Elvis Presley and Martin Luther King’s Shared Dream

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Discussion
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

The impact of music on providing social and political commentary should never be estimated as it reflects the environment of the time in which it was created and offers valuable insight into whether the singer or songwriter supported the change for the better. Elvis Presley’s song “If I Can Dream,” released in 1968, is famous for its resemblance to the historic speech “I Have a Dream” given by Martin Luther King in 1963 (Morrison). The similarities between the song and the speech concern both the form and content of the test, with the key message being the desire for a better world in which everyone can exist in harmony and peace. Such a world can be achieved through the striving of every person not to abandon hope in a bright future and not to give up the difficult path that is in front of them.

Discussion

The American Civil Rights Movement under the leadership of Marin Luther King Jr. was the national crusade inspiring people of different social classes in America to turn against the long-standing racial and economic inequalities and make them crucial political issues not only in the US but worldwide. The speech given by King represents the pinnacle of the movement as it remains cited even today (Morrison). In the aftermath of his assassination, millions paid tribute to Luther King’s courage and determination to change the world, and Elvis Presley was one of them.

In his 1968 Comeback Special produced for television, Presley and his team wanted to show that the performer was not prejudiced and wanted to show his respect and admiration for the legacy of Martin Luther King. For example, King’s image of a “great beacon light” reappears when the song references a “beckoning candle,” while the “solid rock of brotherhood” aligns with the songwriter’s vision of “brothers” walking “hand in hand” (“Elvis Presley – If I Can Dream (’68 Comeback Special”). Finally, the “sunlit path of racial justice” is invoked through “a warmer sun where hope keeps shining on everyone” (“Elvis Presley – If I Can Dream (’68 Comeback Special”). These parallels illustrate the desire of the artist to demonstrate his appreciation for Luther King and ensure that the message of equality and brighter future proceeds.

Looking closely at Presley’s earlier work, it becomes evident that the artist was influenced by rock and roll, which initially originated from the Blues, a style of music rooted in the Deep South. Notably, Chuck Berry is considered one of the inventors of rock and roll, even though similar music existed before his career. However, had Elvis never heard Chuck Berry, his music would have probably been different or never come out? Even though there had been accusations of Elvis stealing the musical style from Black Culture, the artist himself had always given credit to the community. He said, “Nobody can sing that kind of music like colored people. Let’s face it: I can’t sing it like Fats Domino can. I know that. But I always liked that kind of music” (qtd in Kappel et al.).

Conclusion

Therefore, Presley played a crucial ally role and helped bridge gaps between Black and White cultures by showing that everyone can be equal in their expression. By speaking openly about the value of Black culture and its relevance to the modern discourse of his time, Elvis transferred the message of the belief in a brighter and just future in which prejudice and oppression would not exist.

Works Cited

“Elvis Presley – If I Can Dream (’68 Comeback Special).”YouTube, uploaded by Elvis Presley, 2018.

Kappel, Sherry, et al. “The Genius that Is Black Music.”OHF Weekly, vol. 4, no. 26, 2022.

Morrison, Robert. “If I can dream: The Elvis tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.”The Conversation, 2018.

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Elvis Presley and Martin Luther King’s Shared Dream

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