This I Promise You

"This I Promise You" is a ballad by American boy band NSYNC. It was released in September 2000 as the third and final single in the United States and the fourth and final single in Europe from their second studio album, No Strings Attached, in 2000. The song is included on all three of the band's compilation albums: Greatest Hits (2005), The Collection (2010), and The Essential *NSYNC (2014). The single reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100.

"This I Promise You"
Single by NSYNC
from the album No Strings Attached
B-side	"I Thought She Knew" "Yo te Voy a Amar"
Released	September 19, 2000 (2000-09-19)
Studio	The Treehouse (North Hollywood, California) Westlake Audio (Los Angeles, California)
Genre	Pop soul R&B
Length	4:44 (album version) 4:27 (radio edit)
Label	Jive
Songwriter(s)	Richard Marx
Producer(s)	Richard Marx
NSYNC singles chronology
"It's Gonna Be Me" (2000) "This I Promise You" (2000) "Pop" (2001)
Music video
"This I Promise You" on YouTube

A Spanish language version of the song, titled "Yo te Voy a Amar" was recorded at the same time and released in Spanish-speaking countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Spain.

Background

Richard Marx was asked by A&R executive David Novik if he had any songs that he could give to NSYNC, which he specifically requested for a ballad.^[1] Initially, the song was written with a three-person girl group in mind, which Marx quickly finished after writing the harmonies specifically for NSYNC.^[1]

Marx would later record the song twice, first for the Japanese release of his album Days in Avalon similar to the NSYNC version, and again as a rock song for the European version of his Stories to Tell album. Marx would later use the Days in Avalon version of "This I Promise You" for his Now and Forever: The Ballads album as a duet with Asian singer Sabrina.^{[citation needed]}

Commercial performance

"This I Promise You" was the group's fifth top-ten single in the U.S., reaching number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the autumn of 2000. In addition, the song spent 13 weeks at number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, the group's first and only song to do so.^[2] Internationally, the song reached number twenty-one on the UK Singles Chart.

Music video

 

The video was shot at Redwood National and State Parks.

Background

The music video was shot at Redwood National Park and San Francisco's Embarcadero in 2000 by Dave Meyers. During the video shoot, Justin Timberlake and Joey Fatone ended up exploring Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary without paying for tickets. Both members were eventually caught when they reached Al Capone's cell, and let off with a warning.^[3]

It debuted on an episode of TRL on October 27, 2000.

Synopsis

The video shows the group members clad in turtlenecks singing in the Redwood National and State Parks, with different shots of different love relationships shown in bubbles floating around the forest. Footage of the San Francisco skyline appears at different intervals and at the key change towards the end of the song, the video pans to the members of NSYNC sitting at a table of an outdoor restaurant along the Embarcadero while eating and singing.

Cover versions

A Spanish language version of the song, titled "Yo te Voy a Amar" was recorded at the same time and released in Spanish-speaking countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Spain.

Irish Westlife lead singer Shane Filan included his version of this song on his third solo album Love Always in 2017. This served as a buzz single which was first released online and later released with a music video exclusively available in Europe. He dedicated this song to his wife Gillian.^[4]

Track listing

UK CD single "This I Promise You" (Radio Edit) – 4:27 "It's Gonna Be Me" (Maurice Joshua Radio Remix) – 4:13 "I Thought She Knew" – 3:22 Cassette "This I Promise You" (Radio Edit) – 4:27 "This I Promise You" (Hex Hector Radio Mix) – 3:57 "I Thought She Knew" – 3:22 America Making the Tour exclusive bonus disc "This I Promise You" (Live Home Video Mix) – 5:10

Europe CD1 "This I Promise You" (Album Version) – 4:43 "This I Promise You" (Hex Hector Radio Mix) – 3:57 CD2 "This I Promise You" (Album Version) – 4:43 "I Thought She Knew" – 3:22 Limited edition remix single "This I Promise You" (Album Version) – 4:43 "This I Promise You" (Hex Hector Club Mix) – 9:10 "This I Promise You" (Hex Hector Radio Mix) – 3:57 "Yo te Voy a Amar" (Spain Only)

Credits and personnel

Recording^[5]

