The Promise (When in Rome song)

"The Promise" is the debut single by the British new wave and synth-pop band When in Rome. It was first released in 1987 on 10 Records, as the lead single from their self-titled debut album. It was written by all three band members: Clive Farrington, Andrew Mann and Michael Floreale. The song was released in the U.S. in 1988 and reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It is the band's biggest commercial hit.

In 2020, Farrington and Mann, in collaboration with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Slovenia Symphonic Film Orchestra, released a 30th anniversary orchestral edition of their hit song "The Promise" on both CD and vinyl. The release contains eleven tracks, including remixes, extended mixes, and instrumentals.

The song was covered by country singer Sturgill Simpson in 2014 for his album Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, and featured in the HBO television series The Leftovers.

Background
The band wrote and jammed songs in a small garden shed turned studio in the backyard of singer Clive Farrington's dad's house. The space was so tight that they had to attach keyboards vertically to the walls. Keyboardist Michael Floreale was experimenting with the music to "The Promise" one night in the shed, and Clive came in and started singing a harmony. Clive wrote the first verse and chorus, but asked bandmate Andrew Mann to write the second verse. Michael Floreale believes the lyrics were inspired by a recent breakup Clive had gone through. The song took two days to finish because Clive would often have a great idea for a melody just before falling asleep and would record it before polishing it the next day. Instruments used in the song include a LinnDrum machine, Roland SH-101 keyboard for the bass, and a Roland RE-501 loop echo to add warm backing vocals. "The Promise" is in the key of C major.

Critical reception
William Cooper of AllMusic spoke of the song in a review of the When in Rome album, writing, "The 1988 hit "The Promise" was essentially a carbon copy of New Order's radio-friendly dance-rock. Dark yet catchy, boasting a throbbing dance rhythm, a singalong chorus, and a hypnotic melody, 'The Promise' certainly deserved the success." Cooper also highlighted "The Promise" as a standout on the album by labeling it an AMG Pick Track.

On 22 January 1989, a review of the album was published in the daily issue of the Junction City, Kansas newspaper Daily Union. The review mentioned the song, saying: The Promise', a hit in the United Kingdom, is typical. Starting with a piano that picks out the melody, the song throbs along electronically with clear harmonies of Mann and Farrington piercing through the catchy melody."

Chart performance
"The Promise" was initially released as a 12" record and reached the top of the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. After the release of the group's self-titled debut album, the song was re-released and peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, the single was less successful in the band's native Britain, reaching number 58.

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

In media
The song was used in the following:
 The 2004 film Napoleon Dynamite during the end credits
 Pantheon: 2022 science fiction TV series, during Season 1 Episode 4.
 Chicago Party Aunt: 2021 Animated Sitcom for Netflix, during Part 2 Episode 13.
 Sex Education: Season 2, Episode 1, final scene.
 Prom Pact : 2023, during the final scene.

References

1987 songs
1987 debut singles
1988 singles
When in Rome (band) songs
Holly Miranda songs
Virgin Records singles
Sturgill Simpson songs
Dance-rock songs