This to me is one of the greatest performances of all time. He sang it twice for the same tv special (this being the better version) and never sang it again in the remaining nine years of his life. I always think he looks physically and emotionally drained at the end, this meant so much to him. He grew up in dire poverty among black communities and was a passionate believer in the civil rights movement as a result. The TV special was booked to happen shortly after the death of RFK, a man Elvis greatly admired for his civil rights stance. He asked for this song to be written as a tribute not only to RFK, but also MLK who had also been murdered by this time, and was a hero to Elvis. It is a masterpiece of songwriting, and also performance. It is as powerful in 2023 as it was on the night in 1968 to me.
If by by singing it twice you meant this performance and doing in black leather, you are mistaken. He lip-synced in the latter. He did do the entirety of this song in the white suit. But he wasn't satisfied with it. This particular performance was done immediately afterwards.
Agree with you mostly. Though RFKs assignation was months after MLKs the writer's inspiration was from MLKs I have a dream speech. Elvis was a huge admirer of Dr. King .
Elvis is one of the best singers that has ever lived. He was also a fabulous entertainer. There is a reason he is called "The King". He had a great voice & could sing anything whether it was ballads, gospel or rock. This song "If I Can Dream" was a tribute to Martin Luther King after his assassination.
Hi Girls, Elvis sang this in honor of his friend MLK that got shot and killed. The producer of the show wanted Elvis to do a Christmas song for his last song of the night. They argued back and forth and Elvis finally said FUK You Im Singing If I Can Dream For My Friend Martin. His Band members said after Elvis finished this song he went back stage and fell on the floor in the fetal position and cried for a half hour . He was one of a kind. God Bless him, R.I.P. Elvis .
This was done live on NBC. During horrible times of segregation, 2 months prior, MLK was assassinated 8 miles from his home, then Kennedys death! Elvis wanted to sing a message song to the world. He was such a beautiful humble Generous soul!!!! Thank u for this! If u make the video transparent it probably wont get blocked. ❤
The Elvis special was broadcast in December 1968. There was not the media of today and information about anything other than hard news was not that accessible. This was advertised has the Singer Christmas Special starring Elvis Pressley. Elvis had not been on tv for 8 years and had never hosted or had his own special. Back then Specials were really special and sometimes an event. I remember sitting with my parents expecting a Christmas show with holiday songs and some comedy skits. Instead, it starts with Elvis wearing black leather and taking over the screen. I don't remember any Christmas songs, but one great rock and roll song set after another and a karate sequence. This song came on at the end and it just blew my family away. If this song impacted you now, imagine this in !968 after one of the most devastating years in America.
this was at the end of his 68 comeback special.the colonel did not want him to do this, but elvis shut him down for once. this was after rfk and mlk were assasinated and he wanted to send a message. i have 3 older sisters and to this day they all say he was the best looking man thatGod ever created. keep it up ladies. your both beautiful and doing a great job!
Please listen to -- "WHAT NOW MY LOVE". If you dont cry to this one. He sings it like it is Him. There are several Reaction sites & they all are blown away with this one.
This was the last song he did on his TV 1968 comeback special. This was his first live performance in several years because he made movies for several years. He sang in most of those movies, but it wasn’t live as in a concert. This song was, in part, a tribute to Martin Luther King who had been assassinated only months before. You see all sides of Elvis’s music in that comeback special from goofing around on stage sitting down playing his classics with audience members around him to a more serious song, Memories, to this song. Another powerful performance from Elvis is American Trilogy from the 1973 concert in Hawaii.
My absolute favourite line of this beautiful song is " as long as a man has the strength to dream , he can redeem his soul and fly ". Here Elvis is saying no matter where you are from ,who you are or whatever personal trials and tribulations has happened to you, you can rise above any circumstance, break through any barrier and make yourself a better person
ELVIS was one of the best singers and entertainers ever! He was inducted into 5 Music Hall Of Fames! He recieved an unbelievable amount of accolades and awards! WHAT A VOICE...WHAT CHARISMA! ONLY THE KING! 😢 ❤ 😅
It is often overlooked how great a singer Presley was, often masked by talk about his gyrations in his younger days, and the jumpsuits in later days. This song was very special to him, as Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy were both assassinated the same year. Elvis was mortified that King was actually shot less than 20 minutes drive away from Graceland, " This will just confirm all that everyone thinks about the South ! " he was heard to say ....
I'm listening to music over 60 yrs this is one of the greatest performances ever!! Elvis got fed up with race relations back then had had a writer write him this marvelous song. This is why he's referred to as the KING!!!!
You really picked a great one here. "If I Can Dream" is one of Elvis very best songs. It's a passionate song about hope, peace, and unity. This performance is legendary. It was from the 1968 Comeback Special broadcast on television.
This is hands down the best Elvis song I have ever heard.The 1st memory I had when it was released was the slow increase in power behind Elvis's vocal. To me it was a very passionate song asking a question as to why we can't all live together and have a better life in peace. I had a portable transistor radio and I heard this song for the first time walking down the sidewalk. It was so memorable, it will remain with me forever. Thanks for reacting M&B Gap.
@Generatoin Gap- Elvis has to me the best voice to ever live and all due respects you haven't heard enough Elvis to understand how high he could hit notes. I am a bit bias bc I am a huge fan but he is the greatest of all time to me. Take a listen to him performing My Way Live in 1973 and this is an example of him hitting the high notes.
Elvis had an incredible range!!! People seem to forget that...or didn't realize. He was very passionate about this song! His tribute is so powerful...gets to me every time! 💞😢💞
This song was inspired after MLK and RFK were assassinated Elvis was pretty shaken up and bothered by these horrible events...The Memphis mafia said that Elvis wanted a message song written to talk about what was happening during that time and to give a message of hope to the world... He sang it a couple times for Priscilla before singing it on the 1968 comeback concert...This was his way of telling the world that it's gonna be okay if we help one another and have each others backs...it was a great concert ...I watched it live as a 12 yr old fan on my black and white tv...Thanks for the walk down memory lane ladies...Great reaction... Keep being awesome !!!...see you next reaction... Take care...
Not sure if y'all would be interested but there are 2 things I've watched about Elvis that I learned a lot about him. 1 is an interview with one of his childhood friends Sam Bell. And the other is called Elvis and the black community, That echo will never die. Both are amazing. They show his deep connection and understanding with his roots.
