Black Velvet
JAN WAYNE presents GORGEOUS X Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jimmy Rogers on the Victrola up high.
Mama's dancin' with a baby on her shoulder.
The sun is settin' like molasses in the sky.
The boy could sing, knew how to move, everything.
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for.
Black velvet and that little boy's smile.
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees.
Black velvet if you please.
Up in Memphis the music's like a heatwave.
White lightning, bound to drive you wild.
Mama's baby's in the heart of every school girl.
"Love me tender" leaves 'em cryin' in the aisle.
The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true.
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for.
Black velvet and that little boy's smile.
Black velvet with that slow southern style.
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees.
Black velvet if you please.
Every word of every song that he sang was for you.
In a flash he was gone, it happened so soon.
What could you do?
Black velvet and that little boy's smile.
Black velvet with that slow southern style.
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees.
Black velvet if you please.
Black velvet and that little boy's smile.
Black velvet with that slow southern style.
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees.
Black velvet if you please.
If you please
If you please
If you please
The lyrics of "Black Velvet" by JAN WAYNE presents GORGEOUS X take us back in time and provide us with a vivid image of a small town in Mississippi during a dry spell. The singer of the song, who is not named or described, is listening to music on a Victrola with his mother, who is dancing with a baby on her shoulder. The sunset is described as being "like molasses in the sky," setting the tone for the slow and sultry feel of the song. The boy is said to have a beautiful voice and great moves - everything that makes him stand out. He always leaves people wanting more and leaves them longing for him. The chorus conveys the power of the boy's charisma and presence through the use of black velvet, an alluring and sensual fabric often associated with luxury.
As the song progresses, a shift in location to Memphis is noted, where the music is said to be like a heatwave. White lightning - a slang term for moonshine - is said to be bound to drive people wild, and the boy's music is compared to Elvis Presley's, especially his famous ballad, "Love Me Tender." Here, the boy's charisma is compared to that of a religious experience; something that will bring people to their knees. His talent is described as a sin - sweet and true - that always leaves people wanting more.
Towards the end of the song, the lyrics take on a more melancholic tone, hinting at the short-lived fame of the boy. Every song he sang was for his audience, but in a flash, he was gone, leaving nothing but memories behind. The chorus is repeated twice, emphasizing the impact the boy had on the people around him.
Line by Line Meaning
Mississippi in the middle of a dry spell.
The song begins with a description of a particular place and time.
Jimmy Rogers on the Victrola up high.
The singer describes some background music noise in the area.
Mama's dancin' with a baby on her shoulder.
The singer observes a woman dancing with her baby.
The sun is settin' like molasses in the sky.
The singer paints a picture of the sunset.
The boy could sing, knew how to move, everything.
The singer describes a young man who was talented in both singing and dancing.
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for.
The singer suggests that the young man's performance was so good that people always wanted more from him.
Black velvet and that little boy's smile.
The singer describes the young idol's signature look.
Black velvet with that slow southern style.
The singer describes the young idol's style of singing.
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees.
The singer likens the effect of the young idol's performance to a religious experience.
Black velvet if you please.
The singer repeats the young idol's signature look and style.
Up in Memphis the music's like a heatwave.
The singer shifts to a new location where music is very popular.
White lightning, bound to drive you wild.
The singer describes a potent alcoholic drink that is popular in the area.
Mama's baby's in the heart of every school girl.
The singer suggests that the young idol has captured the hearts of many girls in the area.
"Love me tender" leaves 'em cryin' in the aisle.
The singer refers to a song that always moves the audience emotionally.
The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true.
The singer highlights the young idol's charisma and natural talent.
Every word of every song that he sang was for you.
The singer suggests that the young idol had a personal connection with his fans.
In a flash he was gone, it happened so soon.
The singer refers to the young idol's untimely demise.
What could you do?
The singer expresses the helplessness that people felt when the young idol passed away.
If you please
The song ends with a repetition of the signature phrase used throughout the song.
Contributed by Matthew E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.