AUSTRALIAN singer Gotye has claimed three major awards at the Grammys, including the coveted Record of the Year gong for his smash-hit Somebody That I Used To Know.
The Melbourne-based artist also took home the Best Alternative Album for Making Mirrors, as well as Best Pop Duo/Performance for Somebody That I Used To Know, his duet with New Zealander Kimbra that launched him to global stardom.
The song was the top iTunes single in 2012 in more than 50 countries, selling more than 13 million copies, topped four American billboard charts and was its biggest selling single.
The video has been watched 383 million times on YouTube.
He was presented the major award by Prince, saying he was honoured to receive the award from one of his heroes.
“A little bit lost for words, to receive an award from the man standing behind us with the cane. Many years listening to this man’s music growing up, and a big reason I was inspired to make music. Thank you.”
Gotye, whose full name in Wally De Backer, had earlier told the crowd at the 55th Grammy ceremony in Los Angeles of recording his music in humble surrounds.
“I recorded it mostly in a barn on my dad’s block of land southeast of Melbourne, Australia, so I have to thank Dad and my Mum for setting up a lot of weird equipment in a barn near their house,” he said.
“I don’t really feel worthy of being up here.”
He is line for the International Solo Artist of the Year at the Brit Awards next week.