In the Ghetto

Elvis Presley

About In the Ghetto

"In the Ghetto" (originally titled "The Vicious Circle") is a 1969 song recorded by Elvis Presley written by Mac Davis. It was a major comeback hit released in 1969 as a 45 rpm single with "Any Day Now" as the flip side.


Year:
1993
2:45
1,297 
#3

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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's 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
A 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
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)
(Aah-aah)

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Elvis Presley

Elvis Aron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. A cultural icon, he is commonly known by the single name Elvis. One of the most popular musicians of the 20th century, he is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King". more »

39 fans

Written by: Mac Davis

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


24 facts about this song

Song Origins
“In the Ghetto” also known as "The Vicious Circle," is a song written by Mac Davis and first recorded by Elvis Presley in 1969.
Song Theme
The song exposes the vicious cycle of poverty and crime that befalls children from deprived neighborhoods or "ghettos." It's a social commentary and call to action, which was quite unusual material for Presley at the time.
Chart Performance
“In the Ghetto” became a hit on its release, reaching No. 3 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 in both UK and Canada.
International Hits
This Elvis' song was also a succesful hit in several countries like Australia and Ireland, reaching the number one spot on the national charts.
Legacy
“In the Ghetto” is considered a classic today and is one of Elvis' most famous songs. It has been covered by numerous artists across various genres.
Controversy
Despite its success and its important social content, the song was subject to criticism and controversy. Some critics accused the song of being a political ploy and exploiting the plight of the poor.
Artistic Leap
“In the Ghetto” marked a key stylistic shift in Elvis Presley's career, as it saw him expanding from his rockabilly and rock and roll roots to a more message-oriented songs.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by a number of artists including Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Dolly Parton, and Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis' daughter. In fact, the Lisa Marie Presley version was used as a charity single for the Presley foundation.
mac Davis Perspective
Mac Davis, the songwriter, admitted that Elvis was not the first choice for the song. He initially offered the track to Sammy Davis Jr., who turned it down.
Recording Session
“In the Ghetto” was recorded during Elvis' comeback period in American Sound Studio, Memphis. The recording process took over 20 takes to get the final version. The producer was Chips Moman and Felton Jarvis, a long associate of Elvis.
Duets
“In the Ghetto” was also performed as a virtual duet by Elvis and his daughter Lisa Marie Presley, which featured in the album "Duet with the King" in 2007.
Song Origin
"In the Ghetto" was originally written and composed by Mac Davis, a renowned songwriter and actor.
Release
The song was recorded by Elvis Presley and released in 1969. It was part of his album, 'From Elvis in Memphis'.
Genre
This song is classified in the southern soul genre, an unique blend of country music and R&B that was popular during the late 60s.
Chart Performance
The song performed extraordinarily well on the charts, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
Theme and Lyrics
"In the Ghetto" is a poignant narrative about poverty, striving to bring attention to the vicious cycle of poverty and crime in the inner city.
Cover Versions
Many artists have covered "In the Ghetto". Notably, it was covered by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in 1984.
Legacy
Elvis's performance of the song has been widely regarded as one of his best, and the song itself stands as a testament to his ability to step outside of his traditional rock n' roll genre.
Impact
The song has been credited with helping to revive Elvis's career, as it was his first top five hit in four years.
Awards
: In 2003, the song was ranked as the 92nd greatest song of all time on VH1's list of the '100 Greatest Songs of the Past 50 Years.'
Unusual Fact
Interestingly, 'In the Ghetto' was also one of the first songs to address social issues in its lyrics, a bold move for Elvis Presley.
Multiplatinum Status
The song has sold over a million copies and has been awarded platinum certification.
Social Impact
The song's sobering depiction of urban poverty helped engender a broader conversation about social issues within the music industry.
Recording
: Interestingly, it was recorded at American Sound Studio, where Presley produced his most heralded work.

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    In the Ghetto

    15.6M
    87,624     3,145

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1969

    Billboard #3


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