Read the comment as to where his heart was.

This. Colonel Tom Parker, his legendary greasy bastard of a manager, wanted him to close with a cheesy Christmas number. Elvis, for perhaps the only time in his career, put his foot down and insisted on this one. He was devastated by the state of the world around him, and gave us the Christmas gift of this enduring anthem to brotherhood. You would have seen more soul out of Elvis but for his dysfunctional relationship with his manager. If I had a time machine and I could change one thing in rock history, I would go back to December of 1968, and just as Elvis said goodnight after this song, I would have put a shotgun up to Colonel Tom Parker's neck and blown his head clean off. The 70s would have sounded a lot different. We might even still have the king with us to this day.

@@joeday4293 so much for peace, understanding and brotherhood.

@@williamquinlan2193 I think, perhaps, that he was just expressing an emotional reaction, just as someone who is actually against capital punishment might feel that a vicious rapist deserves to be "strung up by his... ".

@@williamquinlan2193 Peace, love, and brotherhood are for people not named Colonel Tom Parker.

He used to say he was not a king, but Jesus Christ is the true king

That was something that I learned only in the past year. I think it is so awesome that he did it anyway.

Sammy Davis Jr. was supposed to, but backed out. THought it was too much for the times. And Elvis was bold enough to sing it. He knew.

@@lookingup82 NO, this was written for Elvis, I think that Sammy Davies JR should have been singing In the Ghetto, but he thought that he knew nothing about being that poor, but he said Elvis was born dirtpoor and then Mac Davies gave Elvis that song...

That is an amazing sentiment. It is a prayer!

YES YES YES!!

So very true!!

He took us to church. Incredible voice and soul

I like this comment❤

And Robert Kennedy, for what I remember, Bobby Kennedy passed away (assassination) few hours before Elvis performance, Elvis was numb and expressed his double pain that evening 😘✌️

The Red Scarf that he wore around his neck for that song was meant for the Vietnam soldiers that lost her blood

And to JFK.

In this, his greatest performance

❤️

He hits it over theballpark

King god gift tohumanity

Mansings fromthe heart

ELVIS DNA CHEROKEE INDAIN,BY HIS MOTHER SIDE HIS MOTHER NAME IS Gladys love Presley his great-great-grandmother was Jewish makes him that he has Jewish Presley is part Jewish Catholic on his father's at ancestor dot-com he had Winfrey in his family Oprah investigated she is 18th long distance cousin,so he has some black in him in the 18 hundreda Presley farmer had an affair with aslave name Winfrey sohe hasblack inhim he had aspecial DNA thatcover the spectrum of humanity simething for every one

Amen

I totally agree Blair. I think this performance was the best of his entire career.

This is the best. You can see it took his breathe away to sing it.

@@jayroman1978 Yes he got very emotional singing this song as he did this special very soon after MLK was assassinated. Also because direct quotes and pieces of the MLK I have a dream speech were incorporated into the song. Years later the background singers say that they were crying because it was an emotional time for everyone and for the country.

Elvis and the Kennedy’s are cousins.

Elvis never met MLK why lie to make a point ?

@@bign8580 can I get this in the Readers Digest condensed variation?

Great song and if you ever do a reaction to In The Ghetto, dont do the live version as it looses much of the feeling

@@bign8580 I understood it well....by the 3rd line. Message understood. The rest is filler.

@@davmck2791 he already reacted to In the Ghetto (audio) in his 1st Elvis reaction.

ELVIS HAD TO OVERCOME THE STEROTYPE OF A POOR SOUTHERN HILLBILLY. THAT'S HOW THEY PORTRAYED SOUTHERNERS BACK THEN. THAT, AND IGNORANT.

Agree sir!

Pure talent and insight that still applies sadly today :(

Pure talent that comes from the heart!!

Agree

I was born in 66 and grew up listening to Elvis.love listening to him to this day true charisma and talent and a voice so distinctive. Thanks for the music Elvis simply the King.

And the Viet Nam War. Very bad times in our country.

