Favorite Standards – My old Flame – Jazz Play Along (Aebersold Vol. 22)
My old Flame – sheet music
Play Jazz Standards with the Sheet Music Library!
“My Old Flame” first appeared in the 1934 film Belle of the Nineties when it was sung by Mae West, backed by the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Six weeks after filming wrapped with West, Ellington recorded the tune with singer Ivie Anderson, released on Commadore 585.
It became a No. 7 hit for Guy Lombardo later that year, but it was not until the early 1940s that the tune re-emerged, entering the repertoire of the orchestras of Benny Goodman and Count Basie.
“My Old Flame” is a 1934 song composed by Arthur Johnston with lyrics by Sam Coslow for the film Belle of the Nineties. It has since become a jazz standard.
West’s brand of sexual innuendo was her stock-in-trade, and the initial version of the film was deemed morally unacceptable by a representative from the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (known as the Hays office for its chief, Will Hays). After a title change and a rewrite, the film was released as Belle of the Nineties.
“My Old Flame” has since become a jazz standard, and sung by the likes of Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington and Helen Humes, with instrumental interpretations by Charlie Parker for the Dial label in 1947, Gerry Mulligan with Chet Baker in 1953, trombonist J.J. Johnson on his 1957 album Trombone Master, Sonny Rollins on his 1993 album Old Flames and many others.
The tune was also recorded by the Stan Kenton orchestra, and Zoot Sims in a “sensitive rendition” according to Jazz Improv magazine.
Structure
The music has an AABA structure. It is written in the key of G major, and features a change to B♭ in the ‘B’ section.
As a vehicle for West, while the lyric contains “characteristically flippant lines – ‘My old flame/ I can’t even remember his name’ – it suggests that her brazen sexuality is the carapace for a lost youthful love”: ‘But their attempts at love/ Were only imitations of/ My old flame’.
Best Sheet Music download from our Library.
My Old Flame Composed by Arthur Johnston , with lyrics by Sam Coslow
“My Old Flame” was written for Mae West to perform in the 1934 movie Belle of the Nineties.
West is remembered today as a risqué sex symbol who tweaked the prudish sensibilities of the prewar era, rather than as a jazz vocalist; but she had paid close attention to blues singers Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith in crafting her own onstage demeanor. And she was a stickler for surrounding herself with the right accompanists—in the film, she is supported by Duke Ellington’s band.
The studio execs initially balked at the extra expense of bringing in a name band, but West insisted on Ellington. Even after agreeing to her request, the honchos at Paramount tried to persuade West to allow white actors to serve as stand-ins onscreen for the black musicians playing on the soundtrack, but the actress again stood her ground.
The song is an intriguing one, jolting the listener from the very start when the opening phrase drops to linger on the fl at 7 in bar two. This song may be written in a major key, yet the psychological tone of “My Old Flame” definitely tends toward the minor mode, and I wonder if the song might have been more popular if it had made its debut in some noir film that better matched its mood.
The harmonic movement is extreme, yet the song itself comes across as lazy and unrushed. This combination—of indolence and intricacy— is an odd one, but casts a certain charm over performances of the standard.
