Elvis Presley inspired numerous songs and one of the most famous is Alannah Myles’ “Black Velvet.” The track has a sensual vibe that made it a huge hit and an instant classic. The original version of the song was very different. During an interview, Myles explained the secret ingredient that made “Black Velvet” climb up the charts.
Alannah Myles’ Elvis Presley tribute ‘Black Velvet’ was supposed to sound ‘clunky’
“Black Velvet” is a smokey, old-school song that blurs the line between rock and blues. It has some of the desert rock vibes of two other hits that came out around the same time: Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” and the Divinyls’ “I Touch Myself.” “Black Velvet” isn’t as risque as those songs — it’s chaste compared to “I Touch Myself!” However, “Black Velvet” still focuses on Elvis’ attractiveness, showing that the “Can’t Help Falling in Love” singer was a sex symbol even in death.
Alannah Myles’ Elvis Presley tribute ‘Black Velvet’ was supposed to sound ‘clunky’
“Black Velvet” is a smokey, old-school song that blurs the line between rock and blues. It has some of the desert rock vibes of two other hits that came out around the same time: Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” and the Divinyls’ “I Touch Myself.” “Black Velvet” isn’t as risque as those songs — it’s chaste compared to “I Touch Myself!” However, “Black Velvet” still focuses on Elvis’ attractiveness, showing that the “Can’t Help Falling in Love” singer was a sex symbol even in death.
- 3/7/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Plenty of fans would love to meet Elvis Presley‘s ghost. Notably, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll‘s specter is a character in Marc Cohn’s “Walking in Memphis.” Cohn said the tune is more about his feelings about religion than his feelings about the “Heartbreak Hotel” singer. Regardless, it’s one of the most beloved tunes to mention Elvis.
Marc Cohn’s ‘Walking in Memphis’ made part of Elvis Presley’s Graceland very famous
“Walking in Memphis” is a tribute to the titular city, referencing famous musicians such as W. C. Handy and Al Green. A song like that wouldn’t be complete without a tip of the hat to the “Can’t Help Falling in Love” singer, a Memphis resident. One of the song’s verses focuses on Elvis. It’s about his ghost sneaking onto the grounds of Graceland and going to spend some intimate time with...
Marc Cohn’s ‘Walking in Memphis’ made part of Elvis Presley’s Graceland very famous
“Walking in Memphis” is a tribute to the titular city, referencing famous musicians such as W. C. Handy and Al Green. A song like that wouldn’t be complete without a tip of the hat to the “Can’t Help Falling in Love” singer, a Memphis resident. One of the song’s verses focuses on Elvis. It’s about his ghost sneaking onto the grounds of Graceland and going to spend some intimate time with...
- 3/6/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Season 4 of “The Masked Singer” is in the rear-view mirror, with Sun winning the coveted Golden Mask over Crocodile and Mushroom. Sun’s shining true identity is country singer LeAnn Rimes, making her the second woman to win “Tms” after singer-songwriter Kandi Burruss, aka Night Angel. For a refresher on all four champions, scroll through our updated photo gallery above (or click here for the direct link) to see “The Masked Singer” winners list for every season. Also be sure to vote for Your favorite in our poll below.
Every year on “The Masked Singer,” a gaggle of secret celebrities in extravagant costumes compete to win the Golden Mask trophy. Fox’s wild and wacky reality TV who-sung-it began as a mild curiosity in 2019, but soon grew to become one of television’s most-watched shows. Fans at home analyze every clue and costume detail as they try to guess who’s hiding behind the masks.
Every year on “The Masked Singer,” a gaggle of secret celebrities in extravagant costumes compete to win the Golden Mask trophy. Fox’s wild and wacky reality TV who-sung-it began as a mild curiosity in 2019, but soon grew to become one of television’s most-watched shows. Fans at home analyze every clue and costume detail as they try to guess who’s hiding behind the masks.
- 12/17/2020
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Nikki McKibbin, who reached the final three on the first season of American Idol, has died at age 42. Her fellow contestant and Season One runner-up Justin Guarini reported the news on Instagram. Her death was attributed to complications from an aneurysm.
McKibbin and Guarini lost to Kelly Clarkson in the first season. Her rendition of Alannah Myles’s song Black Velvet was her most memorable moment. She also performed songs by Alanis Morissette, Bonnie Tyler, Janis Joplin and Melissa Etheridge.
A native of Grand Prairie, Texas, McKibbin was remembered fondly by Guarini in his Instagram post.
“@realnikkimckibbin was a fiery, funny lady who could sing the Hell out of a rock song with the same kind of ease and command she lovingly used to cut you with her twangy Southern wit,” he wrote. “Even in our ’20s when we were on American Idol together, I could tell that she’d had a challenging life,...
McKibbin and Guarini lost to Kelly Clarkson in the first season. Her rendition of Alannah Myles’s song Black Velvet was her most memorable moment. She also performed songs by Alanis Morissette, Bonnie Tyler, Janis Joplin and Melissa Etheridge.
A native of Grand Prairie, Texas, McKibbin was remembered fondly by Guarini in his Instagram post.
“@realnikkimckibbin was a fiery, funny lady who could sing the Hell out of a rock song with the same kind of ease and command she lovingly used to cut you with her twangy Southern wit,” he wrote. “Even in our ’20s when we were on American Idol together, I could tell that she’d had a challenging life,...
- 11/1/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
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