The Flame by Cheap Trick

Album: Lap Of Luxury (1988)

Charted: 77 1

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Songfacts®:

Cheap Trick had a huge breakthrough with their 1979 live album Cheap Trick at Budokan, which brought "I Want You To Want Me" into the Top 10. In 1980, bass player Tom Petersson left the group, and for most of the decade they had a hard time finding another hit, with none of their singles reaching the Top 40.

Peterson returned to the group for their 1988 album Lap of Luxury, which included the big ballad that would get them back on the airwaves: "The Flame." This was the dawn of the hair metal era, when the likes of Cinderella and Poison were cracking the charts wide open with similar songs. Cheap Trick already had the MTV-ready look and the rock pedigree, they just needed the song.

"The Flame" checked all the boxes, and although it wasn't something the band would whip up themselves, they liked it better than the other option. In an interview with Gerry Galipault, Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos explained: "The vice president at Epic told us he had these two songs and they're both gonna be #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.'"
This was written by the songwriting team of Bob Mitchell and Nick Graham. They wrote it for the British singer Elkie Brooks, but she wouldn't record it, so Mitchell put his voice on the demo and shopped the song around. It found its way to Epic Records, which gave it to Cheap Trick.

As for Elkie Brooks, she chose another song written by Mitchell and Graham: "Only Love Will Set You Free," which appears on her 1988 album Bookbinder's Kid.
The song is a tender ballad where the singer tells a girl he will always be there for her. It was not typical of Cheap Trick's sound, and was also their only hit not written or co-written by their guitarist Rick Nielsen. The song succeeded in exposing the band to a much larger audience. Another example of a '70s rock band that brought in outside writers and had a successful ballad was Heart, who had a similar breakthrough with "These Dreams."
This was Cheap Trick's only #1 hit, remaining at the top spot in the US for two weeks in the summer of 1988.
In this song, the flame represents the singer's love, which will always burn bright. Those following Cheap Trick's career spotted this song as an outlier, since they eschew metaphor in their songwriting. Note the difference between this song and their previous hit:

After the fire
After all the rain
I will be the flame

I want you to want me
I need you to need me
Cheap Trick used a variety of different producers. The Lap of Luxury album was produced by Richie Zito, who had done Eddie Money's Can't Hold Back. Zito knew this song could be a huge hit, but he also knew it wouldn't be easy to coax them into recording it. His strategy was to divide and conquer, having Robin Zander record his vocals first and then bringing in the other guys individually to add their parts.
The band really didn't like this song but recorded it because they thought it might give them a hit. Bun E. Carlos described the recording session to Songfacts: "Kim Bullard came in and cut a keyboard track – along with a drum machine ticking away – and we were like, 'OK. Let's build on this.' We all got in the room and we did about half a take, and Rick [Nielsen] stands up and goes, 'I HATE THIS THING!' And he gets up and leaves. Tom [Peterson] is like, 'Yeah, I don't want to be here, either.' He gets up and walks out. So, there's me and Robin [Zander]. We put the drums down and the vocals down, and then the next day, Rick goes, 'OK, I'll play some guitar,' so Rick and Tom put their parts on."
Cheap Trick followed "The Flame" with another song they didn't write: a cover of Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel." It did very well, not surprising considering their popular cover of another '50s rock classic, "Ain't That A Shame."
The music video for "The Flame" got Cheap Trick in hot rotation on MTV for the first time. The band had the right look, with the photogenic Zander, the eccentric Rick Nielsen, and the outlandish Bun E. Carlos, but they never had a song that was MTV worthy ("She's Tight" came close), so they didn't join '70s rockers like Van Halen and ZZ Top in that transition.

The video was directed by James Yukich, who did many of the Genesis and Phil Collins videos of the '80s. There wasn't much he could do with the song, so it's mostly shots of the band performing it on a soundstage. Cheap Trick is a lot more interesting to look at when they're doing uptempo songs; Yukich had a lot more to work with in their video for "Don't Be Cruel."
Cheap Trick went back to the power ballad well on their next album, Busted (1990), releasing the Diane Warren-penned "Wherever Would I Be" as a single, but it stiffed, as that sound had fallen out of favor.

