Promises (with Sam Smith)

"Promises" explores the theme of a modern, non-committal romantic encounter. The lyrics, sung by Sam Smith, articulate a desire for an intense, present-moment connection without the burden of future commitments or traditional relationship expectations. The song's narrator is upfront about their inability to offer long-term security, symbolized by the line, "I can't do golden rings." Instead, they offer "everything" for one night—a passionate, magical, and all-encompassing experience. This theme of temporary intimacy is initiated with questions like, "Are you drunk enough not to judge what I'm doin'?" and "Are you high enough to excuse that I'm ruined?", suggesting a need for a judgment-free space where two people can connect authentically, if only for a short time. The song celebrates the freedom and liberation found in such arrangements, focusing on physical and energetic connection over romantic promises. It captures a feeling of euphoria and release, making it an anthem for living in the now.

The narrative begins with a series of introspective questions, setting a scene of vulnerability and a desire for non-judgmental acceptance. The speaker asks a potential partner if they are intoxicated enough to overlook their flaws and emotional baggage, admitting they are "ruined." This initial plea establishes a foundation for a temporary, consequence-free encounter. The question, "Is it late enough for you to come and stay over?" transitions the mood from self-deprecation to a direct proposition, emphasizing a mutual freedom to explore a physical connection without emotional strings. The core message is then explicitly stated in the chorus. The speaker makes it clear they cannot offer traditional symbols of long-term commitment like "golden rings." However, they offer something else entirely: "everything" for just one night. This "everything" is described as a kind of magic, a powerful, inexplicable connection that defies logic and science. It's an invitation to seize a moment of pure, unadulterated pleasure and experience. The repetition of "I make no promises" serves as a crucial disclaimer, a boundary set to manage expectations. It is not about a lack of feeling in the moment, but an inability or unwillingness to extend that feeling into a future commitment. The second verse intensifies the physical and energetic aspect of the encounter. The speaker's body is "calling for you," an instinctual, primal urge. They express a need for someone who can match their own actions and desires, suggesting a deep, almost desperate craving for a mirrored passion. The imagery of "heating up" and a heartbeat "dancing alone" conveys a sense of building anticipation and a readiness to lose control to the energy of the moment. The bridge introduces a subtle shift, a hint of longing that complicates the otherwise straightforward proposition. The repeated plea for a "green light" and the request, "say that you're mine," introduces a possessive, albeit temporary, desire. It suggests that even within this framework of no-strings-attached intimacy, there is a yearning for validation and a momentary sense of belonging. This recurring motif reveals the emotional complexity beneath the surface of a purely physical arrangement. The song concludes by reiterating the central theme: the rejection of permanent vows in favor of an all-encompassing, magical present. The phrase "magic is in the air, there ain't no science here" encapsulates the song's ethos—a celebration of a powerful, transient connection that is felt rather than analyzed, existing purely in the shared experience of "tonight."

"Promises" was released on August 17, 2018, as a collaboration between Scottish DJ Calvin Harris and English singer Sam Smith. The song was co-written by Harris (under his real name, Adam Wiles), Smith, and Canadian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez, who also provides additional vocals on the track. Calvin Harris handled the production entirely. The collaboration was first announced by both artists on social media on August 13, 2018, generating significant excitement. Sam Smith mentioned that it had always been a dream to work with Harris and that they had a great deal of fun writing the song with him and Jessie Reyez. The track marked Smith's third major foray into electronic dance music, following their successful features on Disclosure's "Latch" and "Omen". For Harris, it followed his massive 2018 hit "One Kiss" with Dua Lipa. The song was later included as a bonus track on Sam Smith's third studio album, Love Goes (2020).

