He did not write any of his songs, but this song was written for him. He was the first to sing it. This was 1968, the year MLK and Robert Kennedy were assassinated. Elvis strongly supported equally for all people and he was very upset by these murders. He was told he couldn’t do this song, but he insisted. He was sincerely very passionate in this song.

A performance for the ages. One take. No dubs. If there has been a greater vocalist than Elvis Presley, I've not heard it.

This song was written based on a conversation a group of men had with Elvis one night after rehearsals for this TV special. It expressed Elvis' feelings after the assassinations of MLK and RFK, which took place within months of each other if I remember correctly. Elvis was deeply affected as was most of the country. He went against his manager and the sponsors to sing this song. They wanted him to sing Christmas songs and billed it as a Christmas special, but Elvis and his producer had other ideas. This was the final scene of the special and it was powerful.

I've only just discovered the reaction community this year and what I'm finding is that the audience and the reactors themselves are all being exposed to music we would have never listened to. Younger generations being exposed to some of the older music and older generations gaining an appreciation for some of the newer music. It's great! Thank you!

ELVIS PRESLEY the greatest ever. Dont even try and argue.

People forget that Elvis and Martin Luther King were friends. For Elvis, who was deeply religious and who grew up in poverty and in the gospel church, he deeply believed that all men (and women) were equal in God's eyes. He was often accused of "stealing" black music but he was actually part of the reason rock and roll became acceptable to play on the radio and find mainstream acceptance.

He puts so much feeling in his songs….

…Elvis was the FIRST and BEST! ... No one is as known/famous worldwide as Elvis and has been for almost 70 years! ...His charisma is still unsurpassed to this day!! ✨💎✨🕺🏻🕯 Thank you

If you are familiar with where and how Elvis grew up, this song is the base of his music. He grew up in the Bible Belt of US, He lived in the poorer black sections of Memphis. Loved Black Gospel choirs. You can hear the Gospel base of his past.😃🥰

This was a huge performance at the time. Probably one of my favorites.

Elvis has sold wat over a billion records sang over 700,songs,starred in 31 movies and is in 5 or 6 hall of fames. Rythem and bues,rock n roll, country. , gospel , rock a billy , he only had a twenty yr career.and is still relevant today.

Elvis was a gift from God put on this Earth and he shook the world 50 years later the love he spread through his music you know he is the gift

This is the greatest live performance ever recorded. 😎

He only performed this song 2 times. It made him very emotional as he loved everyone and this country so much!!

Nobody could match Elvis. NOBODY. Canada

Oh my gosh!!! I can feel him singing, as if he was here... That song was truly, truly made for him!!🥰🥰🥰

This man Elvis is the greatest entertainer. This world will ever know. He gave so much in so many ways he has sold more than any other artist has, or will worldwide radio post.

I’m 59 and was a teenager when Billy Jean came out did you know Elvis introduced Jackson five on stage in Vegas i think this is one of the times Lisa Marie met Michael A documentary on Elvis is good tells you a lot is the echo will never die

The king Elvis ❤🇬🇧

Such a powerful song.

Elvis was and will always be the best! Love from Australia 🇦🇺❤️

This song was written specifically for Elvis to end his 1968 Comeback special after his movie contracts were over!

More elvis please ❤

Thank you for doing this❤

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC 💯

I wasn't born then either, but loved Elvis with all my heart since I was 8 years old. I'll always love Elvis and he'll always be number 1 in my book. The world will never see anyone like Elvis again. Truly nr 1 and The King ❤ forever. Thanks for the reaction. Hope you'll do more Elvis reactions. There's SO much. Music, the man he was and the impact he made in this world 👑 Thanks again from Sweden 🇸🇪

The king ⚡️

Elvis Presley asked a songwriter to write a song for him, he was distraught over the recent assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy and the overall sadness of the way be treat each other, the anger ,hatred etc. And he so much hoped we could all change and treat each other with the love, dignity, consideration, compassion etc,... So, it is indeed a tribute to Martin Luther King and So Much More!!

I’m at the age where I had the opportunity on two occasions to see Elvis before live. I was 6 years old the first time & 9 the second. At that time it was cheaper to buy tickets to a concert then it was to hire a babysitter. Anyway, you’ll never hear me chastise you for not being familiar with his music. What I am pleased to see, is that you have discovered him. Elvis didn’t think anyone would remember him after his passing. He died in 1977 & here we are, approaching 2024. He was such a good man. He was flawed, but he was kind. Thank you, for sharing your reaction. I became a subscriber today. This has been my first exposure to your channel. You touched my heart with your reaction. Well done!

