36 years ago today, on March 24, 1990, Alannah Myles’ soft rock song “Black Velvet” topped the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart, where it held the No. 1 spot for two weeks.
Released in the summer of 1989, the timeless track served as the second single from the singer’s eponymous debut album, Alannah Myles, in her native Canada, but was her debut single in the United States. Written by Myles’ then-boyfriend Christopher Ward and producer and fellow tunesmith David Tyson, “Black Velvet” pays a poetic tribute to Elvis Presley’s vocal stylings, Southern heritage, brand of rock ‘n’ roll, and larger-than-life image.
The verses walk listeners through the King of Rock and Roll’s story from childhood to superstar to his untimely death. But the chorus describes his trademark looks, iconic dance moves, and deep, baritone vocals described as smooth as velvet.
“The boy could sing, knew how to move, everything / Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for / Black velvet and that little boy's smile / Black velvet with that slow southern style / A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees / Black velvet if you please,” Myles belts out the lyrics of the mellow, sway-worthy classic, which earned her a 1991 Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance and a Juno Award for Single of the Year months prior.
The Song Was Her Sole No. 1 in the US
Along with reaching the top of the Hot 100 chart, the beloved song, which became Myles’ biggest hit in the US, also took the top spot on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.
“Black Velvet” was an international hit, resonating with listeners in Sweden, Switzerland, and Norway, among other countries. The blues-rock ballad also became a Top 10 hit in Canada, where it sold 1.2 million copies, earning Myles the title as the first female artist to achieve Diamond Status, according to torontoguardian.com.
Interestingly, Myles wasn’t the only artist to release “Black Velvet.” Around the same time she took the tune to the top of the charts, Atlantic label mate and country artist Robin Lee dropped a version for country radio. The tune, which appeared on Lee’s album of the same name, rose to No. 12 on the US Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
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