Promises
Cranberries Lyrics
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Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
You'd better believe I'm coming
You'd better believe what I say
You'd better hold on to your promises, because
She's going to leave him over
She's going take her love away
So much for your eternal vows
Well it does not matter anyway
Why can't you stay
Here awhile
Stay here awhile
Stay with me
Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we made (promises we made)
All the meaningless and empty words I prayed
Prayed, prayed
Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we broke (promises we broke)
All the meaningless and empty words I spoke
Spoke, spoke
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
What of all the things that you taught me
What of all the things that you'd say
What of all your prophetic preaching
You're just throwing it all away
Maybe we should burn the house down
Have ourselves another fight
Leave the cobwebs in the closet
'Cause tearing them out is just not right
Why can't you stay here awhile
Stay here awhile
Stay with me
Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we made (promises we made)
All the meaningless and empty words I prayed
Prayed, prayed
Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we broke (promises we broke)
All the meaningless and empty words I spoke
Spoke, spoke
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we made (promises we made)
All the meaningless and empty words I prayed
Prayed, prayed
Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we broke (promises we broke)
All the meaningless and empty words I spoke
Spoke, spoke
Oh eh, oh eh, oh eh, oh eh, oh eh
Hey hey
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
The lyrics to The Cranberries' song "Promises" can be interpreted as a plea for someone to honor their commitments in a relationship. In the first verse, the singer warns her partner that she will leave him if he doesn't keep his promises. The chorus repeats the theme of broken promises and meaningless words, lamenting the failure to fulfill vows and commitments. The second verse suggests that the two have had a history of fighting and that the relationship may be violent.
Despite the dark and troubled subject matter, the song is musically upbeat and catchy, featuring vocal harmonies and jangling guitars. The repeated "ooh" and "do-do-do" sounds serve as a counterpoint to the stark lyrics. The overall message of the song can be seen as a warning against taking romantic relationships for granted, and the importance of honoring commitments and promises.
The meaning and message of "Promises" are in line with The Cranberries' other politically and socially conscious songs, such as "Zombie" and "Animal Instinct." The band, fronted by the late Dolores O'Riordan, was known for their distinctive sound that blended elements of alternative rock, Celtic folk, and grunge. Their lyrics often touched on themes of political violence, social injustice, and personal relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
You'd better believe I'm coming
I am determined to come, so you better be prepared
You'd better believe what I say
You should trust my words, they are credible
You'd better hold on to your promises, because
Don't break the promises you made, or you will regret it
You bet you'll get what you deserve
Your actions have consequences and your rewards will be the result of your conduct
She's going to leave him over
She's planning to break up with him
She's going take her love away
She will no longer love him
So much for your eternal vows
Your promises of eternity have failed
Well it does not matter anyway
It's irrelevant now
Why can't you stay
Why can't you remain here?
Here awhile
Stay around for some time
Stay here awhile
Remain here with me for some time
Stay with me
Don't go away, stay around with me
All the promises we made (promises we made)
All the commitments we gave to each other
All the meaningless and empty words I prayed
The words I pretended to pray to deceive you, which were pointless and hollow
All the promises we broke (promises we broke)
All of the pledges we made that we did not keep
All the meaningless and empty words I spoke
All the words I uttered with no meaning or intention
What of all the things that you taught me
What about all the lessons you imparted to me
What of all the things that you'd say
What about the things you kept telling me
What of all your prophetic preaching
What of all your sermons and divinations
You're just throwing it all away
You're wasting it all by throwing it away
Maybe we should burn the house down
Perhaps we should set the house on fire
Have ourselves another fight
Let's have another argument
Leave the cobwebs in the closet
Don't bother removing the cobwebs from the cupboard
'Cause tearing them out is just not right
Because it's not proper to rip them out
Do-do-do
Musical interlude
Hey hey
Musical interjection
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DOLORES MARY O'RIORDAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@angelicatapeno4363
[Intro]
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ohh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ohh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ohh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ohh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ohh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ohh
[Verse 1]
You'd better believe I'm comin'
You'd better believe what I say
You'd better hold on to your promises
Because you bet, you'll get what you deserve
She's going to leave him over
She's gonna take her love away
So much for your eternal vows
Well, it does not matter anyway
[Pre-Chorus]
Why can't you stay here awhile?
Stay here awhile, stay with me
[Chorus]
Oh-whoa-oh, all the promises we made (Promises we made)
All the meaningless and empty words
I prayed, prayed, prayed
Oh-whoa-oh, all the promises we broke (Promises we broke)
All the meaningless and empty words
I spoke, spoke, spoke
[Refrain]
Do do do, do do do, do do do, do do do
Do do do, do do do, do do do, do do do
[Verse 2]
What of all the things that you taught me?
What of all the things that you'd say?