Just so you know, MLK was assassinated in late April 1968 just miles away from Elvis' home in Memphis, TN. Robert Kennedy (brother to President John F Kennedy and Presidential hopeful himself) was assassinated in early June, 1968. This TV show was recorded on June 27th, 1968. The country was a complete mess! Racial riots, anti Vietnam War protests, entire neighborhoods being burned to the ground, nightly "Body Bag" counts being reported on the news. 1968 was a year of strife and upheaval. This was the closest Elvis ever came to making a political statement and it was one of brotherhood and coming together. The TV show, aired in early December was a HUGE success!

Oh yes ELVIS love him❤❤❤❤

Powerful song words singing , Elvis at his best💙🙏

Elvis sings with so much passion

Well, his voice is next to none-he could do low, high, and the vocal embellishments he did on any song made them his own and made you see what a song could really be when done by an emotionally connected vocal master. He was, and in my opinion still is the top vocalist and performer. Also, NO AUTOTUNE. His voice was never technologically manipulated-just pure Elvis!! Magic!

MAGNIFICENT!!! Soar with the angels Elvis!!!!❤❤❤

Please do more Elvis he is the most iconic performer of all time. This song was written especially for Elvis to end the 1968 Comeback Special on TV. Elvis wanted his music to have a meaning. It was a tribute to MLK after his assassination. His passionate performance still gives me goose bumps. You have a good voice which you could sing Elvis music with your own twist. Liked your reaction.

Elvis journey sounds good!💚 I'll be with you. Great reaction and singing!☀️ Thank you, Jamie M. for this great song!

Elvis was smooth & so beautiful 💕

Beautiful emotional performance. Love that you reacted to this.

Powerful performance by Elvis. So much emotion.

And honoring RFK...a writer wrote this for him

Hi 😂 I'm watching this from, Vancouver BC Canada 🇨🇦. Love, Elvis' I love that saying from Elvis " thank u very much "

And Robert Kennedy, who had just got assassinated, too.both.

The young generaion now is really becoming aware and liking Elvis. His new movie got so many peoples attention.

The idea for the show, conceived by his manager, was to have a nice family friendly Christmas special with Elvis singing Christmas carols with little kids, etc. Elvis pushed his manager's commands aside and took creative control, and came up with absolutely brilliant songs and staging. The last song was supposed to be a Christmas song with kids. Elvis had to sneak this one in and do it without his manager's permission. His manager did not want him doing any songs that might create any type of controversy, anything referencing current events, etc.

It was a different world back then... he sang this a very real progressive song.. wow Elvis rocked....

Love Elvis Presley, he is very talented, generous and kind to all people. He tried to do away with racism!!!

I wasn’t born in 1900, but I love a lot of music from The 1910s-1920s. Explore more music -especially Elvis!

Truly a King & such oozing charisma. Odd uyounento this was recorded Sept 5th wch wa y Dads bday & the very es whontridcedmd in my youth to Elvis & his movies & music if hich im very grateful. I dont listn regurly but hav great appreciation for alot if older than my generation music in rock as well as the country i was raised up hearing. Music has always been mylife long love until this day as well until my last im vey sure of✌️🧡🕊️

Saw Elvis four times. Incredible entertainer.

This was probably the best reaction to this song and performance I've ever heard. I'm also sorry there are people that criticize people for not knowing Elivs's music, it's almost 50 years since his death, why would everyone know his influence and talent, especially with the cruddy immitaters, making him a caricature and negative beliefs that are often far from the truth, or not true at all. His talent stands beyond all others (imo), and that deserves respect no matter what. I'm in my 60s and didn't dive in to his music until after seeing the "Elvis" movie. That movie blew me away and made me a superfan.

❤️❤️❤️

Please do more elvis ! Is voice is so awsome original and raw !no autotune in those days ! Loved your reaction!😊

Ok! It’s November 2nd and I saw this posted as of 3 hours ago!

Amazing reaction. Love love it. Feel the passion and emotion of his voice. Please try American Trilogy. Thanks 💕💕💕💕

ELVIS gospel music background & church upbringing is evident at the end of this song . . . His arm is swinging back & forth like a Sunday morning preacher bringing the message home to a congregation prepped & ready to receive it. . .

You will find this guy unique who's live performances due to his looks, charisma and stage presence including off the wall humour was often better in live than on record. He covered neo opera to rock including several genre in between in his career.

This men is sooooo good. The best ever ever ❤

The song was inspired by MLKs' 1963 "I Have A Dream" speech that he gave before one million people at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. Much of the lyric in the song was borrowed from that speech.

