Romeo's Heart

Ten years on from the career-defining <i>Whispering Jack</i>, <i>Romeo’s Heart</i> maintained the remarkable commercial run kick-started by that landmark 1986 record. In keeping with the successful formula, <b>John Farnham</b>’s 16th studio album features songs written by a wide array of acclaimed songwriters: Sheryl Crow co-wrote <b>“All Kinds of People”</b>, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers drummer Stan Lynch co-penned <b>“Hearts on Fire”</b> and Céline Dion composers Russ DeSalvo and Arnie Roman authored <b>“Have a Little Faith (In Us)”</b>, among others. Farnham’s sole songwriting contribution was funk-pop closer <b>“Second Skin”</b>, a song he wrote in a single day with producer Ross Fraser and Chong Lim, and which was, at one point, considered for the album’s title. Prior to <i>Romeo’s Heart</i> Farnham had taken some time away from the spotlight, having felt he was overexposed following his starring role in the 1992 touring production of <i>Jesus Christ Superstar</i>, and the release of 1993’s <i>Then Again …</i> album. Though the musical landscape had shifted wildly by 1996, with artists such as Oasis, Alanis Morissette and Spice Girls ruling the charts, <i>Romeo’s Heart</i> successfully played to Farnham’s anthemic pop-rock strengths, while adding a dose of R&B to <b>“Little Piece of My Heart”</b>, and even a country flavour to the title track.