In 1997, Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia released her debut album “Left of the Middle.” This is a notable moment in music history because it’s home to the single “Torn.”

Portland-based rock trio Weakened Friends released its cover of “Torn” last week, and I’m still reeling over how they ripped into and made it their own. With Sonia Sturino’s wailing vocals and guitar, Annie Hoffman’s snarling bass and Adam Hand’s downright satanic drums, Weakened Friends has tipped their hat to an iconic tune, while also fiercely owning it. This is especially evident on the “I’m all out of faith, this is how I feel, I’m cold and I am shamed, lying naked on the floor” refrain.

Annie Hoffman, Sonia Sturino and Adam Hand of Weakened Friends. Photo by Adam Parshall

Sturino told me that Imbruglia’s  song has always stood out to her. “It’s instant nostalgia but also, for a pop song, it has this huge dark undertone which really drew me to it,” she said. “I kinda just wanted to hear it done heavier, so we did it.”

The Imbruglia version became a global hit that I  am still smitten with. It’s catchy, smart and has a refrain that, admit it, we all love to sing along to at the top of our lungs. It still pops up on the radio and is forever cemented as a quintessential ’90s jam.

There’s another layer to the “Torn” story that I only became aware of a couple of years ago: Imbruglia’s version is also a cover! In fact, three other versions were released before hers.

The song was originally written in 1991 by American songwriters Scott Cutler and Anne Preven.

Danish singer Lis Sørensen recorded her take on it in 1993 as “Brændt” (“Burnt”). It was a hit in Denmark. Who knew?

In 1995, Ednaswap, Cutler and Preven’s band, released it. Ednaswap’s is a bit heavier than Imbruglia’s, and Preven brings the vocal grit, plus there’s a fiery guitar solo.

A year later, American-Norwegian singer Trine Rein took “Torn” to the top of the charts in Norway. Rein also turns in an impressive rendition of “Torn.”

Which bring us to 1997.

Imbruglia’s “Torn” opens with acoustic guitars before the beat kicks in. Her vocals are clean, strong and pack just enough emotional punch to give the song universal appeal.

Single artwork for the Weakened Friends “Torn” cover. Design by Sonia Sturino

It’s been a long time since someone breathed new life into “Torn” and I can’t think of anyone better than Weakened Friends to tackle it. Fingers crossed they play it during their set at the Back Cove Music & Arts Festival in August.

Weakened Friends’ “Torn” is streaming everywhere.