Expert: CJ - 9/1/2003

Question
It is my contention that the song, "Black Velvet," by Alannah Myles, is about the performer Elvis Presley. My friend disagrees with me. He doesn't see how I could have possibly gotten that from the lyrics.

I don't see how "Black Velvet, with that little boy's smile," and "slow southern style," whose song, "love me tender, has 'em cryin' in the aisle," could be about anyone but the King. Please help me settle this definitively, as I can't find the info on any fan sites.

Answer
Hi Mary,

Great question! I searched a little and found an article on a website called Retro Rewind:Tales From the Top. Here's your answer:


"Black Velvet" - Alannah Myles
Written by Anthony Vita

The song "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles was written by Christopher Ward and David Tyson. Ward, who used to work for Canada's answer to MTV called MuchMusic, was inspired to write the song while on assignment in Memphis, TN. He had to write a story around the 10th anniversary of Elvis' death.

Ward traveled to Memphis on a bus filled with Elvis fanatics. During this trip he had a lot of time to think and jotted down notes about the experience. When he finally wrote the song based on this experience, he recalls one line which meant a lot to him.

"A crucial line in that song," Ward recalls, "was 'a new religion that will bring you to your knees.' It's because in reading about the southern fundamentalist preachers and the way that they would exhort members of the congregation, I realized in a flash that this was the same way Elvis exhorted his fans."

Canadian singer Alannah Myles was excited at the prospect of recording the song, which she loved upon first hearing it.

She loved it so much that she wound recording it on one of the hottest days in Toronto history. Alannah was cooped up in a basement studio on a 99 degree day with no air conditioning.

However, Alannah found the heat from that day very inspirational as she wanted the song to have the feel of a hot day in Memphis. As a matter of fact, she even took her shirt off while recording the song. [Sorry guys, she had a bathing suit on underneath!]



Hope i've helped!
CJ