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Promise This

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Not to be confused with The Promise, 2008 song by her original band.

"Promise This"
Single by Cheryl Cole
from the album Messy Little Raindrops
Released24 October 2010
Recorded2010
StudioSub Zero Studios (Santa Monica, California)
GenreDance-pop
Length3:23
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Wayne Wilkins
Cheryl Cole singles chronology
"Parachute"
(2010) 		"Promise This"
(2010) 		"The Flood"
(2011)
Alternative artwork
Christmas bundle EP

"Promise This" is a song by English recording artist Cheryl Cole, taken from her second studio album Messy Little Raindrops (2010). It was released in the United Kingdom and Ireland as the album's lead single on 24 October 2010 by Fascination Records (Polydor Records). The up-tempo dance-pop song was written by American songwriter Priscilla Renea Hamilton, British music producer Wayne Wilkins, and Christopher Jackson and produced by Wilkins. The lyrics to "Promise This" reference Cole's personal life and relationships, as well as incorporating the French language. The single's release came in the aftermath of a public divorce from footballer Ashley Cole, as well as a life-threatening battle with malaria.

The song received generally favourable reviews from music critics. "Promise This" became Cole's second solo number-one single in the United Kingdom and Ireland. As of June 2012, "Promise This" has sold 427,262 copies in the United Kingdom.[1] "Promise This" is accompanied by a Sophie Muller-directed music video featuring Cole dancing as a ballerina. It also features scenes including Cole dressed as a flamenco dancer and a black leotard outfit. She performed the single live on the seventh series of The X Factor on 24 October 2010.

Background and composition

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"Promise This" is an up-tempo dance-pop song written by American songwriter Priscilla Hamilton, British music producer Wayne Wilkins, who was responsible for Cole's debut single "Fight for This Love", and Christopher Jackson.[2][3][4] It is written in the music key of C minor with a time signature in common time and a tempo of 151 beats per minute. Cole's vocal range spans from G3 to E♭5. The chord progression of the song is Cm, B♭, F in the intro, Cm, E♭, B♭, F in the verse and A♭, E♭, B♭, Cm in the chorus and bridge. The song sees Cole singing some of the lyrics in French, referencing the children's song "Alouette".[5] It was recorded in Santa Monica, California, and "finds her contemplating mortality with a cheerful morbidity, asking for prayers over a brutal march beat."[6] Tabloids suggested that the lyrics were based upon her divorce from footballer Ashley Cole, and how her dancer friend Derek Hough nursed her to health while she was suffering from malaria.[7] The Daily Star had also noted Cole's apparent affection in the song by her use of the French word alouette, meaning "skylark".[7]

Critical reception

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"Promise This" received generally favourable reviews from music critics. Nick Levine of Digital Spy gave the songs five stars out of five. Levine called the song "a proper bloody corker. 'Promise This' skips along thrillingly from video gamey verses to choruses that shimmer like Cheryl's Saturday night eyelids to, well, those alouettes. The reverby middle 8's pretty ace too."[8] A CBBC Newsround review praised the "thumping dance track" and said "the X Factor judge has a major hit on her hands."[9]

Gavin Martin of the Daily Mirror described the track as "modern electro-pop mash-up with a tribal chorus" and concluded, "A busy, catchy foretaste of Cheryl's forthcoming second album, this should lie comfortably in the Top Five."[10] A reviewer from OK! magazine said "The upbeat, pop track has more of a dance feel than her previous releases but the songstress hasn't failed to impress with this one – we have it on loop!"[3]

Chart performance

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"Promise This" debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming her second solo UK number one behind "Fight for This Love" (October 2009).[11] It sold 157,210 copies in its debut week,[12] which earned it the highest first-week sales of the year, for a non-charity single at that time.[13][14] It is Cole's fourth solo consecutive top-five single in the United Kingdom and her second solo chart topper.[15] The following week, Cole's second studio album Messy Little Raindrops topped the UK Albums Chart while "Promise This" dropped to number two,[16] "Promise This" was also successful in Ireland, where it also topped the charts.[17][18] It had limited success elsewhere, reaching top-fifteen Hungary[19] and top-twenty in Belgium.[20] As of June 2012, Promise This has sold 427,262 copies in the United Kingdom.[1]

Music video

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Background

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A frame from the video of "Promise This", where Cheryl Cole appears in a Madonna-esque black leotard.

