I actually heard Springsteen talk about the basis for The Promise. He said that he intended "The Promise" as reflecting the legal battle he fought with Appel between BTR and Darkness. He also said that a good song should mean different things to different people, and The Promise certainly fits there. Once I heard Springsteen talk about his inspiration for the song it was easy to see where the lyrics spoke of hitting it big (BTR), to nothing, and being unable to record music, only able to play in two bit bars. I would think that after BTR, the lawsuit scared the band into thinking that they were going to be a one hit wonder, albeit it was one great album not just one great tune.
I actually heard Springsteen talk about the basis for The Promise. He said that he intended "The Promise" as reflecting the legal battle he fought with Appel between BTR and Darkness. He also said that a good song should mean different things to different people, and The Promise certainly fits there. Once I heard Springsteen talk about his inspiration for the song it was easy to see where the lyrics spoke of hitting it big (BTR), to nothing, and being unable to record music, only able to play in two bit bars. I would think that after BTR, the lawsuit scared the band into thinking that they were going to be a one hit wonder, albeit it was one great album not just one great tune.