What Did I Promise Her Last Night.


Mel Tillis Classic Cheatin' Song From 1977

"What Did I Promise Her Last Night" is a true-to-life story about a typical middle-aged married man who may have regretted his one-night stand with a woman he had just met.

The Story Begins...

What Did I Promise Her Last Night?

It's a gray, rainy Saturday morning, and next to him in bed lies Sharon, a woman he vaguely remembers from the bar the previous evening. The room feels cold and impersonal, mirroring the chill of his regretful heart.

Gary quietly gets up, careful not to wake Sharon. Last night, after another grueling week at the office, he stopped by a bar to unwind.

His wife, Linda, was visiting her sister for the weekend, and perhaps it was the intoxicating mix of freedom and alcohol that led him to Sharon. She had an air of confidence with a hint of sorrow, and they shared stories of unfulfilled dreams over drinks.

As he dresses hurriedly, Gary searches his pockets for his wedding ring, which he frantically remembers stashing into his coat before things spiraled out of control. It feels like a betrayal weighing heavily on his soul. The soft morning light casts shadows on the room's walls, whispering tales of his infidelity and forcing him to confront his actions.


What Did I Promise Her Last Night?

Gary glances at Sharon one last time, thinking, "What Did I Promise Her Last Night" before gently shutting the door behind him. Walking through the hotel corridor, he tries to make sense of it all—why he did it and what it meant for his marriage. He wonders about Sharon's life, which is filled with transient moments like this. Was she searching for something more permanent, more meaningful?

As he leaves the hotel and drives home, he senses that she has had a string of failed relationships and one-night stands and wonders to himself if he could have been the one to provide her with the lasting relationship she had been longing for.


The Long Drive Home...

The long drive home...

The drive back home is a blur. The rain drizzles around him, symbolizing both his remorse and a cleansing act, as his thoughts drift to his wife, Linda. The weight of his actions presses down on him, making every mile feel longer than it is. He remembers Sharon's story about missed connections and heartbreaks - a woman with numerous short-lived relationships, perhaps hoping each would solidify into something more permanent.

In a moment of self-reflection, Gary questions whether had circumstances been different, he could have been the one to offer Sharon the stability she seemed to yearn for. Could they have been good for each other?

After arriving home, Gary enters to find the house eerily quiet. His wife's absence leaves him alone with his thoughts and poignant silence. He knows this is a turning point—a line crossed that cannot be undone, and his thoughts on "What Did I Promise Her Last Night" are an opportunity to reevaluate his own life. He feels the urgent need to reconnect with Linda, cherish what they have, and work on what might be broken.

He sits down, drafting an honest letter to Sharon, expressing remorse and a wish for her to find the lasting relationship she deserves, asking for her forgiveness for playing a small part in her ongoing narrative of fleeting encounters.


Reflecting on Personal Choices.

Gary and Linda reflecting on personal choices...

As night falls, Linda arrives home and the welcoming familiarity of her presence envelops Gary. He hugs her longer than usual, holding on to the comfort of what his life truly means to him.

Determined, he vows to attend counseling sessions with her, to rekindle the intimacy and trust that have eroded over time.

Gary understands the complexity of human connections, realizing that the brief encounter with Sharon was a catalyst, a stark reminder of the things he takes for granted. He's resolved to repair the fractures, both within his marriage and within himself, aiming to never stray into the abyss of regrets again.

"What Did I Promise Her Last Night"  reflects on personal choices and their effects on those around them. It reminds us of the importance of considering the consequences before engaging in impulsive actions, as we may find ourselves waking up to regret.

The lyrics emphasize a remorseful state and realization of the pain it may have caused a loved one. It explores the universal human experience of making mistakes and the desire for redemption and forgiveness.


The relatable and heartfelt lyrics of this nearly 50-year-old classic have resonated with listeners for decades, providing comfort to those who have experienced regret and seeking forgiveness from their loved ones.

Country music icon, Dolly Parton, once said, "Mel Tillis had a unique way of capturing the complexities of human emotions in his songs, and "What Did I Promise Her Last Night" is a remarkable example of his ability to touch hearts."


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