Elvis Presley Lyrics A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V X W Y Z Show There must be lights burning brighter somewhere The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis, as well as that of U.S. Senator Robert Kennedy, affected Elvis Presley deeply. These feelings led Elvis to give one of the most passionate performances of his career. America was in the midst of an upheaval in 1968. The Civil Rights movement was in full swing and our world and culture were changing. Within a short span of time, two leaders were assassinated. Dr. King was assassinated April 4, 1968, in Memphis – Elvis' hometown. Robert Kennedy, a US Senator who strongly supported human rights and social justice, was killed two months later, on June 6. It was Elvis' reaction to the news of Kennedy's assassination that lead to the creation of the song 'If I Can Dream', a tribute song to King, featuring direct quotes from the Civil Rights leader. In the spring of '68, Elvis was working on his upcoming TV special, 'Elvis'. After seeing the news about Kennedy's death on TV, Elvis spent an entire night with the show's director, Steve Binder, and his friends, talking about the assassinations and Elvis' wishes for the world. The conversation was heartfelt and honest, and Binder believed Elvis had an important message for the country. Binder then went to the show's Musical Director Billy Goldenberg and songwriter Earl Brown and told them about the discussion. He wanted a powerful, meaningful song that would close out the TV special. Because the special was slated to air in December, the producers and Elvis' manager, Col. Tom Parker, had planned to end the show with a Christmas song, but Binder had other ideas. It wasn't long before 'If I Can Dream' was born. Once the song was finished, Binder took the song to Elvis and played it for him. 'Let me hear it again', said Elvis, and the song was played again and again. 'Okay', Elvis said, 'I'll do it'. On June 23, 1968, Elvis recorded 'If I Can Dream' in several impassioned takes, even though it is said that the first take Elvis gave was perfect. The king gave such a powerful performance that some band members were taken aback, so blown away by Elvis' performance that they had to do several retakes. It was after the band and backup singers were sent home that Elvis gave an even more astonishing performance as he re-recorded the vocals. Elvis had the lights turned off and gave himself over to the music. Over the next few takes, he fell to his knees on the concrete floor, giving himself completely to the song. After those takes, Elvis went to the control room and had his chosen take played repeatedly before he gave it his blessing. Elvis was so moved by the song and his experience with it that he told Binder,'I'll never sing another song I don't believe in. I'm never going to make another movie I don't believe in'. 'If I Can Dream' was featured at the end of Elvis' Singer Special (later known as the '68 Special) on December 3, 1968. This was the first time the public heard the song, and it was later released as a single with 'Edge of Reality' (recorded for the film 'Live a Little, Love a Little') as its flipside in November 1968. The single spent 13 weeks on the U.S. pop chart peaking at #12. In the U.K., it was on the chart for 10 weeks, peaking at #11. It is now a Gold Record single. Words & Music by W. Earl BrownThere must be lights burning brighter somewhere There must be peace and understanding sometime We're lost in a cloud Deep in my heart there's a trembling question Recorded: 1968/06/23, first released on single June 20, 1968 Western Recorders - Burbank, California 1968 NBC TV Special 'Elvis' Sessions Nothingville / Guitar Man (Part 1) (Guitar Man Section 1) WPA1 8045-10 June 21, 1968 Western Recorders - Burbank, California
Guitar Man (Part 2 - Slow) (Escape Section 1 Remake) ____-07 June 22, 1968 Western Recorders - Burbank, California Up Above My Head / I Found That Light / Saved - Intro (Gospel
Section 2) (Continued) WPA1 8040-13 June 23, 1968 Western Recorders - Burbank, California If I Can Dream WPA1 8029-05 June 24, 1968 Western Recorders - Burbank, California Memories (Vocal Overdub) WPA1 8044-NA June 26, 1968 Elvis, cast and crew enjoy a party in honour of his manager
Colonel Tom Parker's birthday. It 'snows' as nod to Colonel's
longstanding tongue-in-cheek fraternal order known as the Snowmen's League of America. Elvis performs special new comedic lyrics to the song It Hurts Me, giving a send-up to Colonel and his finagling with the producers. Executive producer Bob Finkel gives Colonel a portrait of himself as Napoleon. June 30, 1968 NBC Studios - Burbank, California Guitar Man (Road Section 2) (Vocal Overdub) ____-02
December 3, 1968, the broadcast of Elvis' television special, Elvis, turned his career around by introducing him to hipper recording material and new directions. The '68 Special opens (The actual name of this television special is Elvis.) with Elvis singing a hot new version of the gutsy 'Trouble', from his 1958 film King Creole. This segues into Guitar Man, which, with its semi-autobiographical lyrics, becomes the underlying theme of the show. Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVDNever before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio. This is an excellent release no fan should be without it. The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended. Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound. Who wrote the song If I Can Dream by Elvis?Earl BrownIf I Can Dream / Lyricistnull
Did Elvis ever sing If I Can Dream in concert?By overall Presley standards, it wasn't a hit, peaking at “just” #12 on the Hot 100. Despite its appeal, he never sang “If I Can Dream” in concert.
What was Elvis last song?"Way Down" is a song recorded by Elvis Presley. Recorded in October 1976, it was his last single released before his death on August 16, 1977.
Who sang If I Can Dream in the Elvis movie?Måneskin have shared their cover of 'If I Can Dream from the soundtrack of the Baz Luhrmann-directed new movie Elvis.
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