Promise
Muna Lyrics
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I call it a compromise to keep you in your seats
I was so afraid to lose
But the things that I did to you, you would never do to me
Why do I, why do, why do, why do I do it? why do I do it?
You wanna hold my hand and make a fierce, a false PROMISE
And even if you said you would, forgive me
I don't know if I could ever say I′m sorry
I don't know if I can
I don′t know if I, I (you said you would)
I don′t know if I can
So I look at you now, bruised and broken down
About what you thought was love
You tell me you wanna stay, and you wanna watch me changed
But I'm scared and I tell you to fuck off
Why do I, why do, why do, why do I do it? why do I do it?
You wanna hold my hand and make a fierce, a false PROMISE
And even if you said you would, forgive me
I don′t know if I could ever say I'm sorry
I don′t know if I could (you said you would)
I don't know if I can
I don′t know if I, I (you said you would)
I don't know if I can
Me and hardy girls we'll kill the lovers to hurt themselves
They can′t believe if they deserve, anything it goes
And even if you say you know that I′m sorry
I don't if I could ever forgive me!
I don′t know if I could (you said you would)
I don't know if I can
I don′t know if I, I (you said you would)
I don't know if I can
I′ve told a lot of lies,
And I call it a compromise to keep you
(You said you would)
The song "Promise" by Muna explores the themes of dishonesty, fear, and the struggle to apologize for past mistakes. The opening lines "I’ve told a lot of lies, I call it a compromise to keep you in your seats" suggest the singer has been deceitful in order to maintain control or keep someone interested. However, she later admits that the things she did to the other person would never be done to her. This reveals her fear of losing the other person and not knowing how to properly communicate her feelings.
The chorus features the repeated phrase "You wanna hold my hand and make a fierce, a false PROMISE" which could refer to the other person trying to hold on to the relationship despite the singer's deceit. The phrase "false promise" suggests that the singer believes the other person may not truly forgive her, no matter what she says or does. The line "I don't know if I could ever say I'm sorry" reflects her struggle to take accountability for her actions and make amends.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more conflicted and defensive. She describes the other person as "bruised and broken down" and admits to being scared of changing. The line "Me and hardy girls we'll kill the lovers to hurt themselves" is particularly cryptic, but could suggest that the singer is part of a group of people who have hurt others in similar ways.
Overall, "Promise" is a complex exploration of the difficulties of admitting fault and reconciling with others, particularly in intimate relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I've told a lot of lies,
I have not been truthful and honest
I call it a compromise to keep you in your seats
I justified my lies to control your behavior
I was so afraid to lose
I was fearful of losing you
But the things that I did to you, you would never do to me
I mistreated you in ways you wouldn't have done to me
Why do I, why do, why do, why do I do it? why do I do it?
I question my own actions and motives
You wanna hold my hand and make a fierce, a false PROMISE
You want to pretend that everything is okay, even though it's not
And even if you said you would, forgive me
Even if you forgave me, I'm not sure I could do it myself
I don't know if I could ever say I'm sorry
I'm not sure if I'm capable of apologizing
So I look at you now, bruised and broken down
I see how I have hurt you physically and emotionally
About what you thought was love
Your idea of love was distorted by my lies and manipulation
You tell me you wanna stay, and you wanna watch me changed
You want to see me change and grow, despite my past actions
But I'm scared and I tell you to fuck off
But I'm afraid of the vulnerability that comes with changing and push you away
Me and hardy girls we'll kill the lovers to hurt themselves
I'm self-destructive and hurt those who love me
They can't believe if they deserve, anything it goes
I make those who love me feel like they don't deserve love and happiness
And even if you say you know that I'm sorry
Even if you say that you forgive me, I'm not sure if I can forgive myself
I don't know if I could ever forgive me!
I'm struggling to forgive myself for the pain I have caused
And I call it a compromise to keep you
I rationalize my actions as necessary to keep you around
Writer(s): Naomi Mcpherson, Catherine Gavin, Josette Maskin
Contributed by Cole M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Renquis
This song is so good not only instrumentally, but the LYRICS
That self-awareness that you know what you're doing is wrong but you don't know if you can stop. The ugly part of mental illness and trauma where you want to change but don't know if you can, or you're afraid of it because it's such a key part of you. It's not talked about enough, and this song demonstrates it perfectly
Novia
MUNA is definitely consistent in bringing good songs to us.
Micha Hogan
My 2017 obsession. Such talent, i'm truly blessed to a fan. In love with MUNA!!! <3
Jonathan Jurado
The way the Melodies and the sound is constructed is so good! It sounds so unique. This is my favorite song off the “about you” album
Luine Roza
Que Banda maravilhosa, que album maravilhoso aaaaaaa
smileforhiba
band of the year
album of the year
lyrics of the year
"i dunno what else" of the year
i love u MUNA♡♡
Aljohn Magnaye
MUNA is my jam during this pandemic ❤️
snotdotcom
genuinely one of the best songs to exist
p. s.
UNDERRATED TRACK ALERT
Zelton Theroulde
I agree! One of their best! Right up there with "I know A Place"