Remix Culture: Gotye and Kimbra Embrace Fan Covers of "Somebody That I Used To Know"

This YouTube video is based on the worldwide hit song by Belgian-Australian singer and songwriter Gotye, featuring New Zealand singer/guitarist Kimbra: "Somebody That I Used To Know"

What makes this version, entitled "Somebodies: A YouTube Orchestra," noteworthy (in addition to the way the haunting melody withstands - and actually seems to gain strength from - the different interpretations) is that it was put together by the artists who made the original recording.

Instead of pursuing copyright infringement claims against the fans who posted their own versions on YouTube, Gotye and Kimbra celebrated the way their song has spread and evolved. The musicians behind the original song have said they "couldn't resist the massive remixability that such a large, varied yet connected bundle of source material offered."

Thanks to Mike Monello for the link to "Somebodies: A YouTube Orchestra."

Here's the original video from 2011:



And here are five videos that show how "Somebody That I Used To Know" has spread via parody and cover versions.