Old Flames
kesha Lyrics


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Downtown tonight, I saw an old friend, someone who
I used to take comfort from long before I met you
I caught a spark in his eyes of forgotten desire
With a word, or a touch, I could have rekindled that fire

But old flames can't hold a candle to you
No one can light up the night like you do
Flickering embers of love
I've known one or two
But old flames can't hold a candle to you

Oh yeah
Ooh ooh

Like sometimes at night, I think of old lovers I've known
And I remember how holding them helped me not feel so alone (feel so alone)
Then I feel you beside me and even their memories are gone
Like stars in the night lost in the sweet light of dawn

But old flames can't hold a candle to you
No one can light up the night like you do
Flickering embers of love
I've known one or two
But old flames can't hold a candle to you
But old flames can't hold a candle to you

Oh yeah (ooh)
Oh oh, oh yeah
Oh, oh
Ah (ah!)
Ah!
Ah yeah
Old flames can't hold a candle to you
Candle to you
Old flames (oh yeah)
Old flames (oh yeah)
Old flames (oh yeah)




Old flames (oh yeah)
Can't hold a candle to you

Overall Meaning

In this song, Kesha Dolly Parton reminisces about an encounter with an old flame, someone who she used to take comfort from long before she met her current lover. She notices a spark in his eyes of forgotten desire which makes her realize that with just a touch or a word, she could rekindle that fire. However, the chorus asserts that no old flame can hold a candle to her current lover. She acknowledges having known one or two flickering embers of love in her past, but none of them could compare to the one she has now. The chorus repeats this sentiment, emphasizing that her current lover is the only one that can light up the night like they do, and that old flames can't compare.


Line by Line Meaning

Downtown tonight, I saw an old friend, someone who I used to take comfort from long before I met you
While out, I saw an old friend who I used to find solace in, long before I came across you


I caught a spark in his eyes of forgotten desire
I noticed a glimmer of past passion in their eyes


With a word, or a touch, I could have rekindled that fire
It wouldn't take much - a simple word or touch - to reignite that old flame


But old flames can't hold a candle to you
Despite the potential of old flames, they can't compare to what I have with you


No one can light up the night like you do
You are the only one who brightens my life this way


Flickering embers of love I've known one or two
I've had a couple of previous relationships that had moments of passion but faded out


Like sometimes at night, I think of old lovers I've known
Every so often I reminisce on my past relationships


And I remember how holding them helped me not feel so alone (feel so alone)
Recalling the comfort of being held by them made me feel less lonely


Then I feel you beside me and even their memories are gone
But when I feel you by my side, all thoughts of them disappear


Like stars in the night lost in the sweet light of dawn
Their memories fade away like stars in the sky as the sun rises


Ah!
An exclamation of emphasis or excitement


Old flames can't hold a candle to you
Regardless of the history with old flames, none of them compare to what I have with you


Old flames (oh yeah)
Repeating the assertion that old flames can't compare to the current love


Can't hold a candle to you
There is no competition when it comes to the depth and strength of our love




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HUGH MOFFATT, PEBE SEBERT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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