Lyrics
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 magnificent 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
Untill 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
Browse in the Library:
Artist or Composer / Score name | Cover | List of Contents |
---|---|---|
Andrea Morricone – Nuovo Cinema Paradiso – Love Theme | ||
Andrea Vanzo Autumn Intro | ||
Andrea Vanzo Les Madeleines | ||
Andrea Vanzo Spring | ||
Andrea Vanzo Valzer d’Inverno | ||
Andrés Segovia Classic Album For Guitar Volume 2 | Andrés Segovia Classic Album For Guitar Volume 2 | |
Andrés Segovia Classic Album For Guitar Volumes 1 to14 | Andrés Segovia Classic Album For Guitar Volumes 1 to14Andrés Segovia Classic Album For Guitar Volume 2 | |
Andres Segovia Collection Pieces For Solo Guitar | Andres Segovia Collection Pieces For Solo Guitar | |
Andres Segovia Obras Para Guitarra Vol 1 Preludios Y Estudios | Andres Segovia Obras Para Guitarra Vol 1 Preludios Y Estudios | |
Andres Segovia Obras Para Guitarra Vol 2 23 Canciones Populares Del Mundo | Andres Segovia Obras Para Guitarra Vol 2 23 Canciones Populares Del Mundo | |
Andres Segovia- Transcripciones Obras Para Guitarra Vol 3 | Andres Segovia- Transcripciones Obras Para Guitarra Vol 3 | |
Andrew Hill 21 Piano Compositions | ||
Andrew Lloyd Webber Sunset Boulevard (Revised Broadway Version) Piano & Vocal Score | ||
Andrew Lloyd Webber The Music Of The Night | ||
Andrew Lloyd Webber Think of me (The Phantom of the Opera) | Andrew Lloyd Webber Think Of Me | |
Andrew Lloyd Webber – All I Ask of You (The Phantom of the Opera) | ||
Andrew Lloyd Webber – Angel Of Music (Piano, Vocal, Guitar chords) | Andrew Lloyd Webber – Angel Of Music (Piano, Vocal, Guitar chords) | |
Andrew Lloyd Webber – CATS (Piano & Vocal score) | Andrew Lloyd Webber – CATS (Piano & Vocal score) | |
Andrew Lloyd Webber – Jesus Christ Superstar (Musical Excerpts Complete Libretto) Lyrics by Tim Rice | ||
Andrew Lloyd Webber – Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat The Musical Full Score | ||
Andrew Lloyd Webber – Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat The Musical Vocal Selections | Andrew Lloyd Webber – Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat The Musical Vocal Selections | |
Andrew Lloyd Webber – Love Never Dies (Piano Book) | Andrew Lloyd Weber – Love Never Dies (Piano Book) | |
Andrew Lloyd Webber – Love Never Dies Full Vocal Score (Andrew Lloyd Webber) | Love Never Dies Full Vocal Score | |
Andrew Lloyd Webber – Memory (from CATS) Piano Vocal with lyrics | ||
Andrew Lloyd Webber – Requiem (the musical) Piano Vocal Score | ||
Andrew Lloyd Webber – School of Rock | Andrew Lloyd Webber – School of Rock | |
Andrew Lloyd Webber – The Phantom Of The Opera | ||
Andrew Lloyd Webber – Unmasked A Memoir (Book) | ||
Andrew Lloyd Webber – Unmasked The Platinum Collection | Andrew Lloyd Webber – Unmasked The Platinum Collection | |
Andrew Lloyd Webber “By Jeeves”, the musical | ||
Andrew Lloyd Webber Anthology | Webber, Andrew Lloyd – Antholog | |
Andrew Lloyd Webber Jesus Christ Superstar Tim Rice (Deutsche Texte) | Andrew Lloyd Webber Jesus Christ Superstar Tim Rice (Deutsche Texte) | |
Andrew Lloyd Webber Masquerade from The Phantom of the Opera for Guitar TABS | Andrew Lloyd Webber Masquerade from The Phantom of the Opera for Guitar TABS | |
Andrew Lloyd Webber Memory (from Cats) for Guitar TABS | Andrew Lloyd Webber Memory (from Cats) for Guitar TABS | |
Andrew Lloyd Webber Pro Vocal Womens Edition | Andrew Lloyd Webber Pro Vocal Womens Edition | |
Andrew Lloyd Webber Sheet Music Collection, The – Andrew Lloyd Webber sheet music | Andrew Lloyd Webber Sheet Music Collection, The – Andrew Lloyd Webber sheet music | |
Andrew Lloyd Webber The Phantom of the Opera for Guitar TABS | Andrew Lloyd Webber The Phantom of the Opera for Guitar TABS | |
