IF I CAN DREAM....... AN ANTHEM FOR 2020

1968 proved to be a turbulent time in American history with social unrest along with two very public assassinations of two very important figures of the day, Black Rights activist Dr Martin Luther King, and just weeks later saw the death of Senator Robert Kennedy, brother of the late President John Kennedy.

And yet despite the social and political upheavals of the day, the late Sixties was a fruitful period culturally, with fashion and music making it's mark. And the up and coming Woodstock Festival was to mark the end of the decade.

But it was around early 1968 that NBC TV were putting together a show that was to mark the sensational return of iconic recording artist Elvis Presley. A show that would catapult him back into the public limelight after several years of being locked into movie contracts, the kind of movies that did not enhance his career or reputation.

It was no secret that Elvis was incredibly affected by the deaths of both Dr King and Senator Kennedy. And so it was decided that the NBC TV Comeback show would climax with a specially written song as a personal tribute to Dr King and Senator Kennedy. And that song was 'If I Can Dream' written and composed by W. Earl Brown.

And when that tv Special aired that closing out song, it was clear to see that Elvis gave a very emotionally charged and passionate rendition of the song. It meant so much to him that he was never to perform it ever again.

And looking around Youtube these days in yet another turbulent year, I can't help thinking that the American Black community has really taken to this song. It has almost become a sort of anthem song for 2020.

And it's through this song that many young Americans are rediscovering Elvis 43 years after he passed away in Memphis on August 16th 1977.

  

Below are a few Elvis Youtube Reaction videos.

Above is Mr Video reacting to Elvis for the first time.

And this guy is so hilarious, he sometimes becomes

more entertaining than the actual video that he's

reacting to.  MORE HERE.

Above: Here's another Youtube reaction channel worth looking up.

It features the LFR family. And as well as reacting to

music videos this guy loves watching the great American 

comedian George Carlin.

Dad (above) has a son called Jojo who has his own channel.

More of The LFR Family who also react to

'If I Can Dream' by Elvis HERE

Above:  ITZJT TV reacts to Elvis's moves as he performs

Polk Salad Annie in Las Vegas.

Above is Jovaughn's Youtube video reaction channel

JAYVEETV.   He has an incredibly wide taste in music

and is only now discovering some of the musical gems

from the past like Queen, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd,

Elvis and Madonna.

On Mondays he has what he calls his Motown Mondays.

And seeing him react to his first taste of Marvin Gaye

really was quite something. And when he reacted to

The Temptations classic 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone'

he almost demanded to question why music today isn't

as good as it was back then.

JOVAUGHN'S INSTAGRAM

Above: JAMEL  gets a little carried away.

Above: Jay from THE JAYY SHOW  reacts to 'Long Black

Limousine' by Elvis. The video includes footage of

Elvis's funeral cortege which featured 50 white limousines.

That funeral took place in Memphis on the 18th of

August 1977. Just two days after Elvis died at the age

of 42. 

Below:  JAYY reacts to 'If I Can Dream' by Elvis.