"The Promise of a New Day" is the opening track and second single from American artist Paula Abdul's second studio album, Spellbound (1991). The song was written by Paula Abdul, Peter Lord and V. Jeffrey Smith. It became Abdul's sixth and final number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 following its July 5, 1991, release.
"The Promise of a New Day" debuted at No. 40 on the US BillboardHot 100 chart, the week ending July 20, 1991, claiming the spot of Hot Shot Debut.[3] The following week, the single climbed to No. 26, with this week claiming the Greatest Airplay Gainer.[4] The song reached No. 1 on the chart on September 14, 1991, and ended the reign of Bryan Adams' long-running No. 1 hit, "Everything I Do (I Do It For You)". The following week, it fell to No. 5, and departed the top 40 only four weeks later. It was Abdul's sixth chart-topping single, and her last No. 1 single to date.[5]
The video, directed by Big TV! (Andy Delaney and Monty Whitebloom) was shot during the week of July 8, 1991.[6] Filming took place in two different locations with backgrounds for the video being shot in Hawaii, with Abdul and her backup dancers being filmed separately on a sound stage and later composited through blue screen. Abdul was unable to attend filming in Hawaii due to prior commitments.
^The Promise of a New Day (US cassette single sleeve). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records. 1991. 4-98752.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Promise of a New Day (Canadian cassette single sleeve). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records. 1991. VS4 1560.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Promise of a New Day (Australian 7-inch single sleeve). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records. 1991. VUS 44.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Promise of a New Day (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records. 1991. VJDP-10172.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Promise of a New Day (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records. 1991. VUS 44, 114 680.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Promise of a New Day (UK cassette single sleeve). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records. 1991. VUSC 44.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Promise of a New Day (UK & Australian 12-inch single sleeve). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records. 1991. VUST44.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Promise of a New Day (UK CD single liner notes). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records. 1991. VUSCD 44, 664 680.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Promise of a New Day (UK limited 12-inch single vinyl disc). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records. 1991. VUSTP 44.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)