Download Instrumental    This song is just… sexy.  The bass and drum combination is the throbbing force that carries you along all the way to the end.  The sultry guitar licks jump in when you least expect it, making your heart skip a beat just a little when they suddenly appear.  The organ is just there… subtle and quiet, underpinning everything.  The vocals are raspy and ache with unbridled passion.  Sexy…

Alannah Myles had a number-one hit with “Black Velvet” in 1989 and won a Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance the following year.  However, she was young and inexperienced when she signed the deal with her record company and promptly got screwed.  She received her first ever royalty check for this song on April 1, 2008.  April Fools’ Day.  Ironic, wouldn’t you say?

This masterpiece is, of course, about Elvis Presley.  Canadian songwriter Christopher Ward (Alannah is also from Canada)  traveled to Memphis for the 10th anniversary of Elvis’ death.  He was struck by the intensity and still fervent love of the fans, which he thought was reminiscent of fundamentalist religion… hence the line “a new religion that will bring you to your knees”.  There are many references to “The King” throughout the tune, most notably “Black velvet and that little boy smile”.  Elvis was an extremely popular subject for black velvet paintings, and young girls were desperately drawn to his “little boy smile”.  Then there’s “Love Me Tender leaves ’em cryin’ in the aisle” and, tragically “In a flash he was gone, it happened so soon”.  Elvis lives on forever, even in other peoples’ songs.

Even if you’re not necessarily an Elvis fan, this piece is magical onstage.  Give it a try at your next gig if you’re not already doing it.  Use these backups if you’re a single or a duo and you can’t go wrong. The last 16 bars gives a singer plenty of room for vocal improvisation, so have fun with it.  And don’t you feel better knowing Alannah is finally getting her checks?