Album: Alannah Myles (1989)

Charted: 2 1

License This Song 

lyrics

Adrian Packer from Cheshire, UkAll the published words I’ve seen say the line is “…will bring ya to your knees”. My ears tell me it’s “….bring ya’ll to your knees”. Are my ears deceiving me ?

Chtulholm_hastur from HadesHeartbreaking that Myles didn't receive her due for this great song. F-king record companies. May they burn.

Doe from Jax FlWhoever said Melissa Etheridge never sang this song should have tried google before opening their mouths.

Donna from New JerseyPat from Virginia Beach - check out YouTube. Melissa Etheridge did sing Black Velvet and it was recorded whether it is on an album or not. https://youtu.be/6Vgl4drrkrE

Lily from Los Angeles, CaI hate it when someone puts down Elvis' talent like the last guy who commented. He did not just imitate black folks, he was influenced by them, as well as by white gospel and country artists. He was great at many musical styles, so he naturally combined them and came up with something original. He was definitely one of the founding fathers of Rock n' Roll and by far the most popular one. His influence on the popular culture can not be underestimated, just because some of you are very jealous about his good looks does not change this. Btw I'm Asian, just in case you want to know.

NellElvis is revered for everything that he borrowed from black folks back then. Style of singing, dancing, everything except his good looks of course. Other than that, he doesn't deserve as much praise as he gets, not one bit.

The Maestro from Cincinnati, Oh"Black Velvet" refers to the oil paintings of Elvis on black velvet that were practically everywhere you'd stop along I-75 from Michigan to Florida. You could buy one most anywhere from the mid-70's until the early 80's. Several sit-coms, well in advance of this 1989 song, would use the Elvis oil painting on black velvet somewhere in the story/episode.

Joanne from Pittsfield MaGeorge from Vancouver, Canada he used BrillCreme (Spell check)

George from Vancouver, CanadaUncorroborated: Black Velvet was also the name of the stuff he put in his hair to keep it black and shiny.
Anybody know more, with citations? Also, was it the brand, or just a name he called it?

George from Vancouver, CanadaThis song charted #1 in the USA, Sweden, & Switzerland, but only reached #10 in her home country, Canada.
#2 in Germany, New Zealand, & UK.

George from Vancouver, CanadaAlannah Myles was born Christmas Day in 1958! Making her 31 years old when this song was released -- much older than usual for an artist with a big hit!

George from Vancouver, CanadaMissed one on lyrics analysis:

A new religion that'll bring you to your knees - refers to he Church of Elvis, a legally registered religion in the USA, that has Elvis as their primary saint.

Luke from London, UkMy Mum used to play this one an awful lot. With good speakers, the bass just crushes.

Paul from PaGive me a break - this song is about Elvis, period. NOBODY ELSE. Nobody else is important enough to warrant a song. "Love Me Tender leaves em cryin in the aisle"... Yeah, the song is about Elvis Presley for those geniuses who think otherwise. So many Elvis "tributes" are awful, this one is good - and he deserves it.

Katie Wyatt from LondonThis sounds exactly like Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin' by Journey.

Cyberpope from Richmond, CanadaI always understood "black velvet" to refer to the iconic prints of Elvis that were very popular at one time (all on black velvet).

Sandy from Enterprise, FlI've always loved this soulful, sexy song but for some reason, I thought it was done by Heart until last night when I heard it on Sirius and saw that it was by Alannah Myles, about whom I really know nothing. Alrighty, then! Good job, Alannah! I'm a Northern girl but have always been susceptible to Southern guys== NOT Elvis! So I hope it's OK if I fantasize about guys I have known over the years when I hear this smokin' tune.

Pat from Virginia Beach, VaMelissa Etheridge did NOT sing Black Velvet. I repeat: Melissa Etheridge did NOT sing Black Velvet. The song is NOT on any of her albums (CDs). That's the first clue that she did not sing this song. The second clue: She didn't write the song. Melissa Etheridge writes her own music and lyrics (I can only think of two exceptions). I repeat again: Melissa Etheridge did NOT sing Black Velvet.

Paddle from Melbourne, AustraliaBlack Velvet by Alannah Myles is a fantastic song. The 'S. K. Shuffle' line dance was choreographed and danced to this song.

Ghostgetter from Dallas, TxThere was a controversy if you remember when this came out. It was said Alanah Myles was speaking of a womens crotch. Even religious groups wanted it banned but Myles later denied it saying it was about Elvis. The same year it was made into a country song by Robin Lee and also Melissa Etheridge sang it as well

Mary from Lancaster, Ohio, OhIt doesn't matter if thesong Black Velvet was or was not about Elvis in my opinion it is just a darn good song to listen to.
Mary lancaster,OH

Glenda from Eustis, FlI agree.. "Black Velvet" is Elvis's hair, voice (which is like the whiskey, smoothe, sweet and smoky). Don't know about the sweater. In the south it is common to call your mother "Mama". Elvis did dye his hair - to black. January in Mississippi is part of the dry season. "The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true" = I remember seeing an early recording of someone asking Elvis why he moved that way - he said it was ... automatic Sweet and true. That slow southern style.. we are know for taking things slow in th south (lol). Loved that little boy smile....

Sandra from Jax, FlActually, Black Velvet refers to all these things: his hair, his voice (which is like the whiskey, smoothe, sweet and smoky), and that sweater.

