“Torn” is a song written by Scott Cutler, Anne Preven—who composed all of the lyrics—and Phil Thornalley in 1991 as a solo song for Preven. It was recorded and performed live during this period, but not given its first formal release until 1993, when Danish singer Lis Sørensen released the song in Danish under the title “Brændt” .
Cutler and Preven formed an alternative rock band, Ednaswap, in 1993. Ednaswap gave “Torn” its first formal English-language release in 1995, where it was released as a single from their self-titled debut. Later, in 1996, the first English-language cover, by American-Norwegian singer Trine Rein, was produced and released.
The best known version of “Torn” is sung by Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia, who covered it for her 1997 debut single. Her version was produced by Thornalley; it peaked at number one on the singles charts of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Spain, and Sweden, as well as on three US Billboard charts. Imbruglia’s version sold over four million copies worldwide.