Andrew Lloyd WebberJesus Christ Superstar (Broadway) | Andrew Lloyd Webber Jesus Christ Superstar (Broadway) | |
Andrew Lloyd WebberThe Phantom of the Opera (Piano Vocal & Guitar) Songbook | ||
Androgyne (Mario Leblanc) | ||
Andy Timmons Anthology | ||
Andy Jaffe – Jazz Harmony | Andy Jaffe – Jazz Harmony | |
Andy Laverne – Tons Of Runs For The Contemporary Pianist | andy laverne tons of runs contemporary pianist | |
Andy LaVerne – Vol. 85 Tunes You Thought You Knew | Andy LaVerne sheet music | |
Andy Mckee Joyland (Songbook) (Andy Mckee) Guitar TAB | Andy Mckee Joyland (Songbook) (Andy Mckee) Guitar TAB | |
Angeles Negros Y Volveré (Alaian Barrière) | ||
ANGELO BADALAMENTI – (Twin peaks) – Twin Peaks theme easy piano solo | ANGELO BADALAMENTI – (Twin peaks) – Twin Peaks theme | Badalamenti Angelo – Twin Peaks |
Angelo Badalamenti – Twin Peaks – Love Theme easy piano solo | Badalamenti, Angelo – Twin Peaks – Love Theme | Angelo Badalamenti – Twin Peaks (book) |
Angelo Badalamenti – Twin Peaks (songbook the music of Twin Peaks) | Angelo Badalamenti – Twin Peaks (book) | |
Angelo Badalamenti – Twin Peaks Theme (Instrumental) (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Angelo Badalamenti Twin Peaks – Love Theme (Laura Palmer’s Theme) | Twin Peaks -Love Theme | |
Angra Rebirth Guitar Songbook | ||
Angry Birds Theme Song (Piano) | ||
Animal Crossing Christmas Eve | ||
Animal Crossing – Christmas Eve (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Animal Crossing New Horizons – Welcome Horizons Main Theme | ||
Animals – The House Of The Rising Sun | The Animals – House Of The Rising Sun | |
Animation Collection, Music From The Movies The (Solo Piano) | Animation Collection, Music From The Movies The (Solo Piano) | |
Anime Music Collection | Anime Collection | |
Anime Sheet Music Tsubasa Chronicle | Anime Sheet Music Tsubasa Chronicle | |
Anna And The King – How Can I Not Love You – Enriquez Joy | ||
Anna And The King – How Can I Not Love You – Joy Enriquez | Anna And The King – How Can I Not Love You – Enriquez Joy | |
Anna Karenina 2012 – Curtain (Dario Marianelli) | ||
Anna Karenina 2012 – Dance with me (Dario Marianelli) | ||
Anna Karenina 2012 – I Understood Something (Dario Marianelli) | ||
Anna Karenina 2012 – Kitty’s Debut (Dario Marianelli) | ||
Anna Karenina 2012 – Ouverture (Dario Marianelli) | ||
Anna Karenina 2012 – Ouverture (easier version) | ||
Anna Karenina 2012 – Too Late (Dario Marianelli) | ||
Anna Nalick – Breathe | ||
Anne Murray – Day Dream Believer | ||
Anne Murray Best Of Songbook Piano Vocal Guitar Chords | Anne Murray Best Of Songbook Piano Vocal Guitar Chords CONTENTS LIST | |
Anne Murray Could I Have This Dance Piano Vocal Musescore File.mscz | ||
Anne Of Green Gables – Anne’s Theme | ||
Anne With An E – Marilla’s Theme | Anne With An E – Marilla’s Theme | |
Annie Lennox The Best Of | Anni Lennox best of songbook | |
Anohni – In My Dreams (piano Solo arr.) euphoria OST | ||
Another Day In Paradise Phil Collins (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Another Day of Sun – La La Land OST | ||
Anouk – Girl | ||
Anouk – Its a Shame | ||
Anouk – My Life | ||
Anouk – Nobodys Wife | ||
Anoushiravan Rohani Fravorite Persian Pieces for piano Mid-level piano book | Anoushiravan Rohani Fravorite Persian Pieces for piano Mid-level piano book | |
Ansons S. – 6 easy pieces | ||
Ansons, S. The harmonic garden part I – 24 short Jazz Piano solos | ||
Anthologie De La Chanson Française 1920 1950 Enrégistrée Book (Français) | Anthologie de la chanson française | |
Anthology for Saxophone (arr. for Eb instr. by Andrea Cappilari) | ||
Anthology Of American Piano Music Intermediate To Early Advanced Works By 31 Composers | Anthology Of American Piano Music Intermediate To Early Advanced Works By 31 Composers | |
