My Old Flame
Charlie Parker Quintet 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 way
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
The lyrics to "My Old Flame" by Charlie Parker express a sense of longing and nostalgia for a past love. The singer admits that they cannot even recall the name of their old flame, but they find themselves thinking about that person on occasion. The memories of the past relationship seem to overshadow any attempts at new love as the singer compares all their new lovers to their old flame and finds them wanting. The old flame is described as magnificent and elegant, and the singer seems to see them as unmatched by any other partner they have had.
The lyrics also suggest that the singer has tried to move on from their old flame and has met many people with fascinating qualities and loving gazes. However, all of these attempts at new love have fallen short of the singer's memory of their old flame. The song ends on a bittersweet note with the singer admitting they will never be the same until they discover what happened to their old flame.
Line by Line Meaning
My old flame, I can't even think of his name but it's funny now and then
I often forget his name, though I find it funny how my thoughts of him come flooding back, every once in a while.
How my thoughts go flashing back again to my old flame
Sometimes my mind involuntarily thinks back to my past lover, and it's like an emotional flash flooding.
My old flame, my new lovers all seem so tame
My recent lovers seem to lack the spark and passion of my previous one.
For I haven't met a gent so magnificent or elegant as my old flame
No one I've met since can hold a candle to the charm, refinement, and overall greatness of my former 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've encountered so many people who had captivating qualities like an intriguing look, and they even swept me off my feet. But their gestures of affection never measured up to what I had in the past, it was all like a copycat of my previous love affair.
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 may have forgotten his name with time, but I'm still longing to know his current state, and nostalgia still lingers around, for he left an indelible mark on my heart.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tuxguys
This recording was the first ever I'd heard of this great old tune, back when I was educating myself in the early '70's...
I didn't know just how old until a couple of years later, when, on the late show, I saw Mae West sing it to Johnny Mack Brown in some really old movie.
If I may further observe:
Wasn't this recording made when Miles Davis was a sideman with Bird? Doesn't he have the last half-chorus, with his characteristically understated brilliance?
**LarryStaples
Those who think Kenny G vaguely resembles Charlie Parker, put ice in their Cabernet and ketchup on their steaks, leave their eyes open when they kiss and are too stupid to come in out of the rain! Cannonball of course is a horse of another color--stylistically I liked him better, probably because of age--I suspect Charlie broke more ground and had a bit more tallent. Both are musical GODS! Larry
Larry Staples
I love Cannonball Adderley, but I was smiling at your opening remarks.
(Incidentally, when he first burst onto the scene, Cannon was called "Little Bird" for a reason...)
**Larry Staples
Tuxguys, I couldn't think of anything more appropriate than that to write. Louts are simply louts and nothing else can be said. You an Adderley devotee too, or just like that I enjoy Charlie more than 'G'? Larry
Larry Staples
Your comment made me smile, from the soul outward... my compliments.
@wyndhleodumegwu253
One must NOT hazard a note of similarity or comparison of Kenny G's performance in the same sentence as in even that of Ace Cannon or Fausto Papetti let alone as in that of the greatest saxophonist who has ever lived - Dr. Charlie Parker.
Kenny plays well; his music is commercially good.
However, he is Not a Jazz player; he has Never claimed to be.
If by and for comparison, then one must think *John Coltrane, Sonny Criss, Sonny Stitt, Lou Donaldson ...
Charlie Marianno, Charles McPherson, Julian 'C'ball' Adderley, Art Pepper, Joe Harriot...
Antonio Hart, Christopher Holiday, Kenny Garett, Vincent Harrenv(sp), Donaldson Harrison... Jessie Davis, Nelson Rangell...
The little sample above represents only a snapshot of alto saxophonists who has been able-bodied 'Jazz' students of Charlie Parker, so to speak.
All the above-mentioned exponents have been alto saxophone specialists, with the exception of John Coltrane who switched to tenor saxophone, and Sonny Stitt who doubled on tenor saxophone ( like so many, to avoid the comparison with the brilliant and effervescent Charlie Parker )
Kenny G is a SOPRANO saxophone easy-to-listen instrumental specialist - not an alto saxophone expert - even though he does very seldom play tenor and alto saxophones.
I have nonetheless grasped your point, and do appreciate and respect the observations you have documented and shared.
@wyndhleodumegwu253
tuxguys
"The little sample above represents ONLY A SNAPSHOT of STUDENTS of Charlie Parker, so to speak." I have just quoted my previous comments.
There are many saxists - many to the Nth degree -
who are eligible for a Charlie Parkeresque comparison.
I have been listening to the Jamaican alto saxophonist Joe Harriot, born eight years after Charlie Parker.
He, exuding Jazz licks in a London Public Lounge a la Charles Parker, may be eligible for comparison.
When Charlie Parker emerged on the Jazz Circuit in the Big Apple, there were many great altoists; some from whom he learned the art of saxophonic feats
Among those were virtuosic alto saxophonist, the reigning King Benny Carter.
He also discoursed doubly on trumpet. Oh, what a great leader, composer, arranger and multi instrumentalist was he!
Then came along the Prince of the saxophone, alto saxophone. The melodic and lyrical altoist Johnny Hodges who also doubled on soprano saxophone, helping to bring it out of its obsolescence.
Duke Ellington loved and adored him, Johnny Hodges.
I was using solely pre-dated Parkeresque references. About that, you are undeniably accurate.
Am pleasurably moved by your love for "Organic Real Jazz "- as well!
Bye now! Thanks.
@thedoorsforever256
its 4 AM and i keep telling myself "okay, one more song. this is the last one" but i can't stop listening to charlie parker right now!
@JohnJones-rr9rd
My favorite Charlie Parker tune. It's somber , authentic, and moving. Just gotta love it. And then Miles Davis chimes in. . . magic! 👍🏽
@LondraCalibro9
me too.....one of my favourite tracks generally.......a true masterpiece......
@jaxofoon
he was a genius. You hear the pain.. bird lives!
@zangaraification
Parker always plays such gorgeous harmonies. The king of ALTO SAX!
@MrBongoagogo
WHEN YOU GO though HARD TIMES YARD BIRD BRINGS YOU UP MAN
@es339mh58
I didn't really HEAR Charlie Parker until I was 30 and he opened my ears to REAL playing. Very few ever play like he did.
@olebirgerpedersen
Many tried, but no one succeded. He was simply so unic.
@thetraveler9
Sax is my favorite instrument. How can a human being create something this beautiful? This is incredible. But then again, the human will and spirit is infinite. Man, to think that something like this is possible out of man inspires me.
@joraca267
This is just the fourth song I've ever heard of Charlie Parker, but I already love him.