The Pact

"The Pact" is a song recorded by Spanish recording artist Regina Harper for the re-release of her debut album How Many Miles to Hollywood? - The Babylon Edition. The song was released on April 8th 2013 in Europe and on April 9th 2013 in the USA. The track was written solely by Regina and was produced by Regina, Emile Haynie and Rick Nowels. It is a dark, chamber-pop ballad, with elements of soft rock and soul, that tells the tale of a women's deep despair due to several bad relationships.

The single debuted at #1 upon it's release and spent two weeks at the top spot, selling over 300K in total.

Writing and production
The track was written by Regina in September 2012, only a few months after her relationship with Caymon ended. Regina claims she was fed up of several of her past relationships ending so soon. "I felt like there was something wrong with me" said the singer "Actually, I still do". Harper claims that from the moment she wrote the song, she knew it was destined to be released as a single at some point. The track was produced by Regina, Emile Haynie and Rick Nowels in Westlake Recording Studios, Los Angeles, US.

Release
Regina announced that The Pact would serve as the lead single to The Babylon Edition on February 29th 2013, through a press release. The track was sent to radio on Saturday, March 9th 2013 and is being released on April 8th, on CD single and digital download.

Composition
The Pact is a baroque-pop song which incorporates elements of soft rock and soul. It clocks in at 4 minutes and 29 seconds and does not have a radio edit. The lyrics revolve around "deep despair due to several bad relationships, all of them ending badly". According to track producer Emile Haynie, "The vocals on the track are in no way auto-tuned or enhanced. It's all Regina; raw and emotional. Towards the last chorus, she even begins crying which sends the song into a whole new and amazing direction".

Critical Reception
Following the official premiere of the track, Briana Dale of Digital Spy commented, "I've never considered myself much of a Regina Harper the fan. The faux-rock chick/angry feminist persona she had made me look the other way. But, after hearing the amazing track that is "The Pact", I take back anything negative I ever said! This song is the work of a superstar". Claire Fields of NME said the song was "totally unexpected from Regina, and that's what's so good about it. She's not a one-trick-pony", while Peter Robinson of Popjustice thought the song was "a step in the right direction. More of this slow stuff on the next album". The song was also reviewed by internet personality GloZell Green, who analysed the lyrics on her YouTube vlog. When finished, she jokingly said: "If ya'll ain't got any updates in a few weeks it's 'cuz I went and kill myself after that depressing stuff, OK?" She later clarified that she enjoyed the song, despite it's dark lyrics.

Music Video
The official music video for "The Pact" premiered on Regina's official VEVO on Sunday March 17th 2013. It was directed by Sophie Muller. The video begins showing Regina and her lover walking along the beach, having a good time with each other. Regina is wearing futuristic "warrior-princess" attire and is mouthing the lyrics of the song also. Regina's lover kisses her passionately during the first chorus and she looks into his eyes and smiles afterwards, but she looks extremely worried. As the second verse begins, Regina is shown to be in a hot, dry desert all by herself. She walks along aimlessly, singing the song, and some scenes showing her on a tire swing are shown. By the end of the second chorus, she falls to her knees, unable for the extreme heat. She begins coughing and eventually passes out. In the distance, her lover can be seen watching her. Instead of approaching her to help, he turns his back on her and walks away, a blank expression on her face. The final scenes of the video depict Regina smashing and breaking a giant love-heart shaped pinata, representing her broken heart. She is covered in the pink and red confetti that falls from it. This can be seen as a sad image as it shows that hr heart is permanently broken and there is no going back. The sun sets and Regina takes off her blindfold and her lover is standing in front of her. She blinks and he is gone. She throws the blindfold to the ground and walks away into the distance, mirroring the scene of her lover walking away earlier in the film The video ends and the following message appears on screeen: "Once you break a heart, There's no going back..."

Formats and tracklisting
Download
 * 1) The Pact &mdash; 4:29

Limited Edition CD Single
 * 1) The Pact &mdash; 4:29
 * 2) Eighteen (Daniela Brooker cover) &mdash; 3:21

7" Picture Disk
 * 1) The Pact &mdash; 4:29
 * 2) Dead Man Valley (Live at indigO2, London) &mdash; 4:47

Remix EP
 * 1) The Pact &mdash; 4:29
 * 2) The Pact (Chad Valley Remix) &mdash; 5:16
 * 3) The Pact (Penguin Prison Club Mix) &mdash; 8:11
 * 4) The Pact (Penguin Prison Radio Edit) &mdash; 4:30
 * 5) The Pact (Blood Orange Club Mix) &mdash; 5:45
 * 6) The Pact (Blood Orange Radio Mix) &mdash; 4:18