About The Song
In the 1960s, there was a perception that Elvis Presley’s music career was declining, as his recordings were primarily associated with movie soundtracks. However, the composition of “If I Can Dream” marked a turning point, reviving his career and achieving success in both the UK and the US, reminiscent of his 1966 hit, “Love Letters.”
The inspiration behind this song was the recent assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, events that occurred a few months earlier.
Recorded in June 1968, just two months after King’s assassination, “If I Can Dream” gained prominence for incorporating direct quotations from Martin Luther King, Jr. Published by Gladys Music, Inc, Presley’s music publishing company, the recording was initially unveiled as the concluding piece of Presley’s ’68 Comeback Special.
Presley delivered the song with remarkable passion, infusing it with southern gospel intonations. Although technically not a gospel piece, it found a place in various Presley gospel compilations.
Walter Brown, the songwriter, shared in an interview that he was tasked with composing a replacement for “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” intended as the grand finale on NBC’s “Elvis” airing on June 20-23, 1968. Consequently, “If I Can Dream” was born. When Presley heard it, he expressed a profound sentiment:
“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.”
Colonel Tom Parker, however, initially felt the song wasn’t fitting for Elvis. Despite this, when Elvis heard the song during a demonstration, he expressed interest in trying it.
Brown recalled that during the recording with Elvis, tears streamed down the faces of the three backup singers. One of them conveyed:
“Elvis has never sung with so much emotion before. He means every word.”
Experience Elvis Presley’s passionate and intense performance of the song below.
Video
Lyric
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?Oh, why?
There must be peace and understanding sometime
Strong winds of promise that will blow away 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 flyDeep in my heart there’s a trembling question
Still I am sure that the answer’s answer’s gonna come somehow
Out there in the dark, there’s a beckoning candle, yeah
And while I can think
While I can talk
While I can stand
While I can walk
While I can dream
Oh, please let my dream come true… right now
Let it come true right now
Oh, yeah