The Flame

"The Flame" is a power ballad written by British songwriters Bob Mitchell and Nick Graham. The song was released in 1988 by the American rock band Cheap Trick and the first single from their tenth album Lap of Luxury. "The Flame" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1988, becoming the band's only number one hit. It also reached number one in Australia and Canada. Background During the recording of the Lap of Luxury album, Epic Records asked Cheap Trick to work with outside songwriters, a request which guitarist Rick Nielsen, the band's main songwriter, was apprehensive about. Prior to being offered to Cheap Trick, "The Flame" was first offered to British blues rock singer Elkie Brooks, who turned it down. "The Flame" was written by Nick Graham, a former member of the British rock band Atomic Rooster, and Bob Mitchell.