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Released in 1997

Don't Break The Promise

Written by Paul McCartney • Eric Stewart

Last updated on August 4, 2020

Album This song officially appears on the The World Tonight #2 EP.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1997

Related song

“Don’t Break The Promise” is a song written by Paul McCartney and Eric Stewart, during their collaboration in 1986 for the “Press To Play” album. Paul McCartney recorded it, with the help of Hamish Stuart, in 1988. It was officially released on the B-Side of the 1997 single “Beautiful Night“.

“Don’t Break The Promise” was included in the 2020 reissue of “Flaming Pie” but was not remastered. 

Eric Stewart also recorded it with 10cc for their 1992 album “…Meanwhile“. The song was renamed it “Don’t Break The Promises” (notice the ending “s”), and the result is totally different than the McCartney version.

Lyrics

Take my life but don't throw it all away, don't break the promise that you made today.

Take my heart but if you're not gonna stay, don't break the promise that you made today.

Ah, don't break the promise that you made today.

If you don't mean to keep your word, well, you better be heading down the road.

Cause I can't, I can't stand it if we don't love life all you gonna do is tell me goodbye.

Take my life but don't throw it all away, don't break the promise that you made today.

Ah, take my heart but don't lose it on the way, ooh, don't break the promise that you made today.

(don't break the promise) don't break the promise that you made today.

Kiss it goodbye, (kiss it) walk if you don't want all, all of my loving.

you know what you can do, baby, kiss it goodbye. (kiss it, kiss it) yeah, yeah.

Ah, take my heart but don't throw it, don't throw it all away,

mm, don't break the promise that you made today.

(don't break the promise) don't break the promise that you made today.

No, no, no, don't break the promise that you made today,

no, no, don't break the promise that you made today.

Variations

  • A Commercial version (solo version)
  • A1 Oobu Joobu version

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

Videos

Album Flaming Pie - Archive Collection

Live performances

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.

Going further

Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 2) 1990-2012

This new book by Luca Perasi traces Paul McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1990 to 2012 in the form of 250 song entries, filled with details about the recordings, stories behind the sessions and musical analysis. His pop albums, his forays into classical and avant-garde music, his penchant for covering old standards: a complete book to discover how these languages cross-pollinate and influence each other.

The second volume in a series that has established itself as a unique guide to take the reader on a journey into the astonishing creativity of Paul McCartney.

Read our exclusive interview with Luca Perasi

Buy on Amazon

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