Bun E. Carlos told Songfacts how he felt about these power ballads: "They were all pretty sickening," he said. "It was a trend – they came and then they went. It was never the end of the world in my book."
We found out what this song sounds like with a beat when the dance music singer Erin Hamilton recorded a club-friendly version in 1998, which went to #12 on the Dance chart. In 2008, a remix of her version was released as "The Flame 08," this time going to #1 on the chart.

Comments: 30

Michael from UsaI know the lyrics were not written from this perspective and a lot of people interpret it as being creepy or stalkerish, however, the lyrics took on a whole different meaning for me after my wife of 30 years passed away. Every line makes complete sense and is hauntingly too familiar. She was my first true love and she will be the last.
Andrea from CaliforniaI have been married to my 1st love for 47 years. When he would go away for work, I would miss him when he was gone. For me, I believe he is my 1st and will be my last true love. So the lyrics really mean that true love will last for ever, and I will always be with him and whatever he needs I'll give it to him. When he needs a friend, I'll be right here.
Anne from AustraliaYour comment: "The music video for "The Flame" got Cheap Trick in hot rotation on MTV for the first time. The band had the right look, with the photogenic Zander" implies Cheap Trick are a one hit wonder whose success is due to the leader singer's good looks. The has toured for 50yrs. The band's success is due to the fact to lead singer has a great voice.
Jerry B from MinnesotaPillow, I disagree about this song being creepy. It is a song about someone who lost their 1st true love and the pain and anguish that goes with it. It could be years later and they still have regrets, and still carries a flame for their 1st true love. It is true that you can't go back to your 1st love (or even back to your past)

I still remember my 1st love (wistfully) no there is no going back, no reliving the past, but there is also no forgetting it either
Mo From Mesa from Mesa, ArizonaJust to clear things up, I just saw Cheap Trick open for Rod Stewart. They played The Flame in Phoenix AZ on August 4 2023. So Sion from Tucson, get with the program, lol! The song will always get to me though...
Jimbo99 from Palm Coast, FlBest concerts of 1988 & 1989, Daytona Beach, FL.
Twin Flame from Netherlandsthis song and all the comments strike me, in my opinion my flame feels like this in some ways, difference is, that i did not leave him, but he ran away from me, cause he,s got troubles with himself and his emotions/feelings. He hurt me badly several times, cause he,s confused, and scared, afraid of losing control, he,s got deep ,trauma,s, of abandonment. I wish that he would take the veil away that lies over his heart and in his head, and open up to me, i would forgive his nasty behaviour, if he really would want to change ,and be so/a courage vulnerable man. showing vulnerabilty is the greatest courageous thing, what one can do, and be a carrying/and loving man.Being a flame for his woman always, in stead of running.
Left Body Kick from Middle Class UsaThis had to be cheap trick’s best song. It makes me think of my old girlfriend I was with her for six or seven years. Beautiful lady.
Things didn’t end well but I still think about her all the time. She used to talk to me different, I never had anybody talk to me the way she did. I deal with all kinds of issues one of them is I can’t really sleep. But most of the time, I could sleep when I was with her.

I feel bad because she wanted certain things and I didn’t want them ie, wasn’t ready for them and I couldn’t make her happy in that regard. I feel bad about that.

We started fighting more and more, but I still wanted to be with her. I wanted to see her face. I told her one time when I’m on my deathbed I want her to be there so I can see her face one last time.

“ you’ll be the first, you’ll be the last...”
Good lyrics.

I think that was the first lady I bared my soul to and opened up like never before. She’ll be the last also.

I always loved her and always will.
I just couldn’t go to that next level.

I always think of her with this song.
Heavy D from Los Angeles I first heard this song as a kid in 1988 or 89 whenever I got released. Now as an adult, I get to experience what it really means - at least to me.

"you'll be the first- you'll be the last."

I was in a relationship with this girl for 7 years and we were madly in love. We never got married because I never wanted to. I don't want marriage. We broke up and got back together several times and now it's over for the final time.

She talked to me different, she was different with me, I felt different around her. I look at the pictures of us together and I go back to those times cuz I miss them dearly.

You can never go back, you can never go back to how things once were.

But she was the first and she'll probably be the last.

