"Promise This" is an up-tempo dance-pop song written by American songwriter Priscilla Hamilton, British music producer Wayne Wilkins, who was responsible for Cole's debut single "Fight for This Love", and Christopher Jackson.

[5] It was recorded in Santa Monica, California, and "finds her contemplating mortality with a cheerful morbidity, asking for prayers over a brutal march beat.

"[6] Tabloids suggested that the lyrics were based upon her divorce from footballer Ashley Cole, and how her dancer friend Derek Hough nursed her to health while she was suffering from malaria.

"[9] Gavin Martin of the Daily Mirror described the track as "modern electro-pop mash-up with a tribal chorus" and concluded, "A busy, catchy foretaste of Cheryl's forthcoming second album, this should lie comfortably in the Top Five.

[1] The video for the song was directed by Sophie Muller and choreographed by Fatima Robinson debuted on 21 September 2010 on UK television channel ITV2.

"[24] In the video Cole wears several outfits, described as "gorgeous" by ITN, including a low-cut red dress, a ballerina's leotard, to a short embellished mini-dress.

Cole plays a dominant role in part of the video, waiting for a man in a darkened room in one scene and pushing him to the floor with her foot in another.

ITN commented on the second part of the film, "We see a softer side to the 27-year-old though, as she dances in a floaty dress, showing off some of her skills which, as a child, won her a sponsorship to study at London's Royal Ballet Summer School.

"[26][27] Promonewstv commented positively upon the direction marking that "Sophie Muller delivers this sympathetically earnest promo with both graceful and muscular choreography all adding to the drama".

[4] Stop Press News agreed with earlier reviews commenting that the video is "hot, but is not x rated" comparing it to other female music artists.

She donned a white tuxedo jacket, "frilly black knickers," knee-high zebra print tights, and leather boots and was joined by multiple back-up dancers.