Meaning of Black Velvet by Alannah Myles & The Story Behind

A Grammy Award, over a million records sold in Canada alone, over four million US radio airplays, and number one positions in several charts – these are the achievements of Alannah Myles’ rock ballad Black Velvet.

But such a success could not have been, because the venerable producers from the Atlantic record company first gave the song to another performer.

Black Velvet by Alannah Myles song story

The authors of the composition – songwriter Christopher Ward, while met with Alanna, and the singer’s producer David Tyson.

Christopher said that he wrote the composition on a business trip while working at Much Music:

In the summer of 1987, I was sent to Memphis to cover the tenth anniversary of Elvis’ death. The operator and I were stuffed into a tour bus along with forty Elvis fans, which was a test in itself. I realized what an incredible passion they had for this guy, what he really was for them …
While I was on the bus, I had plenty of time to think and sketch. At the same time, we moved farther and farther south. I began to imagine what it was like when Elvis was a kid growing up in the South, and that’s why his mother is so explicitly mentioned.

The Billboard Book Of Number One Hits,
Fred Bronson

Upon returning from the trip, Ward showed the song’s outlines to Alanna Miles and David Tyson, who helped write the music.

Meaning of Black Velvet song

Allusions to the biography, image and work of Presley can be seen in most lines of the text. Translation and analysis of the words of the song “Black Velvet” is published below.

Alanna Miles told how she understands the main idea of the ballad:

Black Velvet has little to do with the sugary images of Elvis on black velvet from the sixties. This is not a metaphor made up of several meanings. It also doesn’t involve alcohol because, contrary to popular myth, I don’t drink, do drugs, or smoke.
She refers to the voice of African Americans, who were supported by Elvis; to Elvis’ black hair; to his voice that sounds like black velvet; to the soulful, black style of the songs of the American south, which wrapped the eardrums like velvet, and so on.
After all, I know, because the song was written for me to perform on my first record.

Christopher Ward explained in which phrase lies the essence of Black Velvet:

The key line of the song, at least for me, is “A new religion that will bring you to your knees.” Reading about the fundamentalist preachers from the South and how they exhorted the congregation, I realized in the blink of an eye that this was how Elvis addressed his fans. There is a real parallel between the power of religion and the power he had in bringing people rock and roll.

The Billboard Book Of Number One,
Christopher Ward

Release and achievements

Miles sent demos of three songs, including “Black Velvet”, to Atlantic Records. The famous label signed the singer, but gave the Black Velvet track to country singer Robin Lee.

However, Alanna also recorded Black Velvet. In the US, her version was released as a single in December 1989, two months before Robin’s release. Miles’ track was played on radios playing pop and rock, while Lee’s song was promoted on stations that favored country music.

Alanna Miles’ “Black Velvet” topped several Billboard charts, including the Hot 100. It also climbed to the top of the charts in several other countries. The track peaked at number two on the UK charts.

Alanna received a Grammy for this song in the Best Female Rock Performance category.

In August 2007, Miles released a new version of Black Velvet to celebrate the anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death.

Video of Black Velvet – Alannah Myles

The music video for “Black Velvet” by Alanna Miles was directed by Doug Freel. Part of the material was filmed at the singer’s family ranch.

The video was nominated for the MTV Video Music Awards in 1990.

Watch the video of Alannah Myles – Black Velvet.

Cover versions

Black Velvet performed by Robin Lee, released as a single from the album of the same name, reached number twelfth on the Billboard country songs chart.

Next is the video of Black Velvet – Robin Lee.

The famous version of Black Velvet was recorded by Crystal Bowersox. She sang “Black Velvet” while performing on the ninth season of American Idol. She later released the track as a single, which peaked at number 124 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Interesting Facts

Fred Bronson says in The Billboard Book of Number One Hits that it was very hot and stuffy in the studio during the recording of the song, so Alanna sang Black Velvet in a bikini.
Miles claims that the record company deceived her, and the singer received her first payment for Black Velvet only in 2008.

Black Velvet Lyrics by Alannah Myles

Mississippi in the middle of a dry spell
Jimmy Rodgers 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 ev’rything
Always wanting more, he’d leave you longing for

Black velvet and that little boy smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that’ll bring you to your knees
Black velvet if you please

Up in Memphis the music’s like a heat wave
White Lightnin’ bound to drive you wild
Mama’s baby’s in the heart of ev’ry school girl
“Love Me Tender” leaves ’em cryin’ in the aisle
The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true
Always wanting more, he’d leave you longing for

Black velvet and that little boy smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that’ll bring you to your knees
Black velvet if you please

Ev’ry word of ev’ry song that he sang was for you
In a flash he was gone, it happened so soon
What could you do?

Black velvet and that little boy smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that’ll bring you to your knees
Black velvet if you please

if you please
if you please
if you please

Writer/s: CHRISTOPHER WARD, DAVID TYSON
Publisher: OLE MM, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics of Black Velvet by Alannah Myles Alternate

Mississippi in the midst of a drought
Jimmie Rogers on full volume on the Victrol
Mom is dancing with a child on her shoulder.
The sun in the sky, as if in molasses.
The boy could sing, knew how to move, and all that.
Always wanted more, and when you left, you were thirsty …

Black velvet and the smile of that baby
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that will bring you to your knees6.
Black velvet, please!

In Memphis the music is like a lingering heat
“White Lightning”8 drives you insane.
Mommy’s baby is in the heart of every schoolgirl,
Love Me Tender9 makes them cry in the aisles.
The way he moved was sin—so sweet and real.
Always wanted more, and when he left, you were thirsty …

Black velvet and the smile of that baby
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that will bring you to your knees.
Black velvet, please!

Every word in every song of his was dedicated to you.
In the blink of an eye, he disappeared, everything happened so quickly.
What could you do?

Black velvet and the smile of that baby
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that will bring you to your knees.
Black velvet, please!

Will you be so kind!
Will you be so kind!
Will you be so kind!

Interesting Facts of Black Velvet by Alannah Myles

Jimmy Rogers is a blues artist whose work influenced Elvis.
Victrola is a record player.
Gladys Presley dancing with her young son.
Elvis’ artistry emerged at an early age.
Popular portraits of Elvis on black velvet.
According to Christopher Ward, this is the main line of the song.
In 1948, Elvis and his parents moved to Memphis, which was considered the center of American folk, jazz and blues.
Slang term for homemade whiskey.
Elvis Presley famous song
Elvis’ stage moves were considered vulgar by many.
Elvis’ death in 1977 came as a shock to his fans. Many fans refuse to believe in it until now.