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ELVIS PRESSLY - IN THE GHETTO (REACTION)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ธ.ค. 2020
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• "The Black Dahlia Unso... -~-
Taking it back with THE KING... ELVIS - IN THE GHETTO...
In the Ghetto" (originally titled "The Vicious Circle") is a 1969 song recorded by Elvis Presley and written by Mac Davis. It was a major hit released in 1969 as a part of Presley's comeback album with "Any Day Now" as the flip side.
Released
April 14, 1969
Recorded
January 1969, American Studios, Memphis, Tennessee
Genre-Pop, gospel
Length-2:57
Label-RCA Victor
Songwriter(s)-Mac Davis
Producer(s)-Chips Moman
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#thesippingtons #elvis
Elvis knew Everything about The Ghetto. Born and raised there.
He grew up in the Memphis projects... dirt poor.
Born in a shotgun house Tupelo, MS then family moved to Lauderdale Court in Memphis when he was 13.
Yes he did
And he never forgot where he came from.
Elvis was the man to sing this song, but Mac Davis wrote it and he was the one describing what he saw. Of course, Elvis could relate and that's why the song sounds so great.
Elvis was not just singing this song...he lived in the ghetto as a child
True, he grew up poor! That is why h Elvis always stand up for Inspirations, backup singers. One promoter did not want them onstage with him. Elvis told if they are not be onstage with me, I leave..... In his eyes, Elvis didn't see color, he sees people.
Well said!!
He grew up in Tupelo so poor that moving to the ghetto in Memphis was a step up.
You have to admire Elvis for pointing out the cycle and going against the people who tried to stop him singing this song
Elvis believed in supporting the black community. Elvis was well respected by James Brown, Little Richard, BB king just to name a few.
You asked "What did Elvis know about the Ghetto"
He was born in Tupelo Mississippi in 1935-his family lived on the black side of a segregated town. In a part called Shadrack....that section was looked down upon.
His dad was a sharecropper-and his family was the poorest of the poor. His friends were black and white kids..because his mom taught him poor is poor and knows no color.
He was born during the "Great Depression"
Elvis went to black churches with his black friends from time to time and went to a Pentacostal church with his parents and he learned to sing from going to these churches.
When his family moved to Memphis in the late 1940s his family lived in the projects in rent controlled apartments.
I suggest you watch Elvis and the Black Community.
@Kid Sheleen The Presley family lived in about a dozen places in East Tupelo and Tupelo proper.
Shake Rag.
@@RobinMarkowitzcoolmedia I'm 66 yrs old and I knew I spelled that wrong, sorry and thanks
@@kenmcd8338 No worries. Thank you for your comment! But if someone wanted to look it up - that's the only reason. I usually hate to correct stuff. But there's a wonderful illustrated book on Amazon called "Shake Rag" by Amy Littlesugar. It can't make it till after Christmas, but it's worth the wait.
www.amazon.com/dp/039923005X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_zx-3FbHEWZYN5
Don't forget his dad went to jail for stealing food.
Color wasn't mentioned once in this song, the child in the song could have been of any race. As some have already said in the comments, poverty knows no race. God bless!!🙏✝️🙏✝️
The song also didn’t mention cops.
this is from one of an Elvis fan.
Sykes W
10 months ago
This was written for Black Community! It was written by Mac Davis. Mac said he wrote it because he saw the inequality up close due to having a good friend who is black. Elvis also saw the inequality first hand the reason he recorded it. Elvis was sent a demo of Mac's 1st.. song Don't Cry Daddy..2nd.. In the Ghetto. Elvis recorded both. He and Mac became good friends.
Zappa was a clown compare to elvis
I agree
Zappa looked like a bum at the end
What is so powerful about the song also is that he didn't specify race or color he left it generic to cover everyone knowing that all races and creeds grow up in poverty and ghetto's. What a great performer, artist and by all accounts a great person.....RIP
While message of song can be interpreted as being about any color or any ethnicity, but as for Mac Davis and Elvis were concerned, specifically the message of this song was to address Black-American ghettos at that time, and the inequities they were dealing with that that time.
So it's just not accurate to say "He left it generic to cover all races".
Mac himself has spoke about this in interviews.
Plus Elvis himself in half a dozen different conversations he had with people around this time, support this.
Quite a few people that knew what was going on with the recording of this song at that time have given interviews and discussed this. They were discussions among Elvis, fellow musicians, friends and producers about how this song would be embraced by minorities and if would be better received if done by a Black-American artist.
