"Promises" is a song that sounds like a night out and a quiet confession at the same time. Released on 17 August 2018 by Columbia Records and Sony Music, the track brought together Scottish DJ Calvin Harris and English singer Sam Smith for a house-pop anthem that became one of the biggest dance records of the year. It was written by Harris, Smith, and Canadian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez, who also provided additional vocals, with production handled entirely by Harris.

The song's lyrics are about the kind of reckless, late-night honesty that only comes out when the lights are low: "Are you drunk enough? Not to judge what I'm doin' / Are you high enough? To excuse that I'm ruined." It is a song about wanting someone to stay, about the promises we make when we're not sure we can keep them.

The song was an immediate hit. It debuted at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart and reached No. 1 on 7 September 2018, becoming Harris's tenth British chart-topper and Smith's seventh. In the United States, it became Harris's twelfth and Smith's first No. 1 on Billboard's Dance/Mix Show Airplay Chart.

What I find compelling about "Promises" is how it works on the dance floor and in your headphones. Harris gives Smith a beat that is both club-ready and emotionally rich, and Smith gives Harris a vocal performance that turns a house track into something genuinely moving. It is a song that captures the late-night feeling of being young, honest, and a little bit reckless.

The song is a strong example of what happens when two artists at the top of their game bring out the best in each other. It is a song that works on the dance floor and in your headphones, and it is a reminder of the power of a great collaboration.