My Old Flame
Peggy Lee feat. Benny Goodman 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 innocent or elegant
As my old flame

I've met so many men
With fascinating ways
A fascinating gaze in their eyes
Some who sent 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

I've met so many men
With fascinating ways
A fascinating gaze in their eyes
Some who sent 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

Overall Meaning

The song "My Old Flame" recounts a nostalgic trip down memory lane for the singer, who is filled with emotions and memories of her past lover. Though she seems unable to remember his name, she vividly recalls how he impacted her life in deeper ways than any of her new lovers. She compares her current lovers to him, finding them to be relatively bland and not as special as he was. She notes that she has been with many men after him, some of whom had qualities that reminded her of him, but none of them could replace the feeling that he brought to her life.

Throughout the song, the singer hints at her inability to move on from her past and discover what became of her old flame. Although she seems to have accepted his absence from her life, her attachment makes it impossible for her to shake off her feelings entirely. The song is a beautiful and soulful interpretation of a bittersweet memory.

Line by Line Meaning

My old flame
The person I loved in the past

I can't even think of his name
I have forgotten the name of my old flame

But it's funny now and then
Sometimes it seems strange to me

How my thoughts go flashing back again
How memories of my old flame keep coming back to me

To my old flame
To the person I loved in the past

My new lovers all seem so tame
The people I have been with since then seem dull in comparison

For I haven't met a gent
I haven't met someone

So innocent or elegant
Who is as pure and refined as my old flame

I've met so many men
I have encountered many people

With fascinating ways
With interesting qualities

A fascinating gaze in their eyes
An alluring look in their eyes