Not to mention Elvis' conversation with Nancy Sinatra (Frank daughter) around the time of this recording says as much as anything else about where Elvis head was at.
She congratulated him on the birth of Lisa Marie and said Elvis was a bit melancholy or serious, discussing how she would have a life of privilege, and he couldn't help thinking about people in extreme poverty in the ghettos. She said Elvis specifically was talking about black folks. And he discussed how babies black babies being born in the ghetto wouldn't have the same benefits that a white child like Lisa would have.
He recorded In the Ghetto only a few months after that conversation.
On the filmset of 'Change Of Habit' Elvis also discussed the song with fellow actor Ji-Tu Cumbaka along with others on the set. .
There's just no way to deny, (to Elvis mind), what group of Americans he was thinking of.
Never underestimate the greats .....they're great for a reason!
If there's an artist who knows what it means to live in the gettho......it's Elvis Presley!!!
Thank you very much! ☮
Elvis was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. John Lee Hooker land, Elvis's friend too. Shake Rag was poor area of Tupelo. His African American friend Sam Bell said "his family were so looked down upon, we felt sorry for him." That pain never left him.
John Lee Hooker dedicated his song Tupelo to Elvis.
Elvis was born dirt poor in Tupelo, Mississippi. His parents later moved to Memphis, Tennessee. There, they lived in the poor side of town. So he knew what hunger was and having to do without growing up. May I suggest y'all view
"Elvis and the Black Community -The Echo Will Never Die". It's a great video that gives a better perspective into the life of this man. Thanks
Elvis wasn't some rich boy. He grew up a poor kid, in a mixed race government housing project. Presley had regular jobs to help support his family as a young man. Well before his music career took off.
But even after he became the Elvis Presley we knew, he was known to buy cars and such for strangers who didn't have those things.
I myself grew up poor, and we probably had less then what some people had. We didn't have proper shoes sometimes. In most cases, didn't have a phone, unless we were sharing a house with another family. Which we sometimes did to make ends meet. And I knew we were poor. Kids in school made sure we were reminded of it often. Some of the time, it depended who my mother was dating.
Anyhow, have a wonderful evening.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Be safe and blessed...🎄🎶🎉
He was born in poverty in a two room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, moved to the housing projects in Memphis, Tenn. when he was about 14 years old, but he had good parents that loved him, he was blesses in that way, but he never forgot where he came from.
This song was very much appreciated when it came out. Elvis was a very humble person who grew up dirt poor. He was considered one of the most generous people there was. He never hesitated to help a person in need and was known just to give away money, cars, etc. to people he either knew or didn’t.
He was told not to do this song
Elvis was strongly urged not to sing this feeling it was too much of a message song, not realizing Elvis grew up in poverty which is why after Mac Davis wrote it, he gave it to Elvis. They were close friends & he knew Elvis was born into that life & that Elvis was the Only one who could sing it. Elvis felt deeply about this song & did what he wanted to do. I’m sure he felt that song deeply❤️
Let me guess...he also had a cold and he couldn't sing that night...
Great reaction. Elvis was born into desperate poverty. It made him uniquely suited to sing this song written by Mac Davis. There is so much more history about that, about his upbringing in the black church, his championing for the people of color in his entourage, his acts of kindness and generosity, etc, but I know others will be commenting so I will leave it to them. You may already know that one of those beautiful voices singing with him is Whitney Houston's mother.
Cheers to you both, stay safe, healthy, and blessed.
No, Cissy was with Elvis for just five weeks in the summer of 1969.
Darkene Love the great singer and actress was one of the background singers of the '68 CBS.
@@polarlights5044 She also appeared in the Elvis movie "Change Of Habit" as a background singer.
@@timcarr6401
Right!
His last movie, and not
his worst btw!
@@timcarr6401 Thank you for the correction. I was misinformed. Blessings to you.
You yourself just described him he was just like one of your white friends that lived right next door to you in the ghetto his mother told him poverty knows no color
Elvis was born in a two room shotgun house built by his father, grandfather and uncle in Tupelo , that some called the roughest Town in North Mississippi . When Elvis was 3 years old his dad went to prison for forging a check, they were a very poor family. When Elvis was 13 the family moved to Memphis, Tennessee were they lived in a two bedroom apartment in a public housing complex known as The Lauderdale Courts
The Presley's arrived in Memphis on Nov.6, 1948. They didn't move into the Lauderdale Courts until more than ten months later, September 20th of 1949.
This song was written by Mac Davis...he passed away in September this year...he also wrote the song Elvis sings...A Little Less Conversation. you might like that one. upbeat song.