@@suebraghirol7682 I was nine years old, I remember it all, it was like the whole world went crazy. I think that’s why us late baby boomers are so different. We went through the 70s, just rocking out and having fun. We hated the 60s madness. My Brother’s friend came home from Vietnam and hanged him self.

@@NuNugirl I read an article about Elvis and his costume designer. After a discussion about the days fatalities, they decided on the red tie. It symbolizes the blood shed . I was 8 at the time . I’d even relive the Disco Era if we could go back to the ‘70’s

So true dude!!!!’

@jaime amonzo of rock and roll jerk wad

He was absolutely Gob-Smacked ..... not once .. but TWICE! while listening:

I've watched this 1000 times and even just now, his power, passion in his voice and the vision of this incredible looking man gives me the chills. RIP THE KING XXX

This was a tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr., after he was killed.

Same

This was the part in the movie that hit me outta nowhere

me to

Same! I can’t get enough of him! This song became my favorite!

You should go to Memphis next. See Graceland, and the National Civil Rights Museum where King was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel which stands today.

Anderl, I read that he did that intentionally. He didn't want to take away from the song and it's impact.

Exactly! I love that part so much...

Only thing that beats this is his 'American Trilogy'! live from Hawaii....

Amazing...timeless. Also, the crew witnessed , I believe, 17 takes. In the leather suit, in the round.. Etc. One after the other. They said the best version he did lying down on his back. The released cut is the one he gets the lyric right " while i can think, while i can talk, --- stand,----- walk,.... They have it all in " the making of the 68' comeback special. Its a really cool behind the scene look at what went into producing this acclaimed show. Warning though. It shows everything. E turning to the camera giving a close up snarl. Over and over again. Etc..every take. Gets a bit monotonous. They mustve had the E fanatics in mind releasing that material. Still its really cool.

Best sign off ever

Tell that to Tom Jones i dont think he knows lmao Tom been singing like that for over 50 years lol

@@MARTIN-bd7gm Tom Jones is a 100% legend for sure and he still sounds damn good for his age, but even in his prime, he couldn't reach Elvis' level. No one could.

Check out pastor bob. Bob Joyce... do it. Did elvis die? Or go into witness protection.... how f$$@gin hard would that be????? Could corruption be bigger than elvis????

@@barbmaier70 Your life must be a very difficult one to lead. How do you even get out of bed everyday?

Yeah they do. But not in the USA.

I hope youre enjoying elvis, he is an amazing man

To know Elvis is to love him. He was a force of nature. He brings me joy everyday.

Listen to "in the ghetto," & "suspicious minds" his latter music was more powerful. He was the king I'm named after him.

Stevie Wonder "Elvis was a Caucasian brother"

@@skillet7805 Thank you for sharing that quote my friend. I like a lot of Stevie's music and never knew he said that about Elvis. All the best to you.

He did this because a few months prior Martin Luther King was assassinated. Was a different song planned for the end.

@@johnboydojo Thanks for the information. Yes, I know all about the story that lead Elvis to perform this song at the 68' Comeback Special.

Yes he was every year he gave a new Cadillac to redom ppl

He grew up on Tupelo, Mis

Yes that's so true!

It's shameful that it's still relevant today. I fear we may never make the dream a reality.

It certainly is a great message. But it will be relevant 200 years from now because there will always be hatred, animosity, bigotry, etc. in varying degrees. That doesn't mean we humans shouldn't continually strive to minimize the grief and strife between us......this is the REAL dream and it is attainable every single hour of every single day.

As I was listening to Elvis sing this song right now, I got chills thinking - here is a guy who served our country years ago and his song is still PREVALENT to our times TODAY! Amazing! RIP Elvis - forever!

OMG Lisa you in the commentary a fan with a talent for wording it and Elliot right on the head thank you Lisa from another fan LOL

Same here. This is one of the greatest moments in the music history because he is totally into it as he delivers this powerful performance that reaches beyond the hardcore Elvis community. This kind of singing and precense is the reason for me becoming an Elvis fan. I just can’t stop watching and hearing this performance. It has such relevans and impact even in 2022.

I find this song totally relatable because of what's going on in the world.

