If you have been searching for Gotye Somebody That I Used to Know guitar chords, you are in exactly the right place. This iconic track, released in 2011, became one of the most recognized songs of the decade and remains a favorite among guitarists of all skill levels. Whether you are a beginner picking up your first chords or an intermediate player looking to refine your technique, this guide breaks everything down in a clear, actionable way. By the end of this article, you will be able to play through the entire song with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- The song uses only four chords: Dm, C, G, and Bb, making it accessible for beginners.
- The original recording is played fingerpicked, but a strummed version works just as well for casual playing.
- A capo is not required, as the song is played in the open position.
- The chord progression stays mostly consistent throughout the entire song, which makes memorization fast.
- Mastering the transition between Dm and C is the most important skill for playing this song smoothly.
About the Song
“Somebody That I Used to Know” was written and recorded by Australian artist Gotye, featuring New Zealand singer Kimbra. It appeared on Gotye’s third studio album, “Making Mirrors,” in 2011. The song climbed to the top of charts in more than 25 countries and won multiple Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
What makes the song particularly interesting from a guitar perspective is its roots. Gotye built the track partly around a sample from Luiz Bonfa’s “Seville,” a bossa nova instrumental. This gives the song a rhythmic, slightly percussive quality that you can absolutely replicate on acoustic or electric guitar.
The guitar part in the original recording is deceptively simple. It uses a repetitive four-chord loop that cycles through the verses, pre-chorus, and chorus with very few variations. This consistency is both what makes the song easy to learn and what makes it hypnotic to listen to.
Chords You Need to Know
There are four chords in total. Here they are:
Dm (D minor) This is the home chord of the song. You will return to it constantly.
C (C major) A foundational open chord that most beginners already know.
G (G major) The G chord here can be played as a standard open G or a simplified two-finger version.
Bb (B flat major) This is the only chord that may trip up beginners. It is a barre chord at the first fret, but there are workarounds covered below.
The main chord progression is: Dm – C – G – Bb
This progression repeats almost entirely throughout the song, with very slight variations in the bridge and outro.
Chord Shapes and Finger Positions
Dm Chord
- String 1 (high e): 1st fret, index finger
- String 2 (B): 3rd fret, ring finger
- String 3 (G): 2nd fret, middle finger
- String 4 (D): open
- Strings 5 and 6: do not strum
C Major Chord
- String 2 (B): 1st fret, index finger
- String 4 (D): 2nd fret, middle finger
- String 5 (A): 3rd fret, ring finger
- Strings 1, 3: open
- String 6: do not strum
G Major Chord
- String 1 (high e): 3rd fret, pinky finger
- String 5 (A): 2nd fret, middle finger
- String 6 (low E): 3rd fret, ring finger
- Strings 2, 3, 4: open
Bb Major Chord (Barre version)
- Barre all strings at the 1st fret with your index finger
- String 3 (G): 3rd fret, ring finger
- String 4 (D): 3rd fret, pinky finger
- String 5 (A): 3rd fret, middle finger
Bb Beginner Alternative If the barre chord feels too difficult, try this simplified version:
- String 1 (high e): 1st fret
- String 2 (B): 3rd fret
- String 3 (G): 3rd fret
- String 4 (D): 3rd fret
- Strings 5, 6: skip or mute
How to Play: Step-by-Step
Follow these steps to work through the song from scratch:
- Learn each chord individually. Before trying to combine them, practice each chord shape until you can form it without looking at your fingers.
- Practice the Dm to C transition. This is the most frequent chord change in the song. Alternate between these two for two minutes daily until it feels natural.
- Add the G chord into the rotation. Once Dm and C feel comfortable, practice the Dm, C, G sequence repeatedly.
- Introduce Bb. If you are using the barre version, spend extra time here. If using the simplified version, work on making it sound clean before moving on.
- Practice the full progression slowly. Use a metronome set to around 60 BPM and cycle through Dm, C, G, Bb repeatedly without stopping.
- Increase tempo gradually. The original song sits around 129 BPM. Work up to this in increments of 5-10 BPM over several practice sessions.
- Add the strumming or fingerpicking pattern. See the next section for details.
- Play along with the original recording. Once you can hold the progression at tempo, put on the song and play with it. This trains your ear and your timing simultaneously.
