About the song
Elvis Presley – In the Ghetto
Few songs in Elvis Presley’s vast catalog resonate with the same emotional depth and social awareness as In the Ghetto. Released in 1969 as part of his comeback album From Elvis in Memphis, this song marked a significant departure from his earlier rock-and-roll and ballad-driven hits. Instead of the usual themes of love and heartache, In the Ghetto tackled the harsh realities of poverty, crime, and the cycle of violence in American inner cities.
Written by songwriter Mac Davis, In the Ghetto tells the tragic story of a boy born into poverty in the slums of Chicago. From his very first breath, he is trapped in a world of hardship, where hunger, desperation, and neglect drive him down a doomed path. The song’s haunting narrative is underscored by a simple yet powerful arrangement, allowing Elvis Presley’s rich and expressive vocals to take center stage. His delivery is filled with a quiet sorrow, making the listener feel the weight of the boy’s struggle and the inevitability of his fate.
This song was groundbreaking for Elvis Presley, not just musically but thematically. At a time when he was primarily seen as a mainstream entertainer, his decision to record a song with such a strong social message was both bold and meaningful. In the Ghetto became one of his most poignant and critically acclaimed tracks, reaching the Top 10 in multiple countries and helping to redefine his artistic legacy.
Beyond its commercial success, the song remains relevant decades later. Its themes of poverty and systemic hardship still resonate, making In the Ghetto a timeless reminder of the struggles faced by those born into difficult circumstances. It is a song that showcases Elvis Presley not just as an entertainer, but as a storyteller capable of evoking deep emotions and inspiring reflection.
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)
