Much More Music: Hall & Oates - A Promise Ain't Enough (1997)

At the time it came out (in 1997), Hall and Oates' Marigold Sky album was the first time we heard anything new from the pop duo in seven or eight years. Of course I was a huge fan of Hall and Oates, growing up to a lot of their music. I still remember receiving the CD sampler from the recording company back then, and immediately liked "A Promise Ain't Enough" while I was auditioning it at the radio station.

Since then, "A Promise Ain't Enough" has been a radio favorite, as well as one of my personal faves. You'd hear it at weddings, on various personal compilation mix-CDs, and even an occasional cover band playing it on a night out. Can't blame them- it really makes for some great guitar-playing. Great song.

Hall and Oates
A Promise Ain't Enough (1997)

            A9        A
Don't wanna open your heart
A9              A           
You're afraid from the start
DM7
That a new love's gonna get you down,
   A9                   A
There was something you should know
    A9          A
Before you give up and go
 DM7                      Bm7
I don't believe in a run-around
          C#m7
I just wanted to find myself
DM7     C#m7  Bm7
And show you how I feel.

Chorus:
            DM7   E
If a promise ain't enough
             A9 A    2x
Then a touch says everything
              DM7    E
Gotta hold you in my arms
            A9 A    2x
Do you feel what I mean
      DM7                 E
Know that my heart just tells me what to say
       C#m7          F#m
But words can only prove so much
            DM7    E
If a promise ain't enough
        A
Hold on to my love.

     A9        A
Though my words can't describe
 A9           A
How I'm feelin' all inside,
 DM7
Does my touch say anything to you,
 A9             A
I'm not afraid to take time
 A9           A
'Cause I know you'll find,
  DM7                       Bm7
That I'm real and my touch is true,
                  C#m7
It's taken a lifetime to find my heart
DM7     C#m7   Bm7
And I give it all to you.

(Repeat Chorus)   A DM7  2x

DM7
Oh yeah
A      DM7
Uhmmm..
Bm7                       C#m7
Oh, it took a lifetime to find what I want
 DM7    C#m7 Bm7
I won't let it get away.
(Repeat Chorus)
            DM7  E
If a promise ain't enough
..... Hold on!

A C#m7 Bm7  E...
If a promise ain't enough
Promises - promises - promises - hold on to my love,
Promises - promises - promises - hold on to my love .....
(Repeat and Fade)

Check out more Hall and Oates goodness on their official website.