[Cover photo credit Don Hotlz]
The album Songs in the Key of Diane: A Reggae Compilation of Diane Warren Songs has been announced, a 13-track collection pairing the songwriting of Diane Warren with some of the world’s leading Reggae and Pacific Island artists.
Available on July 31, 2026, the compilation will also open the vault and reveal six songs from Warren’s catalog spanning previously unreleased material and lesser known songs, some written over a decade ago.
Diane Warren shares:
I’ve always loved reggae. 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 project has already launched with its first single, a reinterpretation of “Rhythm of the Night,” Warren’s 1985 chart-topping hit for DeBarge, recorded by Grammy-nominated American Reggae band Common Kings. Formed in Orange County, CA and rooted in Polynesian and Pacific Islander heritage, the group have directly supported the likes of Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Megan Trainor, 5th Harmony, and Pitbull. In 2017, the group earned a Grammy nomination for their debut album, Lost in Paradise.
Ivan “Uncle Lui” Kirimaua of Common Kings says:
We had so much fun with this one! Nothing like being asked to record and pay homage to this throwback by the legendary Diane Warren.
Warren adds:
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. 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.
Songs in the Key of Diane Tracklist
- 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
