The Promise
Chris Cornell · 2017
4 min · 1 track · alternative rock
A haunting ballad that intertwines orchestral arrangements with Cornell's soulful, soaring vocals, evoking deep emotional resonance.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Promise — This title track encapsulates the album's themes of hope and resilience, delivering an impassioned performance that highlights Cornell's unmatched vocal ability and lyrical storytelling.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The song showcases strong writing and production but lacks broader recognition.
What we noticed
- The track features a slow, steady build with layered instrumentation that gradually adds strings and percussion as it progresses.
- Cornell's vocal delivery is emotive and dynamic, shifting from soft verses to a powerful chorus.
- The song's structure follows a traditional verse-chorus format, but includes an extended instrumental bridge that enhances its emotional weight.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Final solo single showcasing Cornell's emotional depth before his passing.
- Career context
- Released in 2017, 'The Promise' marked Chris Cornell's final solo single, coming after his work with Soundgarden and before his untimely passing. This track is significant as it represents a culmination of his career, showcasing his distinctive vocal prowess and lyrical depth during a time of personal reflection.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Soundgarden· Audioslave· Alice in Chains
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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The Promise
In the bridge, the lyrics shift to an optimistic tone about enduring love amidst despair.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Promise 4:20
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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