His manager and some others didn't want him to sing this song. They wanted a Xmas song. He was admit that this was gonna be the song. He didn't have a discriminate bone in his body. If they went somewhere where his black band members were not wanted, he would leave or threatened to not appear.
I agree with Mom! That is such a pure emotion and it makes me cry every time I watch it because that is SO DEEP and POWERFUL MESSAGE for all and resonates up to this day.
Elvis sang this song in reverence to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy who had recently been assassinated,as well as the soldiers lost in Vietnam. The red scarf was meant to symbolize that loss. The Singer special “Elvis” was actually being taped when Kennedy was assassinated. They all stopped working to watch the TV coverage. Steve Binder, producer/director stated that Elvis asked what was happening to our country. Binder had his writers write a song to show Elvis’ feelings, and this was the result. If you notice at the end Elvis says “Thank you and good night.” It was the finale to the show. Everyone was against Elvis singing this except Binder, Elvis and the production crew.
A guy called Nartin Luther Kiing had his head blown of in Memphis Elvis,s hometown this is his tribute to him and a guy called Bobby Kennedy who also had his head blown off 60s and 70s weere a GREAT TIME TO GROW UP BUT IT WAS ALSO VERY VIOLENT TIME
They were both fatally shot, but neither one of them "had his head blown off." However, in 1963, President John Kennedy, Robert's brother, did have half his skull shot off.
@@johnbattles1002 😂😂😅sarcasm not your strong point duh as a kid i watched JFK FUNERAL ON black and w tv as a teenager April 4th MLK SHOT ON LOREINNE BALCONY AS A TEENAGER ambassador hotel cal AND NOW ITS ON TO CHICAGO AND LETS WIN THERE JUNE 5 1968 JUNE 6TH RFK DIED SAW IT ALL along with the broadcast of the comeback special plus saw Elvis live in concert so chill out
The reason you have those issues with Elvis ...... Is because the ones that check out the videos for you-tube are VERY JEALOUS OF ELVIS STILL to this day ......
This could be his best performance. But he has many more that come close. Some that he sang in his early days, have no video but his voice and the way he sings is amazing (Reconsider Baby for instance). If you look at his history, the way he started, his style, his songs, his movies etc, this is what he was meant to do.
Desde os meus 5 anos (1993) até hoje, com meus 35 anos (2023) nunca conheci nada que fosse melhor do que Elvis. Elvis Presley é o Big Bang da música, do Rock n' Roll, e sua voz, seu talento e sua lenda continuam ecoando pelo tempo. Ótima e apaixonada reação. Kisses and hugs from Brazil!
His range was tremendous. A gospel singer can do amazing things. Try out the live version of How Great Thou Art and Why Me Lord to get more gospel performances from him.
You should react to "I'm So Lonsome I Could Cry"! It is absolutely heartbreaking! It's almost Southern Gothic", written by the great Hank Williams, who sung it first! But, ELVIS sang it best! ELVIS is the BEST! THANK YOU for your glowing reaction!
A big part of Elvis appeal is the fact he was a big gospel singer as well, and that type of message and passion often came through in MANY of his songs. I read somewhere that Elvis had rehearsed this song so many times before the final cut his voice was really tired, but he still came through like a house afire. There will never be another Elvis RIP EP
Gals, Great reaction! Try listening to "American Trilogy" (Aloha From Hawaii 1973). It became my favorite Elvis song watching the concert on television along with a billion and a half worldwide viewers!! 8:44
Great reaction to a performance many of his contemporaries would be hard challenged to get anywhere near. On searching I find you have had only passed or reacted to In The Ghetto and Suspicious Minds for Elvis. There are so many that show a range and diversity of genre.
Watch the new Elvis Movie , nd u understand the context to this song. He Sang it as Martin Luther King nd Robert Kennedy was assassination during that period!!
This amazing and powerful song , marked the comeback for Elvis . He sang it with such passion and belief . He wrote this as a tribute to two men he had so much respect for Martin Luther King Jr and Robert Kennedy . This song was seen by more than 1 billion people world wide . No other single artist has reached so many with just one song
Written by Walter Earl Brown. Elvis was not a songwriter. The song was written for him for this special and was based on conversations he had with Steve Binder (Producer or Director) regarding the state of the USat that timr
… There are singers who are... just mediocre, then those who are good, and then the singers who are very good! ...And then there's ELVIS, the FIRST and BEST singer of all time!! ... A millennium singer for ETERNITY and still UNREACHABLE today!! … ✨💎✨🕺🏻🕯Thank you
You ladies should watch Elvis (2022) with Austin Butler playing Elvis. Great movie. The 1968 TV Special is depicted in the movie. I was 13 and remember watching the TV Special. It was Elvis's comeback. Anyway, nice reaction to a very powerful / emotional song. Just a little history on how the song came about. Elvis's (comeback) TV Special was filmed in June of 1968. Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated that month while filming was going on. After hearing of RFK's murder Elvis and the director Steve Binder wanted a song that reflected his feelings and had a message for the country. Binder told the two songwriters about the heartfelt conversation he'd had with Elvis and wanted a powerful / meaningful song to close out the show. The TV Special was supposed to end with a Christmas song. When the song was finished Binder brought it to Elvis and played it for him. Elvis said play it again. And again and again. Elvis said he'd do it. It was recorded June 23, 1968. Elvis gave such a powerful performance that some of the band members were taken aback. They were so blown away they had to do several retakes. It was after the band and backup singers were sent home that Elvis gave an even more powerful performance as he rerecorded the vocals. Elvis had the lights turned down and laid on the concrete floor and gave himself completely to the song. Elvis went to the control room and had his chosen take played repeatedly before he gave his blessing. Elvis was so moved by the song and his experience with it that he told Steve Binder "I'll never sing another song I don't believe in. And I'm never going to do another movie I don't believe in." If I Can Dream was featured at the end of the 68 TV Special which aired on December 3, 1968. This was the first time the public heard the song and it was later released as a single. The song spent 13 weeks on the U.S. pop charts peaking at #12.
