| Flame | |
| Cover: | Tinashe - Flame.png |
| Border: | yes |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Tinashe |
| Album: | Joyride (Japanese edition) |
| Recorded: | 2015 |
| Label: | RCA |
| Producer: | Sir Nolan |
| Prev Title: | Quit You |
| Prev Year: | 2017 |
| Next Title: | No Drama |
| Next Year: | 2018 |
"Flame" is a song recorded by American singer Tinashe, released on March 16, 2017 as the intended first single from her third studio album Joyride, but was later scrapped until it became featured on the Japanese edition for the album.[1] [2] The song was produced by Sir Nolan,[3] who wrote the track with Tinashe, alongside Simon Wilcox, Ilsey Juber, and Nasri Atweh.
"Flame" is a midtempo eighties-styled synth-pop track described as "slow burning",[4] [5] [6] incorporating fluffy synthesizers and pounding drums. It marks a stylistic departure from previous singles that Tinashe released in 2016, namely "Superlove" and "Company". The song's instrumentation was compared to "Style" by Taylor Swift. Lyrically, "Flame" talks about trying to save a relationship.
Mike Wass of Idolator gave "Flame" a positive review, writing, "I know some fans prefer Tee in eerie, alt-R&B mode, but I appreciate her willingness to bounce between genres. And 'Flame' isn't exactly fluff either. She's still delving into matters of the heart, albeit soundtracked by a perky pop beat." He concludes his review of the single by stating: "I don't think this is as memorable as 'Company' or as effortless as "All Hands on Deck", but it probably has the widest appeal and, after a year of delays, that's the whole."[5]
The song was chosen as a theme song for WWE's WrestleMania 33.[7]
The music video was released on April 21, 2017.[8] [9]
An official remix by American electronic music producer Kaskade was released on May 19, 2017.[10] [11]
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | March 16, 2017 | Digital download | RCA |
| United States[13] | April 11, 2017 | Contemporary hit radio | |