The Flame by Cheap Trick was released on April 5, 1988, with Through the Night as the B side. It was a single from the band’s tenth studio album, Lap of Luxury.

In the United States, the song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was Cheap Trick’s only No. 1 single in America. The Flame also reached No. 1 in Australia and Canada.

According to songfacts.com, Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos explained in an interview: “The vice president at Epic told us he had these two songs and they’re both gonna be #1. He goes, ‘We got one for you and one for the group Chicago, but you can have first choice.’ He said, ‘I think the one ‘The Flame’ would be good for you guys.’ The other one was ‘Look Away,’ and it sounded like some girl singing on the demo. We really didn’t like that song anyway, so ‘Sure, we’ll do ‘The Flame.’ We’re game.'”