I have to say this is one of my favorite reactions to this song. It just hits all the notes and both of you are interesting and to build upon something you guys were saying at one point, he perfectly walked it very difficult line in this performance between being choked with emotion to where it physiologically prevents you from singing well, too letting it all hang out there. My god. I don't know how many times I've seen this and I never get tired of it. It's just so amazing on every level and I was a little kid at that time so I may not have an adult understanding of how complex the world was right at that moment, but I definitely have a pretty good feeling about it from just being in my formative years back then. Apparently, and you can see it in his face in his voice at the very end when he thanks the audience and says good night, he was emotionally exhausted and he went backstage and found a room and curled up into a ball and cried for hours. Just think about that.
The song was written at the last minute to provide a finale that would allow Elvis to articulate his anguish over the assassinations of Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Love hearing Elvis Presley sing. My favourite Elvis Presley song is “Without Him” written by Mylon LeFevre. Other Elvis Presley songs I enjoy listening to are “I’ve Got Confidence” written by Andrae Crouch, “He Is My Everything” written by Dallas Frazier, “Stand By Me” written by Rev. Charles Albert Tindley, “His Hand in Mine” written by Mosie Lister, “Known Only to Him” and “It Is No Secret” both written by Stuart Hamblen.
He was absolutely out of breath when he said, "Thank you; goodnight," at the end. This was the final performance of the 1968 Comeback Special. Don't know how factual, but it's been said that after he said goodnight, he went backstage, literally lay down on the floor, and wept. Knowing the humility and caring heart he had toward people, it's easy to believe that!
Elvis is a great singer, but I never was a a great big Elvis fan, but he does have a few songs I like to hear from him like American Trilogy, In The Ghetto or even Hound Dog. These are my favorites. I also remember him doing Aloha From Hawaii on TV via a satellite.
Elvis put his soul into this performance. It is one of my favorites. I get chills every time I see it. Elvis left us such a wealth of music. There will never ever be another or should there be because he was so unique. Check out Trying to get to you from the 1968 Comeback special. The whole concert from Aloha from Hawaii, his Las Vegas tour gospel, Just pretend. He made over 30 movies. My favorite from King Creole is the intro Crawfish ( Elvis 3rd movie before going into the service. I could go on and on but you have to do the search into the many facets of Elvis career.
1935 on January 8 a huge star was born, but sadly in 1977 on august 16 we lost a great musician, a amazing singer, but we also lost a amazing humanitarian that helped so many people that he did not even know. Today over 46 years after his death, people are still calling Elvis the King of Rock'n'Roll (he said that Chubby Checker was the one that should be called King of Rock'n roll, if any human should), Elvis didn't like that title and he believed that the only King was God and he actually told this to his fans several times, he said: I believe that God is the only true king, sometimes he added Jesus Christ. I think that Elvis is a MASTER not only of king of Rock'n roll, he is A MASTER of many genres of music because he can sing very well in any genre, but what do you think, is he good enough to be called a music king? Elvis was really in my mind, a MASTER of GOSPEL and other music, no one does it better then him, he is best known for making Rock'n roll famous, so he was called The King of Rock'n roll, but he never liked that people called him that, he repeatedly stopped fans who said that he was the king of rock'n roll, telling them: I'm just an entertainer and singer, God is the only true King (sometimes he also said Jesus Christ is the only King)... He also never liked the "so called joke" Elvis the Pelvis, he loved Jokes, but that was for him very hurtful to hear people say, or write that. Did you know that Elvis was a Sandy Blonde with Blue Eyes... Elvis was born in the poor part of Tupelo Mississippi (in a shotgun house) and it was mainly Afro Americans living there, at the place where Elvis family lived there only lived 3 more white families, the rest was colored people, his family was dirt poor until he became an artist after singing in a mainly colored peoples church during his childhood. Did you know that he had several friends that where Afro Americans, one of his friends where James Brown, yes THAT James Brown (The King of Soul), another artist was B.B King, yes that B.B King... He also was a good friend with Mohamed Ali, yes the GREATEST boxer of all time, he even had a Robe made for him, but it was to much bling on it so Ali wouldn't where it more then one time to a fight. Elvis really admired Martin Luther King very much, Elvis felt that all people are equal, unfortunately he never got to meet him, that would have created to much problems for both of them at that time. He had several medical problems, Glaucoma, (Insomnia) sleeping problems, irritable bowel syndrome, things that affected his real life and made him need medication to function. Yes, he took medicines that today are considered to be called drugs, but at that time doctors prescribed it to him and to ordinary people, they did not know of the problems it could give people (side effects). He never took any so-called street drugs, but unfortunately he did not realize that those medications would be a problem for him, he thought that they where ordinary medicine because his doctor prescribed them to him and to everyone else that needed it. Many out of his relatives died at a relatively young age, so even if he wouldn't have the medication, he might have died at about the same age. He could never be alone and thus himself, at that time the word superstar did not exist, so nothing could prepare him for that kind of life. Did you know that a big group of white people actually smashed his records and wanted to ban his music, just because they called the music he did so called N... music, that is so painful to think that some people actually can think like that, skin color is just color and nothing more, when will people start to realize that? There are some videos of when Elvis joking and messing up, he loved to joke around and pretend that he did not have control, but he had total control, he actually conducted his musicians and back up choirs all the time ! He is the only person to have 60 records gone to sell Gold since he died. Elvis is also in almost every genre of Music Hall of Fame (5 that I'm sure of Rock 'n' Roll, Country, Gospel, Rockabilly and Rhythm and Blues), if Gospel is a genre in Music Hall of fame, then he should be in there to, but no one else is in more then perhaps 2 genres. Not bad for someone who failed in his music class (in school, he got a F), he also never took a single singing lesson, yes he sang in church so perhaps he learned a little there, right? Something else that people tend to overlook: He always conducts his musicians and backup singers, he never gets credit for being able to doing that. Imagen you are a singer, you have great Musicians, you have great backup singers, no Guest Artists, no Auto tune, no Lip singing and no Fireworks, now all is about your skill, could you handle that pressure? At the time when Elvis started to perform, Auto tune did not exist yet and when it became available, then he still did not