“The Promise” (1988) by When In Rome

I'd love to respond. I'm sorry but I'm just thinking of the right words to say, I promise you. 😉

It’s an iconic 80s song.

I've never seen the video before... lead singer is a SNACK!

Justine Bateman

I like this version as well

Because they had that same generic sound like many of the groups of that era: Johnny Hates Jazz, Bros, Blue Mercedes, etc.

One of those British 80s songs that was a big hit in the US but didn't make the top 40 in the UK.

Breathe were a one hit wonder in the UK with Hands To Heaven but had 3 top 10 hits in the US.

OP - didn't you already do this thread a year ago? (Somebody did).

Good song but they weren't cute enough to make it big.

The Escape Club(?) are the only British act to have a Billboard #1 that didn't chart in the UK.

Of the 12 Billboard #1s in 1988 by British artists only 2 topped the charts in the UK.

None of the 6 Billboard #1s by British acts in 1989 topped the UK chart, only 1 of the 6 Billboard #1s by British artists in 1987 topped the US chart.

23 US number ones by British acts over 3 years and only 1 by a female artist. SHOCKING.

Lead singer was a Michael Hutchence wannabe.

I love this song.

I wasn’t around in the 80’s but maybe they only had 1 hit because there were so many groups and bands that sounded like this.

I mean this sounds like the guys who sang “True” and a bunch of other songs.

1986 - 9 British Billboard #1s, only 1 made UK #1

1985 - 10 British Billboard #1s, only 2 made UK #1

The USA and UK have always appreciated music differently

In the same era US acts who had UK number ones included Phyllis Nelson(!) with Move Closer, Sister Sledge with Frankie(!), Jennifer Rush with The Power Of Love, Robin Beck with First Time, Glenn Medeiros with Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You and Diana Ross with Chain Reaction.

Saw them play an Retro 80s concert a few years ago - still sounded great.

One of my favorites.

Sturgill Simpson recorded a lovely version of this.

Yes R15, I moved to the UK in 1996 and can confirm the surprising popularity of those songs, comparatively.

Also, Cher’s Shoop Shoop Song was a No. 1 here, I believe.

I think Chain Reaction was popular because it was produced by The Bee Gees or maybe just Barry Gibb.

I always liked this song. That poor bald guy.

It was used very effectively in the end of "Napoleon Dynamite". I'm a fan of both the song, and the film.

Apologies. This is the ending. The clip above is a mashup of moments from the film.

Bland and forgettable.

Like an A-ha b-side.

Who knows, OP? Maybe they OD'd. Maybe they were drunk all the time. Van Morrison said in an interview that a lot of rock acts were good enough to get attention with their music, but once they got the attention that seemed to be all they wanted. They weren't really committed to the music. One-hit wonders aren't that rare.

I had a friend who worked for a big music concert promoter and she met a lot of the one-hit wonders as they came through town. She said drugs were rampant. She made a grungy sniff when I asked about a band.

R23 I like this song better than any A-ha songs I've heard.

R20 Why poor?

Maybe cause they were together only for three years and had one album.

I bought this song back in the day and love it - so heartfelt and moving. Love it!!!

I could've guessed the exact year of the video just by looking at the cut of his jeans and leather jacket. Loved that song.

The hair, the hair

Still such a banger

The video is awful.

he looks like a young Michael Shannon