Torn (LeToya song) explained

Torn
Cover:LeToya - Torn (single cover).jpg
Type:single
Artist:LeToya
Album:LeToya
Released:March 21, 2006
Recorded:November 30, 2005
Length:4:22
Label:Capitol
Producer:Teddy Bishop
Prev Title:All Eyes on Me
Prev Year:2005
Next Title:She Don't
Next Year:2006

"Torn" a song by American R&B singer LeToya Luckett. It was written by Luckett, Teddy Bishop, and Dave Young for her solo debut album LeToya (2006), while production was helmed by Bishop. The song contains elements and features samples from The Stylistics' "You Are Everything" (1971). Due to the inclusion of the sample, Thom Bell and Linda Epstein received credit as songwriters. Lyrically, "Torn" is about the protagonist being "torn" between staying with or leaving her lover.

Released as the album's lead single in March 2006, "Torn" became a hit on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at number two, and reached the top twenty on both the Rhythmic Top 40 and Adult R&B Songs charts. Aside from peaking at number 31 on the US Billboard Hot 100, it reached top forty in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. A music video for "Torn" was directed by Chris Robinson and co-stars American football safety Will Demps as Luckett's love interest.

Background

"Torn" was written by Luckett, Teddy Bishop, and Dave Young.[1] Commenting on the creation process of the song, Bishop said in 2012: "That song just kind of came about where LeToya had called me and asked me to put together some tracks for her. I went in the studio and I started coming up with different tracks. I had ideas of her doing something a little bit older. I dug in my crates and pulled out an old Stylistics record. Now Mary J. Blige had already did that particular sample previously, so I just did some different things to it. I flipped it and played live music and piano across it and gave it a different feel."[1]

Music video

A music video for "Torn" was directed by Chris Robinson and debuted on BET Access Granted on July 5, 2006.[2] American football safety Will Demps co-stars as Luckett's love interest.[3] The clip had one of its biggest successes on the network's music video countdown show 106 & Park where it reached number one in eleven days and stayed there for twenty-five days straight, eventually remaining on the countdown for sixty-five days. The visuals are featured as an enhanced video on the European edition and the Japanese special edition of the LeToya album.

Remixes

Producer Jermaine Dupri and frequent collaborator LRoc were consulted to produce a remix for "Torn." Their "So So Def Remix" features guest appearances from rappers Mike Jones and Rick Ross. The album version is also slightly different from the single version and there is also a version with rapper Short Dogg and Dave Young, co-writer of "Torn," singing along with Luckett.

Track listing

Notes

Sample credits

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2006)!scope="col"
Peak
position
US Pop 100 (Billboard)[4] 90

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Torn"!Chart (2006)!Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[5] 12

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Label
United StatesMarch 21, 2006Capitol
AustraliaSeptember 2, 2006
United KingdomSeptember 25, 2006
CanadaApril 15, 2006

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Interview: Radio Constantly Changes But Teddy Bishop’s Ability To Diversify Allows The Quality Of His Music To Stay The Same. youknowigotsoul.com. January 21, 2024. February 20, 2012.
  2. Web site: NEW RELEASE: LeToya "Torn". Videostatic. January 21, 2024. Steven. Gottlieb. May 9, 2006.
  3. Web site: Eye Candy of the Week: Will Demps. Essence. January 21, 2024. October 29, 2020.
  4. POP Billboard. Billboard. 81. 118. 32. 0006-2510. August 12, 2006. August 30, 2021.
  5. Web site: Year-End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Titles – 2006. Billboard.biz. 2006. October 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20121003173555/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2006/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs-titles. October 3, 2012.