On October 27, 1997, Natalie Imbruglia, an Australian actress turned pop sensation, released a song that would forever alter music history. What makes 'Torn' truly remarkable is that it's a cover—yet it completely eclipsed the original, becoming one of pop music's greatest success stories.
From Actress to Pop Star: Natalie's Transformation
Natalie Imbruglia wasn't always a musician. She was an actress best known for playing Beth Brennan in the Australian soap opera 'Neighbours'. In the mid-1990s, she made a bold move to London to pursue a music career. How could an actress with no formal music training become a global pop icon? The answer lies in her fateful encounter with 'Torn'.
'Torn' was originally written by Ednaswap, an American rock band, in 1995. Composed by Scott Cutler, Anne Preven, and Phil Thornalley, the song initially remained in obscurity. But when Natalie recorded her version, it became a worldwide phenomenon that would eclipse the original.
The Original Songwriters' Remarkable Fortune
Songwriter Anne Preven drew inspiration for 'Torn' from her work in a psychiatric hospital, where she witnessed teenagers struggling with suicidal ideation. Ironically, this deeply emotional song brought a "waterfall of money" not only to Preven but to all the original songwriters. As Natalie's version sold over 4 million copies worldwide, the Ednaswap writers received unexpected royalties beyond their dreams.
Interestingly, 'Torn' has an even earlier history. In 1993, Danish singer Lis Sørensen released 'Brændt', which served as the original composition that influenced the song's creation. This demonstrates how music evolves across borders and languages.
"The original songwriters experienced a waterfall of money from Natalie's cover version."— Music Industry Analyst
Global Chart Dominance and Record-Breaking Success
The magnitude of 'Torn's success is best told through its impressive numbers. It peaked at number 2 on the UK charts for three consecutive weeks and sold over 1.2 million copies in the UK alone. In the United States, the song dominated the Billboard Radio Songs chart for 11 consecutive weeks at number 1. It topped the charts in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Spain, and Sweden.
The most astounding record comes from Australia. 'Torn' ranks as the most-played song on Australian radio since 1990, with over 300,500 broadcasts. This unprecedented achievement in Australian music history speaks volumes about the song's universal appeal. Globally, the song sold over 4 million copies, and Natalie's debut album 'Left of the Middle' surpassed 7 million in sales.
An Unforgettable Anthem of the 1990s
Natalie Imbruglia earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album in 1999. The music video, directed by Alison Maclean, featured a minimalist apartment setting that allowed Natalie's emotional performance to shine, earning international acclaim. The production by Phil Thornalley perfectly complemented the song's vulnerable and raw energy.
Forbes UK released a list of the 40 most-played songs of the 2010s, and 'Torn' ranked at number 40. What's striking is that it was the only song from the 1990s on the entire list—testament to its enduring popularity decades after its release.