The video for the song was directed by Sophie Muller and choreographed by Fatima Robinson debuted on 21 September 2010 on UK television channel ITV2.[21] It incorporates scenes of "silhouetted shapes, cut-outs and projected imagery".[22] Digital Spy's Ryan Love described the theme of the video as "dark and glossy".[5] The X Factor official magazine said the video for the song was "gothic ballet".[23] Cole's close friend and bandmate from Girls Aloud, Kimberley Walsh, used her OK! magazine column to say "[Cole's] gone ballerina theme this time – she used to be a great ballerina and went to the London Royal Ballet School, so that's quite fitting."[24]

Synopsis

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In the video Cole wears several outfits, described as "gorgeous" by ITN, including a low-cut red dress, a ballerina's leotard, to a short embellished mini-dress. Cole plays a dominant role in part of the video, waiting for a man in a darkened room in one scene and pushing him to the floor with her foot in another. ITN commented on the second part of the film, "We see a softer side to the 27-year-old though, as she dances in a floaty dress, showing off some of her skills which, as a child, won her a sponsorship to study at London's Royal Ballet Summer School."[4] In one of music video's main outfits, Cole is seen wearing 'Wolford Bondage Tights'.[25] "In one scene she is dressed in a Madonna-styled black leotard and black jacket with her hair pushed back in a high ponytail. Another scene shows her dressed as a ballerina, and there's another one where she wears a red flamenco dress, all in all she looks spectacular."[26][27]

Reception

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Promonewstv commented positively upon the direction marking that "Sophie Muller delivers this sympathetically earnest promo with both graceful and muscular choreography all adding to the drama".[22] A reviewer from ITN News said remarked that Cole was "looking as sexy as ever" in the video.[4] Stop Press News agreed with earlier reviews commenting that the video is "hot, but is not x rated" comparing it to other female music artists. The review added, "it is sexy, but not something that you would be embarrassed to watch with your family".[26]

Promotion

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The single was premiered on Chris Moyles' BBC Radio 1 breakfast show on 14 September, where it was introduced as the lead single from Cole's second studio album, Messy Little Raindrops.[28][5] In addition to her role as a judge on The X Factor, Cheryl Cole made a high-profile appearance on Piers Morgan's Life Stories, in which she discussed her marriage and divorce with Ashley Cole and her life-threatening battle with malaria.[29][30] The show's ratings reached an all-time high.[31] On 24 October, Cole performed "Promise This" on The X Factor's results show. She donned a white tuxedo jacket, "frilly black knickers," knee-high zebra print tights, and leather boots and was joined by multiple back-up dancers.[32][33] She "showcased her vocal and dancing skills with an energetic, raunchy routine that earned a standing ovation from her fellow judges."[34] Similar to her 2009 performance of "Fight for This Love" on The X Factor, the media speculated whether Cole lip synced or not.[32]

Covers

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British recording artist Adele covered "Promise This" on 27 January 2011 for BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge.[35]

Track listing

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CD single
  1. "Promise This" – 3:23
  2. "Promise This" (Digital Dog Remix Edit) – 3:47
Digital remix – Exclusive to Nokia Store[36]
  1. "Promise This" (Nu Addiction Dub Mix)
Digital EP[37]
  1. "Promise This" – 3:23
  2. "Promise This" (Nu Addiction Radio Edit) – 3:31
  3. "Promise This" (Almighty Radio Edit) – 4:04
  4. "Promise This" (Digital Dog Remix Edit) – 3:47
Digital EP – The Remixes[38]
  1. "Promise This" (Mayday's Club Mix) – 4:10
  2. "Promise This" (Nu Addiction Club Mix) – 7:52
  3. "Promise This" (Almighty Club Mix) – 8:39
  4. "Promise This" (Digital Dog Remix) – 6:03
  5. "Promise This" (Funkagenda Remix) – 6:47
Digital 'Christmas' EP – Exclusive Free Download in iTunes '12 Days of Christmas' Promotion[39]
  1. "Promise This" (Mayday's Drum & Step Mix) – 3:59
  2. "Promise This" (Digital Dog Remix Edit – Video) – 3:55
  3. "On The Road With Cheryl Cole" (Edit – Video) – 4:09

Credits and personnel

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Source:[2]

Charts and certifications

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Weekly charts

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Chart (2010) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[40] 78
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[20] 19
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[41] 17
European Hot 100 Singles[42] 5
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[19] 14
Ireland (IRMA)[43] 1
Poland (Polish Airplay New)[44] 5
Scotland (OCC)[45] 1
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[46] 32
UK Singles (OCC)[47] 1

Year-end charts

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Chart (2010) Position
Hungarian Airplay Chart[48] 98
UK Singles Chart[49] 39

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[51] Gold 490,000[50]

Release history

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Region Date Format Label
Denmark[52] 24 October 2010 Digital download (EP,[37] Remixes[38]) Universal Music
Ireland[53]
United Kingdom[54] Fascination Records
United Kingdom 25 October 2010 CD single
Mexico[55] 24 November 2010 Digital download Universal Music

