On this day July 9, 1988, The Flame by Cheap Trick became the number one song in America. It stayed at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 through July 22 and also reached number one in Canada and Australia. The emotional power ballad marked a dramatic comeback for the band, who had not seen chart topping success since the late 70s.
Featured on their album Lap of Luxury, The Flame introduced Cheap Trick to a new audience during the late 80s wave of polished, radio ready rock. With soaring vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and a slow building arrangement, the song stood out as a major shift from the band’s earlier power pop and hard rock sound. The song spent two weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Revisit the album in our Lap of Luxury thread.
80s insight: The Flame showed that even veteran rock bands could find new life and reach number one by adapting to the sound of the decade.
Featured on their album Lap of Luxury, The Flame introduced Cheap Trick to a new audience during the late 80s wave of polished, radio ready rock. With soaring vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and a slow building arrangement, the song stood out as a major shift from the band’s earlier power pop and hard rock sound. The song spent two weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Revisit the album in our Lap of Luxury thread.
80s insight: The Flame showed that even veteran rock bands could find new life and reach number one by adapting to the sound of the decade.