@@elephantintheroom5678 It makes me cry Every time ❤️‍🔥

I get the its so boring bumps and switch it away

@@smiss5769 Well, no one can make you feel something you don't. However, the musical arrangement on this is such that when it changes tempo/octaves, your body should have an actual physical reaction, like goosebumps. Kinda like the big note in Celine Dion's version of All By Myself. There's a breakdown of it where they explain the science behind the notes. So chances are, if you don't feel anything with this song then you probably don't have much feeling for anything or anyone these days; and I'm really sorry for you 😔

I'm not even that religious and I agree. They're just beautiful to listen to. Crying in the Chapel is especially moving, with the tender sincerity of it.

Yes they truly are.

His amazing grace, how great thou art, crying in the chapel, and peace in the valley are amazing. I am not religious whatsoever.

How Great Though Art. I heard him sing this when I was a little bit of a girl. Reminds me if my grandma and how much she loved to hear him sing gospel. I was in awe. RIP to them both.

Elvis only won a few Grammys, and all were for his gospel work...

Yes!!!!!

Always will be

Sweetie in reality Elvis did NOT like being called the KING. He said "There is only one King of Kings and its NOT me. Whitney Houston's mother Gospel Singer Sissy Houston was one of Elvis's back up singers

Truth

Elvis was the man. absolutely killed this song in the best way possible.

@@Matthew-mf6xg He totally killed it. In a career with _many_ incredible highlights, this tops 'em all.

Amen!!!!

This song has to be shared by all, worldwide.

Especially with the crook Joe Biden

@@4LibertyinNY THE WORST PRESIDENT EVER WILL BE DRAGGED OUT IN A FEW DAYS.

Elvis was trying to get the message across way back then .that is something

Yes... crying on the inside and growling like a tiger on the outside.

yep this was right after MLK was assassinated and it hit Elvis hard. So he recorded this in his honor.

@Samuel Young go sit down somewhere. You can spin your bullshit conspiracy theories on anybody else you want to but you need to leave Dr. King the hell out of it. Have some respect for the dead.

It was also to honor Robert F Kennedy who was assassinated 2 months after MLK. Elvis did this special on TV 5 months later.

@@terwya I know. I watched it live.

this special was filmed in June 1968. It aired on TV in December 1968.

Me too.

Everyone I hear it tears are rolling down my cheeks, I’m still crying 💗

Spine chillingly beautiful.

Agreed 100 per cent

Nope!! "The Greatest Performer of All Time period"!!!! He did 1,080 concerts in his last 7 years and he kept them cheap for his fans! The list goes on!

Exactly

The greatest! The King. 👑

Because of the greatness of this performance of this song, it was the first and last time he sung it live. This was also the only recording of it as well that was released on album. He never re sang it in studio either. This is that raw passion of the king

​@@lanaki1018 wow I never knew that, he only sang it once? Damn just look at the impact it had.

Amen ❤️

@@Matthew-mf6xg he used to test new songs at concerts as well, he have a piece of paper with the lyrics on it lol, and just go with it. I was fortunate enough to see him in concert a few times, I was a young boy with a fanatic elvis mom. It's funny because I don't remember much of my childhood, but the 4 concerts I did attend, I remember them very clearly. One of them was his last performance in Memphis. It was that week we where there that we met and had dinner with his father Mr. Vernon Presley. It was a fluke thing and he welcomed us in like we where immediate family.

FOREVER!!! Elvis is amazing and lives on forever !!

Also he was afraid he wouldn't be remembered! 😥😎

Well done I couldn't have said it better .The truth is no one would listen . Too many trouble makers in the world especially here in the uk

@@andybarton4139 Beautiful words

Agree

Mine too!

Probably Elvis' too!

Zlisten to preacher man Bob JOYCE. Peaceful.

Yeah, he reached back to his church choir gospel music experiences for "If I can dream"

He learned to sing going to the black churches and grew up dirt poor.

At least for myself, I never really was a fan, while my grandma loved/s him, and we went to go see the Elvis movie. Obviously, there were creative freedoms taken, and things like that. But most of it was the truth, and I gained a new found respect for him. His singing is legendary, and in the age where computers sing more than people these days, it's nice to hear some raw songs, straight from the soul.

