Promise

Album: Unrepentant Geraldines (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds Tori Amos duetting with her 13-year-old daughter, Natashya Hawley, as they reflect on a mother-daughter relationship from both perspectives. Tash previously sung for her mother on four songs ("SnowBlind", "Cactus Practice", "Job's Coffin" and "The Chase") on Amos' classically-inspired 2010 album, Night of Hunters.
  • The song includes plenty of references to the struggles that plague teenage girls including embarrassing mothers. Amos told Jam! Music: "The song came from mothers and daughters kind of having an honest chat about stuff and yes, that includes girls doing whatever (on film, in videos, on the net, in live performances) and coming to a place where we don't have to agree with something or like something. This is (from) a woman though who nursed a pig."

    "What I'm saying to you is, 'In life, do you do things that are shocking or do you do things that are subversive,'" she added. "In my life I want it to be about subversive. I didn't want to shock to shock for shock's sake."

Comments: 1

  • Jim E. from Pgh PaWonderful Duet
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song Spoofs

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.