• Recorded at The Treehouse, North Hollywood, CA and Westlake Audio, Los Angeles, CA

Personnel^[5]

• Richard Marx – songwriter, producer, arranger
• David Cole – recording engineer, mixing engineer
• Adam Barber – vocal recording
• Cesar Ramirez – assistant engineer
• Ok Hee Kim – assistant engineer
• Toby Dearborn – assistant engineer
• Jeffrey CJ Vanston – drum and keyboard programming
• Michael Thompson – guitar
• Chaz Harper – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "This I Promise You" Chart (2000–2001) Peak position Australia (ARIA)^[6] 42 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[7] 43 Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)^[8] 18 Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[9] 8 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)^[10] 8 Dominican Republic (El Siglo de Torreón)^[11] 5 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)^[12] 55 Germany (Official German Charts)^[13] 37 Ireland (IRMA)^[14] 36 Italy (Musica e dischi)^[15] 45 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[16] 32 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)^[17] 5 Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[18] 80 Scotland (OCC)^[19] 24 Spain (PROMUSICAE)^[20] 7 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[21] 12 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[22] 40 UK Singles (OCC)^[23] 21 UK Indie (OCC)^[24] 7 US Billboard Hot 100^[25] 5 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[26] 1 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)^[27] 27 US Hot Latin Songs (Billboard)^[28] 34 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)^[29] 4 US Rhythmic (Billboard)^[30] 20

Year-end charts 2000 year-end chart performance for "This I Promise You" Chart (2000) Position US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)^[31] 56 US Rhythmic (Billboard)^[32] 59 2001 year-end chart performance for "This I Promise You" Chart (2001) Position Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS)^[33] 24 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[34] 94 US Billboard Hot 100^[35] 51 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[36] 2

Release history

Release dates for "This I Promise You"

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
United States	September 19, 2000	Contemporary hit radio	Jive	^[37]
United Kingdom	November 20, 2000	CD cassette		^[38]

See also

• List of Billboard Adult Contemporary number ones of 2000 and 2001 (U.S.)

References

1. Tailor, Leena (March 20, 2020). "*NSYNC's 'No Strings Attached' Turns 20: How Destiny's Child, Heartache & Lawsuit Fueled the Album (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
2. Sherman, Maria (March 20, 2020). "The Future According To NSYNC: 20 Years Of 'No Strings Attached'". NPR. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
3. Gawley, Paige (March 11, 2020). "Justin Timberlake Recalls Breaking Into Alcatraz With One of His *NSYNC Bandmates". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
4. . Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
5. This I Promise You (liner notes). NSYNC. Jive Records. 2000. 9251342.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
6. "*N Sync – This I Promise You". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
7. "*N Sync – This I Promise You" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
8. "*N Sync – This I Promise You" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
9. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7292." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
10. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 7262." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
11. "Backstreet Boys acaparan listas de popularidad". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). November 1, 2000. p. 39. from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
12. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 50. December 9, 2000. p. 15. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
13. "[https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-4505
    • N Sync – This I Promise You"] (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
14. "Irish-charts.com – Discography *N Sync". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
15. "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved June 23, 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, with "Pop" the "Titolo" field and "This I Promise You" in "Artista", search.
16. "*N Sync – This I Promise You". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
17. "week 49 (2 december 2000)" (in Dutch). top40.nl. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
18. "*N Sync – This I Promise You" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
19. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
20. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
21. "*N Sync – This I Promise You". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
22. "*N Sync – This I Promise You". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
23. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
24. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
25. "NSYNC Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
26. "NSYNC Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
27. "NSYNC Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
28. "NSYNC Chart History (Hot Latin Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
29. "NSYNC Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
30. "NSYNC Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
31. "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2000" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 54. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
32. "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2000" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 56. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
33. . Jam!. Archived from the original on July 1, 2002. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
34. "Årslista Singlar – År 2001" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
35. . The Longbored Surfer. Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
36. "2001 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-81. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
37. "Records and Radio" (PDF). Worldradiohistory.com. September 16, 2000. p. 135. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
38. "New Releases – For Week Starting November 20, 2000: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. November 18, 2000. p. 25. Retrieved August 7, 2021.

External links

• "This I Promise You" Official Music Video on YouTube