If I Can Dream

"If I Can Dream" is a song made famous by Elvis Presley, notable for its direct quotations to Martin Luther King, Jr.. It was recorded by Presley in June, 1968, two months after King's assassination. The recording was first released to the public as the finale of the 1968 NBC "Elvis" special.

Although the song is not technically gospel music, Presley performed the song with the intensity and intonations of southern gospel. It has since appeared on various Presley gospel and/or inspirational compilations.

History

Songwriter Earl Brown was asked to write a song to replace "I'll Be Home For Christmas" as the grand finale on NBC's "Elvis" (June 20-23, 1968). He wrote "If I Can Dream," and when Elvis heard it he proclaimed "I'm never going to sing another song I don't believe in. I'm never going to make another picture I don't believe in."

"Elvis", 1968

*Elvis would sing "If I Can Dream" from his heart. Yet, the band-related errors prevented the first take from becoming the master. It was one of his dearest songs.
*"Elvis - TV Special". It was then first released as single - If I Can Dream/Edge Of Reality - in November 1968. It peaked on Billboard's Hot 100 at #12 for 13 weeks, one million plus sales.

In popular culture since

*Della Reese sang the song as a spiritual ode to God in a 1995 episode of "Touched By An Angel", entitled "In the Name of God".

*Robson And Jerome covered the song in 1995.

*Canadian Idol 3 runner-up Rex Goudie sang "If I Can Dream" during Top 4 - Elvis Night.

*American Idol 5 contestant and second runner up Elliott Yamin sang "If I Can Dream" during Elvis night.

*On American Idol 6, Celine Dion sang "If I Can Dream" [http://www.veoh.com/videos/v424308YqYH5gwB?searchId=4235548988667566067&rank=1] as a duet with Elvis, using special effects.In the jukebox musical All Shook Up Chad the lead character sings it to one of the couples. Cheynne Jackson and the show's cast sang it at a Broadway benefit for Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

ee also

*Gospel music
*Rock n roll
*Elvis

Swedish singer Carola Häggkvist record this cover on Guld, platina & passion

External links

* [http://www.anelvisfan2001.com/ifIcandream.html A Fan's Website]