McRae was born in Harlem, New York, on the 8th April 1920, and studied piano as a child. As a teenager she came to the attention of Teddy Wilson and his wife, the composer Irene Kitchings Wilson. Through their influence, one of McRae’s early songs, "Dream of Life", was recorded by Wilson’s longtime collaborator Billie Holiday.
By the late 1940s she was well known among the modern jazz musicians who gathered at Minton's Playhouse, Harlem’s most famous jazz club, where she was the intermission pianist. But it was while working in Brooklyn that she came to the attention of Decca’s Milt Gabler. Her five year association with Decca yielded twelve LPs.
The musicians she sang with include Benny Carter, Mercer Ellington, Count Basie, Sammy Davis Jr, Dave Brubeck, and Louis Armstrong. She was married once (and briefly), to drummer Kenny Clarke.
McRae died on the 10th November 1994.
My Old Flame
Carmen McRae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 magnificent or elegant as my old flame
I've met so many who had fascinating ways
A fascinating gaze in their eyes, some who took me up to the skies
But their attempts at love were only imitations of my old flame
Until I discover what became of my old flame
I've met so many who had fascinating ways
A fascinating gaze in their eyes, some who took 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
In Carmen McRae's song "My Old Frame," the singer reflects on how she cannot even recall the name of her old flame, but how she finds it amusing that thoughts of him still come to her mind occasionally. She contrasts her old flame with her new lovers who all seem to be boring and pale in comparison. She describes her old flame as someone who was brilliant and stylish in a way that she has not encountered since. She admits that others she met had their ways of charming her, but her old flame outshone them all.
Throughout the song, the singer grapples with the memories of her old flame and the effects it has on her present. Even though she cannot recall his name, she recognizes that her life and views on love have been altered by him. It is clear that her old flame has had a lasting impact, and she is determined to find out what became of him.
Overall, "My Old Flame" is a song about reminiscing, lost love, and the way memories of old loves can linger on. The singer's reflections on her past love demonstrate that sometimes it's the captivating things that leave the greatest impression.
Line by Line Meaning
My old flame, I can't even think of his name but it's funny now and then
I remember my past relationship, although I can't recall his name. Sometimes, it amuses me.
How my thoughts go flashing back again to my old flame
My mind occasionally wanders back to my previous lover.
My old flame, my new lovers all seem so tame
None of my recent partners match up to the level of excitement and passion from my past relationship.
For I haven't met a gent so magnificent or elegant as my old flame
I have yet to find someone who embodies the same charm and elegance as my previous partner.
I've met so many who had fascinating ways
A fascinating gaze in their eyes, some who took me up to the skies
But their attempts at love were only imitations of my old flame
I have encountered many fascinating individuals who caught my attention, but their attempts to love me never fully measured up to what I experienced in my past relationship.
I can't even think of his name but I'll never be the same
Until I discover what became of my old flame
Despite not remembering his name, I am still curious to know what happened to my former lover and how that relationship ultimately ended.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tessa Souter
Wonderful! She is so incredible. I didn't know this album. I was searching John Leftwich (bass) who sounded so amazing on Chet Baker's Let's Get Lost. Thanks for posting!
João Carlos Sá Pavanelli
É difícil dizer alguma coisa, que possa definir Carmen Mcrae. Simplesmente, " espetacular. " That's all."
caponsacchi
I don't know this album, but it's another winner by a master story-teller--probably from the early to mid-80s (judging from her vocal quality, vibrato, register, breath support). Donald Bailey goes all the way back to Gerry Mulligan groups from the '50s, and Zoot sat alongside Stan Getz and Al Cohn in Woody's 2nd Herd from the late '40s. In the late '80s Carmen would employ the tenor of Clifford Jordan ("Glass Bead Games," a timeless treasure). All players should, like Dexter did, learn lyrics!
Gia Murray
Oh yeah.