On February 17th, NBC aired the Elvis All-Star Tribute Special, which celebrated Elvis’ 1968 comeback special. The night featured various artists honoring the late King of Rock N’ Roll by performing covers of some of his greatest hits such as “If I Can Dream,” “Suspicious Minds,” and “Burning Love.”
The original 1968 special was a celebration of the singer’s return to the stage, as he had spent several years in Hollywood making movies.
Carrie Underwood, Shawn Mendes, Post Malone, Darius Rucker, and Blake Shelton took turns singing verses of Elvis Presley‘s “If I Can Dream.” The clip begins with footage of Elvis sporting immaculate white attire accompanied with a burgundy tie, singing the tune from the original concert special. The other artists took over the classic midway through until the end, when Shelton hands the spotlight to Presley to finish the song.
Shelton also added a country spin to “Suspicious Minds.” Though lacking hip-shaking and dramatic poses, Blake honored the King of Rock N’ Roll nonetheless.
Keith Urban took part in the honorable night by covering the classic, “Burning Love” and Pistol Annies followed suit with “Love Me.”
Two days before the tribute on February 15th, The Best of the ’68 Comeback Special (an accompanying album) released on RCA/Legacy Recordings. The newest rendition of “If I Can Dream” with the various artists including Elvis is featured on the album, which is available on iTunes.
“If I Can Dream” Lyrics
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 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
Be sure to share this cover with other Elvis Presley fans!
