 " Somebody That I Used to Know " is a mid @-@ tempo , indie pop ballad . It samples Luiz Bonfá 's song " Seville " from his 1967 album Luiz <unk> Plays Great Songs . The song received a positive reception from critics , who noted the similarities between the song and works by Sting , Peter Gabriel , and American folk band Bon Iver . In Australia , the song won the Triple J Hottest 100 poll at the end of 2011 , as well as ARIA Awards for song of the year and best video , while Kimbra was voted best female artist and Gotye was named best male artist and producer of the year . The song came ninth in the Triple J Hottest 100 of the Past 20 Years , 2013 . In 2013 , the song won two Grammy Awards for Best Pop Duo / Group Performance and Record of the Year . 