After "In the Ghetto", this is my favourite Elvis performance. "In the Ghetto" has this white Scottish woman.. 😭.. EVERY time.

This was a tribute to the late Martin Luther King and was not supposed to be included in his '68 special. Elvis insisted he be able to sing it, and witness the result.

Loved this scene in the Elvis movie 🙏💙 Austins portrayal really honoured the magnificent Elvis 💙brilliantly

They were never actual friends, but he admired him a lot. He believed in his purpose dream and actually donated generously.

Everything in this performance has a purpose. The song itself was written by Earl Brown, inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech I Have a Dream. The song was written with Elvis in mind & it’s a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mr. Brown was aware of Elvis love for Dr. King. He also knew that Elvis was devastated by the news of Dr. King’s assassination (just 9 miles away from Graceland, Elvis‘s home). The white suit was also worn to accompany the song’s dream for better days. At the time, the conflict in Vietnam was heart wrenching. In remembrance, of the lives lost during the Vietnam war. The burgundy colored scarf Elvis wore around his neck was for them.

Absolutely Wonderful song! This song was written by Mac Davis for Elvis!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤! There is no one like Elvis!! The one and only G.O.A.T!

He was warned not to sing this!!! But he said no I am singing it!!!

Just Elvis, no autotune! Autotune did not exist yet!

THIS WAS ORIGONAL SONG. Elvis was upset about Rev. Martin Luther King was killed in his home town of Memphis. When he finished, he went to his knees and tears flowing down.

Wondeful voice! I do remember Elvis . BTW , REN has a wonderful cover of Elvis,well worth checking out. Love Ren as a crooner. Thanks for the memories❤

Amazing performance to say the least. And what a message!

5th of Sept? Wow! Freaking utube. Lol. Great reaction!

اعظم فنان على مر العصور لم ولن يتكرر الملك بدون منازع

Got Elvis in my blood by mom in the early 60s. Still I get the same feelings when listening to his singing. One of historys best singers.❤

Excellent reaction. Looking forward to more

Stumbled across your channel & had to stop at an Elvis reaction. For 2 decades I took my mother to see Elvis for birthday/Mother’s Day. His audiences were electrified, literally. The hair would stand up on your arm every time. I will say, I enjoyed your reaction to this iconic song. Elvis never performed this in concert btw. I would note, however, all songs, regardless of genre, are poetry set to music. Well, the best songs are poetry anyway, lol. I had to subscribe so I’m looking forward to more. Thanks! 🇺🇸💙

I understand you. I'm 74. I was instantly hooked on Elvis at age 5.You can't be up on stuff that was released before you were born! Waiting for more Elvis!

This was from the 68Special and earlier that year MLK had been assassinated and during the making of the 68Special Robert Kennedy was assassinated so this was written for Elvis to sing as his own MLK "i have a dream.." speech in response to what happened

I'm 77 and I remember it well and it was called a protest song and it upset a lot of his fans. 1968 was bad in so many ways, like MLK and RFK, but 1968 also produced the most deaths in a year in Vietnam. For the USA it went from 9,378 in 1967 to 16,899 for 1968.

Elvis loved the Lord and his Gospel will leave you with chills! How Great Thou Art - live

This performance always gives me chills from start to finish. No other song has ever affected me so strongly. Thank You God for allowing me to be alive during the time of Elvis Presley.

MEMPHISROCKS1; This Is One Of Thee KING ELVIS PRESLEY'S Greatest Performances On His 1968 TV Special. ELVIS Wanted To Express His Thoughts And Feelings At This Very Troubling Time In The United States June 1968 After The Assassination Of Martin Luther King jr. And Robert F Kennedy. This Is A HISTORY MAKING MOMENT IN TIME.

I support Elvis by going to his home every couple of years. So much fun

Please 🙏 give thought to more Elvis reactions - I am a mad fan, my music shed is all him - he and I have been chillin with Ren for a few years now, he approves 😜 - only two artists that have channeled to the core of my soul and made a comfy bed there - Context - The King passed when I was 6, Ren was 3 when I had my first child. They both have the same message for us 🙏❤️

Elvises band member said after this performance Elvis went back stage and collasped on the floor in the fetal position and cried for a half hour. This was personal to Elvis. The Manager wanted Elvis to sing a christmas song and they argued back and forth. Elvis finally said Fuk You Im singing If I can Dream for my friend Martin Man ! Elvis won .

Elvis grew up listening to black gospel music and it shows in the video!

