The Romantics were the ultimate retro pop garage-band. The music made by this energetic quartet was just what the doctor had ordered for radio in the late'70s and early '80s. AOR needed to make the transition for the corporate radio rock of Journey, Boston, and Foreigner into something hipper and more in line with the British New Wave scene.
Although the Detroit-based group was built upon the musical principles of the 1960s, they seemed to fit the bill, with their retro-fashions, Sting-like hairdos, and infectious radio friendly hits such as "What I Like About You" and "Talking In Your Sleep." The latter of those songs was the single that brought the band back to the Top 10, just when many radio programmers thought they might be destined to be a one hit wonder band. They released their first album in 1980, and, while their self-titled debut was successful, the group's fourth LP, 1983's In Heat, was their most popular LP/ The disc gave them a big hit with "Rock You Up." Although the group would suffer from years of legal battles and in-fighting, they have remained a steady touring act with only drummer Clem Burke (ex-Blondie) not from the original line-up.