Elvis Presley - If I Can Dream
Hello! Below you'll find my "If I Can Dream" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This song by Elvis Presley is a total classic. It's a great one to learn on piano because the chord progression and rhythms are mostly quite straightforward.
Enjoy!
If I Can Dream Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for If I Can Dream:
If I Can Dream Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| C | Am | X4
| C | Am | X4
[Verse 1]
C Am F Gsus4
There must be lights burning brighter somewhere
C Em Am Em F G
Got to be birds flying higher in a sky more blue
C Bb/C C
If I can dream of a better land
F E7 Am
Where all my brothers walk hand in hand
C/G Am
Tell me why, oh why
F Dm7 C/E Am Dm7 G F/G G
Oh why can't my dream come true oh why
[Verse 2]
C Am F Gsus4
There must be peace and understanding sometime
C Em Am Em
Strong winds of promise that will blow away
F G
The doubt and fear
C Bb/C C
If I can dream of a warmer sun
F E7 Am
Where hope keeps shining on everyone
C/G Am
Tell me why, oh why
C Bb/C C
If I can dream of a warmer sun
F E7 Am
Where hope keeps shining on everyone
C/G Am
Tell me why, oh why
F Dm7 C/E G C F C C7
Oh why won't that sun appear
[Bridge]
F F#dim C C7
We're lost in a cloud with too much rain
F F#dim C C7
We're trapped in a world that's troubled with pain
F F#dim C/G E7/G# Am
But as long as a man has the strength to dream
Dsus4 D F/G G A
He can redeem his soul and fly (he can fly)
[Verse 3]
D Bm G Asus4
Deep in my heart there's a trembling question
D F#m Bm
Still I am sure that the answer
D Bm G Asus4
Deep in my heart there's a trembling question
D F#m Bm
Still I am sure that the answer
F#m Em7 A
Answer's gonna come somehow
D D7
Out there in the dark
D D7
Out there in the dark
G G#dim
There's a beckoning candle, yeah
D/A Bm
And while I can think, while I can talk
D/A Bm
While I can stand, while I can walk
G
While I can dream
D/A Bm
And while I can think, while I can talk
D/A Bm
While I can stand, while I can walk
G
While I can dream
Em7 G/A
Please let my dream come true, oh
D Bm D Bm
Right now, let it come true right now
D G D
Oh yeah
D Bm D Bm
Right now, let it come true right now
D G D
Oh yeah
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
If I Can Dream Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "If I Can Dream" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "If I Can Dream" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
