Elvis Presley has left the building, but we are remembering his birthday today, January 8, with the song “If I Can Dream.”

The year was 1968, and it was filled with turmoil and violence. The war in Vietnam raged on, as did the protests at home. The battle over civil rights continued. On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated. On June 5, 1968, U.S. Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was shot and died the next day. Elvis wanted to end his television special titled Elvis, which aired on December 3, 1968, with something to say beyond “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Walter Earl Brown wrote the song “If I Can Dream” with Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech in mind as well as and the events of 1968. Elvis recorded it and gave an amazing, emotionally intense performance on the special, worthy of a King. The TV special became known as the “’68 Comeback Special,” as it re-energized Elvis’ career. The song went to #12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #6 in Canada. “If I Can Dream” has appeared in many Elvis Presley compilation albums and has had covers by many artists.

Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977).

Here are the lyrics to “If I Can Dream” by Elvis Presley:

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 fly
Deep in my heart there’s a trembling question
Still I am sure that the answer, the answer’s gonna come somehow
Out there in the dark, there’s a beckoning candle

And while I can think, while I can talk
While I can stand, while I can walk
While I can dream, please let my dream
Come true, right now
Let it come true right now
Oh yeah

If you are interested in reading about and listening to another song by Elvis Presley, please click here for “Suspicious Minds.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “If I Can Dream” by Elvis Presley.