Released in 2004, ‘Scar’ debuted at No. 1 and quickly became a radio staple. Built around an instantly recognisable piano riff, the song pairs a catchy melody with lyrics about resisting pressure to change – written in response to early industry experiences and attempts to reshape Higgins’ songwriting.

The official video, filmed in Brisbane and directed by Kiki Dillon, keeps the focus on performance. Higgins plays a worn piano in an intimate domestic setting as it gradually falls apart and is patched back together, mirroring the song’s themes of strain and self-preservation.

Critics and audiences responded to the song’s emotional clarity and refusal to soften its edges. Over time, it has come to represent a broader early-2000s shift toward piano-led, confessional pop in Australia.

Two decades on, ‘Scar’ remains a defining entry point into Higgins’ career and a touchstone for emotionally direct Australian songwriting.