It was first recorded and released by Nyro in February 1967 on her debut album More Than a New Discovery.

It was the final single of three releases from her Stoney End LP.

The song was suggested to Streisand by record producer Richard Perry.

The song reached number 82 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1971.

"Flim Flam Man" has also been recorded by Peggy Lipton (1968), Robin Wilson (1971), Don Lane (1973), Janice Hoyte (1974) and Grace Cosgrove (2012).