Music Review: Stacie Orrico "I Promise"

Stacie Orrico

I Promise

Album: Stacie Orrico

Year: 2004

            Stacie Orrico vows to sacrifice everything for her doubting crush in the perceptive   “I Promise.”

        Confiding synths open the single, setting a pacifying tone. Her crush isn’t sure about a relationship. Yeah, she’s his friend but a relationship changes everything. She asks if he’s worried that she won’t stand up for him or comfort him when he’s upset. (“Will I always be there for you/When you need someone?/Will I be that one you need?/Will I do all my best to, to protect you?/When the tears get near your eyes/Will I be the one that's by your side?”)

         In the chorus, she’s wondering if she’ll be there at a moment’s notice to talk and keep him together. She says she’s able to do it. (“Will I be there when you call me/

In the middle of the night?/Will I keep the rain from falling down into your life?/I promise, I promise, I promise, I promise I will.”)

           He thinks she might use him as a status symbol around school. She also wonders if he’s thinking she’s going to him ignore him and not provide any emotional support. (“Will I take tender care of you?/Take your darkest night and make it bright for you?/Will I be there to make you strong/And to lean on/When this world has turned so cold?/Will I be the one that's there to hold?”)

             The chorus is sung twice.

              In the bridge, she says she’s in love with him and each day her feelings grow deeper. She again, assures him that she will be supportive. (“And I love you more every day/And nothing will take that love away/When you need someone/I promise I'll be there for you/There for you, oh yeah.”)

           An extended chorus ends the single. (“Will I be there when you call me/In the middle of the night?/Will I keep the rain from falling down into your life?/I promise, I promise, I promise I will, oh yeah/And I promise/And I promise/I will be there when you call me/I promise, I promise, I promise I will.”)

               Orrico’s truthful vocals assure him to the best to her ability that she isn’t out to get him. She handles the constant questions with patience of a saint.  She figures he’s skittish and his past ex-girlfriends haven’t treated him well.

           The lyrics are stylized to be questions. Unfortunately, it puts an unfair burden on Orrico. Her boyfriend expects her to be perfect. It brings up other questions: will he give and take? Will he listen to her? He’s putting through her a lot without offering much of himself.

           The  tempered “I Promise” gives the benefit of the doubt even though it may not be worth it.