The Pain Old Lovers Bring in Alabama’s “Old Flame”

Though an old flame isn’t brighter or stronger than any other, it burns longer among them all.

Country music band Alabama recorded “Old Flame” as part of their album Feels So Right. The album was released in 1981 under the label RCA Nashville. 

“Old Flame” was written by Mac McAnally and Donny Lowery. The song peaked at the number one spot on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs and Canadian RPM Country Tracks charts. 

The track was featured in a series entitled The Americans, where Elizabeth and Phillip slowly dance to the song.

Feels So Right was their first album that topped the US Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album also received a quadruple platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 4 million copies.

Meaning Behind the Song

What hurts more than being with the one you love, yet still, having lingering feelings for their former lover?

In Alabama‘s “Old Flame,” the narrator notices the sparkle in his lover’s eyes when she meets her ex-lover. Although she doesn’t make it obvious, well, it is evident for our poor narrator that her lover still has feelings for her ex.

It hurts, most definitely, to realize that despite the time you spent together, memories that you have created, and moments that both of you have treasured, that old flame burning in your lover’s eyes is, sadly, because of someone else.

What hurts the most is, when the narrator thinks what they have was over when she meets him. Even though his woman assures her love for our poor narrator, he knows that there are still feelings left in his woman’s heart, yearning for her former lover.

“Old Flame” is among Alabama’s songs that have that country music vibe yet make you succumb to the slight pain you feel as they sing with emotion.

Listen to Alabama’s number-one hit song right here.