About the song
In 1971, the world witnessed the convergence of two monumental forces: the timeless voice of **Elvis Presley** and the soaring ambition encapsulated in the song “**The Impossible Dream**.” Originally part of the musical *Man of La Mancha*, this song was written by Mitch Leigh (music) and Joe Darion (lyrics), and its message of striving for the unattainable resonated deeply with listeners. When **Elvis Presley** took it on, he imbued it with his signature emotional depth and intensity, transforming it into something profoundly personal, yet universally relatable.
**The Impossible Dream (The Quest)** is a song about resilience, about chasing a noble cause even in the face of overwhelming odds. In the hands of **Elvis Presley**, it takes on an almost transcendent quality. Known for his ability to convey raw emotion with every note, Presley’s rendition of this song is no exception. His powerful voice, tinged with both vulnerability and strength, carries the listener through a journey of aspiration, sacrifice, and hope.
This version, recorded in 1971 during one of Presley’s more reflective periods, is marked by a sense of both reverence and regret. By this point in his career, **Elvis Presley** was no longer the young, unstoppable force of the 1950s but had become a more complex and introspective figure. The lyrics of “**The Impossible Dream**” seem to echo his own personal struggles—his search for purpose, his yearning for redemption, and perhaps even a reflection on the difficulties of his own life.
What makes this performance truly remarkable is the way **Elvis Presley** adapts the grandeur of the song to his own style, breathing life into a classic while staying true to its original essence. The orchestration is rich and lush, complementing Presley’s emotive delivery, and the atmosphere he creates is nothing short of poignant. It’s a song that, over time, has become synonymous with perseverance and the desire to overcome, a sentiment that resonates just as strongly today as it did in 1971.
In many ways, **The Impossible Dream (1971)** is a testament to the enduring legacy of **Elvis Presley**. It showcases not just his musical talent, but his ability to tap into the very heart of the human experience, reminding us that sometimes, the pursuit of something seemingly impossible is what gives life its deepest meaning.
Video
Lyrics
To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear the unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To write the unwritable wrong
To be better far than you are
To try when your arms are too weary
The reach the unreachable star
This is my quest, to follow that star
No matter how hopeless,
No matter how far
To fight for the right
Whithout question or pause
To be willing to march into hell
For a heavenly cause
And I know if I’ll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will be peaceful and calm
When I’m laid to my rest
And the world would be better for this
That one man scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star
