The Impossible Dream (The Quest)

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"The Impossible Dream (The Quest)" is a popular song composed by Mitch Leigh, with lyrics written by Joe Darion. It was written for the 1965 musical Man of La Mancha. It is the main song from the musical and became its most popular hit.

The song is sung all the way through once in the musical 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.

[edit] Recordings

The cover art for Sarah Connor's single release of "The Impossible Dream (The Quest)" (2007).

• Richard Kiley (on the original Broadway cast album of Man of La Mancha)
• Keith Michell (on the 2-LP London cast album of the show)
• Robert Goulet (on the album collection Robert Goulet on Broadway)
• Cher (on the album Backstage)
• Ed Ames (on an LP)
• Tom Jones
• Jack Jones (with altered lyrics)
• Andy Williams
• Elvis Presley (on his album Elvis as Recorded at Madison Square Garden)
• Matt Monro
• The Lettermen
• Frank Sinatra (on his 1966 album That's Life)
• Jacques Brel (on the French cast album L'Homme de la Mancha)
• Maynard Ferguson (on his album The Ballad Style of Maynard Ferguson (1972)
• Simon Gilbert (Peter O'Toole's singing voice in the 1972 film version of the show, on the soundtrack album)
• Carter USM (on their 1992 album 1992 - The Love Album)
• Lena Martell (on her album One Day at a Time - The Ultimate Collection)
• Ron Raines, on the Covent Garden Festival recording of Man of la Mancha
• Colm Wilkinson (on his album Stage Heroes)
• Placido Domingo, on the studio cast recording of Man of la Mancha
• The Temptations (on their 1967 album The Temptations in a Mellow Mood)
• Anthony Warlow (on his 1990 album Centre Stage)
• Scott Bakula (in 1993 on the soundtrack to Quantum Leap)
• Sarah Connor (on her 2007 album Soulicious)
• Rolando Villazón
• The Vogues (on their album Turn Around, Look At Me)
• Jim Nabors
• Luther Vandross
• Glen Campbell
• Roberta Flack