use it, he did not need to, he always sang so that you could hear every word that he sang, the Fans always felt that he sang to just you ! That is what Elvis did in over 1600 concerts (during his 20 years as an artist), despite having problems with his health, like his Glaucoma, the headlights must have hurt his eyes like crazy. He sang over 800 songs, I wonder how he could remember them all, he never wrote a song himself, so he had to remember other peoples lyrics, well that is amazing in it self. The fact that he had Glaucoma must have been difficult being in the headlights all the time, that could be why he sometimes closes his eyes, but also sometimes squinting! This unfortunately made him temporary blind after the shows, that is why they led him of the stage and into his car, that is something that not many people knew about Elvis. Elvis suits was made of 100% Polyester, or 100 cotton (I'm not sure witch one), it was originally a karate suit, it was very light, but it was hot, so it made him sweat a lot, he got some bad press about that, but if you give it all then you will sweat, it should be positive, right? A important fact about Elvis success is his guitarist James Burton's sound, it was a big fact that made him sound different, naturally his voice is the main factor for his success to, I think both things played a crucial role in his success... About the deep base voiced JD Sumner (a member of The Stamps Quartet) he is a Basso Profundo, I think it's called that, it is the deepest base singer there is. A video about him helping others, look at this: ruclips.net/video/CrJ1c9tm-C0/видео.html Elvis made a show where all the money went to build the Memorial after Pearl Harbor, he talked to the nations about taking the Polio vaccine, Elvis took the first injection himself, he helped by donating a big amount of money to St Jude hospital, they fight against cancer (especially children with), he gave away loads of jewelry, gave away cars, he even gave away some houses to total strangers. Elvis started an organization that helps people to get out of Homelessness (Presley Charitable Foundation), this organization helps people even now close to 50 years after he passed away. A thing that you perhaps did not know: Elvis ALMOST NEVER did a show OUTSIDE OF USA, yes he did sing a few times in Canada: 4 concerts, 2 times in Toronto, 1 time in Ottawa and 1 time in Vancouver (during the 50:s?). When the Aloha From Hawaii (Live in Honolulu 1973) was showed it had close to 1.5 Billion viewers from around the whole world and 3.7 billion people lived on earth at this time, so it was close to 1/3 of all of the population on the earth that viewed the show, it was the first time a single artist was shown LIVE around the globe. Video of Mohammad Ali speech after Elvis died: ruclips.net/video/PO8Kq_3KTyI/видео.html I have to say that I loved being at Graceland and seeing his home, first we were at the shotgun house in Tupelo Mississippi where he lived in his early years, he was born there ! You don't have a guide taking you on a tour, you can go all over yourself, but stay outside of the ropes and do not attempt to go upstairs, the outside is huge, so is the house, but you don't realize that from the front of the house. I don't regret for a second that I was there, or that I stood at his grave site and said out loud that this is for the humanitarian Elvis/the person/the man and then I gave him a military salute, the others there just looked at me and asked if I didn't like his music. So I told them that he was clearly one of the best singers and artists ever, but I loved his big heart more, he helped so many people without getting credit for it, he didn't want the credit of helping others, he did it out of love and respect and to me that is what true charity is all about. This PLACE (GRACELAND) should be a protected part of music history and also American history forever, I think that people will keep coming for years and years and years to come ! Elvis did lots of things for America to, he helped in a big way to avoid getting Polio (he took the vaccine in a TV show and that made the interest for taking the vaccine to go up from 0,6 % all the way up to 80 % in 6 months), so in 6 months he got 79.4 % more of the American people take the Polio vaccine and shortly after it was eradicated from USA, he also helped in the fight to defeat Cancer by helping to build up St Jude's children cancer treatment clinic by donating a huge amount of money to them, he also helped to build the Memorial over Pearl Harbor and many other things!
That has to be close to the single greatest performance of all time. By anyone.
Ladies there never has or will be a better singer/performer ever
Frank Sinatra
This to me is one of the greatest performances of all time. He sang it twice for the same tv special (this being the better version) and never sang it again in the remaining nine years of his life. I always think he looks physically and emotionally drained at the end, this meant so much to him. He grew up in dire poverty among black communities and was a passionate believer in the civil rights movement as a result. The TV special was booked to happen shortly after the death of RFK, a man Elvis greatly admired for his civil rights stance. He asked for this song to be written as a tribute not only to RFK, but also MLK who had also been murdered by this time, and was a hero to Elvis. It is a masterpiece of songwriting, and also performance. It is as powerful in 2023 as it was on the night in 1968 to me.
Thx for mentioning Kennedy. Most people focus solely on King, also forgetting about everything going on during that tumultuous decade.
If by by singing it twice you meant this performance and doing in black leather, you are mistaken. He lip-synced in the latter.
He did do the entirety of this song in the white suit. But he wasn't satisfied with it. This particular performance was done immediately afterwards.
@@timcarr6401 Good info, thanks for sharing.
Try HELL YEAH by Neil Diamond.
Agree with you mostly. Though RFKs assignation was months after MLKs the writer's inspiration was from MLKs I have a dream speech. Elvis was a huge admirer of Dr. King .
Elvis is one of the best singers that has ever lived. He was also a fabulous entertainer. There is a reason he is called "The King". He had a great voice & could sing anything whether it was ballads, gospel or rock. This song "If I Can Dream" was a tribute to Martin Luther King after his assassination.
And for Robert Kennedy's assassination 2 mos. later.
@@carolhayar3037 That happened earlier that same month of June when he recorded this.
@@timcarr6401 Robert Kennedy (June 6) 2 mos. after King (April 4)
@@carolhayar3037 Gotcha.
If not the best that voice wow
Hi Girls, Elvis sang this in honor of his friend MLK that got shot and killed. The producer of the show wanted Elvis to do a Christmas song for his last song of the night. They argued back and forth and Elvis finally said FUK You Im Singing If I Can Dream For My Friend Martin. His Band members said after Elvis finished this song he went back stage and fell on the floor in the fetal position and cried for a half hour . He was one of a kind. God Bless him, R.I.P. Elvis .
This was done live on NBC. During horrible times of segregation, 2 months prior, MLK was assassinated 8 miles from his home, then Kennedys death! Elvis wanted to sing a message song to the world. He was such a beautiful humble Generous soul!!!! Thank u for this! If u make the video transparent it probably wont get blocked. ❤
Thanks for the mention of Kennedy; people seem to forget about what happened.
and this is the only time he ever sang this song.
