The Ghetto
Donny Hathaway
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Yes, this is the ghetto, sure 'nuff now Don't you know that's all right yeah, yeah The ghetto, the ghetto, the ghetto The ghetto, the ghetto, the ghetto The ghetto, the ghetto, the ghetto The ghetto, the ghetto, the ghetto The ghetto, the ghetto, the ghetto The ghetto, the ghetto, the ghetto The ghetto, the ghetto, the ghetto The ghetto, the ghetto, the ghetto Wait a minute No you ain't doin' what you're suppose to You doin' what you wanna do But you know you, ? The ghetto, the ghetto, the ghetto The ghetto, the ghetto, the ghetto The ghetto, the ghetto, the ghetto The ghetto, the ghetto, the ghetto The ghetto, the ghetto, the ghetto The ghetto, the ghetto, the ghetto The ghetto, the ghetto, the ghetto The ghetto, the ghetto The ghetto, talkin' 'bout the ghetto The ghetto, talkin' 'bout the ghetto The ghetto, talkin' 'bout the ghetto The ghetto, talkin' 'bout the ghetto The ghetto, talkin' 'bout the ghetto The ghetto, talkin' 'bout the ghetto The ghetto, talkin' 'bout the ghetto The ghetto, talkin' 'bout the ghetto I'm talkin' 'bout the ghetto I'm talkin' 'bout the ghetto Can you all dig it out there? Can you dig it?
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Written by: Donny Edward Hathaway, Leroy Hutson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Release Details"The Ghetto" was released on November 9, 1970, as part of the Donny Hathaway's debut studio album "Everything Is Everything."
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Chart PerformanceWhile the song didn’t chart on the Billboard 100, it achieved respectable popularity on the R&B chart, reaching number 23 in 1970.
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Genre ClassificationThe song is a fusion of soul and jazz, alongside funk influences, which were groundbreaking for the time.
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Inspiration and ThemesThe song speaks powerfully about poverty, struggle, and life in the ghetto – operating as a social conscience for the black struggle in America during its release period.
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Songwriter and Composers"The Ghetto" was co-written by Donny Hathaway and Leroy Hutson, a former lead singer of the '60s R&B/Soul group the Impressions.
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InstrumentationBesides Hathaway’s distinctive and powerful vocals, the track also features an infectious rhythm section, creative use of chorus vocals, and a memorable horn section that punctuates the rhythm.
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Cover VersionsThe song has been covered and sampled by numerous artists, including Too Short, Nas, and D'Angelo - testifying to its enduring relevance and popularity.
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Live PerformanceDonny performed a live version of "The Ghetto" which is included on his posthumously released 1980 album "In Performance".
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LegacyToday, "The Ghetto" is regarded as a classic by Hathaway, characterized by its vibrant instrumentation and poignant social commentary.
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Local RecognitionThe song was especially celebrated in Hathaway’s hometown of Chicago, where he had been actively involved in the civil rights movement.
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Album Success"The Ghetto" contributed to the success of "Everything is Everything," which peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Top LPs chart.
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Historical ContextThrough "The Ghetto", Hathaway – a Howard University trained musician – was able to draw attention to the civil rights struggles of the day, making it not just a song, but a historical piece.
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Citation
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"The Ghetto Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/12373949/Donny+Hathaway/The+Ghetto>.
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