Yep. He wasn’t a corny gimmick. He was incredible.

He's one of the best singers in history. Elvis could have sang Opera if he wanted to. He's extremely underrated as a pure vocalist

he grew up poor.

The Special was Sumner 1968, not 1969

Lucille Cumming: I first saw this performance when it originally aired on TV in 1968 and I cried uncontrollably. So much had happened that year. MLK, Bobby Kennedy, Vietnam, on and on. In retrospect, I don't know how any of us made it through that year with any sanity intact. This performance is still appreciated today by people of all ethnicities. The writer of If I Can Dream was Walter Earl Brown who said the song was based on Martin Luther King Jr's "I Had A Dream" speech. Thank God Elvis stood his ground against the Colonel and sang this song. Brown also said that Elvis told him, "I'm never going to sing a song I don't believe in". "I'm never going to make another movie I don't believe in." It really hurts when people accuse Elvis of being racist. He was anything but! I miss him so much. I was so happy when Trump awarded Elvis the Presidential Medal of Freedom award. I say that he should have received this award while he was alive but at least someone finally acknowledged him in this way. He deserved it for so long and it's shameful that Lisa Marie didn't accept the award on behalf of her father in person. Elvis' cousin Billy Smith said he was not asked to be the recipient but if he had been, he certainly would have accepted. Elvis was an amazing artist and humanitarian and he is so deeply missed. It was wonderful seeing the reaction while he was singing this song. Welcome to the totality of who Elvis Presley was! God bless

I knew that he sang this song for a reason, so thanks for that piece of history.

The comeback special aired on Dec 3, 1968. The Colonel, Elvis‘s manager wanted him to Close the TV event with a Christmas song. The Colonel did not want Elvis to sing songs that had political overtones. Elvis insisted that he sing the dream song.

He is the king of musiv.

He still is called the king

There are MANY reasons he's the king👑

@@Tony-5000 He's the king because of his critically acclaimed body of work he left behind. We know about his record sales, but that don't mean shit. What really and truly matters is a critically acclaimed body of work in the recording studio. When one examines his critically acclaimed recordings in multiple genres of music, you immediately understood why he's the king. The soul depth and diversity of his body of work, is breathtaking.

@@bradhuskers I partially agree. Everything you said is true, but his specialness, his uniqueness, his rarity, his talent, his separation, his being called the king began LONG before his body of work was completed.

Amen

He loved the Lord. Heard when he sang gospels he fim

When it came to music Elvis called Fats Domino the King !

There is only ONE KING(Elvis knows that also)...Elvis was the kang tho :)

Praise the Lord!

Yes, thank you Lord for sending this earthly angel on earth. Was he ever loved!!!

When he was called the king, he was quoted as saying, 'the only king is Jesus Christ'. Love this man.

@@insaneconqueror5421 💙💙💜💜💜💙💙

@@cheryljohnson9174 it's awesome that Love and Light 💙💙💜💜💜💙💙

I agree

My daughter and me saw it last Saturday Austin was great so Easton Hanks.

YES!!!!!!

Angelina who? Elvis is UNTOUCHABLE

The Red Scarf that he wore around his neck what is a tribute to the Vietnam soldiers over there that were spilling their blood thought you might like to know that!

Do you happen to know what became of that reel?

That's the power if music. Elvis was an absolute master at it. always get chills with this song.

Same here. Bought the vinyl as soon as I could find it

MLK and Bobby Kennedy.

Incredible message, masterful performance

Carla, I've never heard that story. After which performance of the song did he do this (he performed the song 3 times for the special)?

@@mikeaudette2823 i watched the full interview from his back up singers that stated the facts to what i said

@@bign8580 wow thank you that was amazing

Elvis didn't fight civil rights. He was a performer and this song resonated with him, but to suggest he was actively and publicly fighting the cause is totally untrue.

@@hawaiiusa6147 he used his position to promote it both in this song and in In the Ghetto. In the 50s he absolutely brought black culture to the mainstream which in itself helped promote the cause of civil rights. Without him it might've taken longer for black voices to be heard.