The Elvis special was broadcast in December 1968. There was not the media of today and information about anything other than hard news was not that accessible. This was advertised has the Singer Christmas Special starring Elvis Pressley. Elvis had not been on tv for 8 years and had never hosted or had his own special. Back then Specials were really special and sometimes an event. I remember sitting with my parents expecting a Christmas show with holiday songs and some comedy skits. Instead, it starts with Elvis wearing black leather and taking over the screen. I don't remember any Christmas songs, but one great rock and roll song set after another and a karate sequence. This song came on at the end and it just blew my family away. If this song impacted you now, imagine this in !968 after one of the most devastating years in America.
He did sing "I'll Have a Blue Christmas Without You" on the special. But I think it was the only Christmas song on it.
@@johnbattles1002
@@johnbattles1002
This song is a prayer - a prayer for peace, love and understanding. And who better to sing it than Elvis.
It makes me cry every time I hear it. Love your reactions.
this was at the end of his 68 comeback special.the colonel did not want him to do this, but elvis shut him down for once. this was after rfk and mlk were assasinated and he wanted to send a message. i have 3 older sisters and to this day they all say he was the best looking man thatGod ever created. keep it up ladies. your both beautiful and doing a great job!
Thank you for mentioning Kennedy -- so few people ever do.
The biggest and most iconic solo artist of all time
Every time I listen to this song, I cry like a baby. There is such emotion in his voice, but the emotion is pure and true, and I could feel it.
Please listen to -- "WHAT NOW MY LOVE". If you dont cry to this one. He sings it like it is Him. There are several Reaction sites & they all are blown away with this one.
The greatest ever performance ever by Elvis.
This was the last song he did on his TV 1968 comeback special. This was his first live performance in several years because he made movies for several years. He sang in most of those movies, but it wasn’t live as in a concert. This song was, in part, a tribute to Martin Luther King who had been assassinated only months before. You see all sides of Elvis’s music in that comeback special from goofing around on stage sitting down playing his classics with audience members around him to a more serious song, Memories, to this song. Another powerful performance from Elvis is American Trilogy from the 1973 concert in Hawaii.
It was also for the assassination of Robert Kennedy.
@@carolhayar3037 Yes, I know that also happened in 1968 only 5 years after his brother JFK was assassinated.
This cruel world should have appreciated him and his raw disciplined talent and love of life and people before we lost him.
My absolute favourite line of this beautiful song is " as long as a man has the strength to dream , he can redeem his soul and fly ". Here Elvis is saying no matter where you are from ,who you are or whatever personal trials and tribulations has happened to you, you can rise above any circumstance, break through any barrier and make yourself a better person
In my opinion this is the pinnacle of live performances. The raw emotion in Elvis Presley's voice is so authentic.
Elvis knocked it out of the park with his message song “If I Can Dream” to the World
ELVIS was one of the best singers and entertainers ever! He was inducted into 5 Music Hall Of Fames! He recieved an unbelievable amount of accolades and awards! WHAT A VOICE...WHAT CHARISMA! ONLY THE KING! 😢 ❤ 😅
The most Emotional, Passionate ELVIS hit song
Elvis has an amazing vocal range!
It's not only the range, but the quality of his voice.
@@timcarr6401 and much more
ELVIS COULD SING HI ,LOW, SMOOTH CLEAR ,RASPY HE HAD A FULL RANGE HE COULD DO IT ALL
If you see the movie "Elvis", the story beind what he went through to even record this performance will make you love the song even more.
Check out the making of If I can Dream on RUclips for the real in depth making of this song. it was really wow!
@@OverandOutChief1 did it make your Johnson hard?
Elvis is still the best.
Great video and reaction / assessment.
Elvis was and will always be the best, beautiful generous soul
It is often overlooked how great a singer Presley was, often masked by talk about his gyrations in his younger days, and the jumpsuits in later days. This song was very special to him, as Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy were both assassinated the same year. Elvis was mortified that King was actually shot less than 20 minutes drive away from Graceland, " This will just confirm all that everyone thinks about the South ! " he was heard to say ....
The song was written by Walter Brown in 1968 - the year MLK jr. was assassinated. This song reinvigorated Elvis' career.
According to the voice experts, Elvis's voice is considered 'high baritone ', which is in the realm of an opera singer..
Thats why they call him the KING.
I'm listening to music over 60 yrs this is one of the greatest performances ever!! Elvis got fed up with race relations back then had had a writer write him this marvelous song. This is why he's referred to as the KING!!!!
Earl Brown composed this song after Elvis related to him his thoughts on MLK etc.
Elvis greatest performance. And that says alot.
Best song of all time.
You really picked a great one here. "If I Can Dream" is one of Elvis very best songs. It's a passionate song about hope, peace, and unity. This performance is legendary. It was from the 1968 Comeback Special broadcast on television.
Listen to him sing take my hand precious lord it makes a lot of people cry
This is hands down the best Elvis song I have ever heard.The 1st memory I had when it was released was the slow increase in power behind Elvis's vocal. To me it was a very passionate song asking a question as to why we can't all live together and have a better life in peace. I had a portable transistor radio and I heard this song for the first time walking down the sidewalk. It was so memorable, it will remain with me forever. Thanks for reacting M&B Gap.
♥ His version of Trying To Get To You from this same concert was EPIC!
@Generatoin Gap- Elvis has to me the best voice to ever live and all due respects you haven't heard enough Elvis to understand how high he could hit notes. I am a bit bias bc I am a huge fan but he is the greatest of all time to me. Take a listen to him performing My Way Live in 1973 and this is an example of him hitting the high notes.
Elvis had an incredible range!!! People seem to forget that...or didn't realize. He was very passionate about this song! His tribute is so powerful...gets to me every time! 💞😢💞
He put everything into that performance
It touched my heart, no one could sing this song like Elvis. (I loved your review)
This song was inspired after MLK and RFK were assassinated Elvis was pretty shaken up and bothered by these horrible events...The Memphis mafia said that Elvis wanted a message song written to talk about what was happening during that time and to give a message of hope to the world... He sang it a couple times for Priscilla before singing it on the 1968 comeback concert...This was his way of telling the world that it's gonna be okay if we help one another and have each others backs...it was a great concert ...I watched it live as a 12 yr old fan on my black and white tv...Thanks for the walk down memory lane ladies...Great reaction... Keep being awesome !!!...see you next reaction... Take care...
American Trilogy live is another great performance.
