Illusion never changed into something real/
Wide awake and I can see the perfect sky is torn.
In “Torn” Natalie Imbruglia is dating someone new. Her initial impression of him favorable. Is her impression accurate? Is this the good man that could change her life and be a great partner? All of her initial impressions give her hope. She falls for him. But it turns out it was a façade. He is not that guy after all. Her dreams and illusions are “Torn” apart and replaced with the reality that she was wrong.
She feels ashamed that she was deceived—or at the least that she misjudged his character so badly. Just as her dreams are torn apart, her body begins to be torn apart as well, as she subconsciously punishes herself mentally for her mistake.
“Torn” starts out so happy. Bright major chords in the intro transition quickly into a darker song. Imbruglia sings the song as if she is exasperated and confused…and tired of the games. She makes good choices in her vocal. The background vocals are strong but go mostly unnoticed. The strength of the song may be the guitar work. It is muted during the verse and chorus but rocks during the ending solo. It sounds like she is erupting into the solo.
Torn Lyrics
I thought I saw a man brought to life.
He was warm, he came around like he was dignified.
He showed me what it was to cry.
Well, you couldn’t be that man I adored.
You don’t seem to know,
Or seem to care what your heart is for.
But I don’t know him anymore.
There’s nothin’ where he used to lie,
The conversation has run dry.
That’s what’s goin’ on.
Nothing’s fine, I’m torn.
I’m all out of faith,
This is how I feel.
I’m cold and I am shamed
Lying naked on the floor.
Illusion never changed
Into something real.
I’m wide awake and I can see
The perfect sky is torn.
You’re a little late,
I’m already torn.
So I guess the fortune teller’s right.
Should’ve seen just what was there
And not some holy light.
But you crawled beneath my veins and now.
I don’t care, I had no luck,
I don’t miss it all that much.
There’s just so many things
That I can touch, I’m torn.
I’m all out of faith,
This is how I feel.
I’m cold and I am shamed
Lying naked on the floor.
Illusion never changed
Into something real.
I’m wide awake and I can see
The perfect sky is torn.
You’re a little late
I’m already torn.
Torn.
There’s nothing where he used to lie,
My inspiration has run dry.
And that’s what’s goin’ on.
Nothing’s right, I’m torn.
I’m all out of faith
This is how I feel.
I’m cold and I am shamed,
Lying naked on the floor.
Illusion never changed
Into something real.
I’m wide awake and I can see
The perfect sky is torn.
I’m all out of faith,
This is how I feel.
I’m cold and I’m ashamed
Bound and broken on the floor.
You’re a little late.
I’m already torn.
Torn.
Oh
written by Scott Cutler / Anne Preven / Phil Thornalley