What of all your prophetic preaching?
You're just throwing it all away
Maybe we should burn the house down
Have ourselves another fight
Leave the cobwebs in the closet
'Cause tearing them out is just not right
[Pre-Chorus]
Why can't you stay here awhile?
Stay here awhile, stay with me, oh-oh
[Chorus]
Oh-whoa-oh, all the promises we made (Promises we made)
All the meaningless and empty words
I prayed, prayed, prayed
Oh-whoa-oh, all the promises we broke (Promises we broke)
All the meaningless and empty words
I spoke, spoke, spoke
[Break]
Oh
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh, whoa-oh
[Chorus]
Oh-whoa-oh, all the promises we made (Promises we made)
All the meaningless and empty words
I prayed, prayed, prayed
Oh-whoa-oh, all the promises we broke (Promises we broke)
All the meaningless and empty words
I spoke, spoke, spoke
[Outro]
Oh-eh, oh-eh, oh-eh, oh-eh
Oh-eh, oh-eh, oh-eh, oh-eh
Oh-eh, oh-eh, oh-eh, oh-eh
Do do do, do do do, do do do, do do do
Do do do, do do do, do do do, do do do
Do do do, do do do, do do do, do do do
Do do do, do do do, do do do, do do do
@juancamacho5746
You'd better believe I'm coming
You'd better believe what I say
You'd better hold on to your promises, because
You bet you'll get what you deserve
She's going to leave him over
She's going take her love away
So much for your eternal vows
Well it does not matter anyway
Why can't you stay
Here awhile
Stay here awhile
Stay with me
Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we made (promises we made)
All the meaningless and empty words I prayed
Prayed, prayed
Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we broke (promises we broke)
All the meaningless and empty words I spoke
Spoke, spoke
🎵🎶🎵🎶
What of all the things that you taught me
What of all the things that you'd say
What of all your prophetic preaching
You're just throwing it all away
Maybe we should burn the house down
Have ourselves another fight
Leave the cobwebs in the closet
'Cause tearing them out is just not right
Why can't you stay here awhile
Stay here awhile
Stay with me
Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we made (promises we made)
All the meaningless and empty words I prayed
Prayed, prayed
Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we broke (promises we broke)
All the meaningless and empty words I spoke
Spoke, spoke
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we made (promises we made)
All the meaningless and empty words I prayed
Prayed, prayed
Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we broke (promises we broke)
All the meaningless and empty words I spoke
Spoke, spoke
Oh eh, oh eh, oh eh, oh eh, oh eh
Hey hey
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
@snowdarkqueen2755
You better believe I'm coming
You better believe what I say
You better hold on to your promises
Because you bet, you'll get what you deserve
She's going to leave him over
She's gonna take her love away
So much for your eternal vows, well
It does not matter anyway
Why can't you stay here awhile
Stay here awhile
Stay with me
Oh, all the promises we made
All the meaningless and empty words
I prayed, prayed, prayed
Oh, all the promises we broke
All the meaningless and empty words
I spoke, spoke, spoke
Do-do-do, do-do-do,
Do-do-do, do-do-do
What of all the things that you taught me
What of all the things that you'd say
What of all your prophetic preaching
You're just throwing it all away
Maybe we should burn the house down
Have ourselves another fight
Leave the cobwebs in the closet
Cause tearing them out is just not right
Why can't you stay here awhile
Stay here awhile
Stay with me, oh oh!
@Iggypres
The king is already gone, prince too, now queen, - the royals are fading away ... sad
@simonegiacchi4915
Igor Presnyakov well she was the Princess...the Queen died lot of time ago...there's only one Queen. Freddie Mercury. But today we lost a piece of heart.
@feezoo82
Every1 dies, very few leave the mark in history, she was indeed one of those few.
@james-kc7xk
I never anticipated this part of middle age. All my childhood heroes are leaving. First Lemmy, then Chris Cornell, then Tom Petty, then Gord Downie. Now Dolores. WTF. I'm so sad and angry right now. What a horrendous blow for music fans.
@vickicleaver6781
An amazing artist, I'm at such a loss for words right now. There must be one hell of a show going on up there
, as all the greats are being called.
@aarontrainor9918
james Chester Bennington too
@electrovoyage2613
One of their best tracks. Her voice and guitars are superb
@gallowaygaming75
Totally agree buddy what a vocalist 👍
@grac3om
What an absolute legend she was, with one of the most raw, emotive, powerful and distinctive voices in the industry. RIP Dolores, it's been almost six years but the world has not forgotten you and we continue to treasure all the songs you gifted to us. ❤
@cometsmommy
I think this is my favorite Cranberries song. Of course Zombie is their biggest for many reasons, but this one just really shows Delores strength as a performer. RIP Delores O'Riordan. We were blessed to have you on this earth