Don't Make Promises
Marianne Faithfull · Decca Years 1965-1967 [2007]
Are all about tomorrow,
Tunes of promises that we can't keep.
Every moment bringing
A love I can only borrow,
You're telling me lies in your sleep.
Do you think I'm not aware
Of what you're saying
Or why you're saying it ?
Is it hard to keep me where
You want me staying ?
Don't go on betraying.
Don't make promises that you can't keep.
We had a chance to find it,
Our time was now or never,
You promised me things that I need.
And then the things behind it
Took away the chance forever,
You're telling me lies in your sleep.
Do you think I'm not aware
Of what you're saying
Or why you're saying it ?
Is it hard to keep me where
You want me staying ?
Don't go on betraying.
Don't make promises that you can't keep.
Don't make promises that you can't keep.
Don't make promises that you can't keep.
Don't make promises that you can't keep ....
Don't Make Promises
Recorded during Marianne Faithfull's pivotal period in the mid-1960s, 'Don't Make Promises' captures the raw emotional intensity characteristic of her early work. Released on the Decca Years 1965-1967 compilation, the track exemplifies the confessional style that defined her transition from pop to a more serious, literary approach to songwriting. The recording features Faithfull's distinctive vocal delivery, blending vulnerability with a haunting quality that became a hallmark of her discography. As part of her broader body of work from this era, the song reflects the personal turmoil and artistic exploration that marked her career during the height of the British Invasion. It stands as a significant piece in her catalog, showcasing her ability to convey complex narratives through music without relying on traditional pop structures.