Introduction:
If I Can Dream by Elvis Presley is not just a song; it’s a cultural touchstone. Released in 1968, the pop ballad marked a significant comeback for the King of Rock and Roll. After several years of movie soundtracks and commercially safe music, If I Can Dream showcased a more mature Elvis, both vocally and thematically.
The song emerged from a special television project titled Elvis Presley’s ’68 Comeback Special which aimed to revitalize Presley’s career after a period of decline. Producer Felton Jarvis, who had a long working relationship with Elvis, played a crucial role in shaping the comeback. Jarvis brought in a group of unfamiliar songwriters, including Oscar-winning lyricist Walter Earl Brown, to create new and contemporary material for Elvis.
If I Can Dream stood out from the pack. The powerful ballad addressed social issues of the time, particularly the ongoing fight for civil rights in the United States. Lines like *”There’s a world out there somewhere / Where there’s peace and there’s no despair” * resonated with a nation grappling with social unrest and the Vietnam War. Elvis’s impassioned delivery further amplified the song’s message, adding a layer of sincerity that resonated with audiences.
The impact of If I Can Dream was undeniable. The song became an anthem for social change, embraced by both civil rights activists and ordinary people yearning for a better world. It reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US and topped charts in the UK and several other countries. If I Can Dream also received critical acclaim, earning Presley a Grammy nomination for Best Inspirational Recording. Rolling Stone later ranked it at No. 13 on their prestigious list of the ‘500 Greatest Songs of All Time,’ solidifying its place in musical history.
Beyond the charts and accolades, If I Can Dream signaled a creative rebirth for Elvis Presley. The song ushered in a new era in his career, one that would see him delve deeper into soul and gospel influences. If I Can Dream became a signature song for Presley, performed throughout the rest of his career and cementing his legacy as a cultural icon whose voice could transcend musical genres and speak to the social issues of his time.
Video:
Lyrics:
“If I Can Dream”
(from “Elvis (NBC TV Special)” soundtrack)
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