Diane Warren loves reggae. Maybe you weren’t aware, but you will be soon thanks to the legendary songwriter’s upcoming debut reggae album, Songs in the Key of Diane: A Reggae Compilation of Diane Warren Songs. The unexpected 13-track collection of classic, deep-cut and unreleased songs penned by Warren is due out on July 31 and was previewed on Friday (April 17) with the revamp of DeBarge’s 1985 chart-topping single “Rhythm of the Night,” given a swaying island lilt by American reggae band Common Kings.
“I’ve always loved reggae,” said Warren in a statement announcing the project that mixes unheard songs and lesser-known tracks with certified hits. “It’s music that just makes you feel good. My music has always had that rhythmic Caribbean feel, starting with ‘Rhythm of the Night.’ It’s cool to have fresh covers of the old hits – it’s like putting a new set of clothes on them – but I’m even more excited about the songs that haven’t been heard before. There’s such a wide variety of artists on this record, which made it so much fun to do.”
The album was born out of the more than three-decade relationship between Warren and Regime Music Group president Steven Rosen, who curated the project and co-produced it alongside Warren and Regime/Island Empire co-founders Ivory Daniel and Kevin Zinger.
“What makes a song great is its ability to stand on its own two feet, and be able to work in different genres, like reggae,” added Warren. “If the melody, lyrics and rhythm are there – the bones – it should work in any style of music. I could write something as a ballad and have it turned into a killer dance track. I love taking a song and flipping it on its head.”
Another Island Empire label act, Polynesian/Samoan reggae singer Sammy Johnson, takes on “I Heart U,” a previously unreleased Warren-penned reggae song, with late Pacific reggae superstar Fiji performing a version of “You Kind of Beautiful,” which was originally covered by country singer Jimmie Allen for Warren’s 2021 album, The Cave Sessions, Vol. 1; it was the final recording by Fiji (born George Brooks Veikoso) before his death at 55 in July 2025.
“It’s a tragedy that he [Fiji] didn’t get a chance to see this come out,” said Rosen. “He and Diane had a great relationship. She gravitates to singers who can carry the message of her songs. They need that type of singer. Not everyone can cover a Diane Warren song. Her melodies are challenging.”
Among the other Regime/ Island Empire acts on the set: Filipino American singer Eli Mac, who covers the 1983 Exposé hit “I’ll Never Get Over You Getting Over Me,” Tongan singer Analea Brown’s take on Aerosmith’s 1998 Oscar-nominated Armageddon smash “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” and Hawaiian-born singer MAKUA’s cover of Bad English’s 1989 hit “When I See You Smile.” In addition, Fiji protégé Nomad do a version of “Blame It On the Rain,” the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 smash written by Warren for disgraced lip synch duo Milli Vanilli.
Anuhea covers the LeAnn Rimes Coyote Ugly soundtrack tune “Can’t Fight the Moonlight,” alongside tracks that never saw the light of day, including Pia Mia’s “Hey Haters,” a “happy eff you” song recorded years ago in a non-reggae version that was never released. Grammy-winning Nashville band Morgan Heritage’s lead singer Gramps Morgan offers up a version of “I Wish That,” an unreleased Warren song from more than a dozen years ago that the release said has a resonance in today’s politically fraught times.
“That’s what was most interesting to me,” Warren said of the tracks that were brushed off and reimagined for the set. “Being able to place these songs with these reggae and Pacific Island artists so that they can be heard was a big attraction for me. I write songs without having any idea about who can perform them, and then along comes an artist who fits it perfectly. That happened throughout this project.”
Check out the track list for Songs in the Key of Diane below:
“Rhythm Of The Night” — Common Kings “I’ll Never Get Over You Getting Over Me” — Eli-Mac “You Kind Of Beautiful” — Fiji “Can’t Fight The Moonlight” — Anuhea “Hey Haters” — Pia Mia “She’s Fire” — Boostive, Through The Roots feat. Divina “I Heart U” — Sammy Johnson “Forgot To Forget You” — Lea Love “I Wish That” — Gramps Morgan “I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing” — Analea Brown “When I See You Smile” — Makua “Kiss Me Tonight” — Save Ferris “Blame It on The Rain” — Nomads
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