EVERYBODY HAVE A GREAT NIGHT & REMEMBER TO KEEP TAKING TCB IN A ⚡
Superb singer, nobody comes close 👌 brilliant ❤️
Not sure if y'all would be interested but there are 2 things I've watched about Elvis that I learned a lot about him. 1 is an interview with one of his childhood friends Sam Bell. And the other is called Elvis and the black community, That echo will never die. Both are amazing. They show his deep connection and understanding with his roots.
Elvis just got better and better as he aged. He was like a fine wine.
His manager and some others didn't want him to sing this song. They wanted a Xmas song. He was admit that this was gonna be the song. He didn't have a discriminate bone in his body. If they went somewhere where his black band members were not wanted, he would leave or threatened to not appear.
“What Now My Love”, live from Hawaii in 1973 shows off Elvis’ vocal range. It’s like none other.
ELVIS
"What Now My Love"
The 1973 Hawaii REHERSAL Preformance is The Very Best Version !!
Agreed, but both are pretty amazing.
Elvis first than the rest of singers or bands then and today and in the future 😊
Grew up by Detriot in the 1960,s troubling times throughout these time not much hope for us as a better land, this song touched many, Elvis knew it!
I agree with Mom! That is such a pure emotion and it makes me cry every time I watch it because that is SO DEEP and POWERFUL MESSAGE for all and resonates up to this day.
Elvis sang this song in reverence to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy who had recently been assassinated,as well as the soldiers lost in Vietnam. The red scarf was meant to symbolize that loss.
The Singer special “Elvis” was actually being taped when Kennedy was assassinated. They all stopped working to watch the TV coverage. Steve Binder, producer/director stated that Elvis asked what was happening to our country. Binder had his writers write a song to show Elvis’ feelings, and this was the result. If you notice at the end Elvis says “Thank you and good night.” It was the finale to the show. Everyone was against Elvis singing this except Binder, Elvis and the production crew.
congratulations
A guy called Nartin Luther Kiing had his head blown of in Memphis Elvis,s hometown this is his tribute to him and a guy called Bobby Kennedy who also had his head blown off 60s and 70s weere a GREAT TIME TO GROW UP BUT IT WAS ALSO VERY VIOLENT TIME
what's changed?
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 in over 50 years nothing except the total decline of America from within
They were both fatally shot, but neither one of them "had his head blown off." However, in 1963, President John Kennedy, Robert's brother, did have half his skull shot off.
@@johnbattles1002 😂😂😅sarcasm not your strong point duh as a kid i watched JFK FUNERAL ON black and w tv as a teenager April 4th MLK SHOT ON LOREINNE BALCONY AS A TEENAGER ambassador hotel cal AND NOW ITS ON TO CHICAGO AND LETS WIN THERE JUNE 5 1968 JUNE 6TH RFK DIED SAW IT ALL along with the broadcast of the comeback special plus saw Elvis live in concert so chill out
GOAT!
The reason you have those issues with Elvis ...... Is because the ones that check out the videos for you-tube are VERY JEALOUS OF ELVIS STILL to this day ......
Amazing reaction. You can feel the passion and emotion of his voice . More please 💕💕💕💕
This could be his best performance. But he has many more that come close. Some that he sang in his early days, have no video but his voice and the way he sings is amazing (Reconsider Baby for instance). If you look at his history, the way he started, his style, his songs, his movies etc, this is what he was meant to do.
Desde os meus 5 anos (1993) até hoje, com meus 35 anos (2023) nunca conheci nada que fosse melhor do que Elvis.
Elvis Presley é o Big Bang da música, do Rock n' Roll, e sua voz, seu talento e sua lenda continuam ecoando pelo tempo.
Ótima e apaixonada reação. Kisses and hugs from Brazil!
Elvis is the best
Greetings from Belgium. 😊
His range was tremendous. A gospel singer can do amazing things. Try out the live version of How Great Thou Art and Why Me Lord to get more gospel performances from him.
You should react to "I'm So Lonsome I Could Cry"! It is absolutely heartbreaking! It's almost Southern Gothic", written by the great Hank Williams, who sung it first! But, ELVIS sang it best! ELVIS is the BEST! THANK YOU for your glowing reaction!
No artist is bigger than Elvis on stage!
A big part of Elvis appeal is the fact he was a big gospel singer as well, and that type of message and passion often came through in MANY of his songs. I read somewhere that Elvis had rehearsed this song so many times before the final cut his voice was really tired, but he still came through like a house afire. There will never be another Elvis RIP EP
Gals, Great reaction! Try listening to "American Trilogy" (Aloha From Hawaii 1973). It became my favorite Elvis song watching the concert on television along with a billion and a half worldwide viewers!! 8:44
Truly an inspiring message, take heed people
Otra dimensión de artista, Elvis era de otra galaxia,, jugaba en otra liga,
Simply Brilliant reaction..... Thank you ❤
Great reaction to a performance many of his contemporaries would be hard challenged to get anywhere near. On searching I find you have had only passed or reacted to In The Ghetto and Suspicious Minds for Elvis. There are so many that show a range and diversity of genre.
Watch the new Elvis Movie , nd u understand the context to this song. He Sang it as Martin Luther King nd Robert Kennedy was assassination during that period!!
I remember as a kid, mom and dad was watching him on TV, good song for MLK awesome 👍😎👍🎤👏
Great reaction. I would suggest you listen to anything Gospel that Elvis does.
THIS IS WHY HIS NAME HIS MUSIC WILL GO ON TILL THE END OF TIME
This amazing and powerful song , marked the comeback for Elvis . He sang it with such passion and belief . He wrote this as a tribute to two men he had so much respect for Martin Luther King Jr and Robert Kennedy . This song was seen by more than 1 billion people world wide . No other single artist has reached so many with just one song
Written by Walter Earl Brown. Elvis was not a songwriter. The song was written for him for this special and was based on conversations he had with Steve Binder (Producer or Director) regarding the state of the USat that timr
The king ⚡️
Brilliant reaction guys this song gives me goosebumps every time I hear it ❤
… There are singers who are... just mediocre, then those who are good, and then the singers who are very good! ...And then there's ELVIS, the FIRST and BEST singer of all time!! ... A millennium singer for ETERNITY and still UNREACHABLE today!! … ✨💎✨🕺🏻🕯Thank you
Great Reaction
You ladies should watch Elvis (2022) with Austin Butler playing Elvis. Great movie. The 1968 TV Special is depicted in the movie. I was 13 and remember watching the TV Special. It was Elvis's comeback. Anyway, nice reaction to a very powerful / emotional song. Just a little history on how the song came about. Elvis's (comeback) TV Special was filmed in June of 1968. Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated that month while filming was going on.
