Promises (Take That song) explained

Promises
Cover:Take that promises cd single cover.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Take That
Album:Take That & Party
B-Side:Do What U Like
Released:[1]
Length:3:34
Label:RCA
Producer:Pete Hammond
Prev Title:Do What U Like
Prev Year:1991
Next Title:Once You've Tasted Love
Next Year:1992

"Promises" is a dance-pop song by English boy band Take That. Written by Gary Barlow and Graham Stack, it was released on 11 November 1991 as the second single from the band's debut album, Take That & Party (1992). It was his first single released after signing to RCA Records. It was a modest success, charting at number 38 on the UK Singles Chart.[2]

Critical reception

Alan Jones from Music Week described the track as a "well-performed, hook-laden pop song executed with more panache and credibility than most teen favourites can conjure up. This is definitely one to watch."[3] Simon Williams from NME said, "The synth-mungous likes of 'Once You've Tasted Love' and 'Promises' are amiably crass hi-NRG rompalongs, sort of Kajagoogoo gone Italian House."[4]

Music video

The music video for the song uses intercut clips of the band performing and rehearsing as well as showing the hysteria of Take That's fans. It also shows a half-naked band member, unknown at the time, jumping out of a swimming pool. Robbie Williams said that person was him during an interview for the 2006 documentary . In August 2018 on an Instagram post,[5] Howard Donald revealed that it was he in that shot.

Track listings

  1. "Promises" (7-inch radio mix) – 3:33
  2. "Promises" (12-inch mix) – 6:50
  3. "Do What U Like" – 3:06
  1. "Promises" (7-inch radio mix) – 3:33
  2. "Do What U Like" – 3:06
  1. "Promises" (7-inch radio mix) – 3:33
  2. "Do What U Like" – 3:06
  1. "Promises" (7-inch radio mix) – 3:33
  2. "Do What U Like" – 3:06
  1. "Promises" (12-inch mix) – 6:50
  2. "Do What U Like" (12-inch mix) – 5:06

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1991)Peak
position
Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)[6] 20
UK Singles (OCC)38
UK Dance (Music Week)[7] 60

Notes and References

  1. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 21. 9 November 1991.
  2. http://www.everyhit.co.uk/ "UK Chart Archive"
  3. Alan . Jones . Mainstream: Singles . . 16 November 1991 . 24 . 4 October 2020.
  4. Web site: Simon . Williams . TAKE THAT – Greatest Hits . . https://web.archive.org/web/20000817152546/http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19980101000474reviews.html . 24 November 2020. 17 August 2000 .
  5. Web site: Howard Donald on Instagram: "This shot from the video promises was filmed in the regency hotel on queens gate in london. As I can see I loved to shave my chest!…". https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BmVWBA2hQwV . 24 December 2021 . registration. Instagram. 4 May 2019.
  6. http://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Lang=English&Chart=F&ChDate=19911201&ChMode=P Radio Luxembourg Singles, 24 November 1991
  7. Top 60 Dance Singles . . 23 November 1991 . 21 . 28 September 2020.