“If I Can Dream,” released in 1968, is one of Elvis Presley’s most powerful and emotionally charged songs, representing a pivotal moment in his career and reflecting the social upheavals of the time.
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About the song
The song was written specifically for Elvis by songwriter Walter Earl Brown for the closing number of his 1968 NBC “Comeback Special.”
This special marked Presley’s return to live performance after years focused on making films, and “If I Can Dream” became a defining moment of his re-emergence as a serious musical artist.
The creation of “If I Can Dream” was deeply influenced by the political and social climate of the late 1960s.
The assassination of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. earlier that year had left a profound impact on the nation, including Elvis himself.
Though not overtly political, Elvis had a deep admiration for King, and the song reflects his hopes for a better, more unified world.
The song’s lyrics directly reference themes of peace, hope, and unity, capturing the emotional spirit of the era.
Lines like, “While I can think, while I can talk, while I can stand, while I can walk, while I can dream, please let my dream come true” speak to the collective yearning for change, equality, and understanding.
These sentiments resonated deeply with Elvis, and when he first heard the song, he was moved by its message.
Elvis’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, initially wanted the special to close with a traditional song like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
However, Elvis and the show’s director, Steve Binder, felt strongly that “If I Can Dream” should close the show, as it was more reflective of the cultural moment.
Elvis was deeply affected by the tumultuous events of 1968, including the assassinations of King and Robert F. Kennedy.
He saw “If I Can Dream” as a way to express his own personal longing for peace and a better world.
The recording of “If I Can Dream” was intense and emotional for Elvis.
During the recording session, he poured his heart into the performance, delivering the song with raw passion and conviction.
His vocal performance in the song is filled with power and emotion, capturing both his frustration with the state of the world and his hope for a brighter future.
Musically, “If I Can Dream” blends elements of gospel, pop, and soul, creating a stirring anthem of hope.
The orchestral arrangement, combined with a gospel-like chorus, adds to the grandeur and emotion of the song.
The powerful crescendo at the song’s end, where Elvis sings, “There must be peace and understanding sometime,” is one of the most iconic moments of his career.
The song was released as a single shortly after the special aired, and it became a significant hit, reaching No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
More than just a commercial success, “If I Can Dream” marked a turning point for Elvis, as it allowed him to re-engage with his audience and connect with the issues of the day.
The song is often seen as a response to Elvis’s desire to move beyond the formulaic movies and songs he had been associated with in the 1960s and reassert his artistic relevance.
“If I Can Dream” remains one of Elvis Presley’s most iconic and meaningful songs.
It is a testament to his ability to use his platform to express his thoughts and feelings about the world around him.
In many ways, the song encapsulates the emotional and cultural turbulence of 1968, while also providing a message of hope that continues to resonate with listeners today.
Through “If I Can Dream,” Elvis Presley showed that he was not just a performer, but an artist capable of conveying profound messages, making it one of the most important songs of his career.
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Lyrics
There must be lights burning brighter somewhere
Got to be birds flying higher in a sky more blue
If I can dream of a better land
Where all my brothers walk hand in hand
Tell me why, oh why, oh why can’t my dream come true?
There must be peace and understanding sometime
Strong winds of promise that will blow away all the doubt and fear
If I can dream of a warmer sun
Where hope keeps shining on everyone
Tell me why, oh why, oh why won’t that sun appear?
We’re lost in a cloud with too much rain
We’re trapped in a world that’s troubled with pain
But as long as a man has the strength to dream
He can redeem his soul and fly
Deep in my heart there’s a trembling question
Still I am sure that the answer’s gonna come somehow
Out there in the dark, there’s a beckoning candle
And while I can think,
While I can talk
While I can stand,
While I can walk
While I can dream,
Please let my dream come true… right now
Let it come true right now
Oh, yeah