After hearing of RFK's murder Elvis and the director Steve Binder wanted a song that reflected his feelings and had a message for the country.
Binder told the two songwriters about the heartfelt conversation he'd had with Elvis and wanted a powerful / meaningful song to close out the show. The TV Special was supposed to end with a Christmas song.
When the song was finished Binder brought it to Elvis and played it for him. Elvis said play it again. And again and again. Elvis said he'd do it. It was recorded June 23, 1968. Elvis gave such a powerful performance that some of the band members were taken aback.
They were so blown away they had to do several retakes. It was after the band and backup singers were sent home that Elvis gave an even more powerful performance as he rerecorded the vocals. Elvis had the lights turned down and laid on the concrete floor and gave himself completely to the song. Elvis went to the control room and had his chosen take played repeatedly before he gave his blessing.
Elvis was so moved by the song and his experience with it that he told Steve Binder "I'll never sing another song I don't believe in. And I'm never going to do another movie I don't believe in." If I Can Dream was featured at the end of the 68 TV Special which aired on December 3, 1968. This was the first time the public heard the song and it was later released as a single.
The song spent 13 weeks on the U.S. pop charts peaking at #12.
I have to say this is one of my favorite reactions to this song. It just hits all the notes and both of you are interesting and to build upon something you guys were saying at one point, he perfectly walked it very difficult line in this performance between being choked with emotion to where it physiologically prevents you from singing well, too letting it all hang out there. My god. I don't know how many times I've seen this and I never get tired of it. It's just so amazing on every level and I was a little kid at that time so I may not have an adult understanding of how complex the world was right at that moment, but I definitely have a pretty good feeling about it from just being in my formative years back then.
Apparently, and you can see it in his face in his voice at the very end when he thanks the audience and says good night, he was emotionally exhausted and he went backstage and found a room and curled up into a ball and cried for hours. Just think about that.
His voice got gritty toward the middle....but it made his feelings come out. This should be the NATIONAL ANTHEM.
You have 30k subs keep going..
We’ll be back soon!
This was done on his comeback special.
The song was written at the last minute to provide a finale that would allow Elvis to articulate his anguish over the assassinations of Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr.,
You're learning! Thanks!
Your both hot! Keep on rocking. Thankyou, Thankyou very much. Much love
Love hearing Elvis Presley sing. My favourite Elvis Presley song is “Without Him” written by Mylon LeFevre. Other Elvis Presley songs I enjoy listening to are “I’ve Got Confidence” written by Andrae Crouch, “He Is My Everything” written by Dallas Frazier, “Stand By Me” written by Rev. Charles Albert Tindley, “His Hand in Mine” written by Mosie Lister, “Known Only to Him” and “It Is No Secret” both written by Stuart Hamblen.
Today’s date as of this writing is July 4, 2023, and this music video reaction is still available for viewing here on RUclips.
Nice reaction... I'd love to see you check out his live performance of Unchained Melody from 1977. His last televised performance.
He was absolutely out of breath when he said, "Thank you; goodnight," at the end. This was the final performance of the 1968 Comeback Special. Don't know how factual, but it's been said that after he said goodnight, he went backstage, literally lay down on the floor, and wept. Knowing the humility and caring heart he had toward people, it's easy to believe that!
Just the king
I can't believe you chose this song Mum
F#cking awesome 👌
This is how words are meant to be sung!
Absolute perfection!!!
Thank you ❤
I love this Song.
This was a great part in the Elvis movie with A Butler
Yes for me its one of his best sang songs by elvis
Elvis is a great singer, but I never was a a great big Elvis fan, but he does have a few songs I like to hear from him like American Trilogy, In The Ghetto or even Hound Dog. These are my favorites. I also remember him doing Aloha From Hawaii on TV via a satellite.
"WE WILL MEET AGAIN ONE DAY". Love your reactions. Respect from Melbourne, Oz.
Elvis put his soul into this performance. It is one of my favorites. I get chills every time I see it. Elvis left us such a wealth of music. There will never ever be another or should there be because he was so unique. Check out Trying to get to you from the 1968 Comeback special. The whole concert from Aloha from Hawaii, his Las Vegas tour gospel, Just pretend. He made over 30 movies. My favorite from King Creole is the intro Crawfish ( Elvis 3rd movie before going into the service. I could go on and on but you have to do the search into the many facets of Elvis career.
The king singing about the true KINGS,who run the world,keep dreaming 😂😂😂😉⏰
1935 on January 8 a huge star was born, but sadly in 1977 on august 16 we lost a great musician, a amazing singer, but we also lost a amazing humanitarian that helped so many people that he did not even know.
Today over 46 years after his death, people are still calling Elvis the King of Rock'n'Roll (he said that Chubby Checker was the one that should be called King of Rock'n roll, if any human should), Elvis didn't like that title and he believed that the only King was God and he actually told this to his fans several times, he said:
I believe that God is the only true king, sometimes he added Jesus Christ.
I think that Elvis is a MASTER not only of king of Rock'n roll, he is A MASTER of many genres of music because he can sing very well in any genre, but what do you think, is he good enough to be called a music king?
Elvis was really in my mind, a MASTER of GOSPEL and other music, no one does it better then him, he is best known for making Rock'n roll famous, so he was called The King of Rock'n roll, but he never liked that people called him that, he repeatedly stopped fans who said that he was the king of rock'n roll, telling them:
I'm just an entertainer and singer, God is the only true King (sometimes he also said Jesus Christ is the only King)...
He also never liked the "so called joke" Elvis the Pelvis, he loved Jokes, but that was for him very hurtful to hear people say, or write that.
Did you know that Elvis was a Sandy Blonde with Blue Eyes...
Elvis was born in the poor part of Tupelo Mississippi (in a shotgun house) and it was mainly Afro Americans living there, at the place where Elvis family lived there only lived 3 more white families, the rest was colored people, his family was dirt poor until he became an artist after singing in a mainly colored peoples church during his childhood.