- Work on dynamics. The original recording is very dynamic, soft in the verses and more present in the chorus. Practice playing quieter in the verses and building energy as the song progresses.
- Run the full song from start to finish. Do not stop to fix mistakes. Train yourself to keep moving and recover on the fly, which is how real performance works.
Strumming Pattern
The original recording uses fingerpicking, but a strumming pattern works very well for most players.
Beginner Strumming Pattern: Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up (per bar)
In notation: D DU UDU
Fingerpicking Pattern (closer to the original):
- Thumb hits string 4 (D string) on beat 1
- Index finger plucks string 3 on the “and” of beat 1
- Middle finger plucks string 2 on beat 2
- Ring finger plucks string 1 on the “and” of beat 2
- Repeat this pattern across all four chords
If you want to recreate the slightly percussive feel of the original, lightly mute the strings with your strumming hand palm while picking. This adds a subtle deadened quality between the notes that mimics the studio effect.
Song Structure Breakdown
| Section | Chords Used | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Intro | Dm – C – G – Bb | Fingerpicked, sets the tone |
| Verse 1 | Dm – C – G – Bb | Same progression, soft delivery |
| Pre-Chorus | Dm – C – G – Bb | Builds slightly in energy |
| Chorus | Dm – Bb – C | Slight variation here |
| Verse 2 | Dm – C – G – Bb | Returns to main progression |
| Bridge | Bb – C – Dm | Chord order reverses briefly |
| Outro | Dm – C – G – Bb | Returns to intro feel, fades |
The chorus introduces the most notable variation. The G chord drops out and Bb moves to the second position. Listen carefully to this section when you practice so the change feels natural when it arrives.
Pro Tips Section
Tip 1: Do not rush the Bb chord. Most beginners stumble here. Give yourself permission to arrive at Bb slightly late at first. A clean Bb a beat late sounds better than a buzzy Bb on time.
Tip 2: Use a metronome from day one. This song’s groove lives entirely in its rhythmic consistency. A metronome will reveal tempo problems early and train you to stay steady.
Tip 3: Record yourself playing. Playback reveals issues your ears miss in real time. Even a phone recording helps you spot buzzing strings, missed transitions, and timing drift.
Tip 4: Lighter touch, better tone. The song has a delicate quality. Many players grip too hard. Ease up on your fretting hand pressure and your tone will open up noticeably.
Tip 5: Learn the Kimbra vocal lines on guitar. The second vocal melody in the chorus is a beautiful guitar exercise if you want to explore single-note playing alongside the chords.
FAQ
Q: Is this song suitable for beginners? Yes, with one caveat. Three of the four chords are beginner-friendly open chords. The Bb barre chord adds a small challenge, but the simplified version covered in this guide makes the song fully accessible from day one.
Q: Do I need a capo to play this song? No capo is needed. The song is played in the open position and does not require any transposition for the standard version.
Q: What guitar type works best for this song? The original was recorded using a combination of instruments in a studio setting, but acoustic guitar suits the song beautifully. Electric guitar with a clean tone also works well. Classical or fingerstyle guitars give it a more delicate feel.
Q: How long will it take to learn this song? Most beginners can play a rough version within a week of consistent daily practice. A polished, performance-ready version typically takes two to four weeks depending on how much time you dedicate each day.
Q: What tempo should I practice at? Start at 60 BPM and work upward gradually. The original song sits at approximately 129 BPM. There is no need to rush there. Slow, clean practice builds muscle memory faster than sloppy fast playing.
Q: Can this song be played on electric guitar? Absolutely. A clean tone with light reverb on electric guitar produces a very pleasing result. Some players add a touch of chorus effect for a slightly dreamy quality that suits the mood of the song.
Conclusion
“Somebody That I Used to Know” is a rewarding song to learn because its simplicity is deceptive. Four chords, a consistent progression, and a steady rhythm are all you need. But within that simplicity is real musical depth, expressive dynamics, and a chord sequence that genuinely pulls at the listener. If you have been looking for Gotye Somebody That I Used to Know guitar chords and a structured way to approach learning the full track, this guide has given you everything you need from chord shapes and finger positions to song structure, strumming patterns, and performance tips. Pick up your guitar, start slowly, and enjoy the process.