The Promise You Made

{{short description|1985 single by Cock Robin}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}

{{Infobox song

| name = The Promise You Made

| cover = The_promise_you_made.jpg

| type = single

| artist = Cock Robin

| album = Cock Robin

| B-side = Have You Any Sympathy?

| released = November 1985

| recorded =

| genre =

  • Soft rock
  • new wave{{cite web|url=http://www.liketotally80s.com/2007/03/new-wave-hits/|title=New Wave Hits of the 80s|date=March 1, 2007}}

| length =

  • 3:54
  • 6:36 (extended version)

| label = Columbia

| writer = Peter Kingsbery

| producer = Steve Hillage

| prev_title = When Your Heart Is Weak

| prev_year = 1985

| next_title = Thought You Were On My Side

| next_year = 1986

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|3pk3A_QSINI|"The Promise You Made"}}}}

}}

"The Promise You Made" is a song by American pop rock band Cock Robin. Written by Peter Kingsbery, the song appeared on the group's self-titled debut album. It was released as a single first in the US in November 1985, then in early 1986 in Europe, where it became a big hit.

Chart performance

"The Promise You Made" was a notable hit in many European countries, particularly in the Flanders region of Belgium, where it topped the chart for five weeks out off a 11-week chart run, as well as in the Netherlands where it was also number one on the Dutch Top 40 and number two on the Dutch Top 100 Singles. In the latter country, it achieved Platinum status, and ranked in the top ten on the 1986 year-end chart. In France, it spent 12 weeks in the top ten, including three weeks at number four, its highest position, and remained in the top 50 for 24 weeks, thus becoming Cock Robin's best charting single in the country, and was certified Gold disc by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Other countries with a peak position within the top ten include Germany where it attained number six and appeared on the chart for 18 weeks, Switzerland and Italy, where it reached number seven and four, respectively. It missed the top ten by one place in Ireland where it charted for seven weeks, and was a moderate hit in the UK where it peaked only at number 28 but had a 13-week chart trajectory. On the Music & Media{{'}}s European Hot 100 Singles chart, it spent six weeks in the top ten with a peak at number six twice, and fell off the chart after 34 weeks of presence. Regularly aired on radios, it spent 27 weeks on the Eurochart Airplay Top 50 with a peak at number eight twice.

Music video

The video opens with an old woman stroking her dog; she then comes upon some passers-by and Peter Kingsbery enters the recording studio. As Kingsbery starts singing, people mill around the entrance to the studio and other members of the band also arrive inside and set up the instruments, with Anna LaCazio joining Kingsbery singing. As a fruit stand is knocked over outside, the last band member goes into the studio. In no time all the instruments are in place. Most of the video is made up of fade-outs, alternating the scenes inside the studio showing the band with images of the members of the public outside the studio entrance. The clip ends with pictures of Kingsbery and Anna LaCazio leaving the studio together.{{cite web|url=https://store.maxdome.de/myvideo?referrer=%2Fwatch%2F5252628%2FCock_Robin_The_Promise_You_Made&ac=NPJAFK3AB4LD|title=maxdome - Video on Demand|website=store.maxdome.de}}

Track listings

All songs written and composed by Peter Kingsbery.

  • 7-inch vinyl single

{{tracklist

| headline = Side one

| title1 = The Promise You Made

| length1 = 3:52

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Side two

| title1 = Have You Any Sympathy?

| length1 = 4:10

}}

  • 12-inch vinyl single

{{tracklist

| headline = Side one

| title1 = The Promise You Made

| note1 = Extended version

| length1 = 6:36

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Side two

| title1 = The Promise You Made

| length1 = 3:52

| title2 = Have You Any Sympathy?

| length2 = 4:10

}}

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ Weekly chart performance for "The Promise You Made"

!Chart (1986)

!Peak
position

{{Single chart|Flanders|1|artist=Cock Robin|song=The Promise You Made|rowheader=true|access-date=12 September 2023|refname="Flanders"}}
scope="row"|Europe (European Hot 100 Singles){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1986/M&M-1986-06-07.pdf|title=European Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=3|issue=22|date=June 7, 1986|page=12-13|oclc=29800226|via=World Radio History |access-date=September 12, 2023}}

|align="center"|6

scope="row"|Europe (European Airplay Top 50){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1986/M&M-1986-04-12.pdf|title=European Airplay Top 50|magazine=Eurotipsheet|volume=3|issue=14|date=April 12, 1986|page=10|oclc=29800226|via=World Radio History|access-date=September 12, 2023}}

|align="center"|8

{{Single chart|France|4|artist=Cock Robin|song=The Promise You Made|rowheader=true|access-date=12 September 2023|refname="France"}}
{{Single chart|Ireland2|11|artist=Cock Robin|song=The Promise You Made|rowheader=true|access-date=12 September 2023|refname="Ireland"}}
scope="row"|Italy (Musica e dischi){{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|title=Classifiche|work=Musica e dischi|language=it|access-date=September 12, 2023}} Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Cock Robin".

