[edit] Release and reception
"The Promise" premièred on Switch on BBC Radio 1 on 14 September 2008,[4] and has been described by the band's website as a "stormer of a track".[2] Originally scheduled for release on 27 October 2008,[2] the release was inexplicably brought forward a week.[3] Girls Aloud performed "The Promise" on Jo Whiley's Live Lounge, as well as a cover of Timbaland and OneRepublic's "Apologize".[5] Nadine Coyle was not present, as she was ill with shingles.[6] "The Promise" was also remixed by Dave Audé and Jason Nevins. The album version of "The Promise" is around fifteen seconds longer.[1]

The song is notable for its 1960s influence.[7] "The Promise" has been called "a 60s-influenced pop gem given a contemporary Girls Aloud twist",[8] and "more interesting than the average retro-pop nugget."[9] It has also received comparisons to Girls Aloud's previous single, "Can't Speak French".[7] Digital Spy referred to the single as "a cute, wistful pop song" with "some nice Spectorish touches in the production and a lovely, classic-sounding melody" that "grows more persuasive with every listen."[7][9] The Guardian, however, felt the song was "disappointing" because "Girls Aloud's producers have always been capable of making exciting and innovative pop music".[10]