About the song
‘In the Ghetto’ – a song that cuts through the noise of fleeting trends and strikes a chord that still resonates with raw, unflinching truth. When **Elvis Presley** released this poignant ballad in 1969, it marked a significant departure from his usual repertoire. Here was the King, not crooning about heartbreak or hip-shaking, but confronting the harsh realities of poverty and despair.
Mac Davis, the songwriter, penned a narrative that’s as relevant today as it was then: the cyclical nature of poverty, how a child born into deprivation is often trapped in its relentless grip. It’s a story told with a simple, stark honesty that avoids sentimental platitudes, yet tugs at the heartstrings nonetheless. And Elvis, with his rich, resonant voice, delivers the lyrics with a sincerity that’s palpable.
This wasn’t just another hit record for Elvis; it was a statement. It was a moment where he used his immense platform to shine a light on a societal ill, to ask us to look beyond the glitz and glamour and acknowledge the suffering that exists in the shadows. The song’s arrangement, with its mournful harmonica and gospel-tinged backing vocals, creates an atmosphere of somber reflection, drawing the listener into the heart of the story.
‘In the Ghetto’ isn’t a song you simply listen to; it’s a song you experience. It’s a reminder that music can be a powerful force for empathy, a tool for social commentary, and a mirror reflecting the complexities of the human condition. It’s a testament to Elvis Presley’s artistry, his ability to transcend the boundaries of genre and deliver a performance that’s both timeless and deeply moving. It remains one of his most powerful and socially conscious recordings.”
Video
Lyrics
As the snow flies
On a cold and gray Chicago mornin’
A poor little baby child is born
In the ghetto
(In the ghetto)
And his mama cries
‘Cause if there’s one thing that she don’t need
It is another hungry mouth to feed
In the ghetto
(In the ghetto)
People, don’t you understand
The child needs a helping hand
Or he’ll grow to be an angry young man some day
Take a look at you and me
Are we too blind to see?
Do we simply turn our heads
And look the other way
Well, the world turns
And a hungry little boy with a runny nose
Plays in the street as the cold wind blows
In the ghetto
(In the ghetto)
And his hunger burns
So he starts to roam the streets at night
And he learns how to steal
And he learns how to fight
In the ghetto
(In the ghetto)
Then one night in desperation
The young man breaks away
He buys a gun, steals a car
Tries to run, but he don’t get far
And his mama cries
As a crowd gathers ’round an angry young man
Face down on the street with a gun in his hand
In the ghetto
(In the ghetto)
And as her young man dies
(In the ghetto)
On a cold and gray Chicago mornin’
Another little baby child is born
In the ghetto
(In the ghetto)
And his mama cries
(In the ghetto)
(In the ghetto)
(Ah)
