Black Velvet
Alannah Miles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jimmy Rogers on the Victrola up high
Mama's dancin' with baby on her shoulder
The sun is settin' like molasses in the sky
The boy could sing, knew how to move, everything
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for
Chorus:
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please
Up in Memphis the music's like a heatwave
White lightening, bound to drive you wild
Mama's baby's in the heart of every school girl
"Love me tender" leaves 'em cryin' in the aisle
The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for
Chorus
Every word of every song that he sang was for you
In a flash he was gone, it happened so soon, what could
You do?
(Solo)
Chorus repeats 2x
If you please, if you please, if you please
The song "Black Velvet" by Alannah Miles is a tribute to the late Elvis Presley. The first verse begins with the scene of a dry spell in Mississippi, where Jimmy Rogers' music is playing in the background, and Mama is dancing along with her baby on her shoulder. Then, the focus shifts to a talented young man who knows how to sing, dance and make people long for more. He has a unique, slow southern style that creates a new kind of religion, which can bring people down to their knees. The chorus repeats the phrase "black velvet" several times, with a little boy's smile emphasizing their style.
Line by Line Meaning
Mississippi in the middle of a dry spell
The state of Mississippi is experiencing a time of drought and emptiness.
Jimmy Rogers on the Victrola up high
The famous country singer Jimmy Rogers is playing on the record player.
Mama's dancin' with baby on her shoulder
A mother is dancing while carrying her baby on her shoulder.
The sun is settin' like molasses in the sky
The sun is setting slowly and gorgeously like molasses.
The boy could sing, knew how to move, everything
The boy had talent in singing and dancing, mastering every aspect.
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for
Having a strong desire for success, people are left yearning for more of him.
Black velvet and that little boy's smile
The soft textured black velvet and infectious smile of the boy is attractive.
Black velvet with that slow southern style
The slow and charming southern style is reflected in the feel of black velvet.
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
His talent and performance is compared to a new religion, so powerful that one would be compelled to kneel before him.
Black velvet if you please
The desirable allure of black velvet again emphasized.
Up in Memphis the music's like a heatwave
In Memphis, the music is like a strong heatwave, overwhelming and intense.
White lightening, bound to drive you wild
The high-energy country rock song, "White Lightning," will get people very excited.
Mama's baby's in the heart of every school girl
The boy is the heartthrob of every school girl, like a baby to their mothers.
"Love me tender" leaves 'em cryin' in the aisle
Elvis Presley's song "Love Me Tender" causes people to cry in sorrowful passion by the end.
The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true
The boy's movements in his performance were both sinful and also very real and sweet.
Every word of every song that he sang was for you
Every lyric sung by him was directed personally at the listener.
In a flash he was gone, it happened so soon, what could
You do?
His career was fleeting, yet so magnificent, leaving the fans with nothing to do but cherish the memories.
If you please, if you please, if you please
A request, repeated three times, to please or satisfy the listener.
Contributed by Brooklyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@arthurstastny3274
Mississippi in the middle of a dry spell
Jimmy Rogers on the Victrola up high
Mama's dancin' with baby on her shoulder
The sun is settin' like molasses in the sky
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
Up in Memphis the music's like a heatwave
White lightning, bound to drive you wild
Mama's baby's in the heart of every school girl
"Love me tender" leaves 'em cryin' in the aisle
The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true
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
Every word of every song that he sang was for you
In a flash he was gone, it happened so soon, what could
You do?
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
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
If you please, if you please, if you please
@ceciliafleming8283
Whose still listening because majority of today's music is trash!?! 🥰
@Toy_treasure_yorkies_
Still listening ❤
@jimmysmith4645
@@Toy_treasure_yorkies_❤❤❤
@BeautifulSoul5782
I'm listening in 2024 💃🏽🎶❤️
@jsm530
Indeed. Need more women like this
@TheSuperbird43
Still ""ROCKIN" Along!!! Long Live this Music!!!! "ROCK ON People"!!!!
@toplaycool21
This song is an underrated masterpiece. The drum beat, the voice, everything just works. We do not get music like this anymore.
@1Mhoram9
You might like Sina Drums cover of this song with Victoria on vocals. Then check out the cover of Barracuda.
@clinttheboss2117
Too afraid to take risks. Thats why every song sounds the same...cause the algorithm says thats what works.
@pricklypear7516
How, exactly, is it "underrated"? Two weeks as Billboard's #1 hit, a Grammy for Myles, a Juno Award for single of the year, a Millionaire Award for extensive airtime. . . It's a great song and was recognized as such. That's NOT "underrated."