Airwaves torn up by Imbruglia

The pop singer's hit Torn is the most played song on Australian radio, spun more than 300,500 times since its 1998 release, an average of 75 times a day.

It tops a list of the 20 most-played songs on Australian radio since 1990, based on data compiled by the Australian Performing Rights Association (APRA).

Guitarist Carlos Santana's hit 1999 duet with Matchbox 20's Rob Thomas, Smooth, came in at number two with 275,196 plays.

The Goo Goo Dolls' 1998 power ballad, Iris, ranked third on 270,153.

Sixpence None The Richer's 1997 hit Kiss Me - made famous by 1990s teen soap Dawson's Creek-- rounded out the list in 20th spot.

Only three songs from this millennium made the list: Train's 2001 hit Drops Of Jupiter, Alex Lloyd's 2001 single Amazing and Counting Crows 2002 cover of Joni Mitchell's Big Yellow Taxi.

Aretha Franklin's 1968 cover of I Say A Little Prayer - repopularised by 1997 film My Best Friend's Wedding - was the only other non-1990s track to make the top 20.

APRA's data covers radio plays across every commercial radio station in Australia since 1990.

APRA Director of Member Services Sally Howland said she wasn't surprised to see Torn at number one.

"The songs that get the most plays are those that have that genuine crossover appeal," she said.

Ms Howland said radio listeners could expect to see more Australian songs on future lists.

"Bearing in mind that, traditionally, Australia has been a net importer of music - 80 per cent of what you hear on the radio is either going to be of English or American origin - my sense is that's started to change," she said.

"That extends internationally as well, when you think about the recent success of someone like Gabriella Cilmi, who really first broke in the UK market."