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| Studio Recordings for NBC's "Elvis" June 20-23, 1968: Western Recorders, Burbank There were so many last-minute script changes that the song selection wasn't finalized until the moment they entered Western Recorders to begin recording. To make room for the new live sequences in their one-hour time slot, Steve Binder needed to cut songs, and one he wanted to remove was "A Little Less Conversation." The Colonel had wanted the song included, not as a favor to the exiled Billy Strange but simply as a promotion for the upcoming picture Live A Little, Love A Little. In another assault on the Colonel's power, Binder and Goldenberg urged songwriter W. Earl Brown to write a message song to replace "I'll Be Home For Christmas" as the grand finale. It was too late for the Colonel to object---especially after Elvis heard the Brown song, "If I Can Dream." Echoing the song's idealistic message, he remarked loud enough for everyone to hear: "Steve, I'm never going to sing another song I don't believe in. I'm never going to make another picture I don't believe in." From the beginning Elvis sang "If I Can Dream" as if he were pleading for his very life, and only little mistakes by the band prevented take one from becoming the master. Afterward in the studio he called for endless playbacks of the chosen take, immersing himself in the experience---reveling in how far the journey had taken him, and how well it had all turned out. That night, after rehearsing at NBC with newly arrived band members Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana, Elvis returned to the studio to listen to "If I Can Dream" again and again. "If I Can Dream" recorded June 23, 1968, lip-synched by Elvis on both shows. "Elvis -TV Special." First released as single If I Can Dream/Edge Of Reality, November 1968. On the Billboards Hot 100, peaked at #12 for 13 weeks, one million plus sales. ( The Complete Recording Sessions by Ernst Jorgensen) This was a special request dedicated to Sharon, a dear friend. Love, Judy |
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| 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 There must be peace and understanding sometime Strong winds of promise that will blow away All 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 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 Words & music: W. Earl Brown |
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