Left of the Middle

Left of the Middle
Studio album by
Released24 November 1997
Recorded1996–1997
GenreAlternative pop[1]
Length50:03
LabelRCA
Producer
Natalie Imbruglia chronology
Left of the Middle
(1997)
White Lilies Island
(2001)
Alternative cover
Singles from Left of the Middle
  1. "Torn"
    Released: 27 October 1997
  2. "Big Mistake"
    Released: 8 March 1998
  3. "Wishing I Was There"
    Released: 31 May 1998
  4. "Smoke"
    Released: 11 October 1998

Left of the Middle is the debut studio album by Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia. It was released by RCA Records on 24 November 1997 in the United Kingdom, followed by most international territories in early 1998.[2] Primarily writing and recording the album in the UK, Imbruglia worked with a number of English producers, including Phil Thornalley, Andy Wright and Nigel Godrich, and at the final stage of the album production, she traveled to Nashville, the US and co-wrote a song with American songwriter Matt Bronleewe. Left of the Middle is an alternative pop album which incorporates element of electronic sound. The lead single "Torn" (1997) was a worldwide commercial success and has since been named as one of the Best Songs of 1990s by several publications, including Rolling Stone, and Pitchfork.[3][4]

Commercially, Left of the Middle topped the album music chart in Australia as well as charted within top five in the United Kingdom and top ten in the United States, and has been sold over seven million copies worldwide.[5] The album won Best Australian Debut Album and Best Pop Release at the 12th ARIA Music Award in 1998 and was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards in 1999.[6][7][8] In late 2022, Imbruglia toured the UK to celebrate 25 year anniversary of the album.[9]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference allmusic was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Billboard 200 Chart History – Natalie Imbruglia". Billboard. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  3. ^ "50 Best Songs of the Nineties". Rolling Stone. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  4. ^ "The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s". Pitchfork. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  5. ^ Minogue wins battle of Aussie divas. Billboard. 19 January 2002. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  6. ^ "Natalie Imbruglia wins Best Debut Album - 1998 ARIA Awards". ARIA. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Natalie Imbruglia wins Best Pop Release - 1998 ARIA Awards". ARIA. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  8. ^ "41st Annual Grammy Award - 1998 Grammy Winners". Grammy. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  9. ^ Aubrey, Elizabeth (14 February 2022). "Natalie Imbruglia Announces Left of the Middle 25 Year Anniversary Tour". NME. Retrieved 29 February 2024.