Song

Black Velvet

Alannah Myles

Album:

Alannah Myles

Meaning of Black Velvet by Alannah Myles, and what it is about

Alannah Myles sings Black Velvet, which is an ode to Elvis Presley, who adopted the hair colour Black Velvet and whose portrait was frequently painted on black velvet. Myles's then-boyfriend and co-writer Christopher Ward was inspired in 1987 while travelling to Memphis on a bus packed with Elvis enthusiasts who were there for the Graceland 10th anniversary vigil. He presented his idea to producer David Tyson and Myles after returning to Canada, and Tyson composed the bridge's chords.

The 1956 song Love Me Tender and Memphis are only two examples of the many allusions to Elvis Presley and his music that can be found in Black Velvet's lyrics.

In 1990, it peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 list for two weeks, as well as reaching number ten in her home country of Canada and number two on the UK Singles list.

Black Velvet lyrics by Alannah Myles

Mississippi in the middle of a dry spell

Jimmy Rogers on the Victrola up high

Mama's dancin' with baby on her shoulder

The sun is settin' like molasses in the sky

The boy could sing, knew how to move, everything

Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for

Black velvet and that little boy's smile

Black velvet with that slow southern style

A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees

Black velvet if you please

Up in Memphis the music's like a heatwave