אלביס האחד והיחיד.❤❤שיר מדהים מאוד מרגש❤אהבתי את התגובה שלך🤘🤘🤘🫶🫶🫶🫶

What amazes me is that this song was written specifically for this show, at the request of Elvis, probably the day before the performance, which shows amazing and brilliant song writing. Imagine being Elvis, and going to a song writer and saying, "I need a song for my show tomorrow that's about racial peace and harmony and MLK's Dream". "Ok, Let me see what I can do" and then the songwriter comes back a day later and he's knocked it out of the park with one of the greatest songs Elvis has ever performed. I hope the songwriter is getting a boat load of royalties for this song.

BACKGROUND INFO for the SONG: As per the producer-director of the '68 special -- Steve Binder -- Elvis, Binder & others were together in the studio when they heard noise coming from the TV in the next room; it was the TV news broadcast that Robert Kennedy had just been assassinated. Binder, Elvis, et al sat up until about 4 a.m. talking about the turmoil in the world at that time w-Elvis expressing his thoughts & feelings, also the assassination of Pres. Kennedy & Vietnam. Binder asked songwriter Walter Earl Brown to compose a song based on those discussions. The song is notable for its similarities to Martin Luther King’s wish for a world of peace and harmony. The red tie was for the blood shed in Vietnam. See the video "Gates of Graceland: Secrets of the '68 Special" kzfaq.info/get/bejne/f8ClicSDr8Dbk40.html for the entire story of the '68 special, + all the other Binder video interviews regarding the culmination of the song & the entire making of the special. Binder, now 91, was the most ethical, upstanding person in the business. A little story he related about Elvis: Elvis was so nervous about doing the special that he told Binder he didn't remember any of the songs, forgot all the words & wasn't going out there, & Binder said i don't care if you walk out & just say hello & then walk off, but you are going out. And out he came. Thank you -- new sub.

This song is so beautiful..

Elvis is a Genius. In my opinion, there was no person on this planet more talented, more beautiful, nobler, more sincere, more charismatic, more sensual than Elvis. His mesmerizing voice, his intonations touch the heart and soul to the very depths. Elvis is a real magician. He will be loved by all generations of people as long as humanity exists. He will always inspire people. Elvis is not just the king of rock and roll, Elvis is the King of Music. 👑 ❤ Love ❤️

If you know your classics and you know Elvis. Then you know this was performed against his managers wishes to honour Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy who were killed closely together. They were both his friends. He only ever sung it twice live because it made him too emotional. Listen to in the Ghetto because he grew up in one in Tupelo, Mississippi, he lived it. He was a little boy when he followed the music into Baptist Church and he didn’t know he was the only white person there. His first love was Gospel, he recorded more than 220 Gospel songs. He was inductucted into 23 Halls and Walks of Fame, Gospel was one of them. He was also the only white person who stood up for equality in the 50’s no matter what it cost him. In the South they called him the white N word and smashed his records. He never backed down. Elvis truly did not see colour or race, the only one he held above his Mother was God. Anything else I can help you with?

I was raised with 3 generations of music My grandparents my parents and my music so i knew of music 40 years before i was born and it was all great music but yeah go to you're grandparents talk to them about the music they grew up with they will love that.

Elvis as well as Martin Luther King knew that their will always be pain & upheaval in this world until the savior comes, they both knew it & yes they were friends they both had a belief and faith in CHRIST. It’s all about CHRIST, Elvis did have a lot of passion for CHRIST. God bless & Merry CHRIST MAS ❤️🙏

Please react to Elvis’s American Trilogy from his concert in Hawaii. Amazing performance. Other comments have touched on the reasons for this song and I just want to add that red neck cloth he wore for this performance represented the blood of our young men who died in Vietnam. Thanks so much for watching Elvis and going to the past. I would love for you to do more of them. I also look forward to your reaction to Jungkook’s new song if you haven’t done it yet. 💜

Elvis sang this as a tribute to Martin Luther King.

I love Elvis

Please do more of your Elvis reactions. I’ve only seen two.

68 was a tough year we lost MLK and RFK Vietnam was full blown and the Cold War was at its peak. I remember watching this song of hope with my family and when it was over we all sat in silence looking at each other. This is a true song of hope and we could certainly use it again.

Elvis admired MLK Jr and they were friends. EP donated money for MLK Jr's campaign for change. Unfortunately, MLK JR was assassined just 8 blocks from Elvis's beloved Graceland. EP loved everyone, no matter what skin color they had or what religion they worshipped. Although he did not like being called the "King", he is and will forever be "The King of Rock and Roll".

This Song was for Martin Luther King after he get killed. Elvis was a friend of him