The 1997 hit-song ‘Torn’ performed by Australia’s Natalie Imbruglia is undoubtedly a 90s classic and a pure, nostalgic listening experience. After many fans just assumed Natalie performed the original song, the truth hit them in the face when they learned that the song is actually a cover.
Hot from her stint on Neighbours, Natalie recorded the song and released it as her debut single in 1997. The 22-year-old had an instant hit on her hands with 250,000 copies sold in the United Kingdom in its first week alone. The song also scored itself a Grammy nomination.
Natalie’s version of ‘Torn’ went on to sell more than four million physical copies worldwide and reportedly holds the record for the most played song on Australian radio since 1990.
Now after twenty years, a Twitter user @VilinskiKonjic reminded followers that every ’90’s kid comes of age three times, referring to their 18th birthday, 21st birthday, and the day they find out Natalie Imbruglia’s version of Torn is a cover.
every “90s kid” comes of age 3 times:
• 18th birthday
• 21st birthday
• the day they find out natalie imbruglia’s version of torn is a cover— horse the band (@VilinskiKonjic) August 24, 2017
Needles to say this Tweet caused pandemonium among 90’s kids.
……what pic.twitter.com/3eAZvLbXAQ — sarah (@sarah_michellex) August 24, 2017
Im… I’m…. finally an adult. I just got healthcare and a job relating to my degree… I have a home…. I’m crying.
— Secret Admirer ???? (@PhillyAdmirer) August 24, 2017
how could u do this to me?!? — Rachel Simone (@yamanecko) August 24, 2017
So, who wrote the 1997 hit song ‘Torn’?
The song was actually written in 1993 by Scott Cutler and Anne Preven. While it was first recorded by Danish singer Lis Sørensen as “Brændt” (“Burned”) in 1993, the two co-authors eventually recorded the track with their band called Ednaswap in 1995.
According to news.com.au, Preven said the band’s original demo for ‘Torn’ was pretty much the same as Natalie’s version.
“We didn’t think anything of Natalie’s version…we thought it’s just another European cover and we really didn’t give it another thought,” Preven said. “Until, all of a sudden, we get a call saying it’s number one in the United Kingdom. For Scott and I it was obviously a mixed bag. We were thrilled to have a hit. But it was also bittersweet because it wasn’t our band.”
Cutler and Preven luckily were compensated for their work within the first few years after the song’s release.
According to Preven she doesn’t regret missing out on ‘Torn’.
“I don’t regret it now at all. The song changed both Scott’s and my life in terms of everything. It showed us we should stick to song writing and not waste too much time in the band. And that all worked out great for us.”
It does seem like everything worked out in the end. Today, Preven and Cutler own the music publishing company Pulse and co-wrote the song Listen for the Dream Girls soundtrack among others hits.
