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The song "Black Velvet" is about Elvis

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  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Close to Chicago
The song "Black Velvet" is about Elvis
Posted by JohnnyK on Saturday, February 12, 2022 1:22 PM

I never knew this, but the song Black Velvet was written about Elvis. Christopher Ward, co-songwriter of the song, was on a bus  in Memphis in 1987 with Elvis fans going to the 10th anniversary vigil at Graceland. One woman was talking about her collection of Elvis portraits that were painted on black velvet. She said that her favorite painting was of Elvis with a little boy's smile. As a side, Elvis used a hair dye call Black Velvet.

It is interesting where songwriters get their inspiration from.

Here is the song:

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=song+black+velvet&view=detail&mid=797D7ABB4F4CEED61220797D7ABB4F4CEED61220&FORM=VIRE0&ru=%2fsearch%3fq%3dsong%2bblack%2bvelvet%26cvid%3dfceaf7c956334b65a7b5707efa240103%26aqs%3dedge..69i57j69i64.6407j0j1%26pglt%3d2083%26FORM%3dANSPA1%26PC%3dDCTE

The song is full of references to Elvis. Here are the lryics:

https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/alannahmyles/blackvelvet.html

 

Your comments and questions are always welcome.

  • Member since
    January 2020
  • From: Maryland
Posted by wpwar11 on Saturday, February 12, 2022 2:33 PM

Now if we just knew who that Carly Simon song is about 

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Saturday, February 12, 2022 2:44 PM

Anticipation?  You're So Vain?  Nobody Does It Better?

That last one is Roger Moore.  Not Sean Connery, Roger Moore.  Mysterious.  Like, I wonder where the whiskey went...  Stick out tongue

I thought Black Velvet was just a mood piece, about a woman and a hot sultry night in Memphis.

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    April 2020
Posted by Eaglecash867 on Saturday, February 12, 2022 2:58 PM

wpwar11

Now if we just knew who that Carly Simon song is about 

 

Or the play on words of that song title by Queens of the Stone Age...You're So Vague.

"You're so vague, that you probably think this song ain't about you."

Knew about the Alannah Myles song...its packed full of Elvis references.

"You can have my illegal fireworks when you pry them from my cold, dead fingers...which are...over there somewhere."

  • Member since
    January 2020
  • From: Maryland
Posted by wpwar11 on Saturday, February 12, 2022 3:00 PM

You're So Vain.  It's been rumored it's Warren Beatty.   However, I don't think Carly ever told us.

  • Member since
    July 2012
  • From: Douglas AZ
Posted by littletimmy on Saturday, February 12, 2022 6:20 PM

There was a contest several years ago, where the winner got the Initials of the person Carly was singing about ( She personally whispered the initials to the winner) 

Those initials were ...

 M   J  

( not Michale Jackson )

Pretty sure she meant, Mick Jagger.

 Dont worry about the thumbprint, paint it Rust , and call it "Battle Damage"

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by keavdog on Saturday, February 12, 2022 6:22 PM

What a great song.  Alannah Myles has some great pipes.  I figured that out (EDIT: the Elvis thing) years ago just listening to the lyrics.  Iiiiif you please.

Thanks,

John

  • Member since
    January 2020
  • From: Maryland
Posted by wpwar11 on Sunday, February 13, 2022 8:08 AM

littletimmy

There was a contest several years ago, where the winner got the Initials of the person Carly was singing about ( She personally whispered the initials to the winner) 

Those initials were ...

 M   J  

( not Michale Jackson )

Pretty sure she meant, Mick Jagger.

 

I was just thinking how great it would be if "You're So Vain" was about "Jesse"

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Sunday, February 13, 2022 8:19 AM

wpwar11
However, I don't think Carly ever told us.

Warren apparently gets the second verse; MJ...and perhaps others..probably get equal billing:

https://entertainment.ie/music/carly-simon-finally-confirms-who-inspired-youre-so-vain-or-at-least-part-of-it-260877/

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Close to Chicago
Posted by JohnnyK on Sunday, February 13, 2022 3:00 PM

keavdog

What a great song.  Alannah Myles has some great pipes.  I figured that out (EDIT: the Elvis thing) years ago just listening to the lyrics.  Iiiiif you please.

 

Alannah's voice is "white hot." Hot, hot, hot. The entire song is hot. Slow, sultery, swing rythm. Synth fretless bass. Yikes!

Your comments and questions are always welcome.

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