My Old Flame
Matt Monro Lyrics
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I knew I'd heard it somewhere before
I racked my recollections as I listened
When suddenly I remembered once more
My old flame I can't even think of her 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 girl 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
The song "My Old Flame" by Matt Monro is a reflective piece intending to evoke the idea of a bygone love. As the instrumental music starts, the singer is immediately thrown back into an era of his past. He recognises the tune and follows it with his thoughts to the time when he was in love with his old flame. The lyrics go on to describe how sometimes random events can trigger memories of past romances, even if you cannot recall the name of the person whom you loved. The song also addresses how all of the new lovers that the singer has met and been with since then pale in comparison to the unmatched "magnificence and elegance" of the old flame.
The song delves into impossible nostalgia as the singer describes the fascinating faces, unique manners, and loving nature of the other girls who couldn't match the bespoke love of his old love. The line "For I haven't met a girl so magnificent or elegant as my old flame" reinforces the idea that, though time has passed, his old love still holds a special place in his heart. The singer concludes the song by recognising that he will never be whole again until he has discovered what became of the old flame.
Line by Line Meaning
The music seemed to be so reminiscent
The melody of the song had a familiar tune
I knew I'd heard it somewhere before
I recognized it from a previous encounter
I racked my recollections as I listened
I searched my memory as I continued to hear the song
When suddenly I remembered once more
Finally, I recall where I heard it before
My old flame I can't even think of her name
It's been so long that I can't remember her name
But it's funny now and then
It amuses me sometimes
How my thoughts go flashing back again
My mind keeps going back to those memories
My old flame My new lovers all seem so tame
Compared to my ex-lover, my new partners seem dull
For I haven't met a girl So magnificent or elegant
I haven't come across anyone as beautiful as my ex-girlfriend
As my old flame
She was truly special
I've met so many who had fascinating ways
I've encountered plenty of interesting people
A fascinating gaze in their eyes
Many had a mesmerizing look in their eyes
Some who took me up to the skies
A few lifted me up to great heights
But their attempts at love Were only imitations of
However, their love could never compare to
My old flame I can't even think of his name
It's been so long that I can't remember his name
But I'll never be the same until I discover what became
I won't ever be content until I find out what happened
Of my old flame
To the woman who left a lasting impression on me
Writer(s): Arthur Johnston, Sam Coslow
Contributed by Alex P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jim Hunter
on Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
looked for this one for a long time, he's the best.