nurgh's Worst. Songs. Ever. #3: "Smoke" by Natalie Imbruglia

(Commentary for original music video, which got disabled. You can see it here or here.)

So you're an Australian soap opera actress who decides to cut a pop album. Nothing new about that. You pull off a hit single that features the lyric "I'm cold and I am shamed lying naked on the floor," and a video set on a soap opera set. You're in your element, so I guess that's fine. Then, your follow-up single features only your very attractive, dolled-up self against a white background, with occasional effects thrown in. Here's where you're starting to push it, but you might be okay if you stick with an epic love song instead of being fully relatable. But wait, you choose instead a dire pity party of a number, focusing especially on childhood emotional trauma, explored through some of the worst lyrics ever. Added bonus: pretty much just a retread of your first single, to boot. Now, I believe you've gone too far, and I personally don't recall her scoring any more hits. Having heard the album, I'd say a far wiser selection would have been "Leave Me Alone," a remotely daring dabbling into a 1920's sound. Otherwise the album was more "Left of Middling" than anything. Terrible, simplistic song to follow, as well as a favorite bit of audible masochism, "what's up with that...?"

My lullaby,hung out to dry
What's up with that
It's over
Where are you dad
Mum's lookin' sad
What's up with that
It's dark in here
Why bleeding is breathing
You're hiding , underneath the smoke in the room
Try , bleeding is believing
I used to
My mouth is dry
Forgot how to cry
What's up with that
You're hurting me
I'm running fast
Can't hide the past
What's up with that
You're pushing me
Why , bleeding is breathing
You're hiding , underneath the smoke in the room
Try , bleeding is believing
I used to
I used to
Why , bleeding is breathing
You're hiding , underneath the smoke in the room
Try , bleeding is breathing
I saw you crawling on the floor
Why , bleeding is breathing
You're hiding , underneath the smoke in the room
Try , bleeding is breathing
I saw you crawling to the door
Why , bleeding is breathing
You're hiding , underneath the smoke in the room
Try , bleeding is breathing
I saw you falling on the floor

Now that you've seen it, I ask if you were also wondering when she was going to stop twirling and go away. "You're smoke, damn it! Blow out already!"