The Promise You Made

"The Promise You Made" is a song by Cock Robin. Written by Peter Kingsbery, the song was recorded in 1984 for 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.

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.

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 Eurochart Hot 100, 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.

Track listings
All songs written and composed by Peter Kingsbery.


 * 7" vinyl single


 * 12" vinyl single

Kate Ryan cover version
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. on September 13, 2005, where it reached #13 in the Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales.

Track listings

 * CD single


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


 * Belgium: Antler-Subway, EMI / AS 9112


 * Germany: Sushi Tunes / 0010132MIN


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


 * 12" vinyl single


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

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 13 November 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".