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)
Left of the Middle
Natalie Imbruglia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As I put the phone down
Chasing the same lines
Over the old ground
I'm pushing zero
Where is my hero
He's out there somewhere
left of the middle
And your world falls down
And you're the calling out
But it's something I can't say
Though it seems the only way
But its a game that I can't play - Not today
I got my ticket
And I got a straight road
But I'm passing the same signs
Over and over
And my world falls down
And you're the calling out
But it's something I can't say
Though it seems the only way
But its a game that I can't play - Not today
And my world falls down
And you're the calling out
But it's something I can't say
Though it seems the only way
But its a game that I can't play - Not today
I need to tell you
Trying to get it through
It's not always easy
Left of the Middle
The song "Left of the Middle" by Natalie Imbruglia talks about feeling lost and stuck in a cycle. The lyrics refer to being on the phone, chasing the same lines and going over old ground. The singer is pushing zero, looking for a hero who is "left of the middle" and seems to be out of reach. The chorus talks about the feeling of the world falling down and wanting to call out for help, but unable to articulate the words. The singer is playing a game they can't play "today," suggesting they may be going through a rough patch and not able to cope at that moment.
The second verse continues with the theme of feeling stuck in a repetitive cycle. The singer has a ticket to leave, but still sees the same signs over and over again. Once again, the chorus highlights the desire to call out for help but not being able to. The final line, "Left of the Middle," seems to be a reference to feeling like they don't fit in, or aren't in the mainstream.
Overall, the lyrics speak to feelings of being trapped and unable to reach out for help. The repetition of similar phrases in different contexts suggests a lack of progress, while the mention of being left of the middle suggests feeling stuck on the fringe.
Line by Line Meaning
End of the third round
I've been dealing with this issue for a while now and I'm close to giving up.
As I put the phone down
I just got off the phone with someone and the conversation didn't go well.
Chasing the same lines
I keep repeating the same argument without making any real progress.
Over the old ground
I'm covering the same old territory and not making any headway.
I'm pushing zero
I feel like I'm getting nowhere and hitting a dead end.
Where is my hero
I need someone to come to my rescue and solve my problems for me.
He's out there somewhere
There's someone out there who can help me, but I don't know who or where they are.
left of the middle
This person isn't going to be easy to find and might be unconventional or unorthodox in some way.
And your world falls down
You're experiencing a major crisis.
And you're the calling out
You're asking for help or support from someone else.
But it's something I can't say
I'm struggling to express myself or communicate effectively.
Though it seems the only way
I feel like I need to say something, even if it's difficult or uncomfortable.
But its a game that I can't play - Not today
I don't have the emotional energy or fortitude to deal with this right now.
I got my ticket
I'm ready to move on or make a change.
And I got a straight road
I have a clear idea of where I want to go and what I want to do.
But I'm passing the same signs
I'm not making real progress and feel stuck or lost.
Trying to get it through
I'm attempting to get someone else to understand my perspective or point of view.
It's not always easy
This is a difficult and challenging situation to deal with.
Left of the Middle
Navigating this situation will require creativity, innovation, and originality.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVE BOOKER, NATALIE IMBRUGLIA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kelley P
End of the third round
As I put the phone down
Chasing the same lines
Over the old ground
I'm pushing zero
Where is my hero
He's out there somewhere
Left of the middle
And your world falls down
And you're there calling out
But it's something I can't say
Though it seems the only way
But it's a game that I can't play
Not today
I got my ticket
And I got a straight road
But I'm passing the same signs
Over and over
And my world falls down
And I'm there calling out
But it's something I can't say
Though it's seems the only way
But it's a game that I can't play
Not today
And my world falls down
And I'm there calling out
But it's something I can't say
Though it's seems the only way
And it's a game that I can't play
Not today
I need to tell you
Trying to get through
It's not always easy
Left of the middle
Chris Baddeley
Have you listened to this through good headphones in a quiet room?
Exquisite voice tone and breath sounds... Instant love ❤️
John Ascroft
Cried to it ....
Tori
I received the *Left of the Middle* album as a stocking stuffer from my mom back in middle school (I'd already heard Torn) and I loved that song but, other than that I wasn't entirely eager to own it. One day I let the whole CD play from start to finish and it ended up being one of my many favorite CDS to listen to on almost a daily basis! :D
John Ascroft
Pure magic ....
Rachel Feliciano
Victoria J her best album ever!!!! I had the same experience!!! 💜💜💜🔊♩🎶🎶
Jo Lil
I finally realize, it's a song about telling truth. We'd all truly be better off if we just told each other exactly how we felt about one another, that we want a beautiful relationship with them. So why don't we? It's our commitments, the daily grind of life, that prevents us from just running off with the ones we love and living our dreams. When you're one who thinks too much, who's different, who's left of the middle, it's not always easy to make these decisions
Sukurio Plays
I remember this track. It was on my album as a bonus track. to hear it I had to fast forward like 12 mins at the end of the last song. Sneaky sneaky.
TheUKNutter
z ero Me too lmao. Every, single, time 😂
z ero
I remember. It scared the crap out of me while I was sleeping. I'd play this album before going to bed.
jam maclang
i had been singing this song since she had her first album. love her songs