Alannah Myles (née Byles; born in Toronto on 25 December 1958) is a Canadia… Read Full Bio ↴Alannah Myles (née Byles; born in Toronto on 25 December 1958) is a Canadian singer/songwriter who has won both a Grammy and a Juno Award for her 1989 recording of the song “Black Velvet” that, in 1990, was a top-ten hit in Canada and a number one hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

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.

Tumbleweed
Alannah Myles Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Just a stray little Gypsy boy, trying on the highway for size
A cowboy kid cracking 105, crossing the New Mexico line

(I believe) I believe we got a live one here, (hey hey) no inhibitions no fear

Hey you wanna play your hand
Or are you just playing for the girls in the grandstand
Don't you wanna roll them bones

Are you a tumbleweed or a rolling stone

Tag along with my little vagabond, as long as you got something to burn
We'll slide on over to old Antone's
There's a little game I think you should learn

(Hey hey) There's a big shot of the owner hanging over the bar
(Hey hey) Shaking hands with some rock and roll star

Hey you wanna play your hand
Or are you just playing for the girls in the grandstand
Don't you wanna roll them bones
Are you a tumbleweed or a rolling stone

Well I'm glad I let you find me boy, I been waitin' for you
Won't you be my brand new pride and joy
I've been savin' up all my good luck until tonight

On a roll he was on top of the world
Till he laid it all on seven and nine
Lost his shirt and his keys to the highway
Looks like I'll be driving tonight

(Hey hey) Ten to one we'll take the long way home
(Hey hey) We've got ignition, so let's go

Hey you wanna play your hand
Or are you just playing for the girls in the grandstand
Don't you wanna roll them bones
Are you a tumbleweed or a rolling stone

Hey you wanna play your hand
Or are you just playing for the girls in the grandstand
Don't you wanna roll them bones
Are you a tumbleweed or a rolling stone

Are you a tumbleweed or a rolling stone
Are you a tumbleweed or a rolling stone...

Overall Meaning

The song "Tumbleweed" by Alannah Myles tells the story of a young boy who is wandering the highways, trying to find his place in the world. He is a free spirit, with no inhibitions or fears, and he catches the attention of the singer who offers to take him under her wing. She invites him to join her on a journey to a gambling den, a place where he can learn to roll the dice and take his chances.

Throughout the song, the boy is compared to a tumbleweed or a rolling stone, two symbols of constant movement and change. He is asked if he wants to play his hand, to take a risk and see where it leads him, or if he is just playing for the girls who are watching from the sidelines. The singer recognizes that he is at a turning point in his life, and that the choices he makes now will shape his future.

Overall, the lyrics of "Tumbleweed" speak to the human desire for adventure and excitement, and the need to take risks and explore new horizons. The song encourages listeners to embrace their inner tumbleweed, to roll with the changes and take chances, even if it means leaving the safety of the grandstand behind.

Line by Line Meaning

Just a stray little Gypsy boy, trying on the highway for size
A young boy of no certain home or roots, wandering without direction and exploring the wide open road

A cowboy kid cracking 105, crossing the New Mexico line
A youthful cowboy, driving with excitement and freedom, crossing the border into the next state

(I believe) I believe we got a live one here, (hey hey) no inhibitions no fear
Exclaiming that they have found someone full of life and energy, with no hesitation and no fear

Hey you wanna play your hand
Asking if they want to take a chance or make a move

Or are you just playing for the girls in the grandstand
Questioning if they are only putting on a show for the spectators and aren't truly invested

Don't you wanna roll them bones
Encouraging them to take a risk or gamble

Are you a tumbleweed or a rolling stone
Asking if they are aimlessly drifting or constantly moving and changing

Tag along with my little vagabond, as long as you got something to burn
Offering to let the aimless wanderer join them, as long as they have something to contribute or offer

We'll slide on over to old Antone's
Suggesting that they visit a particular location, potentially for an event or activity

There's a little game I think you should learn
Hinting at an upcoming activity or challenge that they will soon encounter

(Hey hey) There's a big shot of the owner hanging over the bar
Noticing someone important or influential at the particular venue

(Hey hey) Shaking hands with some rock and roll star
Observing someone at the location interact with a famous or prominent individual

Well I'm glad I let you find me boy, I been waitin' for you
Expressing happiness that they have met and suggesting that they were meant to come together

Won't you be my brand new pride and joy
Asking if they will become a source of happiness and satisfaction for them

I've been savin' up all my good luck until tonight
Suggesting that they have been waiting for a special moment to use their good fortune

On a roll he was on top of the world
Describing the feeling of success and confidence that the person once had

Till he laid it all on seven and nine
Explaining how the person lost their momentum by making a poor gamble

Lost his shirt and his keys to the highway
Detailing how the person lost all their money and transportation

Looks like I'll be driving tonight
Stating that they will take on the responsibility of driving

(Hey hey) Ten to one we'll take the long way home
Suggesting that they will take a more scenic or adventurous route home

(Hey hey) We've got ignition, so let's go
Noticing that their transportation is ready to go and encouraging them to hit the road

Are you a tumbleweed or a rolling stone
Asking again if they are aimlessly drifting or constantly moving and changing

Contributed by Chloe F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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