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In the Ghetto

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Rating: 4.6 Stars4.6 Stars4.6 Stars4.6 Stars4.6 Stars
Words & Music: Scott Davis
As the snow flies
On a cold and gray Chicago mornin'
A poor little baby child is born
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

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
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

As her young man dies,
on a cold and gray Chicago mornin',
another little baby child is born
In the ghetto
Recorded: 1969/01/20, first released on single

Reactions

Ruthie (profilecontact) wrote on Dec 26, 2008report abuse
Of course, it's a wonderful song but I like the other side, Any Day Now, just as much.
ger (profilecontact) wrote on Dec 26, 2008report abuse
you should get the remiexd version by Lee it's outsanding
KingKreole (profilecontact) wrote on Dec 26, 2008report abuse
One of Elvis' best! Those undubbed studio versions are phenomenal! As far as the "message", because of the sincerity in Elvis' voice, everything he sang felt like a message. He had the ability to convey emotion better than any singer that ever lived. Whether it was a love song or gospel or whatever. I do not feel that this song is any more "political" than "If I Can Dream", another of Elvis' most heartfelt songs. It is hard to imagine a human being not liking this song--unless they just do not like music period. Beautiful, beautiful song perfectly sung by the man who proved over and over again why the title "King" was bestowed upon him.
JimmyCool (profilecontact) wrote on Dec 26, 2008report abuse
One word: Timeless!
Natha (profilecontact) wrote on Dec 26, 2008report abuse
This is one of the (many) great highlights of Elvis' career. At the time it was a shocking surprise that he did this song. I recall my brother, being steeped in the music of that time and always argueing about 'Elvis not writing and singing his own songs', being swept off his feet by this song. After that he really appreciated Elvis and did let go of his argument. As globally not so much has changed, this is a reminder we should hear more often.
Elvis Rimes (profilecontact) wrote on Dec 26, 2008report abuse
Elvis did not sing many more powerful songs than this. Legendary.
marco31768 (profilecontact) wrote on Oct 2, 2008report abuse
A masterpiece !
GEORGE (GK) (profilecontact) wrote on Aug 23, 2008report abuse
"In the Ghetto", without a doubt, is one of the best in the Elvis catalog. And the flip side "Any Day Now" is another great performance! (which got "lost" in the shuffle, because the "A" side, was such a strong song.) It should have been released, as an "A" side at a later date). I wish more of the "Memphis recordings" had been released as singles such as "Power of My Love" "Wearing that Loved on Look", " Only the Strong Survive".. etc. All very strong performances !!!
JerryNodak (profilecontact) wrote on Aug 22, 2008report abuse
A great song. A top notch vocal. A song that resonates as much today as it did back in '69. A classic. The flip side? Never cared for it.
Volker Stockel (profilecontact) wrote on Aug 22, 2008report abuse
what a great song, what a great voice. In The Ghetto had a 13 week stay in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart where it reached up to number 3, in the US country chart number 60 and recieved platinum. In the UK it climbed up to Number 2 and in Germany it becam a number 1 hit.
Rob Wanders (profilecontact) wrote on Aug 22, 2008report abuse
Superb. specially the early (undubbed) studio-takes.
theoldscudder (profilecontact) wrote on Aug 22, 2008report abuse
A landmark performance. Surprising it was ever released what with the Col. probably wetting his pants over this great song. Bravo Elvis.
old shep (profilecontact) wrote on Aug 22, 2008report abuse
1969 was a great year for Elvis and this is the song that really turned his career around.Having said this I very seldom play the track prefering the B side Any day Now
FLASHBOY (profilecontact) wrote on Aug 22, 2008report abuse
The studio version is magical and Elvis sing it with such love and passion the live version is another thing.
Steve V (profilecontact) wrote on Aug 22, 2008report abuse
This was really the song that brought Elvis back to the charts in the amazing year of 1969. Many non-Elvis fans love this song and Suspicious Minds so Chips & Elvis must have been doing something right at American. Fantastic controlled performance with Elvis sounding ever so soulful. The studio versions are dyanamic. The live versions , like most songs Elvis sang live, are rushed and lack the soul & depth of the song. Yes I feel he stopped singing it live because of its 'message'.
dressingroomrehearsa (profilecontact) wrote on Aug 22, 2008report abuse
Well, I consider the studio version(s) as the best approach and performances. I kinda never understood the vegas versions, sometimes combined with "Walk A Mile...". I always missed the fervor of the studio version. Or let's say, I somehow cannot imagine Elvis recording it at the American studios, being aware of the context of the song and then perform it for a Dinner Show audience in Vegas. It kinda kills the song. Message songs back then were en vogue and Elvis had his share. As I remember his reply during the MSG press conference: "An enterntainer is one thing, a human being is another." Does somenone know any reasons why he didn't do the song beyond 1971/72?
JLpResLey (profilecontact) wrote on Aug 22, 2008report abuse
A good one, but never one of my favorites. The non-elvis fans likes In the ghetto. I don´t know why. He didn´t sing the song live for a very long time, I don´t know how many live versions there was after 1970, but not that many. Why? Maybe because of the political message. And Elvis Presley was not a political artist. He didn´t want to affect his fans in that way, like others artists did. And the live versions was not that good either
Jim says hello (profilecontact) wrote on Aug 22, 2008report abuse
I've always thought this was his finest vocal performance. The control, the timbre, the subtle Elvis vibrato... and even better raw, before the overdubs.
My boy, my boy (profilecontact) wrote on Aug 22, 2008report abuse
A VERY good song. A catchy one too...it explains a little bit why even the non-fans like it also ! It was another new path to explore for Elvis and he once again succeeded ! The live version on TTWII is amazing as well...but without Lisa's voice ! I must admit though that I enjoyed watching the performance she gave on Oprah a year ago with the choir and everything !
Elvisonmymind (profilecontact) wrote on Jul 24, 2008report abuse
How could Elvis pick up this song to sing? (Ah, what the heck, nobody is perfect). Why do everyone, particularly, the non-Elvis fans, like this song? Because of the message?

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