Album: Memories: The 68 Comeback Special (1968)

Charted: 11 12

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Songfacts®:

• The hopeful, uplifting "If I Can Dream" marked the rebirth of Elvis' career after he spent most of the 1960s recording mainly soundtracks to the movies he was appearing in. It was the last song he sang on Elvis, his 1968 NBC comeback special in the USA, which was his first live performance in seven years. The song was written at the last minute by the show's musical director, W. Earl Brown, at the request of the producer Steve Binder to replace "I'll Be Home For Christmas." He wrote it as a response to the assassinations of the famous dreamers Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, which had happened a few months previously.
• In both the UK and US, this was Elvis' biggest chart hit since "Love Letters" in 1966.
• As part of a series of re-releases of Elvis songs in the UK in 2007, "If I Can Dream" re-entered the UK chart at #17.
• This song was performed with a projection of Elvis along with a real life Celine Dion during the 2007 season finale of American Idol. Footage of Elvis from a comeback special in 1968 was composited onto the Idol stage to create the effect.
• Former football player and manager Terry Venables recorded a cover of the song for a Sun newspaper advert to tie in with the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It featured a 60-piece Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with football personalities Harry Redknapp and Ian Wright and was filmed at Wembley Stadium. Released as a single, it reached the Top 30 of the UK singles chart with all proceeds going to the Help For Heroes appeal.
• Priscilla Presley stated at a forum with Ron Onesti in 2017 that this and "An American Trilogy" are her two favorite Elvis songs.
• The Italian band Måneskin covered the song for the soundtrack of Baz Luhrmann's 2022 biopic, Elvis. "We were talking about it with Baz Luhrmann, who had this really cool, super-smart idea, because it would have been so easy to give us an up-tempo song and go super rock-ish," frontman Damiano David told NME. "He saw that between the lines that we were going to be able to give something else to show the sweet side of Elvis. I think we did a great job!"
  
  He added: "The meaning of the song is very contemporary: 'If I can dream of a better land. Where all my brothers walk hand in hand.' It's about uniting, it's about peace, freedom and happiness, and it's coming out at the right moment. We're really proud of what we did, and to be part of this project. I have a feeling it's going to be amazing."
  

Comments: 18

• Colleen Chance from Pendleton, OregonAs I kid I loved Elvis. Unfortunately, I was disenchanted when the less than stellar movies and sound tracks flooded the screen and the radio. Then the comeback special hit the airways. My whole passion for Elvis returned instantly when my heart enveloped "If I Can Dream". God Bless You Elvis Aaron Presley!!
• Teresa from Pawhen Elvis first appeared on tv I was 8 or 9 years old (he was 11 years older than me) since i was always a lover of dance and song even at that young age, I definately took a liking to Elvis! At age 12/13, I started to really like Elvis's looks, his voice, his charisma, clothes, and his songs! This is when my 'love' for Elvis deepened and to this day, at age 76, still do love him! it was a sad day, when Elvis Presley passed away!
• Marie Anne Wall from Birmingham, England UkI was two years old when Elvis sadly passed away and I've been brought up on his music by my parents and loved them ever since. I have been too see the Elvis movie and wow absolutely loved it and I want to go and see it again and I can not wait for the dvd to come out. Elvis you are always on my mind.
• Donna from NycSaw Elvis in person in concert 2X -- was in 2nd row and he was gorgeous -- Had a ticket for 3rd Elvis concert but he passed just before. Saw the Elvis movie 2X. Love Elvis -- he was the best then, is now and always will be. No one can ever compare.
  
  I totally agree with everyone's comment that "If I Can Dream" is very relevant for today.
• Suzanne from San Diego, CaJust saw the Elvis movie 2022. So moving and we have always loved "If I Can Dream" . Very relevant for today.
• Bob from IllinoisSadly If I Can Dream is as meaningful today as it was fifty four years ago.
• Joseph P. from Sorry It Is NunyaThis song means so much to me.
• Charlene Huff from TennesseeI love Elvis
• 2nd Generation Elvis Fan from Never Too Far From GracelandIt was said that Elvis collapsed backstage after singing this song.
  Thank you, thank you very much
• Terry Allen from EnglandI first heard this song on the Alan Freeman Pick Of The Pops BBC radio show in 1969, I was 15 years old and had never heard of Elvis up to this point. I was blown away by the song and the performance and it started me on a journey of discovery through his back catalogue of music and movies and through his choice of material; introduced me to new artists and genres. I was a fan from that moment on. I went on to amass a huge collection of music and movies, attended conventions and all night Elvis movie screenings and visited Graceland in 2005. The song was relevant then and even more so now. Thank you Elvis, for the good times.
• Matt Stone from Wellington FlDuring the '68 Special, the costume coordinator and Elvis needed to choose his suit for the finale, If I Can Dream. One day, when Elvis walked in to see the designer, he asked Elvis, "Have you seen how many people died in Vietnam today?" When Elvis said no, he told him. Elvis started to cry. If I Can Dream was a song written to describe the '60s, which it certainly does well. Vietnam was a big part of the 60s and 70s. They purposely chose the blood red ascot tie worn in the song to remember those soldiers, and show support for the troops.
• Jennifur Sun from RamonaThank you Mr. Brown. I too can dream.
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn March 13th 1969, Elvis' twenty-ninth feature movie 'Charro!' opened in theaters across the U.S.A. and Canada...
  No songs from the movie were released but at the time "If I Can Dream" was at #16 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; the week before it was in its second week at #12, which was its peak position on the chart, and stayed on the chart for 13 weeks...
  And three days later on March 16th, 1969 Elvis' "Memories"* entered the Top 100 at #67, eventually it peaked at #35 and spent 7 weeks on the Top 100...
  * "Memories" was written by Mac Davis, and like “If I Can Dream” was featured on the NBC-TV special 'Elvis' {which is often referred to as the '68 Comeback Special}.
• George from Belleville, NjIf I Can Dream what a song,what a vocal performance,what a masterpiece. This song has deep meaning,even relevant for today as it was back then.In my opinion,this is the roughest rawest most powerful vocal performance ever given by any singer or performer.Elvis show that he could out sing any contemporary or anyone from any era.He had a God given talent,a magic golden sound in his voice.That's why Elvis sold more records than any other singer or performer or entertainer in the history of music.There won't be another like him again in the music industry.
• Carrie from Roanoke, VaThis is one of the best Elvis songs ever, certainly his most heartfelt (which is saying a lot, because Elvis put his soul into his music). Too bad it never gets any airplay. I've only heard this song twice, once in the racquetball building at Graceland and more recently on an advert for a new TV show that looked like it might be a knock off of the OC.
• Klaus from Issaquah, Waif i can dream/buy elvis powerful:you first have to dream then make all your dreams come true.that is the human spirit with in all Gods creations klaus ristau
• Jennifer from Harrodsburg, KyI had a dear boss that was an avid Elvis fan.
  They played Elvis during her funeral. What a voice.She was killed in a tragic car accident in
  1987 on her way to work. Her name was Barbara. I
  know they are in Heaven singing with the angels.
  Jennifer in Ky.
• Jakob from Watauga Texas, TxThis was the final song he sang on Elvis, his 1968 NBC comeback special in the USA which was his first live performance in 7 years. elvis spent most of the 1960's working on music related to his movies, the 68 comeback was the rebirth of the king's career. "if i can dream" put elvis back on top where he belonged.

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