# Songs about encounters with ex-lovers, or wistful songs about old flames **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 15, 2007, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689 "2007-08-15T14:03:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/41 "2007-08-15T21:20:40Z")
Well, one I discovered recently is “Aubrey” by Bread. Sample: > [@](#): > > And Aubrey was her name, > A not so very ordinary girl or name. > But who’s to blame > For a love that wouldnt bloom > For the hearts that never played in tune? > Like a lovely melody that everyone can sing, > Take away the words that rhyme it doesn’t mean a thing. And there’s “Walk Away Renee” by lots of folks. Sample: > [@](#): > > Your name and mine inside > a heart upon a wall > Still finds a way to haunt me, > though they’re so small > > Just walk away Renee, > You won’t see me follow you back home > The empty sidewalks on my > block are not the same > You’re not to blame ---
**Author:** ![bytheway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df705f/32.png) [@bytheway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bytheway)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/42 "2007-08-15T22:25:26Z")
[QUOTE=Zebra] My Eyes Adored You by some talentless hack. [/QUOTE] Frankie Valli is a talenless hack? My contribution: Separate Lives, sung by Phil Collins & Marilyn Martin, written by Stephen Bishop You called me from the room in your hotel All full of romance for someone that you met And telling me how sorry you were, leaving so soon And that you miss me sometimes when you’re alone in your room Do I feel lonely too? You have no right to ask me how I feel You have no right to speak to me so kind We can’t go on just holding on to time Now that we’re living separate lives ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/43 "2007-08-15T22:37:30Z")
“Ghost” by Indigo Girls > [@](#): > > There’s a letter on the desktop > that I dug out of a drawer > the last truce we ever came to > in our adolescent war > And I start to feel the fever > of the warm air through the screen > You come regular like seasons > shadowing my dreams > > And the Mississippi’s mighty > but it starts in Minnesota > at a place that you could walk across > with five steps down > And I guess that’s how you started > like a pinprick to my heart > but at this point you rush right through me > and I start to drown > > And there’s not enough room in this world for my pain > Signals crossed and love gets lost > and time passed makes it plain > Of all my demon spirits I need you the most > I’m in love with your ghost ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/44 "2007-08-15T22:39:05Z")
“Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison If only this included Spanish pop songs, just because many (if not most) of the ballads/pop songs are about lost loves… ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/45 "2007-08-15T22:49:45Z")
Encounters, anyway. Not so much wistful, though. **Ween** “[Baby Bitch](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/w/ween/baby+bitch_20145493.html)” It’s been a while since I’ve seen you smile But now you’ve come back again Came into the room and you saw my girl And you asked her how long it’s been A year she said and you shook your head Said I’m surprised its gone on that long Baby, baby, baby bitch For words I am at a loss Baby, baby, baby bitch I’m better now please fuck off… \*\*Ani Difranco \*\* “[Untouchable Face](http://www.asklyrics.com/display/Ani_Difranco/Untouchable_Face_Lyrics/314843.htm)” think I’m going for a walk now I feel a little unsteady I don’t want nobody to follow me 'cept maybe you I could make you happy you know if you weren’t already I could do a lot of things and I do tell you the truth I prefer the worst of you too bad you had to have a better half she’s not really my type but I think you two are forever and I hate to say it but you’re perfect together… ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/46 "2007-08-15T23:51:56Z")
“My Best Friend’s Girl” by the Cars ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/47 "2007-08-16T00:16:16Z")
Ooooh, two more: **The Best of My Love** - The Eagles “You know we always had each other baby I guess that wasn’t enough Oh, but here in my heart I give you the best of my love” \*\*Those Three Days \*\* - Lucinda Williams (Just a heart breaking song…) "You built a nest inside my soul You rest your head on leaves of gold You managed to crawl inside my brain You found a hole and in you came You sleep like a baby breathing Comfortably between truth and pain But the truth is nothing’s been the same Since those three days Did you only want me for those three days? Did you only need me for those three days? Did you love me forever just for those three days?" ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/48 "2007-08-16T00:41:25Z")
[Desert Moon](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqjwt8qXjKc) by Dennis DeYoung Although the video seems to have nothing to do with the song. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/49 "2007-08-16T01:59:01Z")
[QUOTE=Zoggie] Crying by Roy Orbison. [/QUOTE] And Roy Orbison also had a minor hit with **“That Loving You Feeling Again,”** a duet with Emmylou Harris. Same theme: encounter with a lost love. I can’t find a clip of the duet, but [here’s Roy performing it solo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcXy_RL4oA8). As a bonus, here’s an ancient clip of [Roy Orbison singing “Crying.”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzezIg2Ei0A) ---
**Author:** ![Shawn1767](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shawn1767](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shawn1767)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/50 "2007-08-16T02:03:18Z")
“Why Not Me?” by Fred Knoblock. Schmaltzy, sentimental semi-country song about a guy at his former lover’s wedding. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/51 "2007-08-16T02:07:18Z")
