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.
Prime Of My Life
Alannah Myles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sept.25th, 2001 - (In B Flat)
Chorus
I'm in the prime of my life, I feel like a kid
One of these days it'll all catch up
But I'd rather fight than quit
In the , Prime of my life, something's gotta give
Kill the kill joy... Live!
Verse I
There's a big hole in my heart, where all the money used to be
If love's a crime, I've done my time as far as I can see
I'd trade in all the bullshit, even if I lose...
For all the rock and roll I've lived I've drunk a case of blues
Chorus
I'm in the prime of my life, feel like a kid
One of these days it'll all catch up
But I'd rather fight than quit
In the prime of my life, something's gotta give
Even if it kills, I won't give up
Kill the kill joy... Live!
(dehn'l alannah'l ana deh deh deh deh)
Verse II
Life gives us a choice, we can laugh or we can cry
I 've been bending over backwards trying to walk a straight damn line
I was borne a child of light, but the devil's been my friend
Ain't nothin' gonna stop this woman from busting this dead end!
Chorus
Bridge
What the hell's so wrong with coming undone
It's too late to stop what's already begun
So what the hell's so wrong with coming undone, Undone!
(dehn'l alannah'l ana deh deh deh deh)
Chorus
I'm in the prime of my life, feel like a kid
One of these days It'll all catch up, But I'd rather fight than quit
I'm in the prime of my life, something's gotta give
One of these days it'll all catch up but I only got one life to live
I'm in the prime of my life, prime of my life, Prime of my life,
Feel like a kid, one of these days it'll all catch up but I'd rather fight than quit
Prime of my life, something;s gotta give, even if it kills, I won't give up,
Kill the kill joy, kill the kill joy,
Live x 9
The lyrics of Alannah Myles's song "Prime Of My Life" portray a woman who is proud to be in the prime of her life, even though she is experiencing some difficulties. In the chorus, she declares that she feels like a kid and is willing to fight to maintain this feeling. She is also prepared to sacrifice anything, including her own life, to continue living in the prime of her life. The verse talks about how she has lost all her money, but is willing to trade in all the challenges to continue living her rock and roll life full of excitement. In the second verse, she emphasizes that life gives us choices, but she is determined to overcome all obstacles, even when the devil tries to drag her down. The bridge emphasizes that it is okay to come undone and that it is too late to prevent what has already begun.
Overall, the song encourages people to enjoy their lives while they are in their prime and emphasizes the importance of resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
Chorus
The singer is currently in the best time of their life where they feel young and energetic. They know that things might go wrong in the future but instead of giving up, they will fight and continue to live life to the fullest without letting the negativity get in their way.
Verse I
Despite having financial troubles and experiencing heartbreak in the past, the singer is willing to let go of all the negative experiences for the sake of their love for rock and roll. They've had their fair share of sadness, but it won't stop them from living life to the fullest as they enjoy the music they love.
Chorus
Reiteration of the determination to keep going and never giving up despite the challenges that they might face in the future.
Verse II
The artist acknowledges that life comes with both good and bad moments, and it's up to them to decide how to react to these situations. They've had to work tirelessly to stay on the right path, but they won't let their circumstances change their positive outlook on life.
Bridge
The artist questions the negativity around the idea of letting go and embracing one's emotions. It might be too late to stop whatever negative thing that has begun, but that shouldn't stop them from being true to themselves.
Chorus
The singer reiterates that they are in the prime of their life, and although things might go wrong, they will never stop fighting and enjoying the life they have. They only have one life to live, and they plan to kill negativity by continuing to live it to the fullest.
Contributed by Sarah T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Raymond Brush
Listen to this a lot on cd. Love this womans voice and her attitude shines on this tune.
If you read these Alannah you are still rockin.