Everly Brothers – All I Have To Do Is Dream – 1958
About the song
Welcome to our blog, where we explore the stories behind some of the most iconic songs in music history. Today, we are going to talk about one of the most beautiful and romantic ballads ever recorded: **All I Have to Do Is Dream** by the Everly Brothers.
The Everly Brothers, Don and Phil, were one of the most influential vocal duos in rock and roll history. They were known for their close harmony singing, their distinctive blend of country, pop and rock, and their string of hit songs in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Among their classics are “Bye Bye Love”, “Wake Up Little Susie”, “Cathy’s Clown” and “When Will I Be Loved”.
But perhaps their most enduring song is “All I Have to Do Is Dream”, a dreamy and tender love song that expresses the longing of a lover who can only be with his beloved in his dreams. The song was written by Boudleaux Bryant, who along with his wife Felice, composed many of the Everly Brothers’ hits. Boudleaux was inspired by a classical music piece he heard on the radio, and wrote the melody and lyrics in about 15 minutes. He later said that he considered it his best song.
The Everly Brothers recorded the song at RCA Studios in Nashville on March 6, 1958, with legendary guitarist Chet Atkins on electric guitar. The session was very quick and easy, as the brothers nailed the song in just two takes. The producer, Archie Bleyer, added a string section later to enhance the dreamy atmosphere of the song.
The song was released as a single in April 1958, with another Roy Orbison-penned song, “Claudette”, as the B-side. The song was an instant success, reaching number one on all of the Billboard charts simultaneously: the pop chart, the country chart and the R&B chart. It was also a huge hit in the UK, where it topped the charts for seven weeks. The song has sold over four million copies worldwide, and has been covered by many artists, such as Glen Campbell, Roy Orbison, Bobbie Gentry, Richard Chamberlain and R.E.M.
The song is widely regarded as one of the greatest songs of all time. It was ranked number 141 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004. It was also named one of the “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll” by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In this blog post, we will explore the origins, impact and legacy of this timeless classic. We will also share some interesting facts and trivia about the song and its creators. So sit back, relax and enjoy this journey into the world of “All I Have to Do Is Dream”.