[QUOTE=Zebra] In Your Wildest Dreams by the Moody Blues [/QUOTE] Yeah. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![MadPansy64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MadPansy64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadPansy64)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/52 "2007-08-16T02:28:23Z")
“Sleep you now” by Gale Garnett It’s about being so damaged by past lovers that she’s leaving the Good One. “Sleep you now Rest you now In the morning I’ll be gone” Another one that always gets me is Meatloaf’s “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” which just happens to be about being so damaged by a past lover that he’s leaving the Good One. Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is to bawl over a Meatloaf song? ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/53 "2007-08-16T02:39:17Z")
[QUOTE=MadPansy64] Another one that always gets me is Meatloaf’s “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” which just happens to be about being so damaged by a past lover that he’s leaving the Good One. [/QUOTE] That reminds me of **“Almost Blue”** by **Elvis Costello** , in which Elvis is so damaged by a past relationship that he can’t appreciate the woman right in front of him: _There’s a girl here and she’s almost you Almost all the things that your eyes once promised I see in hers too Almost blue…_ Can’t find a good YouTube clip of a performance, [but here’s the song, backing a goofy Star Wars fan video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaWde-kNaNI). Ignore the video and listen to the song. ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/54 "2007-08-16T03:21:40Z")
First Boy I Loved Judy Collins My Old Flame Billie Holiday ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/55 "2007-08-16T03:26:09Z")
[QUOTE=SiXSwordS] How could I possibly have forgotten [Pictures of You, by the Cure](http://www.lyrics007.com/The%20Cure%20Lyrics/Pictures%20of%20You%20Lyrics.html)? If only I’d thought of the right words I could have held on to your heart. If only I’d thought of the right words I wouldn’t be breaking apart all my pictures of you [/QUOTE] Also [Cut Here by The Cure](http://www.lyrics007.com/The%20Cure%20Lyrics/Cut%20Here%20Lyrics.html). \* “So we meet again!” and I offer my hand All dry and English slow And you look at me and I understand Yeah it’s a look I used to know “Three long years… and your favourite man… Is that any way to say hello?” And you hold me… like you’ll never let me go \* ---
**Author:** ![TupeloHoney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a88e57/32.png) [@TupeloHoney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TupeloHoney)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/56 "2007-08-16T03:36:24Z")
David Gray, “This Year’s Love” If you love me got to know for sure Cos it takes something more this time Than sweet sweet lies Before I open up my arms and fall Losing all control Every dream inside my soul And when you kiss me On that midnight street Sweep me off my feet Singing ain’t this life so sweet This years love had better last This years love had better last ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/57 "2007-08-16T05:20:09Z")
**Hüsker Du** - Don’t Want to Know if You are Lonely I’m curious to know exactly how you are I keep my distance but that distance is too far It reassures me just to know that you’re okay But I don’t want you to go on needing me this way And I don’t want to know if you are lonely Don’t want to know if you are less than lonely Don’t want to know if you are lonely Don’t want to know, don’t want to know ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/58 "2007-08-16T07:34:11Z")
[QUOTE=MadPansy64] “Sleep you now” by Gale Garnett It’s about being so damaged by past lovers that she’s leaving the Good One. Another one that always gets me is Meatloaf’s “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” which just happens to be about being so damaged by a past lover that he’s leaving the Good One. QUOTE] Well, if w’re going _there_, how about “The First Cut Is The Deepest” by various people? It’s the ultimate “she did me in and you’re going to have to be second best” song. I hate it. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/59 "2007-08-16T07:52:36Z")
_Operator_, by Jim Croce. Operator, oh could you help me place this call ’cause I can’t read the number that you just gave me There’s something in my eye’s You know it happens every time I think about the love that i thought would save me Isn’t that the way they say it goes But let’s forget all that And give me the number if you can find it So I can call just to tell them I’m fine and to show I’ve overcome the blow I’ve learned to take it well I only wish my words could just convince myself That it just wasn’t real But that’s not the way it feels ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/60 "2007-08-16T08:10:42Z")
Are sick “old flame” songs allowed in this thread? I’m afraid the first song I thought of, when I read the thread title, was Spike Jones’ version of “My Old Flame.” Which includes > [@](#): > > But it’s funny, now and then, > how my thoughts go flashing back again > to my old flame. > My new lovers all seem so tame. > (aside) They won’t even let me strangle them! - > For I haven’t met a girl > so maginificent or elegant as > my old flame. And goes downhill from there. Or, of course, Tom Lehrer’s lament for a lost love: “I Hold Your Hand in Mine.” (The song that he claimed on his live album that he’s had the most requests not to do.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689.md?page=4)