| "The Only Flame in Town" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Elvis Costello and the Attractions | ||||
| from the album Goodbye Cruel World | ||||
| B-side | "Baby It's You" | |||
| Released | July 1984 | |||
| Recorded | March–April 1984 | |||
| Studio | Sarm West (London) | |||
| Genre | New wave, pop | |||
| Length | 4:01 | |||
| Label | F-Beat | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Elvis Costello | |||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| Elvis Costello and the Attractions singles chronology | ||||
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"The Only Flame in Town" is a song written by new wave musician Elvis Costello and recorded by Costello with his backing band the Attractions. The song appeared on Costello's 1984 album, Goodbye Cruel World. Originally written in the style of a classic torch song, "The Only Flame in Town" was reworked by producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley in a more pop-friendly style. This final version features Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates on backing vocals.
"The Only Flame in Town" was released as the second single from Goodbye Cruel World in July 1984. The single reached number 71 in Britain but found greater success in the US, reaching number 56 on the back of a popular MTV video about a fictional "Win a date with the Attractions" contest. Since its release, the song has been seen mixed critical reception, with some writers opining that the commercial sound fit the song well.