Torn (Ednaswap song)

"Torn"
Single by Ednaswap
from the album Ednaswap
Released 1995
Format CD single
Genre
Label Eastwest
Songwriter(s) Scott Cutler, Anne Preven, Phil Thornalley
Producer(s) Phil Thornalley
Ednaswap singles chronology
"Glow"
(1995)		 "Torn"
(1995)

"Glow"
(1995)		 "Torn"
(1995)

"Torn" is a song written by Scott Cutler, Anne Preven and Phil Thornalley in 1993. It was first recorded that year in Danish (renamed "Brændt" (Danish for "Burned")) by singer Lis Sørensen, then two years later by Cutler and Preven's American alternative rock band Ednaswap, and in 1996 by American-Norwegian singer Trine Rein.

"Torn" is best known as Australian pop singer Natalie Imbruglia's 1997 debut single, which peaked at number one on singles charts in Belgium, Denmark, Canada, Spain and Sweden and on Billboard's Mainstream Top 40 and Adult Top 40 charts. It reached number two on the ARIA Singles Chart and the Italian, Swiss and United Kingdom charts.

Other artists have covered the song since.

Original version

"Torn" was written in 1993 by Scott Cutler and Anne Preven with producer Phil Thornalley as a solo song for Preven. Cutler and Preven's band Ednaswap performed it live.[1]

The first recording of the song was in 1993 by the Danish singer Lis Sørensen as "Brændt" (Burned) after it was translated by Elisabeth Gjerluff Nielsen.

Ednaswap released a recorded version in 1995. The song followed the single "Glow" from their eponymous debut album. Thornalley and Cutler produced the session.

The band later released several variations and remixes of the song as B-sides and on their album Wacko Magneto.

The song has been covered several times by different artists, first by Norwegian singer Trine Rein in 1996.

Natalie Imbruglia version

"Torn"
Single by Natalie Imbruglia
from the album Left of the Middle
B-side "Sometimes"
"Frightened Child"
"Contradictions"
"Diving in the Deep End"
Released 27 October 1997
Format CD single
Recorded 27 September 1997
Genre
Label RCA
Songwriter(s) Cutler, Preven, Thornalley
Producer(s) Phil Thornalley
Natalie Imbruglia singles chronology
"Torn"
(1997)		 "Big Mistake"
(1998)

"Torn"
(1997)		 "Big Mistake"
(1998)
Music video
"Torn" on YouTube
Audio sample
  • file
  • help

In 1997, Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia, working with Thornalley, covered the song for her debut studio album Left of the Middle (1997). Imbruglia's version was recorded in Kilburn, London with David Munday (lead guitar), Phil Thornalley (bass, rhythm guitars), Chuck Sabo (drums), Henry Binns, Sam Hardaker (Zero 7) (drum programming) and Katrina Leskanich (background vocals). It was mixed by Nigel Godrich. Released as a single, Imbruglia's version became a worldwide hit.

For the track, Imbruglia received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, losing to Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On". The music video for "Torn" features British actor Jeremy Sheffield. She also did an MTV Unplugged version of the song, which removed the outro.

"Torn" was the most-played song in the US in 1998 and throughout the remainder of the 1990s. In the UK, it was the most played song from 1997–1998 and 19th-most played from 2001–2010, while it is recognized as the most played song in Australia since the radio records began.

Music video

The music video to Natalie Imbruglia's cover version, directed by Alison Maclean, features a shot of an apartment that never changes its angle of vision. Shots of Imbruglia singing along with the song are interspersed with footage of her and British actor Jeremy Sheffield engaging in a romantically inclined conversation. These couple of scenes turn out to be B-roll footage, as the two actors are seen fumbling their lines and positions; and the director constantly steps into frame to redirect the two. During the last chorus, the apartment walls start wobbling and the crew comes to dismantle it, revealing the location to be a set inside a soundstage. Imbruglia begins to dance during the finishing guitar solo as her "world" crumbles around her.[3]

It was rated the second best music video of all time by MTV Italy.

