When in Rome (band)

When in Rome

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1987
Founder	Clive Farrington, Andrew Mann, Michael Floreale
Defunct	1990 (initial split)
Headquarters	Manchester , United Kingdom
Products	Music albums and singles

When in Rome was a British synth-pop and new wave ensemble initially formed by vocalists Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann alongside keyboardist Michael Floreale. Their most notable achievement came with the 1988 track "The Promise", which stands as their sole entry into the US Billboard Hot 100 top 40. Following their split in 1990, two distinct groups have performed under the When in Rome moniker.

Origins

Clive Farrington invited Michael Floreale and Andy O'Connell to join his Manchester-based band Beau Leisure as replacements for departing members. Floreale partnered with Farrington to compose new material, eventually bringing Andrew Mann, a beat poet, into the lineup for live performances. After O'Connell left, the trio recorded demos—occasionally featuring Mann's acquaintance Corinne Drewery from Swing Out Sister—while pursuing a recording contract. The band's name drew inspiration from a saying emphasizing cultural contrasts between Manchester and London. They briefly signed with Elektra Records, but parted ways after the label shuttered its London division.

Initial album

Under Virgin UK's 10 Records label, When in Rome launched their debut single "The Promise" in 1987. Although the 7" version did not achieve commercial success, the 12" dance remix gained some traction in clubs. Their eponymous first album was released on 3 May 1988, produced by Ben Rogan and Richard James Burgess, who concentrated on refining "The Promise." The track reached number one on Billboard’s Dance Club Play chart, prompting Virgin to support the album release. A remixed version of "The Promise" became the lead single, climbing to No. 11 on US charts but experiencing modest UK results (No. 86 and No. 58 in early 1989). Later singles such as "Heaven Knows" (No. 95 US pop, No. 14 US Dance) and "Everything" saw limited chart success, contributing to the band's waning popularity.

Disbandment, reunions, and legal disputes

In 1990, creative disagreements led Farrington and Mann to dismiss Floreale; subsequently, the group disbanded after Virgin dropped them in 1993. Floreale moved to Dallas, Texas, where he composed music for television and film projects. Conflict reignited in 2003 when "The Promise" was featured in Napoleon Dynamite, with Floreale asserting exclusive rights despite shared royalty arrangements.

Floreale resurrected the band in 2006 under the name "When in Rome II," partnering with John Ceravolo and touring across the United States and South America alongside other artists from the 1980s era. Meanwhile, Farrington and Mann reassembled separately in 2009 as "When in Rome UK." However, Floreale had secured a trademark for "When in Rome" in 2010—a legal claim upheld against challenges by Farrington and Mann. As a result, US appearances by Farrington and Mann are billed as "Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann formerly of When in Rome." Additionally, Floreale filed an infringement suit against Rob Juarez for attempting to trademark "When in Rome Revisited," a tribute act linked to Farrington and Mann.

Current activities

On 10 May 2016, Farrington collaborated with Pat Flanagan to release the autobiography Confessions of a One Hit Wonder: "The Promise" ... And the Aftermath.

By 2019, When in Rome UK performed stateside under the name "Farrington+Mann Original Members of When in Rome UK."

That same year, When In Rome II reformed featuring Tony Fennell, formerly of Ultravox and Enuff Z'Nuff.

In 2020, Farrington+Mann joined forces with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Slovenia Symphonic Film Orchestra to produce a special orchestral edition commemorating the 30th anniversary of their hit "The Promise," available on both CD and vinyl.

Initial line-up (1987–1990)

• Clive Farrington – lead vocals
• Andrew Mann – lead vocals
• Michael Floreale – keyboards

When in Rome II (2006–present)

• Michael Floreale – keyboards
• Tony Fennell – vocals, guitar
• Chris Willett – drums
• Jack Ivins – drums

When in Rome UK (2009–present)

• Clive Farrington – lead vocals
• Andrew Mann – lead vocals
• Rob Juarez – drums

Studio albums

Album Title	Release Information	Highest Chart Rankings
		SWE	US
When in Rome	Released: 3 May 1988 Label: Virgin Records	42	84
When in Rome II	Released: 11 August 2015 Label: Spectra Records	—	—
"—" indicates albums that did not enter the charts

Singles

Year	Single Title	Peak Chart Positions			Associated Album
		UK	US	US Dance
1988	"The Promise"	58	11	1	When in Rome
1989	"Heaven Knows"	—	95	14
	"Everything"	—	—	—
1990	"Sight of Your Tears"	—	—	40
2020	"The Promise (Orchestral Version)" (credited to Farrington+Mann)	—	—	—	Standalone single

• "—" signifies singles that did not chart

See also

• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

External links

• Official website (When in Rome II)
• When in Rome II Facebook
• When in Rome UK Facebook