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All I Have to Do Is Dream
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Wikipedia article
"'All I Have to Do Is Dream'" is a song made famous by the Everly Brothers, written by Boudleaux Bryant of the husband-and-wife songwriting team Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, and published in 1958. The song is ranked No. 141 on the 'Rolling Stone' magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song is in AABA form.Covach, John (2005), "Form in Rock Music: A Primer", in Stein, Deborah, 'Engaging Music: Essays in Music Analysis', New York: Oxford University Press, p.70, .
The Everly Brothers' original version
The best-known version was recorded by the Everly Brothers at RCA Studio Nashville and released as a single in April 1958. It had been recorded by the Everly Brothers live in just two takes[http://www.acousticguitar.com/issues/ag92/EverlyBrosB.shtml] on March 6, 1958, and features Chet Atkins on guitar. It was the only single ever to be at No. 1 on all of the 'Billboard' singles charts simultaneously, on June 2, 1958. It first reached No. 1 on the "Most played by Jockeys" and "Top 100" charts on May 19, 1958,"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/50s/1958/Billboard%201958-05-19.pdf The Billboard's Music Popularity Charts... Pop Records]", 'Billboard'. May 19, 1958. pp. 28, 31. Retrieved April 3, 2020. and remained there for five and three weeks, respectively; with the August 1958 introduction of the 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart, the song ended the year at No. 2. "All I Have to Do Is Dream" also hit No. 1 on the R&B chart as well as becoming the Everly Brothers' third chart topper on the country chart. The Everly Brothers briefly returned to the Hot 100 in 1961 with this song.
Outside the United States, "All I Have to Do Is Dream" saw massive success in various countries, most notably the United Kingdom, where it topped the UK's 'New Musical Express' chart in June 1958 and remained there for seven weeks (including one week as a joint number one with Vic Damone's "On the Street Where You Live"), spending 21 weeks on the chart in Britain.[https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/all-i-have-to-do-is-dream/ All I Have to Do Is Dream - Full Official Chart History], 'Official Charts Company'. Retrieved April 3, 2020. The song has also featured on several notable lists of the best songs or singles of all time, including British music magazine 'Q's 1001 best songs ever in 2003.
It was named one of the "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll" by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 2004.
The B-side, "Claudette", was the first major song writing success for Roy Orbison (who also recorded his own version of the song) and was named after his first wife. As a result of this success Orbison terminated his contract with Sun Records and affiliated himself with the Everly's publisher, Acuff-Rose Music.
Personnel
* Don Everly lead vocals and acoustic guitar* Phil Everly lead vocals and acoustic guitar
* Chet Atkins electric guitar
* Floyd Chance upright bass
Certifications
Cover versions
Richard Chamberlain covered the song on his 1962 album 'Richard Chamberlain Sings'. Released as a single in 1963, it peaked at No. 14 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart,[https://www.billboard.com/artist/richard-chamberlain/chart-history/hsi/ Hot 100: All I Have To Do Is Dream Richard Chamberlain], 'Billboard'. Retrieved April 3, 2020. and No. 6 on 'Billboard's Middle-Road Singles chart."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1963/Billboard%201963-03-23.pdf Middle-Road Singles]", 'Billboard'. March 23, 1963. p. 42. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
Roy Orbison covered the song on his 1963 album 'In Dreams.
Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell released a duet version in 1969. Their version reached No. 27 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100,[https://www.billboard.com/artist/bobbie-gentry/chart-history/hsi/ Hot 100: All I Have To Do Is Dream Bobbie Gentry & Glen Campbell], 'Billboard'. Retrieved April 3, 2020. No. 6 on 'Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart,[https://www.billboard.com/artist/bobbie-gentry/chart-history/csi/ Hot Country Songs: All I Have To Do Is Dream Bobbie Gentry & Glen Campbell], 'Billboard'. Retrieved April 3, 2020. No. 4 on 'Billboard's Easy Listening chart,"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1970/Billboard%201970-03-14.pdf Billboard Top 40 Easy Listening]", 'Billboard'. March 14, 1970. p. 43. Retrieved April 3, 2020. No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 6 in Sweden (Radio Sweden),"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1970/BB-1970-03-21.pdf Hits of the World]", 'Billboard'. March 21, 1970. p. 67. Retrieved April 3, 2020. and No. 3 in South Africa (Springbok Radio)."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1970/Billboard%201970-03-14.pdf Hits of the World]", 'Billboard'. March 14, 1970. p. 61. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
Donny Osmond's cover version appeared on his 1972 album 'Portrait of Donny'.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's version, from their 1975 album 'Symphonion Dream', reached No. 66 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100,"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1975/Billboard%201975-10-04.pdf Billboard Hot 100]", 'Billboard'. October 4, 1975. Retrieved April 3, 2020. No. 30 on 'Billboard's Easy Listening chart,"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1975/Billboard%201975-08-09.pdf Billboard Top 50 Easy Listening]", 'Billboard'. August 9, 1975. p. 52. Retrieved April 3, 2020. and No. 79 on 'Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1975/Billboard%201975-08-09.pdf Hot Country Singles]", 'Billboard'. August 9, 1975. p. 60. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
Andy Gibb and Victoria Principal peaked at no. 51 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 in 1981 with their remake.
R.E.M. contributed their rendition titled "(All I've Got To Do Is) Dream" to the 'Athens, GA: Inside/Out' soundtrack in 1987.
British singer Cliff Richard, singing with Phil Everly, recorded a version of the song that peaked at No. 14 on the UK Singles Chart in 1994.
The Dandy Warhols recorded a cover version for the covers compilation soundtrack released in support of video game Stubbs the Zombie in 2005.
French singer Laurent Voulzy recorded a version of the song in a duet with Andrea Corr. It was featured on his album 'La Septime Vague', recorded in 2006 and on the Corrs album 'Dreams: The Ultimate Corrs Collection', also recorded in 2006.
At the 1994 AFI Life Achievement Award, which was awarded to Jack Nicholson, Harry Dean Stanton and Art Garfunkel performed a rendition of the song for Nicholson.
Belinda Carlisle performed the song at the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
References
Category:1958 singles
Category:1963 singles
Category:1969 singles
Category:1981 singles
Category:Songs written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant
Category:The Everly Brothers songs
Category:Richard Chamberlain songs
Category:Cliff Richard songs
Category:Glen Campbell songs
Category:Bobbie Gentry songs
Category:Andy Gibb songs
Category:Jan and Dean songs
Category:Nitty Gritty Dirt Band songs
Category:Ant & Dec songs
Category:Billboard Top 100 number-one singles
Category:Cashbox number-one singles
Category:Number-one singles in Canada
Category:UK Singles Chart number-one singles
Category:MGM Records singles
Category:Capitol Records singles
Category:Rockabilly songs
Category:Songs about loneliness
Category:Songs about dreams
Category:1958 songs
Category:Jangle pop songs
Category:Cadence Records singles
Category:Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients
Category:1950s ballads
Category:Barry Manilow songs
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