Natalie Imbruglia

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Natalie Imbruglia
Imbruglia on the cover of her single "Counting Down the Days".
Background information
Born	February 04, 1975 (age 31)
Origin	Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Genre(s)	Pop
Years active	1997–Present
Label(s)	RCA Records (1997-2004), Brightside (2005-)
Website	NatalieImbruglia.co.uk

Natalie Jane Imbruglia (pronounced im-broo-lyah) (born February 4, 1975) is an Australian singer, songwriter, model and actress. Like Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue, she also played a role in the soap Neighbours before venturing into a singing career. She is known in most parts of the world for her smash-hit, "Torn". She is married to Daniel Johns of Silverchair fame. To date she has sold more than 8.5 million albums around the world.

Contents 1 Biography 2 Music 2.1 Torn 2.2 Left of the Middle 2.3 White Lilies Island 2.4 Counting Down the Days 2.5 Fourth album 2.6 Other recordings 3 TV and movie 3.1 L'Oreal 3.2 Johnny English 3.3 Elise 4 Personal causes 5 Discography 5.1 Albums 5.2 Singles 5.3 Music Videos 6 Trivia 7 Some appearances 8 See also 9 External links

[edit] Biography

Born as second of the four daughters to an Italian father and an Australian mother, Imbruglia grew up on the Central Coast, north of Sydney. Imbruglia studied ballet as a child, hoping to make a career out of it. Later, she started auditioning for Australian TV commercials and appeared in spots for Coke and the popular Australian snack Twisties. By age 16, she left high school to start a career in acting. Eventually, she obtained the chance to play a regular role on the Australian soap opera, Neighbours at the age of 16 1/2. Neighbours has also launched the careers of many other successful Australian female artists such as Kylie Minogue, Holly Valance and Delta Goodrem. However, by the end of her second year, she left the show to move to London, immersing herself in the city's club scene.

There, she decided to try her hand at singing, something which she had never attempted before. Her effort paid off and she was signed to BMG Publishing. She came up with a demo of the song "Torn" which greatly impressed RCA Records and got her a record contract.

[edit] Music

Natalie Imbruglia is one of the two most successful Australian-born female singers, along with Kylie Minogue. However, her chart performance in the UK has always been hit and miss. Natalie Imbruglia has received one MTV Awards for Best New Artist in 1998, and 3 constitutive nominations of Grammy Awards in 1999.

From Rock on the Net: She is No. 11 single artist of the year of 1998, and No. 76 single artist in 2001.

[edit] Torn

Her first internationally released single, was an Ednaswap cover, "Torn", instantly the single became one of the biggest hits of the 90s reaching number-two in the UK Singles Chart and number-one on airplay around the world, the single went on to sell over a million copies in the United Kingdom alone and more than 8.5 million copies worldwide.

It was also released on the airwaves in the US, but not in buyable CD-format. There, it impressed radio audiences and stayed at the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay for eleven weeks. Because it was not sold in physical CD single form, it did not get on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart, which did not count airplay-only singles at the time.

In October 1997, it broke the all time airplay record in the UK for being the most played (more than 2000 plays) for six consecutive weeks. It was, finally No. 1 for 11 weeks in the UK radio chart, a record that is being tied by only Simply Red's Fairground. It was No. 1 radio single in the USA from March to July 1998. It was knocked down to No. 2 by Alanis Morissette's "Uninvited". At the same week, she was spotted topless with her then boyfriend Lenny Kravitz in Santa Monica. Rick Dees from KIIS FM Rick Top 40 show made a joke of her by calling her a double topless.

Rick Dees, in his Top 40 Chart show also declared Torn as the 'number one radio single of 1990s' in their 2000 Millennium Countdown show, broadcasted from KIIS-FM on News Years Eve.

Natalie appeared in a routine alongside David Armand spoofing her hit song Torn at the The Secret Policeman's Ball (2006)

The royalty Natalie Imbruglia received from Torn single and airplay is rumoured to be GBP 5 million in 1997 and 1998. Since then, she received no less than GBP 1 million annually due to the prolonged airplay of the song worldwide and re-recording of the song by several artists.

[edit] Left of the Middle

Her debut album Left of the Middle followed soon after. The second single released in the UK, after "Torn" was "Big Mistake." The song debuted at number-two. "Wishing I Was There" followed and it was less successful than her first two singles, reaching number 19. However, "Wishing I Was There" was a smash hit on the UK radio, peaked at No. 2 in summer 1998, and was a summer smash hit in the USA radio, peaked at No. 14 on the Top 40 Show. The final single from Left of the Middle was "Smoke", and the reception was much more divided compared to the other singles. It was a hit in the UK and made the top 5, while in Australia it just missed the top 40. Eventually, the album became a million-seller after charting well in many countries and entering the Top 10 in the US and UK. In 1999, she collaborated with Welsh singer Tom Jones and appeared on an INXS cover from his album Reload.

