Meaning of "Promise Me" by Badflower

The lyrics of "Promise Me" explore the fear of aging and the longing to hold onto youth and happiness. The narrator expresses their deep love and desire to stay young with their partner, emphasizing the importance of their bond and the happiness they bring to each other's lives. The chorus, "Promise me we'll never grow up, I don't wanna let go, I wanna stay young," reveals the narrator's fear of the passage of time and the changes that come with old age. They want to preserve the blissful state of their relationship and avoid the hardships that may come with growing older.

The song also touches on the narrator's complicated relationship with their father. In the line, "And times are getting harder, but I'm nothing like my father," there is a clear indication of the narrator's determination not to repeat the mistakes or patterns they may have witnessed in their parental relationship. They are determined to create a different outcome for themselves and their loved one.

As the song progresses, it takes a heartbreaking turn. The verses become darker, with themes of sickness and death. The lines, "When did we get so old? Why did you get so sick? And how could you die?" reveal the raw pain of loss and the inability to comprehend the reality of losing a loved one. The chorus repeats, but this time there is a haunting twist. The heart-wrenching lines, "You promised me you'd never grow up, but you fucking grew up, God I miss you so much," show the immense grief and anger the narrator feels over the death of their loved one. The pain of broken promises and the sudden absence of their partner becomes overwhelming.

Overall, "Promise Me" delves into the fear of aging, the desire to hold onto youth and love, and the devastation of losing a loved one. It captures the complex emotions and struggles that can arise in relationships, as well as the universal fear of mortality.