Black Velvet ( song ) - wikipedia Black Velvet ( song ) `` Black Velvet '' Single by Alannah Myles from the album Alannah Myles B - side `` If You Want To '' Released July 26, 1989 ( Canada ) December 17, 1989 ( U.S. ) February 26, 1990 ( UK ) June 15, 1990 ( Australia ) Format CD maxi 7 '' single 12 '' maxi Recorded October 18, 1988 Genre Blues rock Length 4 : 49 Label Atlantic Songwriter ( s ) David Tyson Christopher Ward Producer ( s ) David Tyson Alannah Myles singles chronology `` Love Is '' ( 1989 ) `` Black Velvet '' ( 1989 ) `` Still Got This Thing '' ( 1990 ) `` Love Is '' ( 1989 ) `` Black Velvet '' ( 1989 ) `` Still Got This Thing '' ( 1990 ) `` Black Velvet '' is a song written by Canadian songwriters Christopher Ward and David Tyson, recorded by Canadian singer songwriter Alannah Myles. It was released in December 1989 as one of four singles from Myles ' 1989 eponymous album from Atlantic Records. It became a number - one hit for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1990 and reached number one on the Album Rock Tracks chart, as well as number ten in her native Canada and number two on the UK Singles Chart. It contains blues verses with a rock chorus. Myles won the 1991 Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for the song and the 1990 Juno Award for Single of the Year. Since its release, the power ballad has received substantial airplay, receiving a `` Millionaire Award '' from ASCAP in 2005 for more than four million radio plays. Contents 1 Background and writing 2 Music video 3 Release and reception 4 Track listings 5 Charts and sales 5.1 Weekly charts 5.2 Year - end charts 5.3 Certifications 6 Other versions 6.1 Chart performance / Robin Lee version 7 See also 8 References 9 External links Background and writing The song is a paean to Elvis Presley. Co-writer Christopher Ward, who was Myles ' then - boyfriend, was inspired on a bus full of Elvis fans riding to Memphis attending the 10th anniversary vigil at Graceland, in 1987. Upon his return to Canada, he brought his idea to Alannah and producer David Tyson, who wrote the chords for the bridge. The song was one of three in a demo Myles presented to Atlantic Records which eventually got her signed to the label. Atlantic Records, much to the disappointment of Myles, for whom the song had been written, gave the song for country artist Robin Lee to record. In the USA, Myles ' version was released in December 1989, while Lee 's version was released two months later, in February 1990. This led to Myles being promoted by Atlantic on the pop and rock radio stations, and Lee on the country radio stations. Lee even filmed a videoclip to the song very similar to Myles ' video. Myles released a new version of the song on a digitally released Elvis tribute EP to commemorate the 30 years since his death in August 2007. It was later included on her 2008 Black Velvet CD. The song is performed in the key of D ♯ minor with a swinging tempo of 91 beats per minute in common time. Myles ' vocals span from C ♯ to D ♯ in the song. Music video The music video, directed by Doug Freel, was partially shot in Myles ' family ranch in Buckhorn, Ontario. Myles is seen singing at a cabin porch with her guitarist, intercut with scenes from Myles in concert with her band. Release and reception Released as the second single of Myles ' debut album, it was first released in her native Canada in July 1989, peaking at # 10 in September of that year, becoming the first of four top 10 hits for Myles in her homeland. Worldwide, it was released as Myles ' debut single. It was released in the USA in December 1989, and worldwide in early 1990, becoming a top 10 hit in most countries where it was released, and peaking at # 1 in four countries : The USA, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, and receiving Gold and Platinum discs in several countries. Track listings CD maxi `` Black Velvet '' -- 4 : 40 `` If You Want To '' -- 4 : 11 `` Who Loves You '' -- 3 : 36 7 '' single `` Black Velvet '' -- 4 : 02 `` If You Want To '' -- 4 : 11 12 '' maxi `` Black Velvet '' -- 4 : 40 `` If You Want To '' -- 4 : 11 `` Who Loves You '' -- 3 : 36 Charts and sales Weekly charts Chart ( 1989 - 1991 ) Peak position Australia ( ARIA ) Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) Canadian Top Singles ( RPM ) 10 Denmark ( Tracklisten ) 29 France ( SNEP ) 24 Germany ( Official German Charts ) Ireland ( Irish Singles Chart ) Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) Norway ( VG - lista ) Poland ( Polish Airplay Top 100 ) 95 Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan ) Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade ) UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) US Billboard Hot 100 US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) 7 US Album Rock Tracks ( Billboard ) US Top 40 / Rock ( Billboard ) Year - end charts Chart ( 1990 ) Position Australian Singles Chart 13 Austrian Singles Chart 6 Canadian Singles Chart 81 Dutch Top 40 13 New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) 10 Swiss Singles Chart 10 UK Singles Chart ( OCC ) 18 US Billboard Hot 100 18 Certifications Region Certification Certified units / Sales Australia ( ARIA ) Platinum 70,000 Austria ( IFPI Austria ) Gold 25,000 Germany ( BVMI ) Gold 250,000 Sweden ( GLF ) Platinum 50,000 United Kingdom ( BPI ) Silver 200,000 United States ( RIAA ) Gold 500,000 shipments figures based on certification alone Other versions `` Black Velvet '' Single by Robin Lee from the album Black Velvet Released February 1990 Format CD single Genre Country Length 4 : 43 ( album version ) Label Atlantic Songwriter ( s ) David Tyson, Christopher Ward Producer ( s ) Nelson Larkin Robin Lee singles chronology `` Before You Cheat on Me Once '' ( 1989 ) `` Black Velvet '' ( 1990 ) `` How About Goodbye '' ( 1990 ) `` Before You Cheat on Me Once '' ( 1989 ) `` Black Velvet '' ( 1990 ) `` How About Goodbye '' ( 1990 ) Country music artist Robin Lee, also signed to Atlantic at the time, covered `` Black Velvet '' in 1990 on her third studio album, also titled Black Velvet. Lee 's version peaked at No. 12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks ( now Hot Country Songs ) chart. Idols South Africa winner Anke Pietrangeli covered the song on her album Tribute to the Great Female Vocalists in 2009. `` Black Velvet '' has also been recorded by Valentina Gautier ( as `` Hey tu '' ), Gee Gee & Soluna featuring Soluna Samay, Bert Heerink ( as `` Rocksterren '' ), Vicky Rosti ( as `` Yön helmaan '' ), Jackie Thomas, and Sandi Thom. `` Black Velvet '' was also roughed up and recorded by Canadian Rock artist Kami and released on her single `` Death Toll Rising '' on January 2013. And also by the group The Lost Fingers `` Lost in the 80s '' 2008. In 2015, Canadian heavy metal band Kobra and the Lotus recorded the song for their first EP entitled Words of the Prophets. Chart performance / Robin Lee version Chart ( 1989 -- 1990 ) Peak position Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) 21 US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) 12 See also List of Billboard Hot 100 number - one singles of 1990 References Jump up ^ `` Bonnie Tyler 's Total Eclipse of the Heart and the 20 other best power ballads ''. The Telegraph. August 18, 2017. Retrieved 2018 - 07 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Alannah Myles -- About ''. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved July 17, 2012. Jump up ^ Tyson, David. `` Alannah Myles `` Black Velvet '' Guitar Tab in E Minor - Download & Print ``. Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2016 - 12 - 02. Jump up ^ `` Australian-charts.com -- Alannah Myles -- Black Velvet ''. ARIA Top 50 Singles. Jump up ^ `` Austriancharts.at -- Alannah Myles -- Black Velvet '' ( in German ). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Alannah Myles -- Black Velvet '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratop 50. Jump up ^ `` Top Singles -- Volume 50, No. 22, September 25, 1989 ''. RPM. Retrieved July 4, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Danishcharts.com -- Alannah Myles -- Black Velvet ''. Tracklisten. Jump up ^ `` Lescharts.com -- Alannah Myles -- Black Velvet '' ( in French ). Les classement single. Jump up ^ `` Musicline.de -- Myles, Alannah Single - Chartverfolgung '' ( in German ). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Jump up ^ `` Irish Singles Chart -- Search for song ''. Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on January 5, 2010. Retrieved July 3, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Nederlandse Top 40 -- week 20, 1990 '' ( in Dutch ). Dutch Top 40 Jump up ^ `` Dutchcharts.nl -- Alannah Myles -- Black Velvet '' ( in Dutch ). Single Top 100. Jump up ^ `` Charts.org.nz -- Alannah Myles -- Black Velvet ''. Top 40 Singles. Jump up ^ `` Norwegiancharts.com -- Alannah Myles -- Black Velvet ''. VG - lista. Jump up ^ `` Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia : : Związek Producentów Audio - Video ''. Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 23 November 2015. Jump up ^ `` Swedishcharts.com -- Alannah Myles -- Black Velvet ''. Singles Top 100. Jump up ^ `` Swisscharts.com -- Alannah Myles -- Black Velvet ''. Swiss Singles Chart. Jump up ^ `` Official Singles Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Jump up ^ `` Alannah Myles Chart History ( Hot 100 ) ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` Alannah Myles Chart History ( Adult Contemporary ) ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` Mainstream Rock : Feb 17, 1990 ''. Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Top 40 / Rock : March 17, 1990 '' ( PDF ). Billboard. Retrieved January 16, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` 1990 ARIA Singles Chart ''. ARIA. Retrieved September 1, 2017. Jump up ^ 1990 Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at Archived December 17, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. ( Retrieved July 29, 2008 ) Jump up ^ 1989 Canadian Singles Chart ( 1 ) ( Retrieved February 6, 2016 ) Jump up ^ `` Single top 100 over 1990 '' ( pdf ) ( in Dutch ). Top40. Retrieved April 12, 2010. Jump up ^ `` End of Year Charts 1990 ''. Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 3, 2017. Jump up ^ 1990 Swiss Singles Chart Hitparade.ch Archived February 1, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. ( Retrieved July 29, 2008 ) Jump up ^ `` Billboard Top 100 -- 1990 ''. Archived from the original on January 17, 2010. Retrieved 2009 - 09 - 15. Jump up ^ `` Austrian single certifications -- Alannah Myles -- Black Velvet '' ( in German ). IFPI Austria. Enter Alannah Myles in the field Interpret. Enter Black Velvet in the field Titel. Select single in the field Format. Click Suchen Jump up ^ `` Gold - / Platin - Datenbank ( Alannah Myles ; ' Black Velvet ' ) '' ( in German ). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Jump up ^ `` Guld - och Platinacertifikat − År 1987 − 1998 '' ( PDF ) ( in Swedish ). IFPI Sweden. Jump up ^ `` British single certifications -- Alannah Myles -- Black Velvet ''. British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Enter Black Velvet in the search field and then press Enter. Jump up ^ `` American single certifications -- Alannah Myles -- Black Velvet ''. Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH Jump up ^ Black Velvet ( CD liner notes ). Robin Lee. Atlantic Records. 1990. 82085 - 2. Jump up ^ Anke - Tribute to the Great Female Vocalists Retrieved 10 January 2014 Jump up ^ OBRA AND THE LOTUS Premiere Sexy `` Black Velvet '' Video Jump up ^ `` Top RPM Country Tracks : Issue 1249. '' RPM. Library and Archives Canada. June 2, 1990. Retrieved August 23, 2013. External links `` Black Velvet '' music video on YouTube Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Black_Velvet_(song)&oldid=848897168 '' Categories : 1989 songs 1989 singles 1990 singles Alannah Myles songs Billboard Hot 100 number - one singles Billboard Mainstream Rock number - one singles Number - one singles in Norway Number - one singles in Sweden Number - one singles in Switzerland Robin Lee Bruce songs Songs about Memphis, Tennessee Songs in memory of deceased persons Songs about Elvis Presley Songs written by David Tyson Songs written by Christopher Ward ( songwriter ) Atlantic Records singles Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance Rock ballads 1980s ballads Juno Award for Single of the Year singles Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links CS1 Dutch - language sources ( nl ) CS1 German - language sources ( de ) CS1 Swedish - language sources ( sv ) All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from November 2016 Articles with permanently dead external links Use mdy dates from October 2012 Articles with hAudio microformats Singlechart usages for Australia Singlechart usages for Austria Singlechart usages for Flanders Singlechart usages for Denmark Singlechart usages for France Singlechart usages for Germany Singlechart usages for Dutch40 Singlechart usages for Dutch100 Singlechart usages for New Zealand Singlechart usages for Norway Singlechart usages for Poland Singlechart called without artist Singlechart called without song Singlechart usages for Sweden Singlechart usages for Switzerland Singlechart usages for UK Singlechart usages for Billboardhot100 Singlechart usages for Billboardadultcontemporary Certification Table Entry usages for Australia Certification Table Entry usages for Austria Certification Table Entry usages for Germany Certification Table Entry usages for Sweden Certification Table Entry usages for United Kingdom Certification Table Entry usages for United States Singlechart usages for Canadacountry Talk Contents About Wikipedia Čeština Deutsch Español Français Italiano Português Русский Edit links This page was last edited on 5 July 2018, at 03 : 07 ( UTC ). 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Question: who sang the country version of black velvet
Answer: Robin Lee