45 single, Side A. RCA (PB-12040) (1980)
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"Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You" is a single by Dolly Parton. It was released on June 23, 1980, by RCA Records as the second single from Dolly's twenty-second solo studio album, Dolly, Dolly, Dolly. It was written by Pebe Sebert and Hugh Moffat. It had originally been recorded by Joe Sun in 1978 and reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Dolly's version was produced by Gary Klein and reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming her thirteenth song to top the chart. Kesha, daughter of the song's writer Pebe Sebert, recorded a cover in 2017 for her Rainbow album and featured Dolly on the track.
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Track listing
Side A
- Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You (Pebe Sebert, Hugh Moffat) 3:25
- I Knew You When (Rupert Holmes) 3:09
Recording
"Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You" was recorded on December 4, 1979, at Sound Lab Studios in Los Angeles, California. "I Knew You When" was recorded at the same studio on an unknown date.
An alternate mix of the song was released in 1995 on the I Will Always Love You: The Essential Dolly Parton One compilation album. While the original features backing vocals by Herb Pedersen and Dolly's brother Randy, this alternate mix omits Pedersen's vocals and adds additional steel guitar. This alternate mix was also released on the 2003 compilation, Ultimate Dolly Parton and the 2005 compilation, The Essential Dolly Parton.
An alternate mix of the song was released in 1995 on the I Will Always Love You: The Essential Dolly Parton One compilation album. While the original features backing vocals by Herb Pedersen and Dolly's brother Randy, this alternate mix omits Pedersen's vocals and adds additional steel guitar. This alternate mix was also released on the 2003 compilation, Ultimate Dolly Parton and the 2005 compilation, The Essential Dolly Parton.
Audio
Critical reception
The single was reviewed in the July 5, 1980 issue of Billboard magazine. The review said, "Parton powers this strong number that helped launch Joe Sun. She gives it a sensitive, delicate reading, bolstered by a male background singer, steady percussion and crafty slices of steel, keyboard and guitar."
Cashbox reviewed the single in their July 12, 1980 issue. It said, "Willowy pedal steel and acoustic guitar work back this good ole beer drinking jukebox lament by Dolly, with a sweet barroom blues piano in the background. Country and A/C lists seem the most likely outlets for this heart-tugger."
Cashbox reviewed the single in their July 12, 1980 issue. It said, "Willowy pedal steel and acoustic guitar work back this good ole beer drinking jukebox lament by Dolly, with a sweet barroom blues piano in the background. Country and A/C lists seem the most likely outlets for this heart-tugger."
Billboard review, July 5, 1980.
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Cashbox review, July 12, 1980.
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Commercial performance
"Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You" debuted at number 78 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated July 19, 1980. It peaked at number one on the chart dated September 27, its eleventh week on the chart. It charted for 16 weeks. It also peaked at number one on the Cashbox Country Singles chart. The single peaked at number two in Canada on the RPM County Singles chart.
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the Dolly, Dolly, Dolly liner notes.
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"Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You"
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"I Knew You When"
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