CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE AND HEAR THIS SONG PERFORMED, OR THE JUKEBOX FOR THE ENTIRE LIBRARY.
This is an incredibly slow version you can practice with: 7:10 –
Listen to this song sung by the Everly Brothers:
Recorded by the Everly Brothers – Key of C – Written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant
This song, which sold over a million copies, was written by Boudleaux Bryant, who was half of the world famous husband-and-wife songwriting team, Boudleaux and Felice Bryant. Together, this talented couple penned many huge hits for the Everly Brothers and other artists, including “Bye, Bye Love,” “Wake Up Little Susie,” “Bird Dog,” “Devoted to You,” “Hey Joe,” “Love Hurts,” “Raining In My Heart,” and “Rocky Top.”
Phil Everly (from everlybrothers.com): “I remember hearing ‘All I Have To Do Is Dream’ on an acetate with Boudleaux’s version on it, and I said, at the time, they could have put Boudleaux’s out and it would have been a hit. It’s just a great, great song. It’s beautiful. Boudleaux was the main man who wrote all the great songs for us, and we love him.”
Chet Atkins played tremolo-style guitar chords on the song, providing an interesting musical backing to the Everly Brothers’ unique vocal harmonies.
Boudleaux Bryant said regarding the phrase “Only trouble is, gee whiz”: “I can’t explain why I put that in there. It was just a lucky rhyme fall.”
The song reached the US charts in four straight decades: – The Everly Brothers took it to #1 in 1958. – Richard Chamberlain’s version went to #4 in 1963. – Glen Campbell and Bobby Gentry reached #27 with it in 1970 – The Nitty Gritty Band landed at #66 in 1975. – Andy Gibb and Victoria Principal peaked at #51 in 1981.
According to Billboard magazine, the song took just 15 minutes to write.
All I have to do is Dream
[C] Dre [Am] am, [F] dream, dream, [G] dream [C] Dre [Am] am, [F] dream, dream, [G] dream
When [C] I want [Am] you [F] in my [G] arms . . . When [C] I want [Am] you [F] and all your [G] charms . . . When- [C] -ever I [Am] want you, [F] all I have to [G] do is [C] Dre [Am] am, [F] dream, dream, [G] dream
When [C] I feel [Am] blue [F] in the [G] night, and [C] I need [Am] you [F] to hold me [G] tight. When- [C] -ever I [Am] want you, [F] all I have to [G] do is [C] Dre- [F or G] am [C] [C7]
[ CHORUS ] – – – – – [F] I can make you mine, [Em] taste your lips of wine, [Dm] Anytime [G] night or [C] day. [C7] [F] Only trouble is, [Em] gee whiz, I’m [D7] dreamin’ my life a- [G F Em Dm] -way
[VERSE TWO] – – – – – I [C] need you [Am] so [F] that I could [G] die. I [C] love you [Am] so [F] and that is [G] why;Whe- [C] -never I [Am] want you, [F] all I have to [G] do is [C] Dre [F or G] am [C] [C7]
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE AND HEAR THIS SONG PERFORMED, OR THE JUKEBOX FOR THE ENTIRE LIBRARY.
When [C] I feel [Am] blue [F] in the [G] night, and [C] I need [Am] you [F] to hold me [G] tight. When- [C] -ever I [Am] want you, [F] all I have to [G] do is [C] Dre- [F or G] am [C] [C7]
[Dm] Anytime [G] night or [C] day. [C7] [F] Only trouble is, [Em] gee whiz, I’m [D7] dreamin’ my life a- [G F Em Dm] -way