VIDEO: Chris Cornell’s Final Music Video ‘The Promise’ Gets New Theatrical Cut
Rock legend, former Soundgarden frontman, and Stern Show guest passed away in May
November 17, 2017
Chris Cornell’s final music video “The Promise,” written and recorded for the recent film of the same name chronicling the Armenian genocide, has been given new life.
A newly arranged theatrical cut of the song has been published to the late singer-songwriter’s official YouTube page. Unlike the previous version released back in June, the new video (above) features not just footage of the film but also of Cornell himself—singing, playing instruments, and even helping to conduct an orchestra.
Cornell, who had donated all the proceeds from “The Promise” to a humanitarian charity called the International Rescue Committee, described the song’s poignant lyrics in a Rolling Stone interview published just a few months before his death. “It’s from the perspective of someone singing to an older family member who is no longer around but was kind of a mentor,” he explained. “And it’s a concept that ties into what he learned about the preciousness of photographs of loved ones to people who had suffered during the genocide, a feeling among those who were affected that transcends age. It shows that a promise was made to the older generation and then telling them that they’re the inspiration.”
“The Promise” has been so well received that, according to one Hollywood trade publication, Cornell has an outside shot of getting a posthumous Best Original Song nomination at this year’s Oscars.
The music icon and former Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman memorably visited the Stern Show multiple times over the years, often performing in the studio. After learning of his untimely passing, Howard paid Cornell a heartfelt on-air tribute. “I’m very saddened by this,” Howard told listeners. “I loved that guy’s voice, I loved his look, loved the way he played the guitar, loved his songs, and now he’s gone.”
“The music will always be with us. He left us with the music,” Stern Show co-host Robin Quivers added.
Adam Levine and his band Maroon 5 offered up another kind of tribute during their visit last month to the Stern Show. They paid homage to Cornell by performing a well-received rendition of his song “Seasons.”
Listen to a clip from the cover (below) and check out the theatrical cut of “The Promise (above).
