Promising
Jeff Tweedy Lyrics

In Jeff Tweedy's song "Promising," the lyrics convey a sense of doubt and regret about a promise that was made between two people that were in a relationship. The singer seems to have been aware even at the time of making the promise that it was something that was unlikely to be kept. The lyrics use imagery of crossed fingers behind the back and promises that are just empty words.

The first two lines are particularly poignant - "Cross your fingers behind your back / Squeeze mine until they crack." This paints the picture of a false promise, someone crossing their fingers to avoid any accountability or responsibility for the words they speak. The physical gesture of squeezing hands until they crack also suggests that there was some sincere emotion behind the promise, but ultimately it was not enough.

The lyrics continue with the image of a girl with a "toothy smile" and "girly style" who is promenading in a backyard. There is a sense of nostalgia and fondness in the tone, but then the lyrics revert to the doubt and the feeling of being deceived. Even her wearing a ring that is "over my head, around my finger" is a promise that is not kept. In the end, the chorus repeats "I promise you and you promise me / Not to admit defeat / I promise, you promise me," but the words are hollow and just words that are not kept.