Everly Brothers – All I Have To Do Is Dream

“All I Have to Do Is Dream” – Single by the Everly Brothers
B-side “Claudette”
Published: April 21, 1958, Acuff-Rose Publications
Released: April 1958
Recorded: March 6, 1958
Label: Cadence 1348
Songwriter: Boudleaux Bryant
Producer: Archie Bleyer
Charted No.1 in US and No.1 in UK

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.”

The best-known version was recorded by the Everly Brothers at RCA Studios Nashville and released as a single in April 1958. It had been recorded by the Everly Brothers live in just two takes on March 6, 1958.

Chet Atkins played tremolo-style guitar chords on the song, providing an interesting musical backing to the Everly Brothers’ unique vocal harmonies.

It was the only single ever to be at No. 1 on all of the Billboard singles charts simultaneously. On May 12, 1958, it became No. 1 on the “Best Sellers in Stores” chart, then it reached No. 1 on the “Most played by Jockeys” and “Top 100” charts on May 19, 1958, and remained No. 1 on each chart for four, five, and three weeks, respectively. With the August 1958 introduction of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the song ended the year at No. 2.

“All I Have to Do Is Dream” also hit No. 1 on the R&B chart as well as becoming the Everly Brothers’ third chart topper on the country chart. The Everly Brothers briefly returned to the Hot 100 in 1961 with this song.

When asked for the most memorable moment of his career, Phil Everly replied “the Albert Hall reunion”. It was September 1983 – ten years on from one of the most acrimonious splits in popular music history- when the Everly Brothers, Don and Phil, took to the stage at London’s Royal Albert Hall. One of the most successful duos of all time, the Everlys had dominated the charts in the late fifties and early to mid sixties. Their close harmony singing, acoustic guitars and brilliant songwriting had become instantly recognizable and inspired millions of fans worldwide.