The Flame by Cheap Trick
Artist: Cheap Trick Weeks at #1: 2 weeks Chart dates: July 9, 1988 – July 16, 1988
About
In an interview by Gerry Galipault (of Pause & Play), Bun E. Carlos explained the origin of the song, unusual for Cheap Trick being written by professional songwriters as opposed to being written or co-written by their guitarist Rick Nielsen. Tom rejoined (in 1988), and then the vice president at Epic told us he had these two songs and they’re both gonna be No. 1. He goes, ‘We got one for you and one for the group Chicago, but you can have first choice.’ He said, ‘I think the one ‘The Flame’ would be good for you guys.’ The other one was ‘Look Away’, and it sounded like some girl singing on the demo. We really didn’t like that song anyway, so ‘Sure, we’ll do ‘The Flame.’ We’re game.’ The song focuses on the first love of the narrator. The narrator can’t seem to move on after their first love and still carries a torch (i.e. the “flame” referenced in the chorus and title of the song) for their former partner, despite that love being unrequited.
