Black Velvet (song)

Black Velvet (song)

"Black Velvet" is a rock song written by Canadian musicians David Tyson and Christopher Ward, and recorded by Canadian singer Alannah Myles in 1988. It became a number one hit for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1990 and reached number one on the Album Rock Tracks chart, as well as number one in Canada and number two on the UK Singles Chart. In 1990, country music artist Robin Lee reached number 12 on the U.S. country singles charts with a cover version.

The song is a commemorative story about Elvis Presley, written by Toronto-born songwriter Christopher Ward, who was inspired on a bus full of Elvis fans riding to Memphis attending the 10th anniversary vigil at Graceland. Upon his return to Canada, he brought his idea to Alannah and producer David Tyson, who wrote the chords for the bridge.

The first verse discusses the beginning of Elvis's 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 bridge references his death: "In a flash he was gone. It happened so soon. What could you do?" The first verse also gives reference to Jimmie Rodgers "on the Victrola up high."

"Black Velvet" was released as one of four singles from Myles' 1989 eponymous CD from Atlantic Records.

The song hit No. 1 for two weeks on the Billboard charts in April 1990. Myles won the 1991 Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocalist for the song. Since its release, the song has received substantial airplay, receiving a "Millionaire Award" from ASCAP in 2005 for more than four million radio plays.