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)
Scars
Natalie Imbruglia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of the process, of the process?
Can I find another way 'round,
Other way round, round the pain?
Cuz you've left me here in the middle of it
Said I'll work it out, I promise
I don't know how we got here in the first place.
You hit the bars.
I am from Venus,
You are from Mars.
You got your brand new friends.
And I got a broken heart.
Doesnt matter who we are
Everyone has their scars.
Everyone has their scars.
There's a place, there's a place,
That I'm heading, that I'm heading.
Need to know, are you coming,
Are you coming, telling me?
Cuz you're heading in the wrong direction
Just as I need your protection.
Maybe I should let you find your own way.
I climbed the walls,
You hit the bars.
I am from Venus,
You are from Mars.
You got your brand new friends
And I got a broken heart.
Doesn't matter who we are
The lyrics to Natalie Imbruglia's song Scars are about the aftermath of a failed relationship. The first verse talks about trying to find a way to heal from the pain caused by the breakup. The singer is questioning if this feeling is just a part of the healing process and if there exists another way to get over the pain. She reflects on how she was left in the middle of the pain, creating a void of uncertainty about moving forward. But the other person said they promised to work things out, so the singer is attempting to lean on that assurance.
The chorus touches on how the two parties handle the heartbreak differently - the singer climbed the walls while the other person hit the bars. Their personalities and approaches to the pain also differ. The singer identifies as being from Venus, a planet associated with love, while the other person is from Mars which is commonly associated with war or conflict. They've moved on with new friends, but the scars from the breakup remain, and this pain is something that everyone goes through.
The second verse continues the theme of uncertainty and confusion. The singer is unsure if the other person is going in the wrong direction and if they will continue to provide protection, comfort or support during this difficult time. The singer also suggests it may be best to let the other person find their own way, indicating they need time and space to heal.
Line by Line Meaning
Is this part, is this part,
Questioning if the tough and painful experiences are just a normal and expected part of moving forward.
Of the process, of the process?
Questioning if these difficult moments are just a required part of life's journey.
Can I find another way 'round,
Wondering if there is a less hurtful, less painful path to take.
Other way round, round the pain?
Asking if there is any way to avoid or lessen the emotional anguish of difficult experiences.
Cuz you've left me here in the middle of it
Expressing feelings of abandonment and being left alone to deal with something hard.
Said I'll work it out, I promise
Recalling empty promises from someone who has left and feeling doubtful of their sincerity.
I don't know how we got here in the first place.
Musing on the mystery of how things went so wrong, feeling lost and unable to understand.
I climbed the walls,
Visualizing the feeling of being trapped and needing a way out.
You hit the bars.
Visualizing someone else being a prisoner as well, but doing nothing to free themselves.
I am from Venus,
Highlighting differences and incompatibilities between two people.
You are from Mars.
Further emphasizing how the two people in the relationship are incompatible and have different worldviews.
You got your brand new friends.
Feeling replaced and forgotten by someone who has moved on and made new friends.
And I got a broken heart.
Expressing the emotional pain and sadness of feeling abandoned and hurt by someone you cared for.
Doesnt matter who we are
Implying that difficult breakups and experiences are universal and happen to everyone, regardless of their status or identity.
Everyone has their scars.
Reinforcing the idea that everyone goes through painful experiences that leave emotional scars.
There's a place, there's a place,
Thinking about a metaphorical place to go that might help cope with painful experiences.
That I'm heading, that I'm heading.
Feeling determined to move on from the past and find a way forward.
Need to know, are you coming,
Wondering if someone else will join on the journey towards healing and recovery.
Are you coming, telling me?
Requesting communication and openness from someone who may be distant or unresponsive.
Cuz you're heading in the wrong direction
Feeling hurt and disappointed by someone who is going in a direction that is not aligned with moving forward and healing.
Just as I need your protection.
Expressing vulnerability and a need for support from someone who may not be able or willing to provide it.
Maybe I should let you find your own way.
Considering the possibility that it might be better to heal alone and let someone else come to their own conclusions about what they need to do.
Contributed by Leah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.