The song was pantomimed by David Armand for a 2005 HBO broadcast which spread on the internet. This popularity of the "Karaoke for the Deaf" performance by Armand as Johnn Lippowitz resulted in the 2006 live performance (Amnesty International's Secret Policeman's Ball) with Imbruglia where she sings "Torn" and then joins into the "interpretive dance" pantomime featuring both Armand and Imbruglia acting out the words of the song.[4]

Track listing

BMG international single / UK CD single #1
  1. "Torn" (4:06)
  2. "Sometimes" (3:52)
  3. "Frightened Child" (1:37)
UK CD single #2
  1. "Torn" (4:06)
  2. "Contradictions" (4:07)
  3. "Diving in the Deep End" (3:30)
UK cassette single
  1. "Torn" (4:06)
  2. "Sometimes" (3:52) (incorrectly listed on reverse sleeve as 5:51)
Europe CD single
  1. "Torn" (4:06)
  2. "Diving in the Deep End" (3:54)

Chart performance

The physical single of Imbruglia's version of the song has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide, including more than 1 million copies in the UK alone.[5] In the UK, it is the 85th biggest selling single of all time.[6] The track peaked at #2 for three weeks, being held off the top spot by Aqua's "Barbie Girl" and then dropped to #4. On 24 September 2007, Natalie Imbruglia's version of the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at #70, on the strength of digital sales after her greatest hits album was released. In the Flanders region of Belgium, the single peaked at a number one for 7 consecutive weeks and charted for 22 weeks. On the all-time Ultratop charts, it maintains a position of #107.

As of 2011, "Torn" holds the record for most played song on Australian radio since 1990, played more than 300,500 times since its 1998 release, an average of 75 times a day, based on data compiled by the Australian Performing Rights Association (APRA).[7]

In the United States, the song peaked at #1 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart for 11 consecutive weeks. However, as a result of rules preventing tracks which had not been released as physical singles from charting on the Billboard Hot 100, the song did not chart there during its peak of popularity in the United States. In late 1998, when the song was declining in popularity, the rules changed to allow airplay-only songs onto the chart, and the song charted for 2 weeks, peaking at number 42.

In 2013, "Torn" was declared the No. 1 Best Pop Song on a top 10 list, part of a larger collection of songs by Q magazine in their special edition 1001 Best Songs Ever issue.[8] Billboard ranked "Torn" the No. 26 Best Pop Song based only on pop radio charts compiled between 1992 and 2012.[9] "Torn" remained the 19th most played song in the UK from 2001 to 2010.[10] "Torn" was named the 10th best song of 1998 by The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics' poll.

Charts and certifications

Rouge version

"Amor é Ilusão"
Single by Rouge
from the album Mil e Uma Noites
Released 27 September 2005 (2005-09-27)
Format
Recorded 2002
Genre
Length 4:06
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Rick Bonadio
Rouge singles chronology
"Vem Habib (Wala Wala)"
(2005)		 "Amor é Ilusão"
(2005)		 "Bailando"
(2018)

"Vem Habib (Wala Wala)"
(2005)		 "Amor é Ilusão"
(2005)		 "Bailando"
(2018)

Brazilian girl group Rouge recorded a Portuguese version of the song, titled "O Amor é Ilusão" (lit.: "Love is an illusion"), included in the group's 2005 studio album Mil e Uma Noites. It was the album's second and last single, and their last overall until "Tudo É Rouge" in 2013.

The lyrics were written by Milton Guedes, who co-wrote their hits "Não Dá pra Resistir", "Beijo Molhado", and others, with production by Rick Bonadio.

