Black Velvet (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Black Velvet


Caption =
Artist = Alannah Myles
from Album = Alannah Myles
A-side =
B-side = "If You Want To"
Released = 1989
Format = CD maxi
7" single
12" maxi
Recorded =
Genre = Rock
Length = 4:49
Label = Atlantic
Writer = David Tyson
Christopher Ward
Producer = David Tyson
Certification =
Last single = "Love Is"
(1989)
This single = "Black Velvet" (1989)
Next single = "Still Got This Thing"
(1990)
Misc =

"Black Velvet" is a rock and roll song written by Canadian musicians David Tyson and Christopher Ward. First recorded by Canadian singer Alannah Myles in 1989, it became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in March of 1990 and reached number one in Canada and number two in the UK Singles Chart.

Other versions have been recorded by country singer Robin Lee in 1990 and by Delta Goodrem in 2008. Lee's version was also a single.

Lyrics and music

The words "black velvet" can refer to either Elvis himself (as his likeness is frequently painted on black velvet) or his voice. Also, Black Velvet (full name "Sullivan's Black Velvet Hair Dye") is what Elvis used to give his naturally brown hair its distinctive black sheen. Black velvet is described as a "new religion that'll bring y'all to your knees" (changed to "bring you to your knees" in the Robin Lee version). The chorus tells of "Black velvet in that little boy's smile/Black velvet with that slow, Southern style" and the end of the first verse claims that "The boy could sing, knew how to move, everything/Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for [black velvet] ".fact|date=November 2007

While the first verse discusses the beginning of Elvis' life - "Mama's dancing with baby on her shoulder" - the second talks about the height of his career - "Mama's baby is in the heart of every schoolgirl; Love Me Tender leaves 'em crying in the aisles". The final verse references his death - "In a flash he was gone, it happened so soon, what could you do?"fact|date=November 2007

The song appears on the game .

Track listings

; CD maxi
# "Black Velvet" (4:40)
# "If You Want to" (4:11)
# "Who Loves You" (3:36)

; 7" single
# "Black Velvet" (4:02)
# "If You Want to" (4:11)

; 12" maxi
# "Black Velvet" (4:40)
# "If You Want to" (4:11)
# "Who Loves You" (3:36)

Certifications

Robin Lee version

Infobox Single
Name = Black Velvet


Cover size =
Caption =
Artist = Robin Lee
Album = Black Velvet
B-side =
Released = 1990
Format = Single
Genre = Country
Length = 4:43 (album version)
Label = Atlantic
Producer = Nelson Larkin
Last single = "Before You Cheat on Me Once"
(1989)
This single = "Black Velvet"
(1990)
Next single = "How About Goodbye"
(1990)Country music artist Robin Lee recorded a cover of "Black Velvet" in 1990 on her third album, also titled "Black Velvet". Lee's version peaked at #12 on the U.S. "Billboard" Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

Charts

Delta Goodrem version

In 2008 the song was covered by Delta Goodrem at a Max Sessions performance and was added as a live track on her 2008 single "You Will Only Break My Heart".

The Lost Fingers version

In 2008 the song was covered by the Lost Fingers, a French-Canadian acoustic rock trio. The track can be found on their album "Lost in the 80's"

References