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.
Still Got This Thing
Alannah Myles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why am I so proud?
Still got this thing for you
I know you understand, but you still need a sign
Real love should shout out loud
Still got this thing for you
Hey baby can I carry your flame?
I wanna take you somewhere untame
Still got this thing for you
When you walk that way, I can feel the heat
Just below the surface
I'd do anything for you, uh huh, yeah
When you're out all alone, I hear things from the street
I get kinda nervous
Still got this thing for you. Oh yeah
Hey baby can I carry your flame?
I wanna take you somewhere untame
Don't you know you're drivin' me insane?
Still got this thing for you
Let me see you smile, come on look me in the eye
Too many times I let the chances go by
Pull down the shade, turn out the light
Help me make up for all those nights tonight
Real love, know it's true
Still got this thing for you
Real love, know it's true
Still got this thing for you
Hey baby can I carry your flame?
I wanna take you somewhere untame
Don't you know you're drivin' me insane?
We can't connect, oh, that would be a shame
Hey baby can I carry your flame?
I wanna take you somewhere untamed
Don't you know you're drivin' me insane?
Still got this thing for you
Still got this thing for you
Still got this thing for youâ?¦
The lyrics to this song by Alannah Myles, "Still Got This Thing," convey a deep and unrequited love for someone. The singer seems to be struggling to express their feelings and wondering why they are so hesitant to do so. The line "Why am I so proud?" suggests that their arrogance or fear of vulnerability may be getting in the way. Yet, despite their hesitation, they still have a powerful attraction to this person ("Still got this thing for you") and feel that real love should be proclaimed openly. The singer describes feeling nervous when the person is out alone and feeling a deep connection when they walk a certain way. They ask for forgiveness for missed opportunities and express their desire to make up for lost time. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer still professing their love for the person: "Still got this thing for you."
The song speaks to the common experience of being afraid to express one's true feelings to someone they love. The lyrics suggest that, deep down, the singer knows that their love is real and that they should be open about it, but their fear or pride is preventing them from doing so. The song also conveys a sense of longing and desire, with the singer describing how physically and emotionally attracted they are to this person.
Line by Line Meaning
Why is it so hard to say what's on my mind
I have difficulty expressing my feelings openly
Why am I so proud?
I am too proud to let go of my feelings for you
Still got this thing for you
I still have strong feelings for you
I know you understand, but you still need a sign
You may already know my feelings, but I still want to show it to you
Real love should shout out loud
True love should be openly expressed
Hey baby can I carry your flame?
Can I help you carry the burden or responsibility in our relationship?
I wanna take you somewhere untame
I want to explore new experiences with you
Don't you know you're drivin' me insane?
You make me go crazy (in a good way)
When you walk that way, I can feel the heat
Your presence or aura makes me feel a strong attraction towards you
Just below the surface
This attraction is not obvious, but it is real and intense
I'd do anything for you, uh huh, yeah
I am willing to do anything to make you happy and keep you by my side
When you're out all alone, I hear things from the street
I worry about your safety and well-being when you are not around
I get kinda nervous
My feelings for you make me anxious and worried
Let me see you smile, come on look me in the eye
I want to see your joy and happiness, and I want you to acknowledge my feelings
Too many times I let the chances go by
I regret not expressing my feelings earlier or more often
Pull down the shade, turn out the light
Let's create an intimate atmosphere where we can be honest with each other
Help me make up for all those nights tonight
Let's make tonight a special moment where we can finally express our true feelings
Real love, know it's true
True love is real, and I want to express it to you
We can't connect, oh, that would be a shame
It would be a pity if we let our inability to connect ruin our chance at a real relationship
Still got this thing for you
Despite our challenges, I still have strong feelings for you
Still got this thing for youâ?¦
These feelings are not going away anytime soon
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: C. WARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertmay5003
What a hot rocking chick, she certainly had it all in her prime, the
great movement, and powerful stage presence. One of the best
female rock voices ever, with that raspy powerful, bluesy type rock
voice, that is second to "none" Very unique voice.
I would put Alannah at the top of the list, and ahead of Anne and
Nancy Wilson and Joan Jett. She was truly a dynamic performer,
and I wish I could have seen her live.
Alannah was to this band and it's songs, as Mick Jagger was to
the Stones. Without her, these songs would not have been giant
hits like they turned out to be. You were the best Alannah.
@rmd8427
One of the most under-appreciated voices of the late 80s and 90s.
@bumpyroad3251
Black Velvet was a huge international hit back in the 80s. Not so underappreciated IMO.
@Nemija
Where was she under-appreciated, bud? Not in Canada.
@donyoung2364
A M was and probably still is smokin 🔥 she can sing to me anytime!!! 💯✌️😎
@phoenixthedevourer1716
Why was she not a star
@joel8583
It's just my guess, maybe there were certain limits that she wouldn't cross to become a star.
@lumberlikwidator8863
I've still got this thing for Alannah Myles. One of my top three all-time singers. Saw her live once where they raffled off a guitar signed by her and the winner would get to meet her after the show. I had all the numbers on my ticket but the last one, which was two digits off. Still heartbroken 23 years later.
@paulbradley705
Nothing happened. Lol. Gr8 story
@itsallokay
Hey, hey, hey, Stop cutting in line, I was first!
@MaskedMan66
So who are the other two?