Left of the Middle was certified platinum by RIAA within 8 week release (May 1998) and was certified 2X platinum in November 1998.

[edit] White Lilies Island

Imbruglia’s next album, White Lilies Island, arrived in 2001. Named after one of her summer homes, the writing process took almost three years to complete. The album's first single, "That Day," was very different stylistically from her previous singles, and it did not reach the UK Top 10. The song, which some found reminiscent of Lisa Loeb's style, did not do well in her home country either. In the US, "Wrong Impression" was released as the first single and it enjoyed small success, charting in the Hot 100 Singles chart and the Adult Contemporary chart. The track was also released in the UK as a second single, and it did slightly better than That Day. "Beauty On The Fire", the final single, experienced minimal success and barely entered charts worldwide. In Australia it did not even make the top 50. "Beauty On The Fire," however, was one of the more critically-acclaimed tracks from White Lilies Island and is considered by fans to be her most underrated single. The album still managed to sell around a million copies but failed to repeat the widespread success of Left of the Middle. She got married in 2003 to her long-time boyfriend, Daniel Johns, the lead singer of Silverchair.

[edit] Counting Down the Days

Imbruglia's third album was ready in November 2003. Natalie's record label refused to release it due to it being too rock and not radio-friendly. She was later given songs to record with Scandinavian pop producers, which she refused to do. Natalie and her record label parted ways at the beginning of 2004. Four months later she signed with a new label Brightside Recordings, which was formed by a former Innocent Records boss Hugh Goldsmith. Imbruglia started working on an album again. In April 2005, Imbruglia released her third studio album Counting Down the Days in the UK with "Shiver" as its first single. "Shiver" was a huge success, and it became her longest running single in the UK since "Torn." It topped UK airplay charts for several weeks, reaching eighth place in the UK charts. Still, the song’s acclaim and reception paid off and Counting Down The Days became her first album to reach the top spot on the album charts. The second single, the title track "Counting Down the Days", was released on July 25th but it did not have as much success in the singles chart as "Shiver." It managed to reignite interest in its parent album though, and also received a lot of airplay in the UK. Due to the single, the album managed to re-enter the top 40 in the official UK charts. Imbruglia also did a small European tour in late October and November to promote the album. It looks unlikely that a third single will be released from the album as she will soon be working on a small independent film in Australia. (The track "Perfectly" from the album received airplay in the UK following Counting Down the Days, but it was never released as a single.)

[edit] Fourth album

Natalie started working on her 4th album in 2006. As confirmed by both Imbruglia and her record label the album is due in early 2007. In a true Imbruglia style, it is expensively budgeted and is currently written in the UK, USA and Australia. Gary Clark, Daniel Johns, Crispin Hunt and Dan Wilson are confirmed co-writers for the album. The rumoured tracks that are in the recording studio are 'Our Life', It's Not about the Distance, 'Shame' and 'Alive Again' that have been previewed by songpeople.com. The possible first single, 'My luck' is slated for released in April 2007.

[edit] Other recordings

In 1999 Natalie released the single "Identify," considered by many fans to be among her best recordings despite its relative obscurity. Written by Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins fame, the dark, brooding song — an artistic departure for Natalie —appeared only on a CD single and on the soundtrack for the movie Stigmata.

[edit] TV and movie

[edit] L'Oreal

Imbruglia became a spokesperson for L'Oreal after the release of White Lilies Island. Even till today, she remains as a model for many cosmetic products by L'Oreal, particularly mascaras and skincare products. Her advertisements have appeared frequently in newspapers, magazines and television all over the world, ranging from places like Italy to Malaysia and from The Netherlands to the UK.

[edit] Johnny English

She made her big screen debut as an actress in the British comedy, Johnny English. Starring alongside Rowan Atkinson, she played a supporting role as Lorna Campbell. The movie also featured another musical talent, Bond, in a cameo appearance. Internationally, the movie did well despite negative reviews from critics.

[edit] Elise

Since 2004, Imbruglia has been preparing for the lead role of Elise Silverton in the Australian independent film Elise. The film is based on a Georgia Blain's novel Closed for Winter. Elise is directed by James Bogle. Shooting begins in August 2006 in Adelaide, Australia.

