In 1990, a raw and gritty one-hit wonder took over the airwaves. Behind the song’s swagger was a surprising nod to Elvis Presley.
Alannah Myles spent two weeks at the top spot on the Billboard charts with a song written in tribute to the King of Rock and Roll. "Black Velvet" captured Presley's essence during his peak popularity, but its origins came during a more somber moment for its songwriter.
According to a post by the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, the powerful blues ballad was written by David Tyson and Christopher Ward. The latter was inspired to write the poignant song after visiting Memphis, Tennessee, for the 10th anniversary of the singer's death in 1987.
In an interview with Billboard Canada, Ward explained the song's origins. "At the time, I was working at MuchMusic; I was sent to Memphis on a Greyhound bus with forty Elvis fanatics and a cameraman on assignment to cover the 10th anniversary of Elvis’ death."
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He continued, "As I habitually did, I made notes along the way, bits of which formed the foundation for the lyrics to 'Black Velvet.' The ‘new religion’ in the lyric is rock n’ roll."
The song was written specifically for Myles, and her demo scored her a contract with Atlantic Records. Less than one year later, recording artist Robin Lee recorded a country version of the tune.
In a 2021 interview, Myles described "Black Velvet" as a "country blues song with a chorus. Ushering in a time when country music won the hearts of the masses away from disco, punk and grunge music."
"If it were a crappy song, no one would remember it. I don’t understand the popularity of the song as opposed to any other, but I do understand the breadth of emotion conjured from listening to it."
Alannah Myles won a Grammy Award in the category of Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female, for "Black Velvet." She beat out Melissa Etheridge, Janet Jackson, Stevie Nicks, and Tina Turner for the coveted trophy.
Elvis Presley died in August 1977 at his Memphis, Tennessee home, Graceland. He was 42.
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