Background

After three studio albums, their record label Sony BMG demanded a compilation album, against the band members' wishes. At the time, rumors of their breakup circulated in the press, and they felt a new release would help dispel those allegations. Mil e Uma Noites was eventually released as a compromise, with most tracks being previously released hits, plus six all-new tracks.[54]

As always, the album featured songs originally in English rewritten for Portuguese, including "Torn".[55] After the success of the album's first single "Vem Habib (Wala Wala)", "O Amor é Ilusão" was announced as the follow-up and released in late September.[55]

This version keeps most of the original's lyrical themes, about a lost love who gradually drifts away from the narrator.

Charts

Chart (2005) Peak
position
Brazil (Brasil Hot 100 Airplay)[56] 23

Covers and remixes

The first recorded version of the song was a translation by Danish singer Lis Sørensen, "Brændt" (which translates to "Burnt" in English), in 1993. Sørensen's version has a classic rock acoustic feel, and at 4:38 is somewhat longer than any of the other versions. Stylistically it is very close to Imbruglia's version, most likely because (as Preven has said in an interview) their early demo was almost exactly like Imbruglia's version. There are also some similarities to the Ednaswap version, including a longer bridge and a very long outro. The outro does not include the guitar solo at the end.

The second version of the song can be found on Ednaswap's self-titled first album. The sound is much darker than Imbruglia's version, but has an almost identical structure. It is characterized by haunting and somewhat harsh electric guitars, a longer bridge that does not include a breakdown (which the Imbruglia version, Trine Rein version and Lis Sørenson version all do), and a very long outro that fades out before it is finished. The bridge is the only part of the song where the acoustic guitar chords that are prominent in every other version can be easily heard.

After Ednaswap released their original album, it was covered by Norwegian singer Trine Rein on her 1996 album Beneath My Skin. Trine Rein's version is almost exactly like Imbruglia's version (and is even in English), but has a much more melodramatic feel, with piano chord hits throughout and harder electric guitar accents. The Trine Rein version has a similar bridge to Lis Sørenson's version, as long as the original Ednaswap version, but with a breakdown like Imbruglia copied.

In 1996, Ednaswap released a completely retooled version on Chicken. The song is much slower and has a sparser texture. The first verse is very subtle, and kicks into high gear after the first chorus. There is no bridge, and a very short outro without the guitar solo that is in almost every version. In all, it is presented as a power ballad and sounds much "rawer" and harder than the other versions.

In 1997, Ednaswap released Wacko Magneto, which has a remixed version of the song from the "Chicken" EP. The only difference between the two are the imperceptible background vocal effects and screeching guitars at some points of the song.

In 1998, Ednaswap released a "Radio Mix" of the song on their single "Back on the Sun." There are many electronic accents throughout the song. There is no bridge, and the outro is sung by Ednaswaps's lead singer Anne Preven rather than played on an electric guitar.

Other covers include those done by dance cover artist Natalie Browne, punk band Off by One, rock band Hands Like Houses, and many Latin American artists.

The Uzbek band Bolalar has recorded a version of Natalie Imbruglia's cover called "Sogʻindim ishon" ("Believe me, I miss you").

Reggae fusion artist Terro 3000 sampled the song in 2008 on his song "This Is How I Feel". The song appeared in the television series Charmed, in the episode "I've Got You Under My Skin". In October 2011, Megan Mullally and Casey Wilson performed the song together on the sitcom Happy Endings, in the episode "Yesandwitch". The Australian comedy band The Axis of Awesome sang the chorus of the song in their 4-chord song mashup of pop hits with the same 4 chords.

In 2010, One Direction performed the song during the Judge's House stage of the competition, and during the Final of The X Factor Series 7 Live Shows.

In 2015, One Direction performed the song at the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge.

In Chile, Imbruglia's versión of the song was soundtrack of TVN soap opera Separados.

In 2014, Australian rock band Hands Like Houses covered the song for Punk Goes 90s Vol. 2.

In May 2017, Alex Lahey covered the song on Triple J, Like a Version.

In October 2017, the New York-based international gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello covered the song for an episode of the A.V. Club.

