Black Velvet chords

by Alannah Myles
  • Black Velvet was written by Canadian songwriters Christopher Ward and David Tyson.
  • Recorded: Oct 18, 1988
  • Released: July 26, 1989 (Canada); Dec 17, 1989 (US); February 26, 1990 (UK)
  • Album: Alannah Myles
  • Original Key: Ebm in 4/4 time 92 bpm
  • Easier in Em: If you are playing with the video you will need to detune each string 1/2 step (1 semitone). Each string from low to high:
    Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb-Eb
  • Chords: Em, Em7, F, G, Gsus4, A, Am, Am7, Asus4, B, B7, Bsus4, C, C7, Cadd9, D, Dsus4
  • Please Note: Guitar Tab Intro and chord charts below.
Chart Legend
Numbered Circles: Fingers used to play chords   O: Optional Note
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings   R: Root Note
Unmarked strings: Play open   X: Don't play string    B: Bass Note
Em chord Em7 chord F chord G chord Gsus4 chord Gsus4 barre chord Am chord Am7 chord A Major chord Asus4 chord C Major chord C7 chord D Major chord Dsus4 chord B Major chord Bsus4 chord B7 chord Cadd9 chord
Em chord Em7 chord F chord G chord Gsus4 chord Gsus4 barre chord Am chord Am7 chord A Major chord Asus4 chord C Major chord C7 chord D Major chord Dsus4 chord B Major chord Bsus4 chord B7 chord Cadd9 chord

Black Velvet

Detune each string 1/2 step if playing with video

The Relative Major Key of Em is highlighted - Transpose to any other key. 
                 Em
Intro: 4/4 β€–   β€–    |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  β€–
          Guitar
 Em
1. Mis-sis-sip-pi in the mid-dle of a dry spell

   Jim-my Ro-gers on the Vic-tro-la up high

   Mam-mas dan-cin', ba-by on her shoul-der

   The sun is set-tin' like mo-las-sis in the sky

Bsus4              B                  Asus4  A
  ** The boy could sing   Knew how to move    ev'-ry-thing
Gsus4        G             Dsus4               D        
     Al-ways want-ing more      He'd leave you long-ing for

     Am7                       D       
Chorus: Black Vel-vet and that lit-tle boy smile
     Am7                      F              C    
        Black Vel-vet in that slow south-ern style
     Am7                         D     
        A new re-li-gion that'll bring you to your knees
     C7       B7              Em
        Black Vel-vet if you | please |   π„Ž  |   π„Ž  |   π„Ž  |      

 Em
2. Up in Mem-phis, the mu-sic's like a heat-wave

   White light-ning bound to drive you wild

   Ma-ma's baby's in the heart of ev'-ry school-girl

   Love Me Ten-der leaves them cry-in' in the aisles

Bsus4           B                Asus4  A
  ** The way he moved   It was a sin     So sweet and true
Gsus4        G             Dsus4               D       
     Al-ways want-ing more      He'd leave you long-ing for

     Am7                       D       
Chorus: Black Vel-vet and that lit-tle boy smile
     Am7                      F              C    
        Black Vel-vet in that slow south-ern style
     Am7                         D     
        A new re-li-gion that'll bring you to your knees
     C7       B7               Em
        Black Vel-vet if you | please |   π„Ž  |   π„Ž  |  
 
      Am                      B                         Em7
Bridge: Ev'-ry word of ev'-ry song that he sang was for you |  π„Ž  |
      Am                  F                        C       Cadd9
        In a flash he was gone   It hap-pened so | soon -         |
      B7
        What could you do - o

         Em
Instr: β€–     |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  β€–

     Am7                       D       
Chorus: Black Vel-vet and that lit-tle boy smile
     Am7                      F              C    
        Black Vel-vet in that slow south-ern style
     Am7                         D     
        A new re-li-gion that'll bring you to your knees
     C7       B7       Em  
        Black Vel-vet     If you please    

     Am7                       D       
Chorus: Black Vel-vet and that lit-tle boy smile
     Am7                      F              C    
        Black Vel-vet in that slow south-ern style
     Am7                         D     
        A new re-li-gion that'll bring you to your knees
     C7       B7                Em  
        Black Vel-vet... If you please   

        Em
     β€–     |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  β€–
     (please)           If you please 

        Em
     β€–     |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  β€–
     If you please…     If you please      Mm... Mm...

        Em    
     β€–     |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  |  π„Ž  β€–...

Guitar Tab Intro

Intro Tab

Alannah Myles

Album Cover
Alannah Myles

Born: Alannah Byles on Dec 25, 1958 In Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Profession: Singer, songwriter, actress

Music Styles: Rock, pop, blues

Active Years: 1989–present

🌍 alannahmyles.com

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A seasoned performer joyfully playing the guitar