Trio of Grammys adds lustre to Gotye's singular success

WALLY De Backer is planning on having a rest next. The singer might pause to wonder how his career can get any better.

WALLY De Backer is planning on having a rest next week. While he's about it, the singer known to the world as Gotye might pause to wonder how his career can get any better.

In the space of a year, Gotye has gone from popular Australian artist to global phenomenon, largely on the strength of one song, Somebody That I Used to Know, recorded with Kiwi singer Kimbra.

When US star Prince handed him the coveted record of the year trophy at the Grammys in Los Angeles yesterday, the Victorian performer's credentials as an international star reached a new peak.

GALLERY: Grammys red carpet

"I'm grateful to everyone at home for their constant support," said the mild-mannered singer afterwards. "It's been amazing and I don't take it for granted."

Gotye is the first Australian to win that particular award since Olivia Newton-John took the title with I Honestly Love You in 1975.

He joins Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Simon and Garfunkel and U2, among others, in the rollcall of record of the year winners.

It was a popular win, too, particularly at home, where Julia Gillard and Arts Minister Simon Crean were among the first to acknowledge his Grammys success.

It was a night of triple success for Gotye, who earlier in the evening at Los Angeles Staples Centre collected best pop duo performance, for the same song, and the alternative music album trophy for the album from which it comes, Making Mirrors.

He is the first Australian male to win multiple Grammys in the same year. Keith Urban has four from different years.

"I'm particularly pleased that my album Making Mirrors has been acknowledged as well as the single," Gotye said.

"Hopefully this means there's a place for adventurous, interesting music out there -- and for completely silly music too."

Gotye's third album has sold more than two million copies worldwide, while the hit song was a No 1 all over the world and has sold more than 13.5 million copies.

The video for Somebody That I Used to Know has been viewed 373 million times on YouTube.

The Grammys, which are the highlight of the US music industry calendar, featured performances by Taylor Swift, Rihanna and the Black Keys, who performed their hit Lonely Boy with Dr John and a New Orleans jazz band.

Lonely Boy won the Ohio group the best rock performance and best rock song trophies.

Their album El Camino was named best rock album.

English band Mumford and Sons took album of the year for their second album Babel, and the American band fun won the song of the year and the best new artist Grammys for their song We Are Young.