In September 2018, the Welsh pop-punk band Neck Deep covered the song for the "Songs That Saved My Life" compilation album from Hopeless Records.

References

  1. ↑ Flinner, Amanda. "Interview with Phil Thornalley". songfacts. Retrieved 2017-01-13.
  2. ↑ Prato, Greg (10 March 1998). "Left of the Middle - Natalie Imbruglia : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  3. ↑ True, Everett (3 June 2014). "Australian anthems: Natalie Imbruglia – Torn". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  4. ↑ SECO 'mens- en organisatieontwikkelaars' (12 April 2013). "Torn by David Armand & Natalie Imbruglia" – via YouTube.
  5. ↑ "Best Selling Singles Of All Time". everyHit.com. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  6. ↑ Ami Sedghi (4 November 2012). "UK's million-selling singles: the full list". Guardian. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  7. ↑ "Airwaves torn up by Imbruglia". The Sunday Telegraph. AU. 3 May 2009.
  8. ↑ Q Magazine (11 June 2013). "Torn No. 1 Best Pop Song". Q Magazine The Rock List. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  9. ↑ Billboard Pop 100 (11 June 2013). "Torn No. 26 Billboard Pop Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  10. ↑ Billboard Pop 100 (11 June 2013). "Torn No. 19 in the UK 2000s". Billboard. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  11. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Natalie Imbruglia – Torn". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  12. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Natalie Imbruglia – Torn" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  13. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Natalie Imbruglia – Torn" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  14. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Natalie Imbruglia – Torn" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  15. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3520." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  16. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3554." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  17. ↑ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 3536." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  18. ↑ Billboard 7 February 1998. Billboard. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  19. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100". jove.prohosting.com. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  20. ↑ "Natalie Imbruglia: Torn" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  21. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Natalie Imbruglia – Torn" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  22. ↑ "Musicline.de – Imbruglia, Natalie Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  23. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Torn". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  24. 1 2 "I singoli più venduti del 1998" (in Italian). Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  25. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 4, 1998" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  26. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Natalie Imbruglia – Torn" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  27. ↑ "Charts.nz – Natalie Imbruglia – Torn". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  28. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Natalie Imbruglia – Torn". VG-lista. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  29. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  30. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  31. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Natalie Imbruglia – Torn". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  32. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Natalie Imbruglia – Torn". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  33. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Left of the Middle Charts and Awards: Billboard Singles". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2010-03-10.
  35. ↑ "SloTop50: Slovenian official singles weekly chart" (in Slovenian). SloTop50. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  36. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  37. ↑ "ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 1998". Aria.com.au. Retrieved 2012-05-27.
  38. ↑ 1998 Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at Archived 2014-07-08 at the Wayback Machine. (Retrieved 21 June 2009)
  39. ↑ "ultratop.be - ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS".
  40. ↑ "RPM's Adult Contemporary Tracks of '98". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  41. ↑ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  42. ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Dutch Charts - dutchcharts.nl".
  43. ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Swiss Year-End Charts 1998 - swisscharts.com".
  44. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
  45. ↑ "Ultratop 50 Albums Wallonie 1998". Ultratop. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  46. ↑ "French single certifications – Natalie Umbruglia" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
  47. ↑ "Les Ventes & Les Certifications". 4 November 2012. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  48. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Natalie Imbruglia)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
  49. ↑ "Top 50 Singles Chart, 15 February 1998". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  50. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
  51. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Natalie Imbruglia)". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
  52. ↑ "British single certifications – Natalie Imbruglia". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2011-09-28. Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Natalie Imbruglia in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  53. ↑ White, Jack (19 September 2017). "The UK's Official Chart 'millionaires' revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  54. ↑ "Entre o novo e o antigo : Rouge". Universo Musical. 26 June 2005. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  55. 1 2 "Rouge regrava Natalie Imbruglia". Território da Música. 20 September 2005. Archived from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  56. ↑ "Hot 100 Brasil 1999-2013" (PDF). Ivete Sangalo News. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
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