From the 1960s to the 1980s, Diamond was one of the more successful pop music performers, scoring a number of hits. As critic William Ruhlmann writes, "as of 2001, he claimed worldwide record sales of 115 million copies, and as of 2002 he was ranked third, behind only Elton John and Barbra Streisand, on the list of the most successful adult contemporary artists in the history of the Billboard chart."[1] As of May 2005 he has sold 120 million records worldwide, including 48 million records in the U.S.[2]
Though his record sales declined somewhat after the 1980s, Diamond continues to tour successfully, and maintains a very loyal following. Diamond's songs have been recorded by a vast array of performers from many different musical genres.
Diamond was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984, and then in 2000 was given its Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the early part of 2011.
In 2008 Neil Diamond scored his first ever Billboard number one album with "Home Before Dark", the album also became his first studio album to get to number one in the UK.
Flame
Neil Diamond Lyrics
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For obvious reasons
And I'll admit that's its frightnin'
Whenever her lightening flashes
Only ashes remain
Don't get to close
My friends all warned me
And maybe I should of learned
When they played with Flame
After all I told myself
She's a girl of flesh and blood
And I'm a man
Yeah, who's been around
So I got dressed like royalty
And was off for all to see
The king of fools
Just waiting to be crowned
You know the rest
It's a old, old story
I've got a new kind of heartburn
And friend if you're smart,
Learn my lesson
Don't go messin' with Flame
Don't go messin' with Flame
Don't go messin' with Flame
In Neil Diamond's song "Flame," the singer sings about his experience with a dangerous woman who he refers to as Flame. Although she is called Flame for obvious reasons, the singer admits to being frightened by her lightning flashes that only leave ashes behind. Despite his friends' warnings to stay away, the singer convinces himself that he is different from the boys who were burned by her fire, thinking that he is a man who has been around. He dresses like royalty and is off to show off his conquest.
However, the singer ends up with heartburn, a common term used to describe the feeling of regret or disappointment, as he learns the hard way that there is no winning with Flame. His lesson is clear - don't mess with Flame. The song highlights the danger that comes with playing with fire and the consequences that follow.
The lyrics in "Flame" also serve as a metaphor for love and relationships. The singer's temptation and ultimate failure to resist Flame's allure can be interpreted as a cautionary tale about the dangers of being drawn to someone who is not good for you. This song shows that when we get too close to someone who has a destructive nature, we should pay attention to the warning signs and listen to our friends' advice before getting burned ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
They call her Flame
She is known as Flame, likely due to her fiery personality or appearance.
For obvious reasons
The reason for her nickname as Flame is clear and apparent.
And I'll admit that's its frightnin'
Her fiery nature or potential danger is indeed scary or intimidating to the singer.
Whenever her lightening flashes
When she becomes suddenly angry or explosive, similar to a bolt of lightning.
Only ashes remain
People who get too close to Flame are inevitably destroyed or damaged.
Don't get too close
The singer's friends warned him to keep his distance from Flame to avoid getting hurt.
My friends all warned me
Those close to the singer cautioned him about the potential danger of getting involved with Flame.
And maybe I should of learned
The artist is aware that he should have taken the advice of his friends more seriously.
By the boys who were burned by the fire
The artist is aware of other people who have been hurt or damaged by Flame's fiery personality.
When they played with Flame
When these people interacted with Flame or got involved with her.
After all I told myself
The singer tried to convince himself that he was different from those who suffered due to Flame.
She's a girl of flesh and blood
Flame is a human being with normal, physical attributes.
And I'm a man
The singer views himself as a mature and capable adult.
Yeah, who's been around
The singer has experience in life and believes he can handle himself in any situation.
So I got dressed like royalty
The singer tries to impress Flame with his appearance and demeanor, hoping to win her favor or attention.
And was off for all to see
The artist put on this act to make sure others could witness his attempts at winning Flame over.
The king of fools
The artist sees himself as foolish for believing he can conquer Flame's fiery nature.
Just waiting to be crowned
The singer expects to be successful in winning Flame over and becoming her partner or lover.
You know the rest
The singer implies a tragic outcome without going into detail.
It's a old, old story
This type of situation - getting involved with someone dangerous or unpredictable - is not new or unusual.
I've got a new kind of heartburn
The artist now feels new emotional pain or distress after getting involved with Flame.
And friend if you're smart,
The artist advises others to be cautious and learn from his mistakes.
Learn my lesson
The singer has realized his mistake and wants others to avoid it by heeding his advice.
Don't go messin' with Flame
The artist advises others not to get involved with Flame in any way to avoid danger or distress.
Don't go messin' with Flame
The singer reiterates his advice and warning about Flame's potentially destructive nature.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NEIL DIAMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind