Favorite 80's One-Hit Wonders #2 - "The Promise"
@teamfreak16 (43649)
Denver, Colorado
June 29, 2016 8:47am CST
I honestly had to flip a coin for the top three in my Favorite 80's One-Hit Wonders series. Which brings us to #2 (heads,) taking us to Manchester, England, where When in Rome was founded.
When in Rome was a synth-pop band that formed in 1987. They managed one album, an eponymous affair that was pretty much universally ripped by critics, save for the hit "The Promise."
"The Promise" was originally released in 1987 as a 12" single, after which it was remixed and released in 1988 as a single from the album. The tune is synth-pop at it's best. In a column a few years back, ESPN.com's Bill Simmons even called it the song that most represents the 80's (he's wrong. It was Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Relax," which doesn't detract one iota just what a great song "The Promise" is.)
"The Promise" did well, reaching #11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The follow-up single snuck in at #99, and then disappeared.
When in Rome was truly a one-hit wonder. But oh, what a hit!
(I'm using the rules from Wayne Jancik's book The Billboard Book of One-Hit Wonders: An act can only have appeared in the Top 40 on the Hot 100 once. Any other charts don't count, and neither do countries other than the States.)
4 people like this
4 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
29 Jun 16
A great song this was Scott
I loved the video..nice to see it too after all these years.

I loved the video..nice to see it too after all these years.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43649)
• Denver, Colorado
29 Jun 16
That's the first time I've ever seen the video, believe it or not.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
29 Jun 16
@teamfreak16 Is it? Wow I am surprised.

1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43649)
• Denver, Colorado
29 Jun 16
@TiarasOceanView - Yeah, I've honestly never seen the official video until today. Weird, huh?
1 person likes this

@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
1 Jul 16
If you are just going to get just one hit that one is as good as any to secure your legacy
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43649)
• Denver, Colorado
1 Jul 16
It's definitely one they can be proud of.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (53002)
• Mojave, California
30 Jun 16
Love it brother, snuck me out of my own mind which is always important.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43649)
• Denver, Colorado
30 Jun 16
Happy to be of help, man. Glad you liked it!
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Jun 16
An 80s classic! I think we are proclaiming dozens of 80s classics by now. But this was heavily played back in the day and one of the songs on 80's new wave nostalgia playlists. I still frequently hear The Promise.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43649)
• Denver, Colorado
29 Jun 16
The 80's were full of classic's, so we have to proclaim them all as such!





