The Impossible Dream (The Quest)

"The Impossible Dream (The Quest)" is a popular song composed by Mitch Leigh, with lyrics written by Joe Darion. It is the best known tune from the 1965 Broadway musical Man of La Mancha and is also featured in the 1972 film of the same name starring Peter O'Toole.

According to composer Mitch Lee in Soul Music - The Impossible Dream, BBC Radio 4, 2011, the original lyricist was WH Auden. "But there were disagreements with Wasserman, the book's writer, on how to adapt it. So he left."

The complete song is first sung by Don Quixote as he stands vigil over his armor, in response to Aldonza (Dulcinea)'s question about what he means by "following the quest". It is reprised partially three more times – the last by prisoners in a dungeon as Miguel de Cervantes and his manservant mount the drawbridge-like prison staircase to face trial by the Spanish Inquisition.

A version recorded by Jack Jones peaked at No. 35 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached No. 1 on the Easy Listening chart.

Leigh received the Contemporary Classics Award from the Songwriter's Hall of Fame for the song.[1]

Notable renditions

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"The Impossible Dream (The Quest)"
Single by Jack Jones
from the album The Impossible Dream
B-side"Strangers in the Night"
ReleasedApril 1966
RecordedApril 4, 1966
StudioColumbia 30th Street Studio, New York City
GenreTraditional pop
Length2:17
LabelKapp
Songwriter(s)Joe Darion, Mitch Leigh
Producer(s)Pete King
Jack Jones singles chronology
"The Weekend"
(1966) 		"The Impossible Dream (The Quest)"
(1966) 		"A Day in the Life of a Fool"
(1966)

In politics

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During Robert F. Kennedy's long shot campaign for the presidency in 1968, Senator George McGovern introduced him before a South Dakota stump speech by quoting from "The Impossible Dream". Afterwards Kennedy questioned McGovern whether he really thought it was impossible. McGovern replied, "No, I don't think it's impossible. I just... wanted the audience to understand it's worth making the effort, whether you win or lose." Kennedy replied, "Well, that's what I think."[7] It was actually Robert Kennedy's favorite song. After Kennedy's death, McGovern inherited many of that campaign's delegates in the 1968 Democratic National Convention;[8] Peter, Paul and Mary performed the song live to welcome McGovern as he arrived for the event.

One of Kennedy's close friends, Andy Williams, was one of many vocal artists of the Sixties that recorded the song.[7] The song was also a favorite of younger brother Ted Kennedy and was performed by Brian Stokes Mitchell at his memorial service in 2009.[9]

The song was a favorite of Philippine hero Evelio Javier, the assassinated governor of the province of Antique in the Philippines, and the song has become a symbol of his sacrifice for democracy. Javier was shot and killed in the plaza of San Jose, Antique, during the counting following the 1986 snap election, an act which contributed to the peaceful overthrow of Ferdinand Marcos by Cory Aquino in the People Power Revolution. Every year, Javier is remembered on Evelio Javier Day and the song is featured. The song's lyrics are written in brass on a monument in the plaza where he was shot.

Baseball

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The 1967 Boston Red Sox were baseball's big surprise that season. Coming off nine straight years of finishing ninth or tenth in the American League, they surprised the baseball world, under rookie manager Dick Williams, by winning the American League pennant, before losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in game seven of the World Series. During that season, the Red Sox became known as "The Impossible Dream Red Sox", and have been known as such ever since.[10][11][12][13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Baker, Dorie. "Composer Mitch Leigh Endows Chair in Jazz at Yale" (Press release). Yale University Office of Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 2010-07-15. Retrieved 2012-03-29.
  2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001. Record Research. p. 131.
  3. ^ "Jim Nabors Sings Love Me with All Your Heart". AllMusic.
  4. ^ "Jim Nabors Sings Stirring Version of The Impossible Dream On Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.". Reshareworthy.com. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  5. ^ Watts, Randy; Callahan, Mike; Edwards, David; Eyries, Patrice. "Columbia Album Discography, Part 21 (CL 2500-2599/CS 9300-9399) 1966–1967". Bsnpubs.com. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  6. ^ "Discogs – Database and Marketplace for Music on Vinyl, CD, Cassette and More". Discogs. Archived from the original on 2014-07-13. Retrieved 2011-10-07.
  7. ^ a b Schlesinger, Arthur M. (1978; 1990). Robert Kennedy and His Times. Ballantine Books.
  8. ^ White, The Making of the President 1968, pp. 265–266.
  9. ^ "Ted Kennedy's Wake: Farewell to 'Captain Ahab'". Time. 2009-08-29. Archived from the original on August 30, 2009. Retrieved 2011-05-30.
  10. ^ "October 1, 1967: Red Sox complete 'Impossible Dream' – Society for American Baseball Research".
  11. ^ "The Impossible Dream 1967 Red Sox: Carl Yastrzemski". 9 February 2017.
  12. ^ "MLB Network Presents: The Impossible Dream: Red Sox Nation Begins | Baseball Hall of Fame".
  13. ^ "The Impossible Dream Remembered: The 1967 Red Sox by Ken Coleman".

Further reading

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