But the "Mama's Baby's in the heart..." line, is not in fact referring to the 'baby Elvis' but the fact that he was always 'mama's baby'. Elvis was a notorious momma's boy.

Michelle from Sin, Ncthe next to last "If you please" is my favorite.

Voodoo from Sydney, AustraliaBlack Velvet is the name of the Hair Dye Elvis used to get that shade (It's also called Blue/Black). Today it's very popular with the Punks, Goths and Emo's. The song is NOT about Robert Plant...lol. Read the lyrics and LISTEN to the song.

Ae from Seattle, WaI think that "Black Velvet" refers to his singing voice -- dark, deep, smooth. I'm talking Elvis, of course. Not a big fan, but's it's a type of voice I like.

Lars Ulrich from Denmark, ScBlack Velvet is also a brand of cheap Canadian whiskey.

Griffin from Middlesbrough, United StatesI also thought it was about Tiny Tim.

Jon from Shrewsbury, Macheck out her remastered re-arranged version of black velvet for the anniversary of Elvis' death at

Sammy from SydneyAlso..I Would Like 2 Add Is That During The Song When She Sings " A New Religion That'll Bring Ya All To Your Knees "...Could Refer To The Religion Of Rock And Roll And The Religion That Elvis Created!

Troy from Pensacola, FlAlannah Myles had the rock version of this song and at the same time on the same label singer Robin Lee had a country version that was very simular. Infact at the time there was a rumor that they were the same person, but of course that was not true. Both were brunette's but look little to nothing alike.

Lana from Sydney, AustraliaTrue Robert Plant and Jimmy Page fans will know this was sung for Robert Plant.

Larissa from Gainesville, FlI would also like to point out that the first line in the song, "Mississippi in the middle of a dry spell"....Elvis was born in Tupelo Mississippi in January...
This song gives almost a short map of his life...
Mississippi, Memphis, and in a flash he was gone.

Jessica from Memphis, TnElvis' mom made him a black velvet sweater and this is what the song is about --> Elvis in black velvet. The sweater elvis' mama made him. True Story!

Ken from St. Louis, MoWill somebody PLEASE tell me what she's whispering at the beginning??? I'v tried many different sites, but never found ANYTHING about it!

Andy from Arlington, VaMyles is usually thought of a one-hit wonder in the U.S., but she had more hits in Canada.

Ashley Jade from Cleveland, GaThis song scares me

Rob from Vancouver, CanadaFYI Black Velvet is a popular Rye....thats
Canadian Whisky to the rest of the world.

Tiffany Candelaria from Phoenix, AzCrazy, I think someone told me once that it was about a woman's child she had with a black man. Haha, they were confused! Hmm, I think everyone's been romantically linked to Robert Plant.

Marlow from Perth, Australiaalanah used to be romantically linked to led zeppelins robert plant

Marto from Sydney, Australiawhen i first heard it on the radio, it sounded like an old olivia newton-john singing

Sam from Toulouse, FranceI think that "black velvet" refers to the famous black velvet shirt worn by Elvis on stage :



It became a part of his style that all his fans know and that many have tryed to imitate. According to what I once read, it was handmade espacialy for him by his mother, which Elvis called "Mama" instead of Mummy, or something else. It's another reason why the song says "Mama's dancing...". Well, that's how I see it.

Shyla from Didsbury, CanadaI have often wondered if Black Velvet refers to the coctail....

Paddymac from Newry, Irelandit's the only theory we have pete so i sort of believe it. it is a good theory

Pete from Nowra, Australiayeah i'm jokin'....but you just never know

Shell from Toronto, CanadaThe song was written by Christopher Ward, who was Myles' beau at that time. Ward was one of the original "veejays" on Canada's "MuchMusic," along with present-day CBS news anchor, John Roberts, who was called "J.D." back then.

Clarissa from Valdosta, GaActually all of the facts are correct except for one, black velvet doesn't refer to a velvet painting it refers to his hair which was really black!

Jason from Wylie, Txhey pete yur jokin right? lol

Pete from Nowra, Australiahow do we know it's about Elvis?? could be about Tiny Tim

More Songfacts:

"Whole Lotta Love" was Led Zeppelin's only US Top 10 hit, charting at #4. Many of their songs, including "Stairway To Heaven," were not released as singles, as it was considered bad form in the UK to make fans pay for singles that were also on albums.

"Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia was first recorded by the group Ednaswap in 1993. It was written by Ednaswap's Anne Previn and Scott Cutler, who went on to write some hits for Miley Cyrus.

"Tomorrow People" by Ziggy Marley is the first song by a Marley to crack the US Top 40; the highest Bob got was #51 with "Roots, Rock, Reggae."

Glenn Frey of the Eagles played a bad guy in a 1985 episode of Miami Vice based on his song "Smuggler's Blues."

When he met Delilah DiCrescenzo, Plain White T's lead singer Tom Higgenson told her he'd write a song about her, and came up with the first verse of "Hey There Delilah" on the spot.

The Boyz II Men hit "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday" is an a capella cover of a song from 1975 by G.C. Cameron that was used in the movie Cooley High to express the feeling of parting ways with high school friends.

Editor's Picks

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

Newman makes it look easy these days, but in this 1974 interview, he reveals the paranoia and pressures that made him yearn for his old 9-5 job.

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

Was Dr. Feelgood a dentist? Did the "Crüecifixion" really happen?

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.