[edit] Personal causes

Natalie has campaigned to end poverty and to bring attention to the disease known as fistula, defined as an abnormal connection or passageway between organs or vessels that normally do not connect. She appeared in a sketch at the Secret Policeman's Ball for Amnesty International on the 31st of October 2006.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

Album cover	Album information
	Left of the Middle Released: 1997 Chart positions: #5 U.K., #1 AUS, #10 U.S., #4 GER, #14 FRA Certifications: 4x Platinum U.K., 2x Platinum U.S., 6x Platinum AUS Worldwide sales: 7 Million Singles: 1997 "Torn" 1998 "Big Mistake" 1998 "Wishing I Was There" 1998 "Smoke"
	White Lilies Island Released: 2001 Chart positions: #15 U.K., #3 AUS, #35 U.S., #49 GER, #43 FRA Certifications: Gold U.K., Platinum AUS, Gold Mexico Worldwide sales: 1.2 Million Singles: 2001 "That Day" 2002 "Wrong Impression" 2002 "Beauty on the Fire"
	Counting Down the Days Released: 2005 Chart positions: #1 U.K., #12 AUS, #35 GER, #22 FRA Certifications: 1X Platinum U.K. Worldwide sales: 0.7 Million Singles: 2005 "Shiver" 2005 "Counting Down the Days"
	TBA Released: 2007 Chart positions: Certifications: Worldwide sales: Singles:

[edit] Singles

Cover	Single Information
	"Torn" Released: 1997 Writers: Thornalley, Culter & Previn Producer: Phil Thornalley Chart positions: #2 U.K., #2 AUS, #42 U.S., #4 CAN, #1 SWE
	"Big Mistake" Released: 1998 Writers: Imbruglia & Goldenberg Producer: Mark Goldenberg Chart positions: #2 U.K., #6 AUS, #10 MEX, #24 SWE
	"Wishing I Was There" Released: 1998 Writers: Imbruglia, Thornalley & Campsie Producer: Phil Thornalley Chart positions: #19 U.K., #25 U.S., #24 AUS, #56 CAN, #72 GER
	"Smoke" Released: 1998 Writers: Imbruglia & Bronleewee Producer: Matt Bronleewee Chart positions: #5 U.K., #42 AUS, #23 MEX, #34 CAN
	"Identify" Released: 1999 Writers: Corgan Producer: Binns/Hardaker Chart positions: -
	"That Day" Released: 2001 Writers: Imbruglia & Leonard Producer: Ian Stanley Chart positions: #11 U.K., #10 AUS, #9 MEX, #6 ARG, #34 SWE
	"Wrong Impression" Released: 2002 Writers: Imbruglia & Clark Producer: Ian Stanley Chart positions: #10 U.K., #64 U.S., #33 AUS, #1 ARG, #90 FRA
	"Beauty on the Fire" Released: 2002 Writers: Imbruglia, Clark & Wilder Producer: Pascal Gabriel & Gary Clark Chart positions: #26 U.K., #78 AUS, #27 TWN, #34 ARG, #98 MEX
	"Shiver" Released: 2005 Writers: Imbruglia, White & Solomon Producer: Stephen Lipson Chart positions: #8 U.K., #19 AUS, #11 ARG, #15 MEX, #34 FRA, #52 GER
	"Counting Down The Days" Released: 2005 Writers: Imbruglia & Prime Producer: Daniel Johns Chart positions: #23 U.K., #52 AUS, #38 ARG, #96 MEX, #90 GER
	"TBA" Released: Spring 2007 Writers: Producer: Chart positions:

Some other tracks were especially promoted in different parts of the world as radio singles.

• • 1998 "Intuition" - Australia
  • 2002 "Sunlight" - Australia
  • 2002 "Satellite" - Taiwan & Thailand
  • 2005 "Sanctuary" - Europe & Mexico

Note: Peaks for "Torn" & "Wishing I Was There" are based on Hot 100 Airplay, as Imbruglia's singles were never commercially released in the U.S. "Torn" did enter the Hot 100 at #42 nearly one year after its release when airplay only tracks were allowed to chart, this was long after its peak. Mexican & Argentine Chart positions are based on Hot 100 Airplay Chart.

[edit] Music Videos

Song	Director	Released
Torn	Alison Maclean	November 1997
Big Mistake	Alison Maclean	February 1998
Wishing I Was There (UK)	Alison Maclean	May 1998
Wishing I Was There (US)	Matthew Rolston	August 1998
Smoke	Matthew Rolston	November 1998
Identify	Samuel Bayer	August 1999
It's Only Rock And Roll	-	1999
That Day (unreleased)	Big TV!	-
That Day	John Hillcoat	October 2001
Wrong Impression	Francis Lawrence	January 2002
Beauty On The Fire	Mike Lipscombe	June 2002
Shiver	Jake Nava	February 2005
Counting Down The Days	Giuseppe Capotondi	June 2005

[edit] Trivia

• Briefly dated MP and former Conservative Leadership Candidate Liam Fox.
• Her sister, Laura Imbruglia, is also a recording artist.

[edit] Some appearances

• "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)
• "Pineapple Head" on She Will Have Her Way (2005)

[edit] See also

• List of singer-songwriters

[edit] External links

• Official Natalie Imbruglia Site
• Natalie Imbruglia on WikiMusicGuide
• Natalie Imbruglia at the Internet Movie Database