Anthology of American Song (26 songs collection by representative American Composers) | ||
Anthology Of Broadway Songs Gold Edition Songbook Piano Vocal Guitar chords | Anthology Of Broadway Songs Gold Edition Songbook Piano Vocal Guitar chords | |
Anthology Of Children’s Songs Gold Edition Songbook Piano Vocal Guitar chords | Anthology Of Childrens Songs Gold Edition Songbook Piano Vocal Guitar chords | |
Anthology of French Piano Music – Vol. 2 Modern Composers (1906) | ||
Anthology of French Piano Music by Isidor Philipp Vol. I (1906) | ||
Anthology of German Piano Music by Moritz Moszkowski (1908) Vol I Early Composers | Anthology of German Piano Music by Moritz Moszkowski (1908) Vol I Early Comp | |
Anthology of German Piano Music by Moritz Moszkowski (1908) Vol II Modern Composers | Anthology of German Piano Music by Moritz Moszkowski (1908) Vol II Modern Comp | |
Anthology of Italian Song of 17th and 18th Cent. (1922) | ||
Anthology Of Modern Classics For The Piano (32 Compositions, Selected, Edited And Fingered) 1904 | Anthology Of Modern Classics For The Piano (32 Compositions, Selected, Edited And Fingered) 1904 | |
Anthology of Modern French song (1912) 39 songs with piano accomp. | ||
Anthology Of Movie Songs Gold Edition Songbook Piano Vocal Guitar chords | Anthology Of Movie Songs Gold Edition Songbook Piano Vocal Guitar chords | |
Anthology Of Post Tonal Music By Miguel A. Roig Francolí (Book) | ||
Anthony Braxton Composition Opus 23 M | ||
Anthony Braxton Composition Opus 23D | ||
Anthropology lead sheet.mscz | ||
Anthropology Transcription – Sheila Jordan Charlie Parker.mscz | ||
Anton Bruckner – Fantasy In G Major (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Anton Rubinstein A Life In Music (Book) Biography by Philip S. Taylor | ||
Antonio Carlos Jobim Corcovado (Piano and vocal) | Antonio Carlos Jobim Corcovado (Piano and vocal) | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim The Girl From Ipanema (Piano Solo) Garota De Ipanema | Antonio Carlos Jobim The Girl From Ipanema (Piano Solo) Garota De Ipanema | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim The Girl From Ipanema (Piano Vocal) Garota De Ipanema | Antonio Carlos Jobim The Girl From Ipanema (Piano Vocal) Garota De Ipanema | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim Triste (Guitar Solo Arr. With Tabs Sheet Music) | Antonio Carlos Jobim Triste (Guitar Solo Arr. With Tabs Sheet Music) | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim – Agua De Beber | ||
Antonio Carlos Jobim – Aguas de Março – Tom Jobim Easy Piano Solo arr | Antonio Carlos Jobim – Aguas de Março – Tom Jobim Easy Piano Solo arr | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim – Aguas de Março – Tom Jobim Easy Piano Solo arr.mscx | ||
Antonio Carlos Jobim – cancioneiro (piano,lyrics &guitar chords songbook) | Antonio Carlos Jobim – cancioneiro (piano lyrics songbook) | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim – Corcovado (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Antonio Carlos JOBIM – For bossa nova all styles (Guitar Tabs) | Antonio Carlos JOBIM – For bossa nova all styles | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim – Garota De Ipanema | ||
Antonio Carlos Jobim – Jobim Cancioneiro Obras Completas | Antonio Carlos Jobim – Jobim Cancioneiro Obras Completas contents — Antonio Carlos Jobim – Jobim Cancioneiro Obras Completas | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim – Jobim Cancioneiro Obras Selectas (partituras) | Antonio Carlos Jobim – Jobim Cancioneiro Obras Selectas (partituras) |
Please, subscribe to our Library.
If you are already a subscriber, please, check our NEW SCORES’ page every month for new sheet music. THANK YOU!