|align="center"|4

{{Single chart|Dutch40|2|artist=Cock Robin|rowheader=true|access-date=April 20, 2025|refname=dutchtop40}}
{{Single chart|Dutch100|2|artist=Cock Robin|song=The Promise You Made|rowheader=true|access-date=12 September 2023|refname="Netherlands"}}
{{Single chart|Switzerland|7|artist=Cock Robin|song=The Promise You Made|rowheader=true|access-date=12 September 2023|refname="Switzerland"}}
{{Single chart|UKsinglesbyname|28|artist=Cock Robin|artistid=23328|rowheader=true|access-date=12 September 2023|refname="UK"}}
{{Single chart|West Germany|6|artist=Cock Robin|song=The Promise You Made|songid=1419|rowheader=true|access-date=12 September 2023|refname="Germany"}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ Year-end chart performance for "The Promise You Made"

!Chart (1986)

!Position

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop){{cite web |title=19868 Belgian Flanders Singles Chart |url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1986 |publisher=Ultratop |language=nl |access-date=September 12, 2023}}

|align="center"|17

scope="row"|Europe (European Hot 100 Singles){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1986/M&M-1986-12-27.pdf|title=European Hot 100 Singles: Hot 100 of the Year 1986|journal=Music & Media|page=28–29|oclc=29800226|date=December 27, 1986|access-date=October 4, 2021|volume=3|issue=51–52|via=World Radio History}}

|align="center"|11

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web |url=http://www.top40.nl/pdf/Top%20100/top%20100%20-%201986.pdf |title=Single top 100 over 1986 |publisher=Dutch Top 40 |language=nl |access-date=September 21, 2010}}

|align="center"|8

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1986&cat=s |title= Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986 |publisher= MegaCharts |language=nl |access-date=September 12, 2023}}

|align="center"|10

scope="row"|West Germany (Media Control){{cite web|title=Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1986 |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1986 |publisher=Offiziellecharts.de |language=de |access-date=September 12, 2023}}

|align="center"|29

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "The Promise You Made"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|relyear=1986|relmonth=02|region=France|award=Silver|certyear=1986|artist=Cock Robin|title=The Promise You Made|refname="FrenchC"|source=infodisc|access-date=January 29, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|relyear=1986|relmonth=02|region=Netherlands|award=Platinum|certyear=1987|certref={{cite journal|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M&M-1987-12-26.pdf|title=Gold & Platinum Awards 1987 – Holland Platinum Singles|journal=Music & Media|date=December 26, 1987|page=44|volume=4|issue=51/52|access-date=January 29, 2022}}}}

{{Certification Table Bottom}}

Kate Ryan cover version

{{Infobox song

| name = La Promesse" / "The Promise You Made

| cover = Kate Ryan La Promesse single cover.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Kate Ryan

| album = Stronger

| B-side = Can You Fix This

| released = 2004

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Trance

| length = 3:28

| label = Antler-Subway, EMI

| writer = Peter Kingsbery
French lyrics by Jo Lemaire

| producer = Phil Wilde & A. J. Duncan

| prev_title = Only If I

| prev_year = 2004

| title = La Promesse

| title2 = The Promise You Made

| next_title = Goodbye

| next_year = 2004

| misc = {{External music video|header=Licensed audio|type=song|1={{YouTube|872_qMHcQlA|"The promise you made"}}}}

{{External music video|{{YouTube|se8eIu64B7s|"La Promesse"}}}}

}}

A cover version of "The Promise You Made", together with a French-language version, "La Promesse", were released as a 2004 single by Belgian singer Kate Ryan. The French lyrics were written by Jo Lemaire. The single was released in the U.S. in 2005, when it reached number 13 on the Billboard Dance Singles Sales chart.{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p485076/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}} |title=allmusic ((( Kate Ryan > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles ))) |access-date=June 25, 2009}}

