My Old Flame
Dinah Washington & Quincy Jones Lyrics

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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 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
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
I can't even think of his name
But I'll never be the same

Until I discover what became
Of my old flame

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dinah Washington & Quincy Jones's song "My Old Flame" speak about the memory of an old lover who left a deep impression on the singer. She cannot recall his name, but she often finds her thoughts drifting back to him. She compares him to her new lovers, whom she finds "tame" in comparison, unable to match his elegance and magnificence. The singer also reflects on the many men she has met throughout her life, some of whom appeared fascinating and intense, but ultimately they were no match for her old flame.

The lyrics tell a story of a love that lingers long after the relationship has ended. The singer cannot escape the memory of her old flame, and she longs to know what became of him. The song speaks to the universal experience of holding onto the past and the pain of not being able to reconcile it with the present.

Line by Line Meaning

My old flame
The person I used to have strong feelings for

I can't even think of his name
I've moved on so much that I don't even remember his name

But it's funny now and then
But sometimes it's amusing to reminisce

How my thoughts go flashing back again
How I sometimes think about him and our past experiences

My new lovers all seem so tame
My current partners seem unexciting in comparison

For I haven't met a gent
Because I haven't met a man

So magnificent or elegant
As charming and refined as my old flame

I've met so many who had fascinating ways
I've met many attractive men with interesting personalities

A fascinating gaze in their eyes
Who looked at me with a captivating expression

Some who took me up to the skies
Some who made me feel euphoric and thrilled

But their attempts at love
But their attempts at a romantic relationship