As a young girl, Myles competed as an equestrian in Canada's prestigious Royal Winter Fair later studying to be a graphic artist, actor, stunt model, make up artist and wardrobe stylist to pay for her true calling, music. Myles changed her surname from Byles at the age of 19, after deciding to pursue a career in entertainment. Between appearing in TV ads, modelling and local gigs which, due to her multi-tasking confused Canadian labels who continually rejected signing her as a recording artist, she financed two songs from her 1989 debut album with match financing from FACTOR and Much Music's Christopher Ward who wrote songs (Black Velvet), executive produced and helped manage her music career signed to Atlantic Records with worldwide international success.
Myles' first self titled album (1989) produced four Top 40 hits, “Love Is”, “Lover of Mine”, and “Still Got This Thing”, as well as the international classic hit, “Black Velvet”, won her a 1991 Grammy award for best female rock vocalist along with four Juno Awards, and a Diamond award for sales in excess of one million in Canada - the only debut artist to retain this status.
In 1991 America's ASCAP awarded the song, Black Velvet with a 'Millionaire Award' for the highest radio airplay in the world and again in 2005 for over five million radio plays of “Black Velvet”. Canada's SOCAN awarded the songs, “Black Velvet” and “Lover Of Mine” each with an award for over one hundred thousand plays in Canada in 2005 with her classically orchestrated ballad, international number one hit, “Song Instead Of A Kiss” to follow.
Her follow-up album; Rockinghorse (1992) received a Grammy nomination for best female rock vocalist and three Juno Awards. After sale of over eight million records on three albums Alannah concluded her alliance with Atlantic Records and signed with Miles Copeland's Ark 21 Records to release her fourth record, A Rival (1997) which produced the top 40 hit, 'Bad 4 You'. WMG released The Very Best Of Alannah Myles (1999) containing hits from four albums and newly recorded songs.
After a lengthy songwriting hiatus, Myles released her fifth studio album in 2009 containing 11 new studio recordings along with several new versions of her classic worldwide hit title track, 'Black Velvet'. Executive produced with co-producer Mike Borkosky from Toronto and Veronica Ferraro from Paris, France, world renown producer Terry Brown mixed one her finest audio CD recordings to date showcasing the same sultry rock blues we've grown accustomed to from Alannah.
After terminating a six-year lease with Canadian indie label Linus Entertainment in August 2013, Myles's "Black Velvet" album was retitled "85bpm", repackaged for her 25th Anniversary with new images photographed by fellow Canadian Deborah Samuel. A newly recorded song written by Anne Peebles, produced by Michael Borkosky, "Can't Stand the Rain" was added to "85bpm", featuring a solo played by Canadian guitarist Jeff Healey, re-released on Myles's independently owned label, Fascinate inc. The last track, Trouble, was written in Nashville and recorded in Toronto with a jug band.
Make Me Happy
Alannah Myles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You look right up my alley, coming down my street
The gun goes off at midnight, whistle blows at dawn
Give me half the morning and we'll carry on
Straight from your hip, make a backbone slip
Right in front of my eyes like a sweet surprise - hey hey hey-yeah
Soon you're gonna feel a little tuggin' on your line
Bet you're gonna be a little nervous boy
Run for cover and jump for joy
You make me happy without even trying, you make me happy every time, oh yeah
Gotta roll with the punch, stagger with the kiss
Follow what you feel on a night like this
Gotta raise up your flag, holler in the street
Someone's throwing roses all around your feet
Straight from your lips, you're gonna let it slip
It's there in your eyes so don't apologize - hey hey hey-yeah
Bet you're gonna find a little foolin' on your mind
Soon you're gonna feel a little tuggin' on your line
Bet you're gonna be a little nervous boy
Run for cover and jump for joy
You make me happy without even trying, you make me happy every time, oh yeah
Hey hey hey-yeah
Bet you're gonna find a little foolin' on your mind
Soon you're gonna feel a little tuggin' on your line
Bet you're gonna be a little nervous boy, oh
You make me happy every time, you make me happy without even trying
You make me happy every time, oh yeah...
The lyrics of Alannah Myles's "Make Me Happy" speak of a person who has a magnetic pull that the singer cannot resist. The opening lines, "Nothin' in your pocket, something up your sleeve, you look right up my alley, coming down my street," portray this person as smooth and charming, someone who knows how to make an entrance. The imagery of a gun going off at midnight and a whistle blowing at dawn adds a sense of urgency and excitement to the scene.
The chorus reveals how this person affects the singer - they make her happy without even trying. The verses suggest that this person is a bit of a risk-taker and may not be entirely trustworthy ("Bet you're gonna find a little foolin' on your mind"). Despite that, the singer can't help but be drawn in by the allure of this person.
The bridge provides some advice on how to handle a situation with this person - "Gotta roll with the punch, stagger with the kiss, follow what you feel on a night like this." The last verse suggests that this person is receiving adoration from others ("Someone's throwing roses all around your feet"), but the singer is unfazed by this and is simply happy to be in this person's presence.
Overall, "Make Me Happy" is a song about the thrill of being drawn to someone who may not be entirely reliable, but who has an undeniable charm that can't be ignored.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothin' in your pocket, something up your sleeve
You may not have anything obvious to offer me, but I sense there is something more than meets the eye.
You look right up my alley, coming down my street
Your appearance and behavior are just my type, and I feel as though destiny has brought you to me.
The gun goes off at midnight, whistle blows at dawn
There are exciting and unexpected events about to happen that we should embrace.
Give me half the morning and we'll carry on
If we have just a little bit of time together, we can make the most of it and continue our adventure.
Straight from your hip, make a backbone slip
Your confident, relaxed demeanor has the power to charm and disarm me.
Right in front of my eyes like a sweet surprise - hey hey hey-yeah
I find myself delightfully surprised by your actions and presence, and I can't get enough.
Bet you're gonna find a little foolin' on your mind
I have a feeling you're up to something mischievous, and I'm interested to see what it is.
Soon you're gonna feel a little tuggin' on your line
I will try to tug on your heartstrings and persuade you to disclose your true thoughts and feelings to me.
Bet you're gonna be a little nervous boy
I suspect you'll feel a bit anxious or intimidated in my presence, but I find that endearing.
Run for cover and jump for joy
You may feel like retreating, but I encourage you to be yourself and enjoy the experience.
You make me happy without even trying, you make me happy every time, oh yeah
Your mere existence and actions have a positive impact on my mood and well-being, and I can't help but feel grateful for you.
Gotta roll with the punch, stagger with the kiss
We should be prepared to take both the good and the bad that come with our relationship, and savor every moment together.
Follow what you feel on a night like this
Tonight is a special occasion, and we should trust our instincts and emotions.
Gotta raise up your flag, holler in the street
Let's celebrate our love for each other and proudly declare it to the world.
Someone's throwing roses all around your feet
You are cherished and admired by others, and I feel lucky to be with you.
Straight from your lips, you're gonna let it slip
I sense that you want to confess something to me, and I encourage you to do so because I want to understand you better.
It's there in your eyes so don't apologize - hey hey hey-yeah
I can see the truth in your eyes, and I won't judge or blame you for expressing your feelings.
Bet you're gonna be a little nervous boy, oh
Despite your nerves or fears, I want you to know that I care for you deeply and appreciate your presence in my life.
You make me happy every time, you make me happy without even trying
You bring me joy and happiness no matter what, and I feel lucky to have you by my side.
You make me happy every time, oh yeah...
I can't stress enough how much your love and friendship means to me.
Contributed by Brody E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.