Patty Smyth (born June 26, 1957, New York City, New York, USA) first enjoyed mainstream success in 1982 as vocalist and leader of the band Scandal. That band's self-titled debut release became Columbia Records' biggest selling EP ever, and was followed by a further hit in 1984, "The Warrior".

As well as recording success, Smyth has enjoyed significant notoriety for her personal relationships, with punk originator Richard Hell and her current husband, tennis star John McEnroe. Her marriage to Richard Hell resulted in a daughter, Ruby.

Following two solo albums in 1987 and 1992, she secured a further hit record via a duet with Don Henley; "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough" peaked at number 2 in the US charts and went gold. Its parent album, Patty Smyth, also went gold and featured two other minor hits, "No Mistakes" and "I Should Be Laughing".

She subsequently co-wrote the 1994 song "Look What Love Has Done", nominated for a Grammy after its inclusion on the soundtrack to Junior. Further soundtrack commissions resulted in her penning the theme tune, "Wish I Were You", to the 1998 blockbuster movie Armageddon.

As a result of her renewed popularity, Columbia issued a retrospective album, Greatest Hits -- Featuring Scandal. Two new songs were included, the most notable of which was "Carnival Lights". The song, co-written with Bob Thiele Jr. , concerned her mother's years as a trapeze artist. Smyth set out to promote the album on an acoustic tour, employing ex-Bullet Lavolta guitarist Duke Roth as her sideman.