Fake Promises
Fake Promises: When “Unity” Means Silence (Dark R&B)
Some songs start as a hook. This one started as a warning light.
“Fake Promises” is a dark R&B record about church hurt, spiritual pressure, and that slow realization that what was presented as “love” was actually control wrapped in religious language. It’s the moment you recognize the difference between goodness and image management.
This track was inspired in part by themes from A Church Called Tov (Scot McKnight & Laura Barringer), especially the contrast between a culture that protects people and a culture that protects platforms. The song isn’t quoting the book and it isn’t aimed at any one person. It’s an artistic response to patterns many people have seen up close: “unity” used to silence questions, “honor” used to avoid accountability, and a public glow that doesn’t match what’s happening behind the scenes.
If you’ve ever felt like you had to shrink to belong, or stay quiet to stay “in good standing,” this is for you.
Why I wrote it
I wanted to capture that tension: a bright stage and a dark hallway. A crowd moving on, and one person trying to hold it together behind the corner. The sound needed to match the story too: spacious, heavy low end, and harmonies that feel like they’re fighting to breathe.
The hook
The line that kept coming back was simple:
“Gold on rust.”
Because fake promises don’t always look fake at first. Sometimes they shine. Sometimes they sing. Sometimes they hold up long enough for you to doubt your own instincts.
Lyrics
Fake Promises (DJ Durello)
Chorus
Fake promises, gold on rust
Look like love, then turn to dust
Stage light shine, truth stay hush
I lost my voice in all that fuss
You said “grace” but made it tough
If it’s real, it won’t crush us
Verse 1
You taught me how to smile on cue
Call it peace when it’s pressure
Keep the room looking clean
While the mess stayed under the message
You said “unity” when you meant “quiet”
Said “covering” when you meant “control”
Said “honor” when you meant “don’t ask”
And I played my part, lost my soul
Pre-Chorus
Spotlight don’t mean warmth
It just hides what it can’t heal
And my body kept screaming
What my mouth wouldn’t reveal
Chorus
Fake promises, gold on rust
Look like love, then turn to dust
Stage light shine, truth stay hush
I lost my voice in all that fuss
You said “grace” but made it tough
If it’s real, it won’t crush us
Verse 2
You protected the brand like scripture
Protected the leader like God
Measured the damage in headlines
Not the hearts that you scarred
You wanted my story in pieces
Only the parts that would preach
When I asked for truth and repair
You called it “division” in me
Pre-Chorus 2
Goodness don’t fear the truth
It don’t shame the hurt unseen
So if your “holy” needs my pain
That ain’t God, that ain’t clean
Chorus
Fake promises, gold on rust
Look like love, then turn to dust
Stage light shine, truth stay hush
I lost my voice in all that fuss
You said “grace” but made it tough
If it’s real, it won’t crush us
Bridge
My body told the truth first
Tight chest, no sleep, jaw clenched
I was praying through alarms
Trying to worship through the dents
Then I heard God in the quiet
Not the push, not the pull
Not in fear dressed up as “faith”
But in peace that made me whole
Final Chorus
Fake promises, gold on rust
Look like love, then turn to dust
Stage light shine, truth stay hush
I lost my voice in all that fuss
You said “grace” but made it tough
If it’s real, it won’t crush us
If this is your story too
If this song resonates, you’re not alone. Healing is real. Boundaries are not betrayal. And truth doesn’t need permission to exist.
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