Phil Thornalley has spent much of his career behind the scenes, writing songs and producing albums for other artists. His biggest commercial triumph, co-writing and producing the single "Torn" for Natalie Imbruglia, wasn't even sung by him. However, Thornalley does have experience underneath the spotlight. In 1983, Thornalley became the bass player for gothic rock pioneers the Cure after Simon Gallup left. Thornalley had previously co-produced the Cure's 1982 LP Pornography. Thornalley toured with the Cure while the band promoted The Top album, but his stay was short-lived, lasting only until the group's performance at the Beacon Theatre in New York on November 17, 1984. Gallup had returned to the Cure, causing Thornalley to leave. In 1987, Thornalley worked as an engineer for Johnny Hates Jazz's debut LP Turn Back the Clock; he also wrote the track "Listen." When vocalist Clark Datchler departed from Johnny Hates Jazz in 1988, Thornalley became the band's new lead singer. Thornalley also recorded a solo effort that year, Swamp. In 1991, Johnny Hates Jazz released Tall Stories with Thornalley on vocals. Despite having no dramatic shifts in style from Turn Back the Clock, the LP failed to sell. In 1995, Thornalley co-wrote the track "Torn" on Ednaswap's self-titled debut. Three years later, Thornalley produced Imbruglia's cover of "Torn," a worldwide smash.