This week’s final dream-related classic song of the day is “All I Have to Do is Dream.” The song was written by legendary songwriter Boudleaux Bryant who, along with his wife and partner Felice, wrote such classic tunes as “Bye Bye, Love,” “Wake Up, Little Susie,” “Bird Dog,” “Take a Message to Mary,” and “Devoted to You,” all big hits for the Everly Brothers; “Raining in My Heart” for Buddy Holly; “Rocky Top” for the Osborne Brothers; and “Love Hurts” for Nazareth.
“All I Have to Do is Dream” was first released by the Everly Brothers in April of 1958. Phil and Don’s version, with Chet Atkins on guitar, was the only single to hit #1 on all of Billboard’s charts simultaneously. It was the top song on Billboard’s Top 100, Best Sellers in Stores, Most Played by Jockeys, Country, and R&B charts, all at the same time. That’s a remarkable achievement.
The song is notable for its lovely melody and the Everly Brothers’ equally lovely vocal harmonies. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004.
I’m a little too young to remember the Everly Brothers’ version of “All I Have to Do is Dream” firsthand; I was only two months old when it was released. The version I best remember is the 1969 cover by Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell. This duo replicated Phil and Don’s harmonies in a more modernized arrangement.
Bobbie and Glen’s version was released as a follow-up to their earlier cover of the Everly Brothers’ “Let It Be Me,” which went to #36 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their cover of “All I Have to Do is Dream” did even better, hitting #27 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart, and #4 on the Easy Listening Chart.
And here’s your daily bonus video of the day, Bobbie and Glen lip synching “Let It Be Me” on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour in 1969. They had a good thing going, especially on those Everly Brothers songs.
