Reacting to Elvis Presley- If I can Dream

[@carolannleblanc3462]

Hi Brandy, This song was dedicated to Martin Luther King. They were good friends, his death affected him

[@kevinstarr516]

This was a tribute to MLK and Robert Kennedy who were assassinated not too long before this song was specifically writen and recorded for this special. Elvis felt deep in his heart that he needed to get this song in his special, and was moved to the point where he poured his whole soul and heart into it and broke down totally after he recorded it.

[@michaellawliss3049]

DAAAAAMN SON!! HE GAVE ME COLD CHILLS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE GORGEOUS SONG!! His vocals are off the hook, the meaning of this song couldnt be more relevant today!! Awesome Awesome reaction my dear girl!! ❤️ 🫂👌👏👏👏❤️

[@momir6194]

Brilliantly sung with power and emotion. The message is still valid even after 50 years

[@stevedahlberg8680]

It wasn't so much that he wanted better things for himself in life, it was that he wanted everybody to have a better life, especially those who don't get treated so well by society.

[@DanoSeer]

I'm old enough to have had all these great songs on vinyl records.

[@DanoSeer]

I'm old enough to have owned the cassette tape of this song. One of my mom's favorites. Very powerful performance.

[@mikem957]

This is by far his most powerful and passionate performance of his career. Any true Elvis fan knows that. This song and In The Ghetto are his two most important records that he ever recorded. Check out the live performance of In The Ghetto from 1970. Very moving.

[@gbbryangad]

What an awesome performance. His best.

[@marnernordendal3927]

This one is sooo good thank you 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰😍😍

[@kerrypapworth1526]

Perfection 💕💕

[@marnernordendal3927]

Wauw what a song thank you 🥰🥰🥰

[@sammy_the_uncool2702]

Wonderful reaction! Hands down, beyond a shadow of a doubt, my favorite song period. There's actually a really beautiful back story to this song and the band's and back- up singers' reaction to Elvis singing this in the recording studio and Elvis's own emotional response to the song after the final take in the recording studio. If don't know the fuller story and would like to, let me know! Hope your day is going well! Blessings to you & yours 💕

[@kathifielder1110]

Hi Sammy. There's an interview with Steve Binder, the director of the '68 Special, and others involved which I think you'd find interesting. Towards the end they discuss "If I Can Dream". You can find it by searching Gates of Graceland: Secrets of the '68 Special. I also read in an article about when Robert Kennedy was killed during the making of the special. Elvis and Steve talked late into the night at which time Elvis expressed his thoughts on the assassinations, the state of the country, and his future wishes for the world. That's when Steve asked Earl Brown to write a song based on what Elvis had shared with him.

[@sammy_the_uncool2702]

@@kathifielder1110 Thank you for the reply, Kathi! I watched that interview with Steve Binder but I admit it was almost 2 years ago when I first discovered the existence of "If I Can Dream". I must have missed the Gates of Graceland episode about the '68 Comeback Special so thank you so much for letting me know about that! I know the story behind the song but what it's interesting is that the story is never told on its entirety. There's mention of the emotional response of the back up singers. But no mention of how The Wrecking Crew- the band that was backing Elvis at that time- were the ones who caused Elvis having to several takes in the recording studio because every time around half way through the song, they'd get so emotional they were unable to keep going. Then there's the story about Elvis collapsing so emotional was he after he finished the song. That did happen. But not at the NBC Studios. That happened in the recording studio after almost everyone else had gone. Elvis was a proud man. He didn't want an audience when he gave himself over fully to the song. So he had the lights turned off so the skeleton crew wouldn't be able to see him and he could give himself fully, without shyness or reservation, to the song and getting the delivery of the message right. Elvis chose the take he wanted to be the official Master Release after the last recording was done. After the live performance, Elvis never collapsed. I believe he wasn't only too professional for that, he was too proud. I don't know if you know all of that, and if you do, please forgive me for running on. Anyway, a lot of stories get mixed up, and change with every telling. You know it's like your great- great- grandmother's apple pie recipe. She'd never recognize that recipe today because of the generational changes that had been done to it. Thank you so much, Kathi! Any new piece of information is always appreciated!

[@kathifielder1110]

@@sammy_the_uncool2702 I really appreciate learning from you and other Elvis fans. I know things get misinterpreted sometimes. I also try to check out the original source if I can find it. But, even then, two interviews with the same person telling the same story sometimes have conflicting info. I guess we just have to sort it all out the best we can. I think it's a neverending but fascinating journey.

[@sammy_the_uncool2702]

@@kathifielder1110 I love learning from Elvis fans more "in the know" than me. I'm hardly an expert! But, yes, that's what's so fascinating about Elvis. Do keep in mind, not to take what everyone in Elvis's inner- circle had to say for Gospel, though. I've found going by timelines & unbiased sources are usually a great help. If you haven't watched it, yet I highly recommend "Elvis And The USS Arizona"- an hour long documentary that just came out last year. It's available here on KZbin. I was able to watch it for free a few months back. I don't know if it's still free. Warning: Before you watch it, make sure you're prepared with a box of tissues. You'll need them for sure!

[@kathifielder1110]

@@sammy_the_uncool2702 Thanks for the suggestion. I know the surface story but will check out the documentary.

[@ruthanncrandall3978]

Elvis was saddened by the death of MLK

[@iblogthereforeiam4267]

Hi Brandy, two more Elvis requests please: Bridge Over Troubled Water: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o33FgHWllp2pepo You are going to absolutely positively love this version believe me when I tell you! If I Can Dream in his leather Blacksuit version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3a5kIZ7g512aac Thanks Brandy, I look forward to hearing from you again; for yet another dive into more of Elvis's incredible body of work!!

[@primategaberocco]

He never sang this song again.. Interesting. 🥃