mirror your take, extremely relatable song. I have been there, and it was very "rough"!

I love your mind, you get it, you see it; that's rare. Hit me up if you ever visit Mississippi.