The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
If you need a friend
Don't look to a stranger
You know in the end
I'll always be there
But when you're in doubt
And when you're in danger
Take a look all around
And I'll be there
I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say (I promise you)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be (I promise you)
But if you'll wait around awhile, I'll make you fall for me (I promise you)
I promise, I promise you I will
When your day is through
And so is your temper
You know what to do
I'm gonna always be there
Sometimes if I shout
It's not what's intended
These words just come out
With no cross to bear
I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say (I promise you)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be (I promise you)
But if you'll wait around awhile, I'll make you fall for me (I promise you)
I promise, I promise you
I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say (I promise you)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be (I promise you)
And if I had to walk the world, I'd make you fall for me
I promise you, I promise you I will
I gotta tell you
Need to tell you
Got to tell you
I've got to tell you
I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say (I promise you)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be (I promise you)
But if you'll wait around awhile, I'll make you fall for me (I promise you)
I promise, I promise you
I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say (I promise you)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be (I promise you)
And if I had to walk the world, I'd make you fall for me
I promise you, I promise you I will
I will
I will
Don't look to a stranger
You know in the end
I'll always be there
But when you're in doubt
And when you're in danger
Take a look all around
And I'll be there
I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say (I promise you)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be (I promise you)
But if you'll wait around awhile, I'll make you fall for me (I promise you)
I promise, I promise you I will
When your day is through
And so is your temper
You know what to do
I'm gonna always be there
Sometimes if I shout
It's not what's intended
These words just come out
With no cross to bear
I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say (I promise you)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be (I promise you)
But if you'll wait around awhile, I'll make you fall for me (I promise you)
I promise, I promise you
I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say (I promise you)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be (I promise you)
And if I had to walk the world, I'd make you fall for me
I promise you, I promise you I will
I gotta tell you
Need to tell you
Got to tell you
I've got to tell you
I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say (I promise you)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be (I promise you)
But if you'll wait around awhile, I'll make you fall for me (I promise you)
I promise, I promise you
I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say (I promise you)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be (I promise you)
And if I had to walk the world, I'd make you fall for me
I promise you, I promise you I will
I will
I will
Lyrics submitted by numb, edited by michaeldentico
The Promise Lyrics as written by Clive Farrington Andrew Mann
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
One night for no reason whatsoever I left my house at 1am, went to a random club downtown Toronto, asked the DJ to play this song, and I 'danced' alone to it. Granted, I was on morphine and healing from a surgery, so I probably looked strange dancing slowly in a haze, but I had SO much fun! Not even sure why I chose this song but it sounded so good that night.