All I Have To Do Is Dream - The Everly Brothers
Song of the Day #17
Even if you have a fierce rock 'n' roll heart like mine, it's hard to deny that this doesn't deserve to be their defining song. It may not be as exciting as "Wake Up Little Susie" or a dense sonic attack of piercing harmonies like "Maybe Tomorrow," but in terms of songwriting, it's absolutely the finest composition the duo ever performed, the song that launched a thousand ships. Truly, I can imagine young Brian Wilson and Rod Argent both sitting around their record players falling under the spell of this mesmerizing masterpiece.
Though, it's really a testament to Phil and Don's greatness that much of the song's dreamy atmosphere comes from the way they sing it. They fully understood they couldn't make their harmonies as sharp and playful as usual, so they mellow down their sound to produce some of the sweetest, most delicate vocals of their career. Yet, their performing creativity was hardly on the back burner. The brothers give each and every verse a lovely vocal twist, whether it be a steady rise-and-fall or elongating and accentuating certain words. Aren't those sinking notes at the end of "I can make you mine / taste your lips of wine" just precious? Don't those back-and-forth sways on "whenever I want you" sound sublime? These brilliant phrasings alone provide such a lush, gorgeous feel that an orchestral arrangement could have only spoiled the song's elegant, regal nature (and if you aren't convinced, give the Roy Orbison cover a listen: not bad at all, but not living up to this greatness). Thank god the label recognized that and instead provided the perfect finishing touch: the shimmering guitar licks of Chet Atkins, perfect for such a heavenly song as this one.
What else can I say? It's simply one of the most beautiful products to come out of the whole 50s rock 'n' roll scene, sounding refreshingly beautiful in comparison to so many contrived attempts at creating beauty today. Of course, no production tricks or technological advancement could recreate their unique vocal magic, a trait that made their greatest shine bright and their weakest at least tolerable. Indeed, this is one of those songs that every aspiring artist should hear, if only to understand how much the strength of a delivery can define the greatness of a song.
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