CHEAP TRICK - THE FLAME

Released: April 5, 1988

Charted:  US: #1 (2 weeks)  UK: #77 

"The Flame" is a power ballad released in 1988 by the American rock band Cheap Trick. It served as the lead single from their tenth album, "Lap of Luxury." The song, written by songwriters Bob Mitchell and Nick Graham, achieved considerable success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1988. This accomplishment marked Cheap Trick's only number one hit. Additionally, "The Flame" topped the charts in Australia and Canada.

"The Flame" is a departure from Cheap Trick's typical sound, showcasing a tender ballad style uncommon in their repertoire. Unlike many of their hits, this song was not written or co-written by their guitarist Rick Nielsen. In "The Flame," the singer expresses enduring love and commitment to a girl, symbolized by the eternal flame that represents his unwavering affection. 

Despite the band's initial reservations, they recorded "The Flame" with hopes of achieving commercial success. During the recording session, tensions ran high as some members expressed dislike for the song. Bun E. Carlos recalled the session, noting that Kim Bullard laid down a keyboard track accompanied by a drum machine, prompting mixed reactions from the band. Legend has it that after listening to the demo tape once, Rick Nielsen supposedly crushed the cassette under his boot, symbolically rejecting the song and its deviation from the Cheap Trick sound. Nielsen and Tom Peterson walked out of the room, expressing their disapproval, leaving Bun E. Carlos and Robin Zander to complete the recording of drums and vocals. Eventually, Nielsen and Peterson returned to contribute their parts to the song.

Directed by James Yukich, known for his work with Genesis and Phil Collins, the music video for "The Flame" marked Cheap Trick's debut in heavy rotation on MTV, thanks to the band's charismatic members and photogenic appeal. The video primarily features shots of the band performing the song on a soundstage.