The Greatest Oldies Music

Oldies Musics

In the Ghetto – Elvis Presley

Introduction

“In the Ghetto,” a haunting and poignant ballad, is a song that touches the depths of the human soul with its powerful lyrics and soulful melodies. Written by the legendary songwriter Mac Davis and originally recorded by the iconic Elvis Presley, this timeless classic has left an indelible mark on the music world since its release in 1969.Elvis Presley's Life in Photos - Rare Photos of Elvis Presley

Did You Know?

About the Song

  • “In the Ghetto” was released as a single by Elvis Presley in 1969 and later featured on his album “From Elvis in Memphis.” The song was an instant hit, reaching the top of the charts in the United States and several other countries.
  • The song’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of urban poverty and its impact on a young child, offering a poignant commentary on the cycle of poverty and the need for social change. It struck a chord with listeners, resonating with their empathy and social consciousness.
  • The distinctive arrangement of “In the Ghetto” combines Presley’s powerful voice with a memorable backing choir, creating a powerful and emotional listening experience. The song has since been covered by numerous artists, further solidifying its place in music history.

About the Artist

  • Elvis Presley, often referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll,” was one of the most influential and celebrated musicians of the 20th century. He was known for his charismatic stage presence and the versatility of his music, which ranged from rock and roll to gospel, country, and soul.
  • Presley’s impact on the music industry is immeasurable, and he continues to be a source of inspiration for artists across genres. His legacy lives on, with a dedicated fan base and countless awards and honors in his name.

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Video

Lyrics: In The Ghetto 

As the snow flies
On a cold and gray Chicago mornin’
A poor little baby child is born
In the ghettoAnd his mama cries
‘Cause if there’s one thing that she don’t need
It’s another hungry mouth to feed
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

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

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

And as her young man dies,
On a cold and gray Chicago mornin’,
Another little baby child is born
In the ghetto

And his mama cries

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BEFORE HE HAD A NO. 1 HIT, DARRYL WORLEY HAD A DEGREE IN CHEMISTRY AND A JOB THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH A STAGE. He spent his early years studying biology and chemistry at the University of North Alabama, eventually landing a stable job in the chemical industry. It was the kind of life that offered a steady paycheck, a predictable schedule, and every reason to put the guitar down for good. But the music he grew up hearing in his Tennessee home—raised by a Methodist preacher and a choir-singing mother—never stopped pulling at him. After hours, he kept writing. He eventually found his way to Muscle Shoals, where Rick Hall at FAME Studios taught him the hard, unglamorous side of the craft. For years, Worley played dingy clubs every night, grinding out songs with no promise they’d ever see a studio. He was a man who didn’t fit into a single genre, and Muscle Shoals was exactly where he needed to be. Five years later, he took that grit to Nashville. He managed a few footholds with tracks like “A Good Day to Run,” but he was still fighting to turn songwriting into a career. Then came “I Miss My Friend.” It wasn’t flashy. It was a raw, quiet realization that losing someone isn’t just about the heartbreak—it’s about missing the person who knew your habits, your silence, and the small things that don’t matter to anyone else. When it hit No. 1 in 2002, the man with the chemistry degree finally found a formula Nashville couldn’t ignore. But the song didn’t sound like a formula. It sounded like a man who had spent enough time waiting in the wings to know exactly what absence feels like.

When Elvis Presley stepped off the stage after his final concert in Indianapolis on June 26, 1977, no one knew they had just witnessed the last performance of a lifetime. There were still plans ahead. Another tour was scheduled to begin in August. New concerts had already sold out. Fans were waiting. Elvis himself was talking about the future. Yet only seven weeks later, on August 16, the world awoke to heartbreaking news. The man who had changed music forever was gone at just forty two years old.

ELVIS PRESLEY NEVER MEASURED WEALTH BY WHAT HE KEPT. HE MEASURED IT BY WHAT HE GAVE. Long before Elvis Presley became one of the richest entertainers in the world, he knew what it meant to have almost nothing. Growing up in a tiny two room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, the Presley family often struggled to pay bills or even put food on the table. Those difficult years shaped Elvis forever. Friends later said that no matter how much success came his way, he never forgot what it felt like to be the child whose family depended on the kindness of others. Perhaps that is why, when fortune finally arrived, his first instinct was never to accumulate. It was to share.

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