@@hawaiiusa6147 maybe your your right in SOMEWAY.. But he was also in papers, radio, and churches saying he was a NI....... LOVER AND ALOT OF NASTY BULL. AS TIME WENT ON IN HIS QUIET WAY HE HELPED PEOPLE THAT WAS UNDER PRIVLIGE. YOU YOU TO DO MORE HOME WORK. WATCH THE LIVE PERFORMANCE IN LAS VAGAS WHEN HE SANG IN THE GHETTO/ AND WAS ADVISED NOT TOO. WATCH HOW he Dipps his head and looks at that audience. Thank you for some knowledge. But get 100% FIRST..

Yes! I took my daughter and when we saw that part we started clapping and so did everyone else. It was such a beautiful moment.

Judy Garland's Glory, Glory, Hallelujah following the JFK assassination was remarkable as well. I'm honestly torn between the two for which one gives me more chills or is better.

" More handsome than ten movie stars!"

I got to have seen Elvis twice 75,77 the best of all time, and always will be!

I saw him, men and women ... all of us stood for the full concert and screamed. I got to go to the edge of the stage, why they let me that was a miracle for me. He came in my direction, stood in front of me and looked at me. I thought I was gonna faint. my friend who wasn't a fan(yeah I know) she stood there throughout his performance and screamed. What got me is his voice, his presence, his class. He was do beautiful.

@@jaycuzman625 I have been to two of his concerts 75 & 77 amazing simply the very best!!

Memphis was Elvis's adopted home his birthplace was Tupelo Mississippi

@@leonbridges1802 That is correct, I was trying to condense the story as much as possible, but thank you for the added detail. 👍

@@leonbridges1802 yeah people from Tupelo are cool peeps

Welcome to the world of Elvis Aron Presley .... {BEWARE and be PA-PAIRED} .... To have songs done with styles and smoothness that screams out with soul that you never though possible .... That is till you run into Elvis .... And according to Graceland .... He officially recorded exactly 764 songs .... So now Lets See It go's like this .... The difference .... Between Elvis and rest .... Goes like this .... I have seen Sammy Hagar live .... Bob Seger .... AC-DC .... Black Oak .... Matelica .... And many .... Many Others .... But the difference between going to see Elvis and the rest including now- a- days so called concerts is at .... At all them the crowds were there for Drinking .... Getting Stoned .... Trying to get high as a kite .... And trying to stay that way though the night by passing Bottles and Joint's and other stuff around .... HELL .... The air was full of smoke .... And loud You could not even hear anything being said on stage the only thing that drowned out the crowd's noise was the music .... Not really there for the Artist them-self .... Seems they really were there to get wasted .... Not the show .... Or the band them-self .... Mostly just to get F***Up .... BUTT .... At the Elvis concert .... People stayed in their seat's and it was Quiet when Elvis said anything or sang or .... Hell just moved around .... You could hear everything and see everything he did..... That son.... Is the true Impact that Elvis Aron Presley had here Planet Earth .... You can .... Fight it .... Argue it .... Cuss at it .... Disagree with it .... Be Jealous of it .... You can even claim others his equal or his better .... But every time the dust settles .... Elvis is still king .... God said .... And that .... That there is something you just cannot change .... Can't be done .... Elvis won the world over with his abilities ..... Far above mortal man ..... Able to leap high notes in a single breath .... Or blow the roof off with some low tone tornadic whirlwind of a grinding persuasion flowing out of him with the greatest of ease ....To start a song off as if it would be soft and sweet .... Only to have it end up taking you up to high heaven and beyond .... Making you think .... What the hell just happened .... Was that earth bound what you just heard and saw .... Or direct from up above that .... God sent just for you .... Yes sir .... Whatever you do .... DO NOT TRY TO OUTRUN .... The powerful sounds coming out of him .... His tornadic voice creates winds that can blow you into others around you ... In to laps .... Causing turned over popcorn .... Spilled drinks .... Stepped on candy bars .... Hell .... Even screaming in your ears .... Both of them .... All at once .... Coming from both sides even from the front and in back of you ....Thousands of Pictures being taken .... Even at hundreds of feet away .... Blinding you the whole time .... But man .... look-Out .... As he can change direction quickly Vocally .... And send you to La-La land in an instant ..... Hell .... He's been known to lift up people in cars and trucks .... Even houses and toss them into happiness within one note.... So hold on man ..... .Elvis is king .... Borrowed talent from God himself as history has proven it 73 YEARS AND COUNTING .... Once in a while God sends a mes-sager to his people .... Elvis was one such mes-sager .... Mankind can try to change it and proclaim some-one his equal or better if they want .... BUT God already said .... That son .... That is something that you just can not change .... The man has everyone {Including Me} looking up on the stage as they wanted to watch every move and listen to every sound he made .... Yes sir .... I saw Elvis live .... And I will tell you right now that hearing him on CD's or Records or seeing him on TV or here on you-tube .... I can tell you right now .... It is nothing like seeing him in person .... Take it x1000 to that him In person .... He was that Absolutely fantastic ...... He was like the Suction of a f-5 tornado .... Once in his grip .... You are a fan .... PERIOD .... And so as you are determined to jump into the whirlwinds created by the king himself .... WE BID YOU GOOD LUCK ON YOUR JOURNEY AND WELCOME ABOARD .... SO NOW THAT YOU ARE BEING OFFICIALLY SUCKED INTO THE F-5 WHIRLWIND TORNADO .... Going by the name Elvis Aron Presley .... Please above all .... Keep hands .... Arms ....And legs inside your sea at all times .... To avoid hitting nearby .... Supporters .... People .... And other objects .... Try to Sit properly in your seat without twisting around .... kneeling .... Or otherwise rearranging your body in a way that may compromise the effectiveness of the safety restraints built -in .... Which is the arm rests .... Seat belts .... Or a handrail or any other form of safety device if equipped .... Or hold on to any other life forms in your area .... Or you may have to just hang on for dear life .... Above all .... Enjoy the ride ... And so here is another gift from the king ..................Elvis Presley - " Life " ................kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ipqTis5-vdirmqM.html {{ Elvis did EXACTLY 764 songs }} .... And he did them better than ANYONE .... ANYONE ELSE COULD .... PERIOD ....

