Elvis literally invented the social justice warrior with this song, during the civil rights movement that was still burning in 1968. Elvis was a rebel. He protested through his music here.
SOME BACKGROUND INFO: As per Steve Binder, the producer-director of the '68 special, Elvis, Binder & a group of others were together in the studio when they heard noise coming from the TV in the next room; it was the TV news broadcast that Robert Kennedy had just been assassinated. Binder, Elvis, et al sat up until about 4 a.m. talking about the turmoil in the world at that time w-Elvis expressing his thoughts & feelings. Elvis was disturbed about many things that were going on in the world; there had been some assassinations a few yrs. prior to King & Kennedy, & the Vietnam war was raging. Binder asked Walter Earl Brown to compose a song based on his discussions w-Elvis. The song was composed post haste as the show’s taping was wrapping up. The song is not a literal dedication to any one person or persons but is notable for its similarities King’s wish for a world of peace and harmony. The red tie was for the blood shed in Vietnam. We have to also thank Steve for getting one of his people to keep Elvis' manager Parker AWAY so that he & Elvis could do what they needed to do. The female backups for this '68 special were The Blossoms which included Darlene Love. There are many wonderful videos of Steve talking about how it all came together & the real reason for the iconic “If I Can Dream” song. If you're interested, there is a video at th-cam.com/video/_URD5uLrr5U/w-d-xo.html (7:19 min.) entitled "Elvis' director, Steve Binder talks about creating Presley's big comeback special in 1968" which is straight to the point & puts to rest a lot of misconceptions & misinformation about the song. Oh, it does end with the song. Thanks so much.
He was the most beautiful, sexy, giving man who ever lived. I have loved him since 1956 when I was 12. Saw him in concert twice he loved his fans and was a generous humanitarian. He gave money to build the Memphis branch of St. Judes hospital, then bought the USS Roosevelt that was that President's yhact and Danny Thomas of the LA branch of the Hospital auctioned it off. I think it was brought around $250.00. He Helped build the Pearl Harbor Memorial. Sometime see the short doc of "Elvis Presley King of Kindness". Thanks, be Blessed
Listening to this on the headphones and I was thinking to myself, This has to be up there as one of the most powerful songs of all time, of its kind anyway. Thanks for your reaction.
This is probably the closeed ti you are going to get an original song because this sonf was written for his song Elvis's voice and it quotes part of M. K.'s if I can dream speech.
Hi Shakes, given that John Lennon released Imagine in 1971, are you saying that Elvis’ 1968 If I Can Dream influenced Lennon’s 1971 Imagine? If so, that kind of belies Lennon’s claims that Elvis “died” when he went into the army in 1958.
In my humble opinion the message in “If I Can Dream” is so much stronger than Lennon’s “Imagine”. But only a great voice can sing it with so much passion and emotion, where as, “Imagine”, anyone can give it a go. Perhaps that is the reason it became more popular. 🤷♀️
SHAKES, I wanted to do some research on this and found out that he recorded this song in June of '68. However, the song wasn't released until that night on Dec. 3rd '68. Also, this was the only time he ever sang it live. I thought you might like to know. Thanks Buddy.
Power and Grace in one beautiful package. What a KING 👑💯⚡❤️🌟
Feel the passion and emotion of his voice. The KING. 💕💕💕💕
Elvis literally invented the social justice warrior with this song, during the civil rights movement that was still burning in 1968. Elvis was a rebel. He protested through his music here.
Love the fact that this song has direct quotes from Mlk'😊s if I dream speech.!
This is the greatest live performance ever recorded. ⚡️🥂🔥
He sang with his heart and face, decades before social media or high definition digital video. He was decades ahead of everyone else.
@@depper He is the King!
