- Cous… Read Full Bio ↴There are two performing artists named Christopher Williams.
- Cousin to Al B. Sure!, Christopher Williams (born Troy Christopher Williams on August 22, 1967) produced numerous R&B hits during the new jack swing era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. He is also known for having dated Halle Berry and Stacey Dash, the latter whom he has a son (Austin) with. His eldest son, Justin Hylton-Williams, is following in his father's footsteps as an executive in the music industry. In a 2010 interview with MTV, Christopher expressed his desire for Justin to begin his own singing career; siting his son's incredible voice and ear for music.
He released his debut album, entitled Adventures in Paradise, in 1989. The singles "Talk To Myself" and "Promises, Promises" reached the R&B Top 10, and Christopher's powerful voice helped him stand out among his peers. In 1991 he appeared alongside Wesley Snipes and Ice-T in the movie New Jack City. He contributed to the movie's soundtrack with "I'm Dreamin'". It would become Christopher's biggest hit, reaching number one on the R&B chart. His next album, 1992's Changes, produced more hits with "All I See", "Every Little Thing U Do", and a cover of the Teddy Pendergrass classic "Come Go With Me".
Changes would be followed up with Not a Perfect Man in 1995 and Real Men Do in 2001. Since then, he's been appearing in plays such as "Men Cry in the Dark".
- Christopher Williams is a touring folk artist from Nashville. During the past several years, Williams has opened for, and in some cases accompanied on djembe and vocals, such performers as David Wilcox, the waifs, Peter Himmelman, Patty Larkin, the subdudes and Arlo Guthrie, in a wide array of venues ranging from Boston’s Sanders Theatre to Nashville’s Bluebird Café to San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall. He’s also brought his music to the main stage at many of the nation’s folk festivals, including New York’s Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Folks Fest, Texas’ Kerrville Folk Festival, and Oklahoma’s Woody Guthrie Festival.
Promises Promises
Christopher Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been in love before and it let me down
Now I'm all grown up no turning back girl
Like a child's heart a play
you know the things we used to say
(you remember baby)
When we were in love we made
(Chorus)
Promises, promises we don't keep
Promises, promises we can't eat nor sleep
Promises, promises we don't keep
Promises, promises we can't eat nor sleep
Girl when you broke out, I thought life would end
Now I'm all strung out
Try'na pick up the pieces once again
It seems no matter what I do
Bad luck has been my best friend
All of the things you used to say
They are just promises
Promises, promises we don't keep
Promises, promises we can't eat nor sleep
Promises, promises we don't keep
Promises, promises we can't eat nor sleep
Memories are the only things
That keeps me holding on, holding on yeah
Remember loving you
All night long
Promises, promises we don't keep
Promises, promises we can't eat nor sleep
Promises, promises we don't keep
Promises, promises we can't eat nor sleep
(Music Break)
Promises, promises we don't keep
Promises, promises we can't eat nor sleep
Promises, promises we don't keep
Promises, promises we can't eat nor sleep
It seems no matter what I do
Bad luck has my best friend
Not to me those words you say
They are just promises
Promises, promises we don't keep
Promises, promises we can't eat nor sleep
Promises, promises we don't keep
Promises, promises we can't eat nor sleep
Promises, promises we don't keep
Promises, promises we can't eat nor sleep
Promises, promises we don't keep
Promises, promises we can't eat nor sleep
The song Promises Promises by Christopher Williams is about a person who had been in love before, got hurt, and is now finding it difficult to trust in love again. The person is sorry for not being able to keep the promises made to their partner. The lyrics suggest that even though they had made promises, they have not been able to keep them, and the promises have only caused pain and disappointment. The chorus repeats the phrase "promises, promises we don't keep" and "promises, promises we can't eat or sleep," which emphasizes the importance of keeping one's word and how the guilt and regret of not being able to keep the promises affects one's ability to function.
The second verse talks about how the person's life fell apart when their partner left, and they are still trying to pick up the pieces. The lyrics also suggest that the person has been struggling with bad luck, which has been their constant companion, regardless of what they do. The memories of being in love keep them holding on and hoping for a better future.
Overall, the song Promises Promises is about the hardships of love, how broken promises can ruin relationships, and how difficult it is to trust again after getting hurt.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm so sorry
I regret my past actions and behaviors that may have caused pain to you
I've been in love before and it let me down
I have experienced the pain of lost love in the past that has made me wary of love
Now I'm all grown up no turning back girl
I have matured and cannot go back to the naïve state of mind I once had
Like a child's heart a play
Love can be unpredictable and playful, like the heart of a child
you know the things we used to say
We had sweet and romantic conversations when we were in love
(you remember baby)
I am reminiscing about our past memories together
When we were in love we made
Our love was strong and we were committed to each other
Promises, promises we don't keep
We make promises that we cannot fulfill
Promises, promises we can't eat nor sleep
We are consumed by the unfulfilled promises we have made
Girl when you broke out, I thought life would end
When you left me, I felt like my life was over
Now I'm all strung out
I am emotionally drained and worn out from our relationship
Try'na pick up the pieces once again
I am trying to recover from the damage caused by our failed relationship
It seems no matter what I do
I feel like I cannot escape my bad luck
Bad luck has been my best friend
I have had consistent and persistent misfortune
Memories are the only things
The only thing I have left are the memories of our love
That keeps me holding on, holding on yeah
The memories of our love are what gives me hope and strength to continue on
Remember loving you
I cherish the memories of when we were in love
All night long
Our love was passionate and lasted through the night
Promises, promises we don't keep
We are unable to keep the promises we make to each other
Promises, promises we can't eat nor sleep
The broken promises leave us feeling empty and restless
(Music Break)
There is a pause in the singing to let the music speak for itself
Promises, promises we don't keep
We have created expectations that we cannot fulfill
Promises, promises we can't eat nor sleep
The broken promises have left us hungry for more and unable to rest
It seems no matter what I do
The bad luck and consequences of our actions continue to haunt me
Bad luck has my best friend
The misfortune I face is always present, like a constant companion
Not to me those words you say
The promises and words of love that were spoken to me are now meaningless
They are just promises
Our love was built on empty promises and now means nothing
Promises, promises we don't keep
We continue to make promises that we cannot uphold
Promises, promises we can't eat nor sleep
The weight of our failed promises keeps us up at night and distracts us during the day
Promises, promises we don't keep
Our failure to keep our promises has caused irreparable damage to our relationship
Promises, promises we can't eat nor sleep
We cannot move on from the broken promises, it consumes us every day and night
Writer(s): Timothy Gatling, Christopher Williams Copyright: Whole Nine Yards Music
Contributed by Callie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Craig Blakes
He may not look like the Christopher Williams we are use to seeing, but he can still sing like no other...still has it after all these years
Akida Jasper
I didn’t notice until I got older but how he gonna swag Jack Tender Roni like that lol 😂
Mr. E
Classic...real school never gets old...still holds its own in 2022...thats what timeless means.
yolanda Clark
He's a fine brother that didn't get his just do
Tisha Willis
And Mr. Williams still sound the same
Joan Nixon
2023😎
Dawn Walker
You don't realize how much you miss a song until you hear it years later. And remember every word. Christopher was definitely a powerhouse singer! 2020 is taking me back to the old days! ❤🙋🏾♀️
Katie Duckett
Lord have mercy...2020 and he still hitting 😍😍😍
Delois Jackson
Don’t make promises you can’t keep. I love ❤️ Christopher Williams voice. My favorite song.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Chiquits Dorsey
Girl he so fine