Not many
actresses from Australian soap operas forge a successful and credible music career, apart
from Natalie Imbruglia (OK, maybe Kylie too).
Her debut "Left
of the Middle" from 1997 was a stylish, edgy indie-pop record, and revealed
Imbruglia's talents as writer too, co-writing most of the tracks with a
variety of producers. However her
breakthrough single was a cover of an obscure song, that the producer Phil
Thornalley knew well. He had co-written
"Torn" with Scott Cutler and Anne Preven in 1993, and it had already been recorded by their
group Ednaswap and the
Danish singer Lis Sørensen, but without any success on either occasion.
In "Torn"
the narrator has finally woken up to acknowledge that she has fallen in with an
illusion, and not the real person. Their relationship has stalled ("conversation
has run dry") as she realises he doesn't live up to her hopes and ideals
("you couldn't be that man I adored"). She curses that the dream
never came true ("Illusion never changed / Into something real"), so feels
lost and vulnerable ("I'm all out of faith").
Imbruglia's
version probably succeeds where the others failed, because of the performance.
Her vocals are light but impassioned, supported
by the catchy guitar riff and soft percussion. A perfect union for a remarkable
song.
The theme of
illusion extended to the memorable video, with her and a handsome man in an apartment,
quickly revealed to be a film set. The whole package was very enticing, going
on to be a massive hit across the world (number 1 in Iceland, Spain, Canada and
US radio play), garnering MTV awards and Grammy nominations.
Her
subsequent albums had declining sales, but contain some high quality material.
not too poppy, maybe best pitched as lighter Garbage. She has also juggled
acting (Johnny English), judging X-factor, campaigning and motherhood.
Her music output may have been latterly
discarded, but no one will forget "Torn", a shining pop confection.
Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV1XWJN3nJo
and the original version by Ednaswap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OoEdfB7l18
Hear Next -
" Glorious: The Singles 97–07" as the title suggests is a
wonderful compilation of her best moments.
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