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Clive n’ Drew: FARRINGTON-MANN
Andrew Mann was recruited by Clive Farrington to replace departed members of his Manchester-based group Beau Leisure after Andrew had supported them as a beat poet on a number of shows. They began to write songs and record demos together – sometimes including Mann’s friend Corinne Drewery (Swing Out Sister) – while seeking a recording deal.
The original demo for “The Promise” began with a 1st verse and chorus written by Clive which was sent to Andrew by Royal Mail on a C90 cassette tape. After Andrew added a second verse, they soon secured a deal with Elektra Record’s Simon Potts.
The group were then signed by Virgin UK subsidiary 10 Records’ Mick Clark. Producers Ben Rogan (who had worked with Sade) and Richard James Burgess soon took a special interest in “The Promise”, which was first issued as a 12″ dance disc.
Around 1986, a relative of the original keyboard player was leaving UK shores for a new job and life in San Francisco and was given a 12” vinyl recording of “The Promise” to take with him. He brought the record into local radio station Live 105 and they immediately put it into heavy rotation. From there, the song spread like wildfire to major radio stations across the US.
When the song hit #1 on Billboard magazine’s Dance/Club Play chart, Virgin Records ordered an album, and a remixed version of “The Promise” became the first single from the group’s self-titled debut album. It was an instant success, barely missing the Top Ten in the US and peaking at #11 on Billboard Magazine’s Hot 100 singles chart. Months later, the group releases “Heaven Knows” which also enters the Hot 100.
Fast forward to 2003, Clive receives an unexpected call from an ex keyboard player who is now living in Dallas, Texas. The call revolves around film maker Jared Hess wanting to use “The Promise” in a new film he’s just made called Napoleon Dynamite. Released a year later in 2004, Napoleon Dynamite goes on to win numerous awards and becomes a cult classic! “The Promise” (played during the final scene and over the closing credits) becomes a hit all over again with a totally new audience! Since then, “The Promise” has been included in numerous film and TV productions including The Goldbergs, Sex Education and Russian Doll.
WHEN IN ROME are in demand again, and Andrew and Clive have begun to tour once more! However, due to some unfortunate legalities, Clive and Andrew have agreed to use the name “FARRINGTON-MANN Original Members of WHEN IN ROME UK”. No matter what name they go by, they are the voices and co-writers of the international smash hit, “The Promise”!