Did you know that he had several friends that where Afro Americans, one of his friends where James Brown, yes THAT James Brown (The King of Soul), another artist was B.B King, yes that B.B King...
He also was a good friend with Mohamed Ali, yes the GREATEST boxer of all time, he even had a Robe made for him, but it was to much bling on it so Ali wouldn't where it more then one time to a fight.
Elvis really admired Martin Luther King very much, Elvis felt that all people are equal, unfortunately he never got to meet him, that would have created to much problems for both of them at that time.
He had several medical problems, Glaucoma, (Insomnia) sleeping problems, irritable bowel syndrome, things that affected his real life and made him need medication to function.
Yes, he took medicines that today are considered to be called drugs, but at that time doctors prescribed it to him and to ordinary people, they did not know of the problems it could give people (side effects).
He never took any so-called street drugs, but unfortunately he did not realize that those medications would be a problem for him, he thought that they where ordinary medicine because his doctor prescribed them to him and to everyone else that needed it.
Many out of his relatives died at a relatively young age, so even if he wouldn't have the medication, he might have died at about the same age.
He could never be alone and thus himself, at that time the word superstar did not exist, so nothing could prepare him for that kind of life.
Did you know that a big group of white people actually smashed his records and wanted to ban his music, just because they called the music he did so called N... music, that is so painful to think that some people actually can think like that, skin color is just color and nothing more, when will people start to realize that?
There are some videos of when Elvis joking and messing up, he loved to joke around and pretend that he did not have control, but he had total control, he actually conducted his musicians and back up choirs all the time !
He is the only person to have 60 records gone to sell Gold since he died.
Elvis is also in almost every genre of Music Hall of Fame (5 that I'm sure of Rock 'n' Roll, Country, Gospel, Rockabilly and Rhythm and Blues), if Gospel is a genre in Music Hall of fame, then he should be in there to, but no one else is in more then perhaps 2 genres.
Not bad for someone who failed in his music class (in school, he got a F), he also never took a single singing lesson, yes he sang in church so perhaps he learned a little there, right?
Something else that people tend to overlook:
He always conducts his musicians and backup singers, he never gets credit for being able to doing that.
Imagen you are a singer, you have great Musicians, you have great backup singers, no Guest Artists, no Auto tune, no Lip singing and no Fireworks, now all is about your skill, could you handle that pressure?
At the time when Elvis started to perform, Auto tune did not exist yet and when it became available, then he still did not use it, he did not need to, he always sang so that you could hear every word that he sang, the Fans always felt that he sang to just you !
That is what Elvis did in over 1600 concerts (during his 20 years as an artist), despite having problems with his health, like his Glaucoma, the headlights must have hurt his eyes like crazy.
He sang over 800 songs, I wonder how he could remember them all, he never wrote a song himself, so he had to remember other peoples lyrics, well that is amazing in it self.
The fact that he had Glaucoma must have been difficult being in the headlights all the time, that could be why he sometimes closes his eyes, but also sometimes squinting!
This unfortunately made him temporary blind after the shows, that is why they led him of the stage and into his car, that is something that not many people knew about Elvis.
Elvis suits was made of 100% Polyester, or 100 cotton (I'm not sure witch one), it was originally a karate suit, it was very light, but it was hot, so it made him sweat a lot, he got some bad press about that, but if you give it all then you will sweat, it should be positive, right?
A important fact about Elvis success is his guitarist James Burton's sound, it was a big fact that made him sound different, naturally his voice is the main factor for his success to, I think both things played a crucial role in his success...
About the deep base voiced JD Sumner (a member of The Stamps Quartet) he is a Basso Profundo, I think it's called that, it is the deepest base singer there is.
A video about him helping others, look at this: ruclips.net/video/CrJ1c9tm-C0/видео.html
Elvis made a show where all the money went to build the Memorial after Pearl Harbor, he talked to the nations about taking the Polio vaccine, Elvis took the first injection himself, he helped by donating a big amount of money to St Jude hospital, they fight against cancer (especially children with), he gave away loads of jewelry, gave away cars, he even gave away some houses to total strangers.
Elvis started an organization that helps people to get out of Homelessness (Presley Charitable Foundation), this organization helps people even now close to 50 years after he passed away.
A thing that you perhaps did not know: Elvis ALMOST NEVER did a show OUTSIDE OF USA, yes he did sing a few times in Canada: 4 concerts, 2 times in Toronto, 1 time in Ottawa and 1 time in Vancouver (during the 50:s?).
When the Aloha From Hawaii (Live in Honolulu 1973) was showed it had close to 1.5 Billion viewers from around the whole world and 3.7 billion people lived on earth at this time, so it was close to 1/3 of all of the population on the earth that viewed the show, it was the first time a single artist was shown LIVE around the globe.
Video of Mohammad Ali speech after Elvis died:
ruclips.net/video/PO8Kq_3KTyI/видео.html
I have to say that I loved being at Graceland and seeing his home, first we were at the shotgun house in Tupelo Mississippi where he lived in his early years, he was born there !
You don't have a guide taking you on a tour, you can go all over yourself, but stay outside of the ropes and do not attempt to go upstairs, the outside is huge, so is the house, but you don't realize that from the front of the house.
I don't regret for a second that I was there, or that I stood at his grave site and said out loud that this is for the humanitarian Elvis/the person/the man and then I gave him a military salute, the others there just looked at me and asked if I didn't like his music.
So I told them that he was clearly one of the best singers and artists ever, but I loved his big heart more, he helped so many people without getting credit for it, he didn't want the credit of helping others, he did it out of love and respect and to me that is what true charity is all about.
This PLACE (GRACELAND) should be a protected part of music history and also American history forever, I think that people will keep coming for years and years and years to come !
Elvis did lots of things for America to, he helped in a big way to avoid getting Polio (he took the vaccine in a TV show and that made the interest for taking the vaccine to go up from 0,6 % all the way up to 80 % in 6 months), so in 6 months he got 79.4 % more of the American people take the Polio vaccine and shortly after it was eradicated from USA, he also helped in the fight to defeat Cancer by helping to build up St Jude's children cancer treatment clinic by donating a huge amount of money to them, he also helped to build the Memorial over Pearl Harbor and many other things!