The song follows a relatively straightforward verse-chorus structure with a consistent rhythm that drives its dance-pop feel. The lyrics in the verses utilize a simple, near-rhyme scheme that enhances their conversational tone, for example, "doin'" and "ruined," and "over" and "love." This creates a sense of intimacy and directness. The chorus is built on repetition and a strong, memorable melodic hook. The lyrical rhythm is syncopated, with phrases often starting just before the downbeat, which creates a feeling of forward momentum and complements the dance beat. The tempo is a steady 123 BPM, characteristic of house music, making it highly danceable. The interplay between Smith's fluid, soulful vocal rhythm and Harris's precise, four-on-the-floor house beat is a key element of the song's appeal, creating a track that is both emotionally resonant and physically compelling.

"Promises" is a masterful blend of Calvin Harris's signature production style with Sam Smith's soulful vocal delivery. The song is rooted in house music, specifically referencing late '80s and early '90s piano house with its prominent, uplifting piano chord progression (Bmaj7–D♯m7–C♯sus2). The track maintains a consistent tempo of 123 beats per minute, ideal for the dancefloor. Musically, it features a classic house beat, a groovy bassline, and subtle synth pads that create a lush, atmospheric background. Harris employs vocal cuts and ad-libs, particularly Jessie Reyez's background vocals, which add texture and a conversational feel to the track. Sam Smith's vocal performance is notable for its dynamic range and emotional depth. They deliver the verses with a sense of vulnerability and yearning, which builds into a powerful, soaring performance in the chorus, conveying both liberation and passion. This contrasts with their more common melancholic ballad style, showcasing their versatility. The production is clean and polished, designed to be both radio-friendly and a club anthem.

"Promises" was a massive commercial success, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart, which became Calvin Harris's tenth and Sam Smith's seventh chart-topper in the country. It also topped the Billboard Dance/Mix Show Airplay Chart in the United States. Beyond its chart performance, the song's cultural impact is deeply tied to its music video, directed by Emil Nava. The video is a vibrant homage to LGBTQ+ ball culture and voguing, primarily set in New York City. It features interviews with real-life dancers from the scene who speak about the freedom and acceptance they find through dance and self-expression. The video, which includes a cameo from model Winnie Harlow, was widely praised for its authentic celebration of queer and trans people of color and for bringing the liberating energy of ballroom to a mainstream audience. A subsequent documentary was released, further exploring the lives and stories of the voguers featured in the video. The song and its video became an anthem of liberation and self-acceptance, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community.

The central lyrical motif of "Promises" revolves around the explicit rejection of traditional commitment symbols in favor of immediate, experiential fulfillment.

• "Golden rings" serve as the primary symbol for marriage and long-term, binding promises. By stating, "I make no promises, I can't do golden rings," the narrator clearly defines the boundaries of the relationship, contrasting the physical and emotional intensity of the present with the societal expectation of permanence.
• The concept of "magic" is used as a metaphor for the powerful, unquantifiable connection happening in the moment. The line, "Magic is in the air, there ain't no science here," suggests that the attraction and energy are beyond logical explanation, existing in a realm of pure feeling and experience. This elevates the one-night encounter from a simple physical act to a transcendent event.
• The plea for a "green light" in the bridge symbolizes consent, eagerness, and permission to proceed. It's a request for a clear signal that both parties are on the same page, ready to immerse themselves in the experience without hesitation.

The most significant recurring phrase in "Promises" is the line, "I make no promises." This phrase is the song's central thesis, repeated in every chorus to constantly reinforce the nature of the proposed relationship: it is purely of the moment, with no future guarantees. Its repetition acts as both a declaration and a disclaimer. Another key recurring motif is the offer, "But I'll give you everything (Tonight)." This contrasts directly with the denial of promises, highlighting the song's core duality: a rejection of permanence in exchange for total, albeit temporary, immersion. The word "Tonight" is consistently emphasized, often with reverb or as a background vocal chop, underscoring the limited timeframe of the encounter. The bridge introduces the repeated request for a "green light," which functions as a motif for enthusiastic consent and mutual desire, adding a layer of longing to the otherwise straightforward proposition.