Torn

Torn's harmony is deceptively simple yet emotionally effective. The verse's use of iii7 instead of a more typical vi gives it a distinctive color that sets it apart from standard pop progressions. The chorus adopts the I-V-vi-IV pattern that would later dominate 2000s pop, making this an early mainstream example of the progression. The pre-chorus's descending vi-V-IV line creates a sense of emotional collapse that mirrors the lyrics perfectly, building tension before the anthemic chorus release.

The song was written by Scott Cutler, Anne Preven, and Phil Thornalley. It first appeared as a Danish-language track by Lis Sørensen before being recorded in English by the American rock band Ednaswap in 1995. When Imbruglia signed to BMG after impressing RCA Records with a demo of the song, Thornalley—one of the original co-writers—took on production duties, reimagining the track as a polished pop-rock arrangement that dramatically shifted its sonic character from the grittier Ednaswap original.

Natalie Imbruglia's 1997 debut single transformed an obscure Ednaswap rock track into a global pop-rock phenomenon. Produced by co-writer Phil Thornalley and mixed by Nigel Godrich, 'Torn' topped the US Billboard Radio Songs chart for eleven weeks and sold over a million copies in the UK alone, launching Imbruglia from soap opera actress to international pop star.