You Promised Me
Bobby Caldwell Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Why should I worry
What happens to me in this life
There are a million people girl
Trying to waste my time

I'm in no hurry
I only want to hang on to
I thought that you said the love was mine
I never meant to hurt you

Darling what's your hurry
Now you'll never have to worry
I'll be there for you
Darling don't close your door

You promised me you'd never leave
You promised me
You promised me you'd always stay

I hold a vision
A better world for you and me
I tried to reach the part of you
And you refuse to see

I'm in confusion
I try to keep our love alive




And when the flame burns out so soon
We never will survive

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bobby Caldwell's song You Promised Me talk about the pain and confusion that the singer feels after being promised love and loyalty from his partner but being let down in the end. He questions why he should worry about what happens to him in life when there are so many people trying to waste his time. He wants to hold on to the love that he was promised, but it seems that his partner is in a hurry to leave. He reminds her of the promises that she made to him, that she would never leave and always stay.


The singer holds a vision of a better world for both of them, but his partner refuses to see it. He is confused as to how to keep their love alive when the flame burns out so soon. He never meant to hurt her, but he feels the pain of the broken promises that were made.


The lyrics convey a sense of betrayal and disappointment, highlighting how promises made in love can be broken, causing immense pain to the other person. Despite this, the singer still holds on to hope that their love can survive, but it seems unlikely.


Line by Line Meaning

Why should I worry
Why do I need to be apprehensive


What happens to me in this life
What unfolds in this life for me


There are a million people girl
There are countless people, my love


Trying to waste my time
Attempting to consume my time in vain


I'm in no hurry
I'm not in a rush


I only want to hang on to
I desire to hold onto


I thought that you said the love was mine
I recall you assuring me that you loved me


I never meant to hurt you
I never intended to harm you


Darling what's your hurry
What's the rush, my dear


Now you'll never have to worry
Presently, you need not be anxious


I'll be there for you
I'll offer my support to you


Darling don't close your door
My love, do not shut me out


You promised me you'd never leave
You pledged never to depart from me


You promised me
You gave me your word


You promised me you'd always stay
You guaranteed to always be with me


I hold a vision
I possess an idea


A better world for you and me
A superior world for us


I tried to reach the part of you
I endeavored to contact the core of you


And you refuse to see
But you declined to see


I'm in confusion
I am perplexed


I try to keep our love alive
I strive to sustain our love


And when the flame burns out so soon
But when the passion vanishes quickly


We never will survive
We won't endure




Contributed by Austin C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found