'If I Can Dream" at inauguration

[ehollier]

".......There is only one Elvis, and you don't have to do much to keep him front and center," said Sillerman, who said President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural committee has contacted CKX to ask about using the Elvis song "If I Can Dream" as part of an inaugural event. "I am a big supporter of President Obama. If they want to use it, we absolutely will make it available to them. Forty years after Elvis' '68 special, we see that he's being thought of as part of a new beginning......"

By Michael Lollar, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Mercredi, Janvier 7, 2009

[ehollier]

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 wont that sun appear

Were lost in a cloud
With too much rain
Were 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

[Donut]

That would be nice. I hope they do it

[ehollier]

That would be nice. I hope they do it

Tell me, are you and Teddy planning on attending?????

[Donut]

Tell me, are you and Teddy planning on attending?????

Why don't you ask him yourself? I don't plan Teddy's life, you know...
But no, I'm not going.

[IM4Elvis]

WOW! What an honor...What a song!!!

[Diane]

I think this is wonderful!!!! I hope they do it....we'll have our eyes glued to the television on the 20th.

Diane

[Albert]

O man.... that would be the ultimate height for 2009.... Elvis being part of a new era. The symbolism is all there.... I'll keep my fingers crossed

[Lonniebealestreet]

That will be fantastic.

[ehollier]

And who says The King is dead and forgotten about? Elvis would have never imagined his good fortunes this long after his death.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

It's nice to know that the symbolism of 'If I can Dream' still resonates so many decades after it's original release. What makes this so potent a symbol is that Barack Obama is the first black President and that his campaigners and Obama himself have chosen this song to represent their vision/struggle and opportunities.

What I also like about this choice (if true) is that racial divides are broken down. It has been suggested in the past that Elvis was racist, this goes some way to acknowledging that this just isn't the case.

[GraceeD1970]

The words would be so fitting and beautiful.

[kathy parkinson]

If this happens, and i hope it does, every Elvis fan worldwide should be proud for him, way to go Elvis.

[Merry]

It's nice to know that the symbolism of 'If I can Dream' still resonates so many decades after it's original release. What makes this so potent a symbol is that Barack Obama is the first black President and that his campaigners and Obama himself have chosen this song to represent their vision/struggle and opportunities.

What I also like about this choice (if true) is that racial divides are broken down.

Hey Matt!!! LOL

We agree! hehe ............lol!!!!!!!!!!!

(Plus so many other points, that apply to this wonderful news).



Kimmi

[KPM]

O man.... that would be the ultimate height for 2009.... Elvis being part of a new era. The symbolism is all there.... I'll keep my fingers crossed

Thats my feelings exactly.

[ehollier]

I just read that Arthea Franklin (go girl!!) was the musical guest. I wonder if she will sing this song? Otherwise, we'll hear Elvis' song via the The United States Marine Band and The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus.

[molokai123]

[Merry]

O man.... that would be the ultimate height for 2009.... Elvis being part of a new era. The symbolism is all there.... I'll keep my fingers crossed

Me too!

I can't wait to hear breaking news, as this develops!

"Wow", my new speechless word! lol

[Diane]

I just read that Arthea Franklin (go girl!!) was the musical guest. I wonder if she will sing this song? Otherwise, we'll hear Elvis' song via the The United States Marine Band and The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus.

I hope you read wrong and that we will hear Elvis singing If I Can Dream. It's not an exclusively Elvis song so if someone else sings it or it's done by a band, why would Obama need Sillerman's permission to do it?

Diane

[ehollier]

I hope you read wrong and that we will hear Elvis singing If I Can Dream. It's not an exclusively Elvis song so if someone else sings it or it's done by a band, why would Obama need Sillerman's permission to do it?

Diane

EPE probably owns the rights to the lyrics, would be my guess. Maybe someone else can better answer that.