Simply the best! Will 's guitar stings are so intense on this track almost LIke its "Droning" / Ian is literally crying out the vocals as Pete smashes his drum kit! An Incredible gift of 80's music!
Still sends shivers after all these years. This was a band that knew exactly what they wanted this song to sound like. And thanks to the original editor of this video = very well done.
You said something will change We were all dressed up Somewhere to go No sign of rain But something will change You promised You said nothing will change We were almost near Almost far Down came the rain But nothing will change You promised A promise A promise A promise It's exactly the same You said It's always the same But I'll make it change Into something the same I promise A promise A promise A promise Light on the waves Light on the waves Light on the waves Light on the waves A promise A promise A promise A promise (light on the water) (we could sail on forever) a promise A promise (there's light on the water) (we could sail on forever) a promise (there's light on the water) a promise (there's light on the water) a promise (we could sail on forever) a promise (there's light on the water) a promise (there's light on the water) a promise (we could sail on forever)
The Bunnymen were ahead of U2 commercially when HUH was released. Then they released Porcupine (a brilliant album) but the wanky music execs refused to support it. Once the marketing wankers stop funding the promotion you are fucked. U2 however has a much better manager and relationship with their record company. U2 NEVER sold out. They couldn't. They weren't musically gifted and therefore, like the Bunnymen, had one way of playing. It was lovely, brilliant in fact. But dont make the mistake of thinking either band were gifted musically. They weren't. They were just a group of friends who made good pop melodies. The Bunnymen were fucked over by their management/label. U2 weren't. Simple.
U2 were great until achtung baby included. Just because Echo didn't get what they deserved doesn't mean U2 was overrated. Both bands deserved success, and throw in Icicle Works as well, who wrote stunning music for years (arguably the best of the 3).
This one really takes me back, but the promise is such a universal concept. Yes, we all make promises to ourselves and to some of our lovers and friends. Sometimes we also make promises to university and of course governments but you know nothing is really gonna change now I remember when I was six years old I had this vision of well you know who it was something that looked like Jesus Christ and depicted by one of the Renaissance Masters so there I was out in Pennsylvania, and I was in a small lake of course and I could see the flashing of the light coming down beneath the boat and it was the light on the water but beneath it, I saw a vision of Jesus, but he looked a lot like King Arthur as well. Yeah, that was a true natural high the way that the ancient Greeks used to get it with, of course using stroboscopic lights or the actual mesmerism that comes from watching the light from the water I had similar visions in the Florida Keys. Yes, I made my promises accordingly
Saw them at Radio City Music hall mid 80s. Surprised my date with a limo for the way back. Parked in the front after the concert, the crowd thought it was for the band. What a night.
Personally I think Drummer Pete DeFreitas early death was a huge blow to the Bunnymen’s success and progression. Secondly lead vocalist Ian McCullough didn’t strike me as the most compromising of individuals. Which never augers well with powerful manipulative record execs especially during that period. I found both The Bunnymen and U2 ‘s music equally anthemic although I’d never considered them eclectic bands.U2 were more lucky with management.
Bunnymen will always be a great band, and A Promise remains a great song, and, yes, U2 was “lucky” to have great management, even though your implication is that Echo was not as big in the States due to poor management and Mac’s at times uncompromising and difficult personality. There were other factors. Pete, a huge talent, had his fatal accident after the band had made its first major split in the 80s and after he had gone AWOL before their eponymous 87 LP sessions began (yes, he returned for them). Will, a huge talent, let Mac steer the band into a poppier, less Goth rock sound on Ocean Rain. IMHO, “Never Stop” was the last great Bunnymen single. I know I am in the minority on that. I still enjoy songs from Ocean Rain and actually have a higher opinion of the 87 LP than most critics. Yes, they should have been bigger in a perfect world. U2 had the discipline and enough humility to make it work long-term. Les was a huge talent, but soured on Mac’s leadership around 1998 with their reunited 75% Bunnymen. Is Mac a huge talent? Yes. Would his 89 solo album have made a fine Bunnymen album? Yes. Should Will have had his way with the band’s sound in the crucial mid-80s? I think so. Sorry for the rambling. When I interviewed Mac back in the 90s, he was still most proud of Ocean Rain and he did not appreciate my remark about the first 3 Bunnymen albums being stronger than the first 3 U2 albums. “Don’t forget Ocean Rain.” I am grateful for all of the great music the band did produce together.
The song that got me into The Bunnymen - and when I saw that Ian's face was as gorgeous as his voice - that was it forever. Will have this played at my funeral!
There's a great interview with Will Sergeant describing his impressions of Television from the time...how Verlaine captured the space between his mind and the notes he played on guitar...how he (Will Sergeant) wanted to achieve that sensation...
Great Video and great editing you got the drums linked up and the vocals even though he is singing a diffrent song in each clip, it still looks like hes singing this one. Great great great!!! what did you use for your editing and do you have others? I would love to see more. Peace KB
I could have sworn they had an official video for this. This is great, you synched it so it looks like he is actually mouthing the words. Your a great editor.
Haha my bro actually got me into simple minds. THE first song I loved was CHELSEA GIRL .One of my all time favorites tho has to be COLOURS FLY AND CATHERINE WHEELS 😌❤ watch it often on utube Remasterd by DEXTER I think or some think like BELTN STUFF .Great to see a young energetic Jim ❤ HAPPY DAYS 😌
I really wish I'd grown up in this era! What happened to all the good music? If you like Echo & the Bunnymen definitely check out "Lost in this world" by The Urban Foxes.
Living in Japan when I first discovered Echo & the Bunnymen, having come from a musical/cultural Midwestern small town where there was nothing but Top40 and Country&Western. Good memories.
TheLadyDiazepam So what your saying is that the Japanese had better progressive music than that town in America where to music sucks.. I can relate lol
I cried when they played this song when I seen them this passed may at the warfield in SF. I was so happy to be be able to see them live after getting into them when I was a teen.
A few thoughts about this. McCulloch did love himself. I saw them twice in 83 and 85 two completely different events. As in this video the earlier shows are mostly young men into the music where as 2 years on I got strange looks from the group for standing down the front surrounded by little girls. What was their gain from having teenage girls as their fans ? To confuse the matter further I more than quite fancy Mac dressed up as a blonde.
what a great band ,this song i had to have as soon as i heard it! my big bro playing it in hes bedroom eeeeeeeee they were great times 💓 takes me back some ......😕1981 😮 id ov been 14 !
