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 later shows. They began to write songs together, recorded some demos – sometimes including Mann's friend Corinne Drewery (Swing Out Sister) – while seeking a recording deal.

The Promise demo, written by Clive with a 1st verse and a chorus was sent down to Andrew by Royal Mail in C90 tape format. Andrew then wrote the second verse and secured a deal with Elektra Record’s Simon Potts.

The duo were then signed by Virgin UK subsidiary 10 Records’ Mick Clark. Producers Ben Rogan (who had worked with Sade) and Richard James Burgess took special interest in the duo’s song "The Promise", issued first as a 12" dance disc.

Around 1986, original keyboard player, Mike Nuttall’s cousin was about to leave 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 took the record directly to top radio station, Live 105 and they immediately liked it and put it on heavy rotation. From there, the song spread like wildfire across all the major stations in the U.S.

When the song became popular, hitting the top of Billboard's Dance Club Play chart, Virgin ordered an album. A remixed version of "The Promise" was the first single from their self-titled debut album. It was an instant success, barely missing the Top Ten in the United States, peaking at No. 11. Months later, the duo reached Billboard's pop chart's lower reaches for the last time with "Heaven Knows" (No. 95, 1990).

Fast forward to 2003, Clive receives an unexpected call from ex keyboard player, Mike Nuttall who is now living in Dallas, Texas. The call revolved around film maker, Jared Hess wanting to use The Promise in a new film he just made. Napoleon Dynamite, released a year later in 2004 went on to win many awards and became a cult smash. Thus, The Promise (used as the end theme and closing credits) becomes a hit with a totally new and young audience.

When In Rome were in demand to tour again! Andrew and Clive (after some tiresome legalities) started to tour again in 2011 and are still in demand today. Because of the legalities, Andrew and Clive have agreed to be called: “FARRINGTON+MANN original members of When In Rome uk” to distinguish themselves from ex keyboard player, Mike Nuttall’s band, ‘When In Rome 2’.