
Catalog catalog
Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You Lyrics by Dolly Parton
At a glance
Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You quick summary
- Recording: “Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You” is credited to Dolly Parton.
- Released: Apr 14, 1980 on “Dolly, Dolly, Dolly”.
- Length: The recording runs 3:25.
- Genre: Filed under Country.
- Lyrics: This page has 16 lyric lines and 17 timed cues.
- Chart: No dated chart rank is attached yet.
- Karaoke: Timed playback is ready on this page.
- Written by: Hugh Moffatt, Pebe Sebert.
Direct answers
Questions about “Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You” by Dolly Parton
Who performs “Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You”?
The recording on this page is credited to Dolly Parton.
Can I follow the lyrics in time with the song?
Yes. This page has 17 timed cues connected to its selected video, so the active lyric line can follow playback.
Which recording version does this page describe?
The stored release association is “Dolly, Dolly, Dolly”, dated 1980-04-14, with a duration of 3:25.
Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You lyrics by Dolly Parton
💡 Tip: hover a line for 3 seconds (or press and hold on mobile) to read and add a community note.
0:11Downtown tonight, I saw an old friend someone who
0:20I used to take comfort from, long before I met you
0:30I caught a spark from his (D7)eyes a forgotten desire
0:39With a word or a touch, I could have rekindled that fire
0:49But old flames, can't hold a candle to you
1:02No one can light up the night like you do
1:13Flickering embers of love, I've known one or two
1:24But old flames, can't hold a candle to you
1:34Sometimes at night I think of old lovers I've known
1:50I remember how holding them, helped me not feel so alone
1:59Then I feel you beside me and even their memories are gone
2:10Like stars in the night, lost in the sweet light of dawn
2:21But old flames, can't hold a candle to you
2:32No one can light up the night like you do
2:42Flickering embers of love, I've known one or two
2:53But old flames, can't hold a candle to you
3:22♪
Lyric accuracy
Community notes
No notes yet. Know what a line means - A reference, some slang, the story behind it?
Sign in to add a note. Notes voted below zero are removed by the community.
About this track
Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You song profile
For “Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You,” the words performed by Dolly Parton are paired with the recording details used to distinguish this version. Continue with more Dolly Parton lyrics and songs, or compare this recording with other Country song lyrics.
- Apr 14, 1980Released
- 3:25Length
- 16Lyric lines
- 17Timed cues
- 192sTimed span
- Lyric record matched as “Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You” by Dolly Parton
- 17 ordered lyric timestamps verified
- Karaoke follow-along playback enabled
- Recording identified by ISRC USRN19400387
Full recording & lyric breakdown
Release record
AskLyrics connects this recording to the release “Dolly, Dolly, Dolly.” The earliest source-linked release date stored for this version is 1980-04-14. The duration attached to the recording is 3:25. The writing field currently credits Hugh Moffatt, Pebe Sebert. This version is filed under ISRC USRN19400387.
Lyric structure
The cached lyric contains 16 non-empty lines across 4 text sections. This edition carries 17 timed lyric cues spanning about 192 seconds. AskLyrics detected 3 recurring line patterns and keeps each return in its recorded order. During playback, the saved offset corrects the difference between video time and the lyric timeline.
Source and version check
The matched lyric entry names “Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You” and credits Dolly Parton. The synchronization check found 17 ordered lyric timestamps. Karaoke mode is enabled after the video and timed lyric both pass their checks.
Read the words in context with our guide to reading song lyrics closely, then use the verse, chorus and bridge guide to map this recording’s structure. See how synchronized lyric timing follows a recording.
- Album / release
- Dolly, Dolly, Dolly
- Released
- 1980-04-14
- Length
- 3:25
- Written by
- Hugh Moffatt, Pebe Sebert
- ISRC
- USRN19400387
- Recording source
- MusicBrainz record ↗
Sign in to add information about this song.