After leaving Australian soap opera Neighbours, Imbruglia moved to London hoping to build a career but struggled to get a UK visa and found work difficult to secure. Her money soon ran out, and she found herself living in the basement of a mansion in Chelsea.
“I just partied because I didn’t know what to do. But then the money ran out,” Imbruglia said on Begin Again with Davina McCall.
During that time, she said she lost friends and had to rethink her priorities. Meditation and conversations with God helped her focus on the future rather than what she had lost.
She eventually found a music manager, who introduced her to producer and songwriter Phil Thornalley. Together they recorded demos, including a version of “Torn,” which Thornalley had previously co-written.
Released in 1997, “Torn” became a worldwide hit, earning a Grammy nomination and selling millions of copies. It became the defining song of Imbruglia’s career and helped launch her debut album, Left of the Middle.
Looking back, Imbruglia said she knew the song could become a major part of her life. “I’m going to be singing this song forever,” she recalled telling herself, “so make friends with it or you’ll hate it.”
Tags:
Music