=Track listings=

CD single

  • Belgium: Antler-Subway, EMI / AS 9108, AS 9111 (Promo)
  • Spain: Vale Music / VLDP 288-6 (Promo)

{{tracklist

| title1 = La Promesse

| length1 = 3:28

| title2 = The Promise You Made

| length2 = 3:28

}}

  • Belgium: Antler-Subway, EMI / AS 9112

{{tracklist

| title1 = La Promesse

| note1 = Radio version

| length1 = 3:28

| title2 = The Promise You Made

| note2 = Radio version

| length2 = 3:28

| title3 = La Promesse

| note3 = Extended

| length3 = 6:00

| title4 = The Promise You Made

| note4 = Extended

| length4 = 6:00

| title5 = Can You Fix This

| length5 = 4:06

}}

  • Germany: Sushi Tunes / 0010132MIN

{{tracklist

| title1 = La Promesse

| note1 = Radio version

| length1 = 3:28

| title2 = The Promise You Made

| note2 = Radio version

| length2 = 3:28

| title3 = La Promesse

| note3 = Alternative Radio Version

| length3 = 3:28

| title4 = The Promise You Made

| note4 = Alternative Radio Version

| length4 = 3:28

| title5 = La Promesse

| note5 = Extended version

| length5 = 6:00

| title6 = The Promise You Made

| note6 = Extended version

| length6 = 6:00

| title7 = Can You Fix This

| length7 = 4:06

| title8 = La Promesse

| note8 = Video

| length8 = 3:28

}}

  • U.S.: Water Music Dance / 302 060 569 2

{{tracklist

| title1 = The Promise You Made

| note1 = Radio Version

| length1 = 3:26

| title2 = The Promise You Made

| note2 = Bermudez & Harris Pinky Swear Mix - Radio Edit

| length2 = 3:32

| title3 = The Promise You Made

| note3 = Extended Version

| length3 = 5:59

| title4 = The Promise You Made

| note4 = Bermudez & Harris Pinky Swear Mix

| length4 = 9:25

| title5 = The Promise You Made

| note5 = Guitar Mix

| length5 = 3:27

| title6 = La Promesse

| note6 = Radio Edit

| length6 = 3:26

| title7 = La Promesse

| note7 = Extended Version

| length7 = 5:58

| title8 = The Promise You Made

| note8 = Video

| length8 = 3:28

}}

12-inch vinyl single

  • Belgium: EMI / 549498 6
  • Germany: Sushi Tunes / Sushitunes015 (Promo)

{{tracklist

| headline = Side one

| title1 = The Promise You Made

| note1 = Extended version

| length1 = 6:00

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Side two

| title1 = La Promesse

| note1 = Extended version

| length1 = 6:00

}}

=Charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ Chart performance for "The Promise You Made"

scope="col"| Chart (2004)

!scope="col"| Peak
position

{{single chart|Flanders|8|artist=Kate Ryan|song=The Promise You Made / La promesse|rowheader=true|access-date=6 June 2024}}
{{single chart|Wallonia|35|artist=Kate Ryan|song=The Promise You Made / La promesse|rowheader=true|access-date=6 June 2024}}
{{single chart|Germany|19|artist=Kate Ryan|song=The Promise You Made|songid=6206|rowheader=true|access-date=6 June 2024}}
{{single chart|Hungary|16|artist=Kate Ryan|song=The Promise You Made|year=2004|week=32|rowheader=true|access-date=6 June 2024|refname="lcd"}}
scope="row"| Poland (Polish Music Charts){{cite web |title=Polish Airplay Charts - Lista krajowa 38/2004 |url=http://www.pifpaf.com.pl/airplay/lista_38_2004.html |publisher=PiF PaF Production |language=pl |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022145724/http://www.pifpaf.com.pl/airplay/lista_38_2004.html |archive-date=October 22, 2007 |url-status=dead }}

|align="center"|5

{{single chart|Spain|18|artist=Kate Ryan|song=The Promise You Made / La promesse|rowheader=true|access-date=6 June 2024}}
scope="row"| US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)

|align="center"|13

Other versions

In December 1996, Chris Roberts recorded a German-language version with his wife, Claudia Roberts, titled "Ich will nicht, daß wir uns verlier'n", following their marriage. It was released as a single on November 13, 1997. A version was also recorded in the original English language, but was never published. The B-side was "Du kannst nicht immer 17 sein".

In 2008 Julio Iglesias Jr. sang a Spanish-language version of this song with the name: "Promete decir la verdad".{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

References