Her first single, "Torn", reached number 2 in the UK charts and became the most played song on the radio in 1998. "Torn" is originally written by Anne Preven, Scott Cutler and Phil Thornalley. In 1995, "Torn" was recorded by Preven's and Cutler's band Ednaswap, although the band would record several more versions prior and following Imbruglia's hit recording. The first released version of "Torn", though, was a 1993 version by Danish singer Lis Sørensen, entitled "Braendt". Norwegian singer Trine Rein had a hit with an English language version of "Torn" in her home country, a year prior to Imbruglia's million selling single. Co-writer Phil Thornalley was involved in all of these versions and eventually offered the song to Natalie Imbruglia, whose album he produced. Imbruglia initially declined recording the song, stating she didn't want to do a cover. Ironically, "Torn" did not only become her biggest hit, it also became her signature song.
Following "Torn", Natalie's debut album "Left of the Middle", released on November 1997, became a million seller. Further singles ("Big Mistake", "Wishing I Was There", and "Smoke"), again proved to be hits in terms of radio and video airplay, but had a less than stellar chart run compared to "Torn".
In a 1999 cooperation with singer Tom Jones, she appeared on his duet album "Reload", on which the pair teamed up for a cover of INXS' ""Never Tear Us Apart".
Imbruglia's sophomore album, "White Lilies Island", was released in November 2001, although it met with significantly less success than its precursor. It did spawn the UK hit singles "That Day", "Wrong Impression" and "Beauty On The Fire".
She returned to acting in 2002 with a supporting role in British spy spoof Johnny English, playing alongside Rowan Atkinson. Natalie married her long-time boyfriend Daniel Johns, lead singer of Silverchair, on 31 December 2003.
In April 2005, Imbruglia released her third studio album "Counting Down The Days" in UK, which in its first week of sales hit number one on the album charts. The first single from this album "Shiver" became her longest running single on the UK charts since her debut "Torn" and also topped the UK Airplay charts for several weeks. The second single, the title track "Counting Down The Days", was released on 25 July 2005 and although it did not have as much success in the singles chart as "Shiver" it reignited interest in its parent album.
After "Counting Down the Days", Natalie switched labels and released in a greatest hits "Glorious: The Singles 97-07", which included five new tracks and was promoted by the single "Glorious".
Natalie's fourth studio album "Come to Life" was released on October 2009 in Europe, preceded by the music video of "Wild About It". The first official single issued on 28 September 2009, was "Want", a song written by Natalie Imbruglia, Daniel Johns (credited Kat Kourtney), Gary Clark and Chris Martin. The next single "Scars" was sent to radio in the UK on 22 March 2010; however, due to any support from radio networks, the single release was cancelled.
Appearances on other albums:
"Troubled by the Way We Came Together" on Go! O.S.T. (1999)
"Never Tear Us Apart" with Tom Jones on Reload (1999)
"Identify" on Stigmata O.S.T (1999)
"Cold Air" on Y Tu Mama Tambien (And Your Mother Too) O.S.T. (2001)
"Wrong Impression" (Radio Remix) on Mr. Deed O.S.T. (2002)
"Pineapple Head" on She Will Have Her Way (2005)
"All The Magic" on Winx Club O.S.T. (2007)
Hide Behind the Sun
Natalie Imbruglia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
everything but me
taken out to sea
all gone
I wish
Written in the sand
washed away tomorrow
look what I've become
Didn't run, run from what you've done
didn't hide behind the sun
And I wanted everything
thought that you could bring me
daylight
A dream, burning in the sky
leaves my spirits dry
And you lied
now look what I've become
Didn't run
run from what you've done
Didn't hide behind the sun
Couldn't run, lost in what you've done
look what I've become
This time
look what I've become
Didn't run, run from what you've done
Didn't hide behind the sun
Couldn't run, lost in what you've done
Look what I've become
The lyrics to "Hide Behind the Sun" by Natalie Imbruglia are quite open to interpretation but at its core, it's a song about taking responsibility for your actions and facing the consequences of your choices, even when they are painful. The first verse sets the tone for the song, where everything has been taken out to sea leaving the singer alone. She wishes that what's written in the sand will be washed away the next day, signifying the fleetingness of life and the hope that her troubles will disappear with the tide.
The second verse introduces the idea of a dream burning in the sky that leaves her spirit dry. This could represent a lost hope or love that has left her feeling alone and betrayed. The chorus reinforces the theme of taking responsibility, where the singer refuses to run and hide from the consequences of her choices. Even though she wanted everything, she knew that it was not sustainable and that the truth would eventually come out.
The bridge further emphasizes the pain that the singer has gone through and how it has changed her. She can no longer run from what she's done and has lost herself in the process. The final chorus repeats the themes of the previous ones, but it's the last line that gives the song its final message. "Look what I've become" is a statement of power and self-awareness. It shows that the singer has grown from her mistakes and is now ready to face the world with clarity and strength.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonight
The present time or period of darkness and sadness.
everything but me
Everything else around me is gone.
taken out to sea
All the other things have left me and are distant like the sea.
all gone
Nothing is left behind.
I wish
I hope for something I cannot have.
Written in the sand
Something that is temporary or easily erased or forgotten.
washed away tomorrow
The wish will disappear or be unfulfilled as time passes by.
This time
At present.
look what I've become
Reflecting on what I have become as a result of the past experiences.
Didn't run, run from what you've done
Accepting accountability instead of escaping the consequences of the past.
didn't hide behind the sun
Did not conceal or ignore the negative effects of the past.
And I wanted everything
Had high hopes and expectations.
thought that you could bring me
Anticipating that someone else would fulfill all of those expectations.
daylight
A new beginning, a fresh start.
A dream, burning in the sky
The ideal future or goal is distant and unattainable.
leaves my spirits dry
Drains the enthusiasm and hope for a good future.
And you lied
Betrayed trust and fabricated the truth.
Couldn't run, lost in what you've done
Feeling trapped and consumed by the negative past.
This time
At present.
look what I've become
Reflecting on what I have become as a result of the past experiences.
Couldn't run, lost in what you've done
Feeling trapped and consumed by the negative past.
Look what I've become
Reflecting on what I have become as a result of the past experiences.
Contributed by Chloe S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Camilo Dallape
Não acredito até hoje como vc é desvalorizada! Love you
XTIN0
I'm totally in love with this song.
Darren
Amazing song, love Natalie
san san
amazing very deep... Didn't run Run from what you'd done Didn't hide behind the SUN
Manuel Kazan
This should have been a single after Beauty On The Fire!
L Lambert
no
lisa mendizabal
Love this song, so lovely. If I were to ver Love a woman it would be one as beautiful and talented as this one ;)
Fernando Ruiz
amazing song... and so sad...
skinnyjohnsen
Thanks! This was great ;-)
T0PARK
@skinnyjohnsen My pleasure. I'm glad you like it.