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.
Our World Our Times
Alannah Myles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sparks flying off her finger tips, driving a young cunt wild
Some nights, I'm wound so tight, like a storm about to break
Better stand in a doorway when everything starts to shake
You get restless, like a cat waking up at midnight
Hungry, never quite satisfied
This is our world, and these are our times
This is our world, and these are our times
Scenes looking like a shadow now, and I know I'm being fooled
Sometimes I'm wound so tight like a wave about crash
Hard times seem to multiply, but the joy runs out so fast
You get restless, like a kid crawling out of a bad dream
Hungry, never quite satisfied
This is our world, and these are our times
This is our world, and these are our times
This is our world, and these are our times
This is our world, and these are our times
Make way for the son of a rebel
He's got two black eyes, and a bitter heart
And a bone hanging on a chain
These times, like dynamite
A head on history
Some fools gonna bed it all down
And don't care about you and me
You get desperate, like a child in the eye of a nightmare
Hungry, never quite satisfied
This is our world, and these are our times
This is our world, and these are our times
This is our world, and these are our times
This is our world, and these are our times
Ooooover
Ouuur worrrld, ouuur tiiimes
Our world, our times
Our world, our times
Our world, our times
The lyrics of Alannah Myles's song Our World Our Times explores the restlessness and hunger that is pervasive in modern society. The opening lines describe a woman who has a magnetic appeal, exuding confidence and sexiness. The singer feels overwhelmed by this woman’s charisma as he notes that sparks fly off her fingertips, and she has a "hundred-dollar smile." However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is describing a life where everything is just a bit too much, and everyone is looking for something more but cannot quite put their finger on it. The world is presented as a daunting and wild place prone to sudden and terrifying outbursts of violence and chaos.
In the second verse, the singer describes the world as being like a street god, flashy and showy but ultimately hollow. There is a sense of being deceived, of not quite knowing what is real and what is not. The sense of unease and instability persists, with the singer saying, "Sometimes I'm wound so tight like a wave about crash, hard times seem to multiply, but the joy runs out so fast." The final verse offers a bleak look at the future, with the singer warning that some people are willing to bet everything they have and destroy everything in the process, ignoring the consequences of their actions.
Overall, the song presents a picture of a world that is both seductive and dangerous, with people trying to navigate through it as best they can. There is a sense of dissatisfaction and restlessness, a feeling that everything is falling apart, and it's hard to see a way forward. But even in the midst of all this, the singer suggests that there is still some hope, that we can find a way to survive and thrive in this world if we keep pushing forward.
Line by Line Meaning
See the tramp coming up the strip with the a hundred dollar smile
An attractive woman is walking down the street with a flashy grin, likely deceiving those around her.
Sparks flying off her finger tips, driving a young cunt wild
Her actions are causing a young person to become infatuated with her, despite her lack of sincerity.
Some nights, I'm wound so tight, like a storm about to break
There are times when I feel on edge and worried, as if I'm about to unravel emotionally.
Better stand in a doorway when everything starts to shake
In times of stress or upheaval, it's important to find something that provides stability and support.
You get restless, like a cat waking up at midnight
Restlessness and unease can arise suddenly and without warning, much like a cat waking up abruptly at night.
Hungry, never quite satisfied
Desire can be insatiable and difficult to quell no matter how much is obtained.
This is our world, and these are our times
We belong to this era and should strive to make the most of it despite its challenges.
Layer other like a street god, with a drop-dead attitude
Some individuals project confidence and self-assuredness as they navigate the world, like a street performer with godlike qualities.
Scenes looking like a shadow now, and I know I'm being fooled
The world can be deceptive and not always what it seems, leaving us to feel like we're living with a distorted perspective.
Sometimes I'm wound so tight like a wave about crash
There are periods of intense anxiety and tension that can feel like a wave about to crest and break on shore.
Hard times seem to multiply, but the joy runs out so fast
Difficult situations can quickly pile up and magnify, while any positive feelings or joy can dissipate all too easily.
You get restless, like a kid crawling out of a bad dream
Like waking up from a nightmare, restlessness can emerge as a result of stress and trauma.
Make way for the son of a rebel
A charismatic and rebellious young individual is arriving on the scene.
He's got two black eyes, and a bitter heart
Despite possessing a hardened exterior and appearing tough, this individual's heart is filled with anger and negativity.
And a bone hanging on a chain
They also carry a physical symbol of their defiance and rebellion in the form of a bone on a chain.
These times, like dynamite
The current era is explosive and can erupt in unpredictable and dangerous ways.
A head on history
We are facing a crucial moment in history that will impact the future in drastic ways.
Some fools gonna bed it all down
There are those who will recklessly gamble with the future and make poor choices.
And don't care about you and me
These individuals are self-serving and indifferent to the well-being of others.
You get desperate, like a child in the eye of a nightmare
In dire situations, feelings of desperation and helplessness can emerge, much like a child's experience in a nightmare.
Ooooover
The song is coming to an end.
Ouuur worrrld, ouuur tiiimes
Repeating the song's central message that this is our world and our times.
Our world, our times
Finalizing the song's theme and message that we must navigate the challenges of the present time period.
Our world, our times
Driving home the importance and significance of the current era we are living in.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID MICHAEL TYSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dfifty2
Alannah has performed one of the biggest hits in rock history, but very few realize that she is one of the absolute
greatest. A fabulous and rare talent. The texture, dynamics and control of her voice, her articulation, her phrasing are simply from another planet.
Completely mesmerizing
@user-ps2im7eh7e
❤
@deneuvillechocolatfrancais572
Superbe clip noir et blanc ! les années passent et toujours pareil! quelle voix et beau son de guitare ....
@deborahplumb8088
It breaks my heart to watch these amazing performances and realize that her record company let her down. Alannah is THE premiere Rock Goddess. But no one knew it because she was not promoted. She is my all-time favorite artist and this is my favorite track from the "Rocking Horse" album.
@mejoresnegociosenlinea7264
Me too, i love this song
@markdani8736
Livin on a Memory is even better. Not to mention the title track. But this is also briliant.
@johnwattdotca
I can't understand why you say she wasn't promoted. She won best rock album and best female
rock vocalist at the Grammys and was the biggest selling recording and touring artist that year.
After that, you can say she almost disappeared, doing her own thing.
@markdani8736
@@johnwattdotca the debut album was well promoted, it wasn't the case with Rockinghorse. But to be fair, the ninetees was not the decade of real rock music. Many things changed in just a few years.
@johnwattdotca
@@markdani8736 I know what you're saying about the nineties not being about real rock music. Alannah was criticized for using studio musicians for her first album, and she used her road band for the second, why I like it better. When I think of Canadian female singers, I think of Heart doing "Crazy on You" and Alannah with "Our World Our Times". I would edit out some of her stomping and add more atmosphere, that is has already.
@witneyskye5556
The most recognizable female voice in rock 'n' roll. This is 2023. Alannah, you are classy and timeless.