Savage Garden's romantic spirit

Darren Hayes of Savage Garden explains why the band's simple love songs are so appealing.

"Everyone likes to dream about love," he told CNN.com.

Darren says Savage Garden's music offers "a little something for everyone."

"I Knew I Loved You," the first single from Savage Garden's new album "Affirmation," offers listeners a breezy love song that Darren seems to find very personal.

"I wanted to make an album that was painfully honest, like (Bruce) Springsteen's 'Tunnel of Love,'" he said.

"I wanted to listen to the album and say, 'That sums up the year.' Lyrically, this album was born out of a year spent in New York, where I was processing the last album and the whole crazy ride."

Darren says he spent his time in New York doing every-day chores like laundry and grocery shopping. But, he still found time to write songs with his bandmate Daniel Jones.

To ensure ballad success, the two teamed up with producer Walter Afanasieff, (on Affirmation) who's worked with Ricky Martin, Celine Dion and Mariah Carey.

Savage Garden is now enjoying super-success. Their single "Truly Madly Deeply" reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, but Darren hasn't forgotten his humble beginning.

CNN reported that the band got rejected by record companies all over their homeland (Australia) before landing a Sony/Columbia deal.

"We got notably rejected by every major record company," he said.

"Now, we have the keys to our hometown of Brisbane. That's very useful when friends lock themselves out of the house," Darren said.