Who Originally Sang “Torn”? It Wasn’t Natalie Imbruglia
Natalie Imbruglia did not originally sing “Torn”.
This surprises a lot of people.
Her 1997 recording became so enormous that the song feels inseparable from her.
But “Torn” had already existed for years.
It was written by Anne Preven, Scott Cutler and Phil Thornalley and first recorded in Danish by Lis Sørensen in 1993.
The writers’ band Ednaswap subsequently recorded it themselves.
Norwegian singer Trine Rein also released a version before Imbruglia.
Then Natalie arrived.
And almost everybody forgot the others.
Who actually recorded “Torn” first?
Technically, Lis Sørensen.
Her Danish-language recording was called “Brændt”.
Then Ednaswap recorded an English-language version.
That creates a useful distinction.
First recording of the composition:
Lis Sørensen.
Original English recording by its writers:
Ednaswap.
Famous version:
Natalie Imbruglia.
What does the Ednaswap version sound like?
Much heavier.
If you’ve spent your entire life hearing Imbruglia’s polished pop-rock recording, Ednaswap can be genuinely startling.
The composition is recognisable.
But the emotional environment is different.
Ednaswap sounds rougher.
More alternative.
More obviously rooted in 1990s guitar music.
Imbruglia’s version makes the melody feel effortless.
How did Natalie Imbruglia get the song?
Phil Thornalley, one of the songwriters, also produced Imbruglia’s version.
That gave the recording an unusual connection to the original writing team.
She wasn’t simply grabbing an old song from a catalogue.
One of its creators helped rebuild it around her voice.
Why did Natalie’s version become enormous?
Because it sits in a perfect middle ground.
Alternative enough for the 1990s.
Pop enough for radio.
Sad enough to feel meaningful.
Catchy enough to sing immediately.
The production also aged unusually well.
Nigel Godrich, who became famous for his work with Radiohead, mixed the recording.
What is “Torn” actually about?
Disillusionment.
The narrator believed a relationship was something it wasn’t.
Then reality arrived.
The fantasy disappears.
That is why the bright production is so clever.
Musically, the song feels open and catchy.
Emotionally, everything is falling apart.
That contrast gives it replay value.
Why is “Torn” having another moment?
Because younger artists keep performing it.
Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams and Camila Cabello have all helped introduce the song to audiences who weren’t alive when Imbruglia released it.
Imbruglia said in 2026 that she was grateful to younger stars for continuing to bring the song to new generations.
That creates an interesting chain:
1990s songwriters.
Danish recording.
Ednaswap.
Trine Rein.
Natalie Imbruglia.
Olivia Rodrigo.
Gracie Abrams.
The song keeps travelling.
Was “Torn” Natalie Imbruglia’s biggest hit?
Yes.
It became her signature recording and one of the defining pop-rock songs of the late 1990s.
Her debut album Left of the Middle subsequently became an international success.
Imbruglia received a Grammy nomination for her performance.
Why is the music video so memorable?
Because it slowly reveals that the apartment isn’t real.
Imbruglia appears to be living through scenes involving a relationship.
Then crew members enter.
The walls move.
The set comes apart.
The emotional world we’ve been watching is revealed as artificial.
Perfect for a song about discovering that something you believed was real wasn’t what you thought.
Songs you probably didn’t know were covers
If “Torn” surprised you, try these:
Soft Cell – Tainted Love
Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Want to Have Fun
UB40 – Red Red Wine
Joan Jett – I Love Rock ’n Roll
Amy Winehouse – Valerie
Sinéad O’Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U
Natalie Imbruglia isn’t unusual.
Pop history is full of famous recordings that became bigger than their originals.
Who originally sang “Torn”?
Lis Sørensen recorded the composition first in Danish.
Ednaswap created the early English version.
Trine Rein recorded it.
Then Natalie Imbruglia made it globally famous.
Sometimes the definitive version isn’t the first version.
It is simply the version that finally finds the song’s audience.