Now we got this damn virus. I still send her care packages
Evie from Kuci.orgI saw Cheap Trick in June 1991. I recall hearing this song. Bang Tango opened. Still love this song. Still love everything Cheap Trick does. Saw them two other times.
Bill from MadisonI don't know... been a fan of cheap trick since 79. I think I get their music. The flame was a great commercial rock ballad departure for them. Everyone was doing it back then, and I imagine the money was good. So why not? Brought cheap trick to a whole lot of new listeners, and robin Zander probably deserved the recognition of his singing and front man appeal by that point. It’s all good, open your minds and accept diversification. Oh... and pretty sure they do perform the flame in certain concert.
William from Reno, NvThis whole damned album is awesome. Not a bad song on it. NOT ONE. That's very rare.

K/H D
Matthew from Taylor, MiI actually love this song.
Matthew from Taylor, MiOr maybe not....just listened to Spirit's song....yeah, there's a similar start, but nowhere near "note-for-note" like I had read on another site. Guess it's better to check things out on your own before posting something...lol!
Matthew from Taylor, MiThe opening to this song is lifted almost note-for-note from a song called "Nature's Way", done by the band Spirit, in 1970.
Sion from Tucson, AzIf anybody ever sees Cheap Trick in concert you will notice that they refuse to perform this song in concert.
Paul from Langley, BcMy girlfriend and I just broke up and this song realy tugs on my heart strings.
The part "after the fire after all the rain. I will be the flame" reminds me of when her place caught on fire
Because of the upstairs tenants. I was there for her literally in the rain as we and the neighborhood watched the place burn. She was my first love and no matter what I will always love her and be there for her.
"your a strong and beautiful young women J I will always love you".
Dave from Rockford, IlDuring their 25th anniversary show in Rockford, CT lumped all the "Ballads" together. While they acknwoledge their popularity and connection, CT Rocks!!!! They know, and so do their fans.
Claude from Kingston, MaIt's a really good song, but it's a really bad Cheap Trick song. How's that for diplomacy. "She's Tight" and "Surrender" are really good Cheap Trick songs.
T from Tucson, Azafter seeing cheap trick live and seeing grown men and women with tears in thier eyes as they were performing the flame how can you say it's not a good song.Any song that can move a person to tears when performed lives has to be a goood song
Derek from Shrewsbury, Mathis is definatly not the worst cheap trick song its a balled about losing his first love even if you dont like the song you cant say its the worst it takes alot to perform something that comes from the heart and its really impolite to make fun of some ones feelings espetialy ones of love
Daryl from Stoke, EnglandIs there a 'worst' cheap trick song?
And how is it ironic?
Debra from Lees Summit, MoI think this is a GREAT song. Definitely my favorite cheap trick ballad. And John -- that is dumb to not like the song just because you misunderstood the lyrics for so long.
Pillow from Milwaukee, WiShawn...why this for a wedding song?! Do you know the lyrics? This song is about him being lonely because his woman has moved on, but that he'll always wait for her and miss her. Kinda creepy and stalker-ish. It is a great song, no doubt, but I don't see it as a wedding song.
John from Brisbane, United StatesI never knew until today why this song is titled The Flame,because I never heard the word ;flame'mentioned in the whole song.I always thought he was singing about always being the SAME. I WILL BE THE SAME I WILL ALWAYS BE THE SHAME.So now I dislike this song.
Shawn from Jackson, MnThis is not Cheap Tricks worst song, My wife and I were married in 1988, and this was our song. We both still love this song even after 20 years.
Ed from Westport, CtThe comments from Scott, Susan and the other Scott show the rift this song has created in fans for years. Honestly, I didn't originally like the song- until I saw them do it live. Robin still nails it- very impressive- especially when you see how Roger Daltrey has no voice left anymore in concert.
The song was supposedly "offered" to Cheap Trick by the record company who told them, in effect, "Either you do it or Rod Stewart will make it a #1 hit." So they made it a # 1 hit.
Also ironic is their cover of Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel" was their only other Top 5 hit (peaked at # 4)- and was the only cover of an Elvis Presley song to ever get into the Top 5.
Scott from Boston, MaThis is definitely not the worst Cheap Trick song. In fact, I think it's one of their best and definitely one of the best love songs ever. Just because it's different than a lot of their songs doesn't make it bad.
Susan from Melvindale, MiI dont think this is their worst song ever.
This song is heart felt..Frist loves can be hard to let go of..The frist cut is the deepest..I know your out there some where..Tangerine...
The flame....I also like Cheap trick...If you want my love!!
Scott from Palm Desert, CaIronic that the worst Cheap Trick song ever goes to #1.

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