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Official Charts Analysis: Cheryl's Call My Name sells 152k in week one". Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  2. ^ a b Messy Little Raindrops (Booklet). Cheryl Cole. London, UK: Fascination, Polydor Records (Cat no. 2753287). 2010.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ^ a b "Ooo, Cheryl Cole's new single Promise This is unveiled!". OK!. IPC Media. 14 September 2010. Archived from the original on 30 November 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  4. ^ a b c "Cheryl Cole's new video for Promise This revealed". ITN. 20 September 2010. Archived from the original on 24 October 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  5. ^ a b c Love, Ryan (20 September 2010). "The Sound – Alouette uette uette". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  6. ^ Andy Gill (29 October 2010). "Album: Cheryl Cole, Messy Little Raindrops (Polydor)". The Independent. Independent News and Media. Archived from the original on 21 November 2010. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
  7. ^ a b "Cheryl Cole's new single is a 'coded love message' for Derek". STV. 15 September 2010. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  8. ^ Nick Levine (22 October 2010). "Cheryl Cole: 'Promise This'". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  9. ^ "Single review: Cheryl Cole – Promise This". CBBC Newsround. BBC. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  10. ^ Gavin Martin (22 October 2010). "Cheryl Cole – Promise This: Single review". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  11. ^ "Cheryl Cole scores second solo number 1". MTV News. MTV. 1 November 2010. Archived from the original on 4 November 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  12. ^ "Cheryl Cole's Promise This beats Rihanna to number one". CBBC Newsround. BBC. 1 November 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  13. ^ Alan Jones (1 November 2010). "Cole tops 150,000 sales to debut at one". Music Week. United Business Media. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  14. ^ Paul Sexton (1 November 2010). "Cheryl Cole rains on Rihanna's chart parade". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  15. ^ "Artist Discography = Cheryl Cole". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  16. ^ "Rihanna gets fourth UK number one single". BBC News. BBC. 7 November 2010. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
  17. ^ "Top 40 Scottish Singles Archive – 6th November 2010". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  18. ^ "Top 50 singles, week ending 28 October 2010". Irish Singles Chart. GfK. Archived from the original on 28 May 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  19. ^ a b "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  20. ^ a b "Cheryl Cole – Promise This" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  21. ^ "New Cheryl Cole Promise This Video Pics Hit Web! | Cheryl Cole | News". Mtv.co.uk. 15 September 2010. Archived from the original on 19 September 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  22. ^ a b "Cheryl Cole's Promise This by Sophie Muller". Promonewstv.com. 21 September 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  23. ^ Copsey, Robert (14 September 2010). "Cheryl Cole premieres new single". Digital Spy (Hachette Filipacchi Médias). Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  24. ^ "Kimberley Walsh LOVES Cheryl Cole's new single". OK!. IPC Media. 21 September 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  25. ^ "Wolford New Fashion A/W 2010 arrives at MyTights.com". Onlineprnews.com. 22 September 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  26. ^ a b "Cheryl Cole's Promise This Video Is Red Hot". Stoppressnews.com. 21 September 2010.
  27. ^ Lee, Ann (20 September 2010). "Cheryl Cole's red hot flamenco look in new Promise This video". Metro. Associated Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  28. ^ Copsey, Robert (15 September 2010). "Cheryl Cole confirms new single". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  29. ^ Amy Duncan (25 October 2010). "Cheryl Cole: I will always love Ashley". Metro. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  30. ^ Lauren Crooks (24 October 2010). "Pop star Cheryl Cole opens her heart on marriage collapse and malaria battle". Sunday Mail. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  31. ^ Paul Millar (24 October 2010). "Cheryl Cole boosts 'Life Stores' to 7.2m". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  32. ^ a b Amy Duncan (25 October 2010). "Cheryl Cole raunches up X Factor with sexy Promise This performance". Metro. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  33. ^ "X Factor: what did YOU think of Cheryl Cole's Promise This performance?". Heat. Bauer Media Group. 25 October 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  34. ^ "Cheryl Cole lives up to Promise as she shines on X Factor". stv.tv. STV Group plc. 24 October 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  35. ^ "Unrealitytv.co.uk".
  36. ^ "The X Factor".
  37. ^ a b "Promise This: Cheryl Cole: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  38. ^ a b "Promise This: Cheryl Cole: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  39. ^ "iTunes Store". itunes.apple.com. January 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  40. ^ "Cheryl Cole – Promise This". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  41. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 2. týden 2010 in the date selector.
  42. ^ "Billboard - Music Charts, News, Photos & Video". Billboard.
  43. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Promise This". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  44. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay New. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  45. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  46. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201044 into search.
  47. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  48. ^ "MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 2010" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
  49. ^ "Cardle at No 1 again – Eminem/Rihanna & Take That scoop 2010 crowns". Theofficialcharts.com. Archived from the original on 7 January 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  50. ^ "Official Chart Flashback 2010: Cheryl's Promise This beats Rihanna to debut at Number 1". Official Charts. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  51. ^ "British single certifications – Cheryl Cole – Promise This". British Phonographic Industry.
  52. ^ "Promise This – Single by Cheryl Cole (Denmark)". iTunes. January 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  53. ^ "Promise This – Single by Cheryl Cole (Ireland)". iTunes. January 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  54. ^ "Future Releases (updates)". Galaxy FM (Global Radio Group). Archived from the original on 27 February 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  55. ^ "Promise This in Mexico". iTunes Mexico. January 2010. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
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