She moved to New York and became a recording vocalist with Harry James big band in 1937.
Her swing recordings with Harry James included "Jubilee", "I Can Dream Can't I", "That's The Dreamer In Me" and "Song Of The Wanderer".
Helen Humes became one of the vocalists with Count Basie's band in the late 1930s.
Her vocals with Basie's band included "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea".
During the 1940s and 1950s Helen Humes became a solo performer and worked with different bands and other vocalists including Nat King Cole.
In 1950 Humes recorded Benny Carter's "Rock Me to Sleep". She managed to bridge the gap between big band jazz swing and rhythm and blues.
She moved to Hawaii and later to Australia.
Helen Humes died in Santa Monica, California.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Humes"
My Old Flame
Helen Humes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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.
As my old flame.
I've met so many who had facinating ways,
A facinating gaze in their eye.
Some who took me up to the sky,
But their attempts at love were only immitations 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.
No I'll never be the same
Until I discover what became
Of my old flame.
In Helen Humes's song "My Old Flame," the singer reflects upon a former lover that, due to time or distance, they can no longer even recall their name. However, there are moments where they find themselves thinking about this former flame and reflecting upon their time together. The singer struggles to find a new lover who can match the elegance and magnificence of their old flame. They recount meeting many fascinating people with captivating gazes and loving experiences that took them to new heights. However, in the end, all their previous romantic experiences pale in comparison to the memory of their old flame. The song concludes with the singer's resolution to discover what happened to their old flame, as they feel that they will never be the same until they do.
The lyrics of "My Old Flame" are indicative of the post-WWII era in which the song was released, where many soldiers returned home only to find their former lives irrevocably changed. The song speaks to the universal struggle of finding real love and happiness in a world that has been transformed by war and social upheaval. It was also a popular song during the jazz age of the 1930s and 1940s, when Helen Humes was a prominent jazz artist.
Line by Line Meaning
My old flame,
Referring to a past romantic relationship.
I can't even think of his name,
The singer has moved on and the memory of their former lover has faded.
But it's funny now and then
The singer is surprised by how their thoughts sometimes go back to the old flame.
How my thoughts go flashing back again
Memories of the old lover come rushing back.
My new lovers all seem so tame.
None of the artist's new lovers compare to the old flame.
For I haven't met a gent so magnificent of elegant
None of the singer's new lovers are as impressive or refined as the old flame.
As my old flame.
The old flame is the standard to which the singer holds all new lovers.
I've met so many who had facinating ways,
The artist has had many interesting and alluring potential partners.
A facinating gaze in their eye.
The artist has been attracted to their new lovers' captivating eyes.
Some who took me up to the sky,
Some of the artist's new lovers have made them feel ecstatic and blissful.
But their attempts at love were only immitations of
None of the singer's new lovers have been able to match the quality of the old flame's love.
Until I discover what became
The artist wants closure on their past relationship with their old flame.
Of my old flame.
The singer is still curious about the fate of the old flame and what happened to them.
No I'll never be the same
The singer acknowledges that the old flame has had a lasting impact on them.
Until I discover what became
The singer can't move on from the past relationship until they know its resolution.
Of my old flame.
The old flame is still a significant, unresolved part of the artist's past.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SAM COSLOW, ARTHUR JOHNSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind