My Old Flame
Billie Holiday/Eddie Heywood and His Orchestra Lyrics
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I can't even think of his name
But it's funny now and then
How my thoughts go flashing back again
To my old flame
My old flame
My new lovers all seem so tame
So magnificent or elegant
As my old flame
I've met so many men
With fascinating ways
A fascinating gaze in their eyes
Some who sent me up to the skies
But their attempts at love
Were only imitations of
My old flame
I can't even think of his name
But I'll never be the same
Until I discover what became
Of my old flame
I've met so many men
With fascinating ways
A fascinating gaze in their eyes
Some who sent me up to the skies
But their attempts at love
Were only imitations of
My old flame
I can't even think of his name
But I'll never be the same
Until I discover what became
Of my old flame
"My Old Flame" is a melancholic recollection of a past lover whom the singer cannot even recall by name. It is a reflective piece that highlights the contrast between the new loves that have entered the singer's life since her old flame, and reveals how they all seem pale in comparison. The singer reflects on the fascinating ways of the men she has met, and how they try to imitate the elegance and magnificence of her old flame. Billie Holiday's delivery and the smoothness of the jazz music aid in conveying the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia and longing for a past love who still lingers in the singer's mind.
The first verse of the song expresses the singer's inability to recall her old flame's name, and how her thoughts keep going back to him. This highlights the profound effect that this lover had on her life, despite her inability to remember his name. In the second verse, she reiterates that her new lovers seem mundane in comparison, indicating that her old flame was one of a kind. The third verse reveals the various attempts of men to captivate her in the way her old flame once had, but they all fall short. The final verse shows how the singer is still fixated on the past, and cannot move on until she discovers what happened to her old flame.
In summary, "My Old Flame" is a poignant, evocative song that draws on the theme of nostalgia and the power of past loves. Billie Holiday's delivery and the music create a melancholic atmosphere that highlights the emotional depth of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
My old flame
The person I used to love
I can't even think of his name
I can't recall the name of the person I used to love
But it's funny now and then
Sometimes it's humorous to think about my old flame
How my thoughts go flashing back again
I still think about my old flame from time to time
To my old flame
I can't help but remember my past love
My new lovers all seem so tame
My current partners are not as wild or exciting as my old flame
For I haven't met a gent
I have not met a man
So magnificent or elegant
As charming and refined
I've met so many men
I have seen many men
With fascinating ways
Who have interesting personalities
A fascinating gaze in their eyes
And an intriguing look in their eyes
Some who sent me up to the skies
Some who have made me feel incredible
But their attempts at love
But their efforts to love me
Were only imitations of
Were nowhere close to what I had with
But I'll never be the same
But I will never be completely content
Until I discover what became
Until I find out what happened to
Of my old flame
My past lover who I still think about
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SAM COSLOW, ARTHUR JOHNSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alicecocco406
My old flame
I can't even think of his name
But it's funny now and then
How my thoughts go flashing back again
To my old flame
My old flame
My new lovers all seem so tame
For I haven't met a gent
So innocent or elegant
As my old flame
I've met so many men
With fascinating ways
A fascinating gaze in their eyes
Some who sent me up to the skies
But their attempts at love
Were only imitations of
My old flame
I can't even think of his name
But I'll never be the same
Until I discover what became
Of my old flame
@user-up2hh6ny5s
It was not until Chicken Counter came back to her kitty Ongi that she stopped thinking and glanced over her shoulder, feeling that the door had softly opened. Sure enough, Old Flame, her ex and an aficionado of fireworks , had appeared at the door, some firecrackers in one hand and Ongi being held in his arms.
"Old Flame is one of us," said New Coffee in an emotionless voice. " I mean he is on my side. Me and he had
tentatively decided to form an alliance with each other in the suppression of our common enemy, because the insurgent thief has kept getting on our nerves in defiance of have- a- clean -record rules🤣 . You know what I mean, don't you? We'll finally --"
" Coffee Addict! " interposed Chicken Counter , with her sharp ends to her words.
New Coffee ignored her and continued as he exchanged dark looks with his enemy -turned conspirator.
" Hey, my pal, " he welcomed his conspirator. " Come over here . It's time to showcase your majestic presence. Put the firecrackers and the cat on the bed. Have we enough matches or lighters? Now we may as well get right on what we have long promised to do together. Make sure you must stop being her old flame for the next one hour or so. "
Old Flame seated himself opposite New Coffee , looking quite determinded to hit the ground running with their
scaled-back campaign against theft due to a shortage of manpower 🤣and yet still with an old flame-like air, the air of recalling the sweet romantic time he was together with Chicken Counter. Chicken Counter, out of the corner of her eye, saw him grinning from ear to ear. It dawned on her that the man's entire life was all about displaying fireworks, believe it or not.
hehe 😆
@marquitaarmstrong399
Entering Gary Indiana for first black national political convention. Am 75 still remember. Thank you Billie.
@dukeydoo1
One of the best and unique voice and singer ever . Wished i'd had the chance to meet her . Maybe in another life
@mohamedjamal9801
One of the most beautiful songs ever!
@LogiForce86
Covered with a nice parody by Spike Jones. The Weird Al Jankovic of his day.
@drfeelgood94
Sooo beautifuly timeless
I ♥ you Billie
@cleoharvey
Sublime...I love the way she trumpets and makes the rhymes in the song pop. Â The best version of this song.
@wisconstant
falling snow to the sky in first time at this season, I want to memory this moment with this song forever
@photo161
.. a voice that pierces the heart...
@d.lactea
Definitely she'll be always my old flame!
@Thelonious2Monk
The best singer ever!