Philip Thornalley (born 5 January 1960) is an English songwriter-producer who has worked in the music industry since 1978. He is perhaps best known for co-writing (with Scott Cutler and Anne Preven) the song "Torn" (made famous by Natalie Imbruglia's cover version, which he also produced) and the number one hits "Mama Do", "Boys and Girls" and "Cry Me Out" for Pixie Lott. He also produced The Cure's 1982 album Pornography and was later their bass player for eighteen months, producing and performing the distinctive double bass line on their 1983 single "The Love Cats".

Biography [ edit ]

Thornalley was born in Worlington, near Mildenhall, Suffolk, England.

He began working as a recording engineer in 1978, at RAK Studios in St. John's Wood, London for producers Mickie Most, Steve Lillywhite and Alex Sadkin.[1]

Thornalley became the producer for The Cure on their fourth album, Pornography.[2] After Simon Gallup parted ways with the band in 1982, he was The Cure's bassist for eighteen months. He produced their 1983 single The Love Cats and their first live album, Concert. However, he quit to resume working as a songwriter and producer.[3]

He was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical in 1984 for Into the Gap by the Thompson Twins and released his only solo album (Swamp).[1] in 1988.

Thornalley has worked primarily as songwriter and record producer for other artists. In 1991, he co-wrote "Torn" (with Scott Cutler and Anne Preven), which later appeared on Ednaswap's 1995 debut album.[1] Subsequently, he was asked to produce some songs for Natalie Imbruglia, and "Torn" was re-recorded alongside four other songs Thornalley wrote on Imbruglia's 1997 seven million selling debut album Left of the Middle, and became a worldwide hit single.[1] In 2012, the single was covered by One Direction on their live concert DVD Up All Night: The Live Tour.

Other artists Thornalley has worked with include Bryan Adams, BBMak,[4] Eliza Doolittle, Stephanie Kirkham and Pixie Lott.[1][5]

In 2010, he wrote three UK number ones: "Mama Do", "Boys and Girls" and "Cry Me Out" for Pixie Lott,[6] and in 2012 the top ten hit "Kiss the Stars".

In 2016 and 2017, Thornalley toured as bass player with Bryan Adams on his "Get Up" and "Ultimate" Tours. He played shows in the US, Canada, UK, Europe, Israel and Republic of South Africa. He contributed the song "That's Rock and Roll" to the "Get Up" album.

In May 2018 Thornalley announced a new solo project called 'Astral Drive' with the release of the single 'Summer of '76'[7]. The self-titled album was released in July 2018 on the Lojinx label.

Influences [ edit ]

Thornalley's influences are Todd Rundgren, The Beatles and Pink Floyd. Soul and R&B singer Reggie Sears has named Thornalley as his favourite singer and credits Thornalley's 1988 release Swamp as the main driving force for wanting to be a singer and musician.[8][9]

Selected work [ edit ]

As writer/producer [ edit ]

Singles

Albums

Natalie Imbruglia - Left of the Middle (#5 UK)

(#5 UK) Bryan Adams - On a Day Like Today (co-writer "On a Day Like Today" & "How Do You Feel Tonight")

(co-writer "On a Day Like Today" & "How Do You Feel Tonight") Bryan Adams - Room Service (co-writer "Not Romeo Not Juliet")

(co-writer "Not Romeo Not Juliet") Bryan Adams - Bare Bones (co-writer "The Way You Make Me Feel")

(co-writer "The Way You Make Me Feel") Bryan Adams - Get Up (co-writer "That's Rock and Roll")

(co-writer "That's Rock and Roll") Melanie C - Reason (writer "Do I","Positively Somewhere' and "Let's Love")

(writer "Do I","Positively Somewhere' and "Let's Love") Melanie C - Northern Star (writer "Gaga" & "Be the One")

As producer only [ edit ]

Singles

Albums

The Cure - Pornography (#2 UK)

As mixer [ edit ]

Awards and nominations [ edit ]

Awards [ edit ]

ASCAP 'Song of the Year' 1998 for "Torn" (Natalie Imbruglia)

ASCAP 'Song of the Year' 2000 for "Back Here" (BBMak)

Nominations [ edit ]

Grammy Award 'Best Engineered Pop Album 1984' for Thompson Twins' Into the Gap