Robson Jerome would never have made the transition from television to music if it wasn't for Simon Cowell, an A&R executive for RCA Records. Cowell, who had previously been responsible for hit records by such novelties as Zig and Zag, #Power Rangers, and World Wrestling Foundation, became convinced that Robson Jerome were capable of becoming pop stars, simply by watching #Soldier, Soldier. Previously, he had rejected the duo's fellow cast member, Denise Welch, as being unsuitable for a musical career, but he grew aware of the growing cult around #Soldier, Soldier and once he heard of the positive response to Robson Jerome's version of Unchained Melody on the show, he was certain they had star -- and chart -- potential. Cowell approached the actors, who were initially not interested in making a record, afraid that such a move would ruin their reputation as serious actors. After three months of persuading, the duo agreed to make a record, partially because of the enormous sales potential of the endeavor and partially because the career of Jimmy Nail proved inspirational in how he managed to act and sing simultaneously, without losing credibility.
Unchained Melody/White Cliffs of Dover was released early in the summer of 1995, and immediately shot to the top of the charts, where it stayed for weeks on end, fending off challenges from Pulp and Michael Jackson, among several others. By the end of the year, it had sold nearly two million copies, becoming the biggest-selling British single of the '90s. It was followed in the fall by I Believe/Up on the Roof, which was nearly as successful, spending several weeks at number one. Toward the end of the year, the duo's eponymous debut appeared and it too went to number one. Produced by Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, and Nigel Wright, the record was a slick, commercial effort comprised entirely of covers, including versions of Danny Boy, Daydream Believer, The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore, and Amazing Grace. As the choice of material indicates, the album primarily appealed to baby boomers, leaving the younger generation cold. Consequently, Robson Jerome became the target of a number of attacks in the British music press, which had little effect on the group's sales.
Robson Jerome delivered a second album, Take Two, in the fall of 1996. Like its predecessor, it entered the charts at number one, but it didn't stay there for long, as they were usurped by the U.K. pop phenomenon of 1996, the Spice Girls. Nevertheless, Take Two sold well enough to guarantee the duo a longer pop career than anyone would have initially expected, yet it did nothing to erase the impression that they were essentially one-hit wonders. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi