When in Rome released “The Promise” in 1987, and only managed to chart as high as #58 in their native England. The song peaked at #11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and topped the U.S. Top Dance Club Play Chart.
Clive Farrington was originally in a Manchester-based band called Beau Leisure and recruited Michael Floreale and Andy O’Connell to replace two members who had departed. They eventually added beat poet Andrew Mann to the group and O’Connell left. The trio began to record demos, sometimes including Mann’s friend Corinne Drewery (who eventually found success as the leader singer for Swing Out Sister). They also recruited U.S. percussionist Rob Juarez. When in Rome signed a recording deal with 10 Records, a subsidiary of Virgin UK and released a 12″ single.
The song became popular on the club scene, so Virgin ordered an album. “The Promise” was remixed and issued again as a proper single, with 7″ and cassette single formats, too. The self-titled album peaked at #88 on the Billboard 200, but the follow up singles, “Heaven Knows,” “Everything,” and “Sight of Your Tears,” failed to achieve the success of “The Promise.” Clive and Andrew struck out on their own in 1993.
“The Promise was featured in the end credits of the 2004 motion picture Napoleon Dynamite.
Floreale trademarked the name When in Rome formed a new lineup in 2006, including Rob Juarez. The new When in Rome toured the U.S. and South America with other groups that were popular in the 80s. A new album has been recorded and is planned for release soon. Juarez left the group after he discovered that Farrington and Mann had not left the music business, as Floreale had told him, and is now working with Farrington and Mann again.
Farrington and Mann are currently in dispute with Floreale over the use of the name When in Rome when touring the U.S. In the meantime, they both tour under the names When in Rome UK and When in Rome US.
Farrington has an 11-year-old daughter, and Mann acts and works as a casting director in London. Juarez now lives in Dallas, Texas and composes music for television shows. Floreale now lives in Dallas, Texas where he composes music for film and television.
Versions
The Promise [7″ Version] 3’44
The Promise [O.N. Mix/The Ollie North Mix] 6’30
The Promise [Coliseum Club Mix] 6’28
Music Video
The music video is set in a country house in the English countryside. A bored model roams the grounds as the band perform the song. Mann does a mean Michael (INXS) Hutchence impression.
Memories
I remember this song exploding on Top 40 radio in Dallas/Fort Worth in the Fall of 1988. I bought the song on cassette single and felt very cutting edge, much like when I recently bought my iPhone. Everyone I knew, from club kids to headbangers, loved this song. And then When in Rome disappeared. It’s always interesting to play this song in a room of people in their 40s and watch them nostalgia out.
What are your memories of “The Promise” by When in Rome?