@@bign8580 this message is beautiful .. Elvis wanted everyone United as one nation ..I was born may 6 1975.. my cousin was my moms delivery nurse and was trying to hurry her up to deliver me so she could see Elvis.. she made it and saw his last middle Tennessee concert .. I was born over 10lbs so my mom said she wanted to punch my cousin .. lol 😂 I think it was at MTSU .. Elvis died in 1977.. but I grew up loving his music and movies because of my story .. only I didn’t know or realize how great he was until I got older and could understand..

@@randipearson4930 Thank You Very Much .... Your very kind ....

👏

This was filmed on 3 June 1968. 2 months after the MLK assassination and just 3 days before RFKs death. It didn’t air till December 68. MLK was fresh on his mind when he did this. What a great tribute.

Elvis cared about his fans and had a unique connection with them. May he live on through his amazing music.

The movie changed everything I was ever told about Elvis. The only thing I really thought I knew was what Public Enemy said about him in Fight The Power and this song, that movie took all that and made me research the man I never knew about.

I don't know how you stopped the tears, I'm a masochist, I listen to this every chance I get and cry every time!!!

@@sheripetrey1882 So sorry for your loss. Did your dad like Elvis? What an emotional song to start back with! You have probably heard many times that things will get better! Well, it's true! It won't happen fast. My dad died when I was 15 (71 now). Elvis's and Alan Jackson's music have helped me through a lot!

My dad died three weeks ago and I can’t stop listening to Elvis. The King.

@@jezbraun So sorry for your loss. Elvis is pretty good medicine for the hurt.

@@sheripetrey1882 sorry for your loss, Bless you

This reactor didn't post Elvis and the Black Community.

this song isn't just for " african " americans for all misunderstood races ..

Religion does not make people happy!!

He is the king!!

I can’t find his reaction to in the ghetto

Hi

Exactly my thoughts as well