Alannah Myles - Black Velvet -

: The title refers to the black velvet Elvis paintings sold in souvenir shops and the "Black Velvet" hair dye Presley used to maintain his signature jet-black look.

: To cover all bases, Atlantic Records had another artist, country singer Robin Lee , record a near-identical version simultaneously.

: Lee’s version was pushed to country radio, while Myles’ was sent to rock and pop. While both were hits, Myles’ version became the global phenomenon, eventually winning her a Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance in 1991. A Bittersweet Legacy Black Velvet - Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame

Released in 1989, Alannah Myles’ "Black Velvet" is a sultry blues-rock anthem that sounds like a fever dream of the American South—which is ironic, considering it was written by two Canadians who were thousands of miles away from Memphis.

: Producer David Tyson and Ward "tailored" the song specifically for Myles' gritty, soulful voice. Musically, it’s famous for its "trance-like" blues opening in the key of E that shifts into a soaring rock chorus, a structure meant to evoke the humid atmosphere of the Mississippi hill country. The "Atlantic Records" Drama

: Co-writer Christopher Ward (Myles' boyfriend at the time) was inspired after riding a tour bus full of Elvis fans to Memphis for the 10th-anniversary vigil of the King’s death in 1987. Seeing the fanatical devotion—which he described as a "new religion"—sparked the lyrics.

: The title refers to the black velvet Elvis paintings sold in souvenir shops and the "Black Velvet" hair dye Presley used to maintain his signature jet-black look.

: To cover all bases, Atlantic Records had another artist, country singer Robin Lee , record a near-identical version simultaneously. Alannah Myles - Black Velvet

: Lee’s version was pushed to country radio, while Myles’ was sent to rock and pop. While both were hits, Myles’ version became the global phenomenon, eventually winning her a Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance in 1991. A Bittersweet Legacy Black Velvet - Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame : The title refers to the black velvet

Released in 1989, Alannah Myles’ "Black Velvet" is a sultry blues-rock anthem that sounds like a fever dream of the American South—which is ironic, considering it was written by two Canadians who were thousands of miles away from Memphis. While both were hits, Myles’ version became the

: Producer David Tyson and Ward "tailored" the song specifically for Myles' gritty, soulful voice. Musically, it’s famous for its "trance-like" blues opening in the key of E that shifts into a soaring rock chorus, a structure meant to evoke the humid atmosphere of the Mississippi hill country. The "Atlantic Records" Drama

: Co-writer Christopher Ward (Myles' boyfriend at the time) was inspired after riding a tour bus full of Elvis fans to Memphis for the 10th-anniversary vigil of the King’s death in 1987. Seeing the fanatical devotion—which he described as a "new religion"—sparked the lyrics.