SOME BACKGROUND INFO: As per Steve Binder, the producer-director of the '68 special, Elvis, Binder & a group of others were together in the studio when they heard noise coming from the TV in the next room; it was the TV news broadcast that Robert Kennedy had just been assassinated. Binder, Elvis, et al sat up until about 4 a.m. talking about the turmoil in the world at that time w-Elvis expressing his thoughts & feelings. Elvis was disturbed about many things that were going on in the world; there had been some assassinations a few yrs. prior to King & Kennedy, & the Vietnam war was raging. Binder asked Walter Earl Brown to compose a song based on his discussions w-Elvis. The song was composed post haste as the show’s taping was wrapping up. The song is not a literal dedication to any one person or persons but is notable for its similarities King’s wish for a world of peace and harmony. The red tie was for the blood shed in Vietnam. We have to also thank Steve for getting one of his people to keep Elvis' manager Parker AWAY so that he & Elvis could do what they needed to do. The female backups for this '68 special were The Blossoms which included Darlene Love. There are many wonderful videos of Steve talking about how it all came together & the real reason for the iconic “If I Can Dream” song. If you're interested, there is a video at th-cam.com/video/_URD5uLrr5U/w-d-xo.html (7:19 min.) entitled "Elvis' director, Steve Binder talks about creating Presley's big comeback special in 1968" which is straight to the point & puts to rest a lot of misconceptions & misinformation about the song. Oh, it does end with the song. Thanks so much.
@@carolhayar3037 oh wow,
Thank you for this!!
Amazing info
ACES!!
He was the most beautiful, sexy, giving man who ever lived. I have loved him since 1956 when I was 12. Saw him in concert twice he loved his fans and was a generous humanitarian. He gave money to build the Memphis branch of St. Judes hospital, then bought the USS Roosevelt that was that President's yhact and Danny Thomas of the LA branch of the Hospital auctioned it off. I think it was brought around $250.00. He Helped build the Pearl Harbor Memorial. Sometime see the short doc of "Elvis Presley King of Kindness". Thanks, be Blessed
@@BetsyJonex-f6v Thank you for this
I have to react to king of kindness next!!
Listening to this on the headphones and I was thinking to myself, This has to be up there as one of the most powerful songs of all time, of its kind anyway. Thanks for your reaction.
This is just epic!!!!
🎼🤗💞
My Friend, I told you how he poured his heart into this one along with the words he sang. Thank you.
@@DukeTurner-pv8xi absolutely phenomenal my friend!!!
Great reaction❤❤❤❤
@@Snorkebogan Thank you!
Die hard Elvis fan her 😉
Fed reaktion og kunne du tænkte en Elvis abonnement så lav flere Elvis reaktioner så er jeg her for dem 🔥🤩🔥🤩
Listen to Elvis’s song Suppose..That was the inspiration for Imagine🎸
@@Snorkebogan ahhhh ok its a must now!
now try what now my love live from aloha from hwai live 1973,this is sad but power full ,and full of emoshion 😢😂
@@anndale6555 oh oh lol,
Added to the list!
This is probably the closeed ti you are going to get an original song because this sonf was written for his song Elvis's voice and it quotes part of M. K.'s if I can dream speech.
Hi Shakes, given that John Lennon released Imagine in 1971, are you saying that Elvis’ 1968 If I Can Dream influenced Lennon’s 1971 Imagine? If so, that kind of belies Lennon’s claims that Elvis “died” when he went into the army in 1958.
@@sallycook both are just really hard hitting and touch on subjects a little similarly. Different but similar vibes.
In my humble opinion the message in “If I Can Dream” is so much stronger than Lennon’s “Imagine”. But only a great voice can sing it with so much passion and emotion, where as, “Imagine”, anyone can give it a go. Perhaps that is the reason it became more popular. 🤷♀️
SHAKES, I wanted to do some research on this and found out that he recorded this song in June of '68. However, the song wasn't released until that night on Dec. 3rd '68. Also, this was the only time he ever sang it live. I thought you might like to know. Thanks Buddy.
Makes this even more special
Thx Duke!
He also sang it at that time in the black leather outfit.