"If I Can Dream" by Elvis next! ty
Poverty doesn't know colour or race. As many have commented, Elvis grew up very poor. His twin brother Jesse Garon, was still born. I read earlier that he was buried in a shoe box, in an unmarked grave. I think Elvis knew quite well what it was like to live 'in the Ghetto'. I think Elvis would have been quite the person to know in real life. Thanks for this reaction, I thank you for sharing your own experiences of growing up.
It’s the circle of life. Do we help or just turn our heads and look away.
Watch Elvis and the black community short 15min doc on TH-cam. Elvis was born in poverty, he knew what it meant to be poor. Ghettos were a lot different in the 70s. Check out If I can dream from the 68 comeback special. Elvis special dedication to MLK
I watched that and racist comments from white people but praise from the black community including well known black artists
@@eileenbaran7040 another one is Star's who met Elvis, see what Muhammad Ali, Whitney Houston, Goldie Hawn, athletes and politicians had to say about the man. Eddie Murphy talked about his presence and you will see how his charisma affected them. His love for gospel and blues opened so many doors not only for the greats that came before him but also the greats that came after him. His generosity was unmatched compared to any today. But like so many, prescription drugs took him to early. If you want to see him perform some great rhythm and blues watch lawdy miss clawdy or trying to get to you from his 68 comeback special. I promise you will love it
@@theman6204 I remember that but I'm going to rewatch it, thank you
Listen to Elvis singing IF I CAN DREAM 1968 comeback special. He sang it as a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. it was only months after his assassination. You’ll love the song.
Take care and God Bless
From Joey from the Bronx
It is not a song only to MLK, the song came out after the killing of R. Kennedy.. The song is about the shit, in USA in 1968. Viatnam war, killing Martin luther king. And Robert Kennedy.
Thank you for the education Jay and Steph.So many people have no idea how good they got it.It’s a damn shame Elvis performed this song over 5 decades ago and this country hasn’t done a damn thing to help aid the poor into a better and more prosperous life.Much love to you guys!
The black unemployment was at low time high unfortunately the liberals telling them we’ll help you doesn’t help !! But I do agree I’d rather my money going to help poor families then to lining the pockets of the rich democrats
From a retired white welder In the Houston area. Much respect to your reaction. No color in this song, its a 50 year old story that keeps going on in every city.
Elvis grew up in the ghetto, he lived this. No one wanted him to record this due to the social unrest of the day, but he insisted. He wanted to make people aware. Elvis sang in the black gospel churches growing up. His comminity was black and he loved them. he never forgot his roots and always advocated for equality and social change.
hi, I'm Italian, I'm 46, this song was my "lullaby" my mother had all her records, but this has always been my favorite. It's so current that it doesn't seem like all these years have passed, I'm looking out the window and seeing immigrant kids being bullied by immigrants from another country. I'm teaching my son the respect that this song made me understand you need to have, but it's hard here in the ghetto
Ghetto in America is rich living for most of the world! People in this country have no idea how good we all really have it!!
I like this show..I've grown up since 5 or 6 yrs listening to Elvis Presley on 45's records..had lot of Elvis's songs..now I'm 58 yrs old nd still here I am..still listening to my fav Elvis songs nd concerts. Like he said I'm not a king..only GOD is a king..I'm just entertainer
The Vicious Cycle was the original working title of the song as written by Mac Davis. He wrote it because as a child he had a black friend that lived in the ghetto and he couldn't understand why his friend had to live where he did while he did not. Elvis did grow up poor as do a lot of white people including Dolly Parton. Coat of Many Colors by her talks about that and you should react to it. Bless Ya'll!
That first line just sends chills down my spine.
Just so you know Elvis had tremendous respect for the black community. He grew up in poverty himself in Tupelo MS. and went over to the black community with his young black friend and learned a lot about what songs meant. And he absolutely adored the Sweet inspirations which I think was three black women. His generosity had No boundaries no limitations. Black or white it didn't matter. And thanks for your wonderful reactions.
This was written by Mac Davis and was a big hit for Elvis in 1969 hitting #3 on the Billboard charts and #1 in many countries around the world certified Platinum that year. Elvis was born in Tupelo Mississippi during the depression and lived in a sharecropper’s house. His father Vernon went to prison for forging a check and his family ended up moving to Memphis where they lived at The Lauderdale Courts which is the equivalent of the projects on public assistance. These experiences shaped Elvis’s humanity towards others and he was a soft touch all his adult life and lavished others with expensive gifts.
I love these 2. While they understand the problems of poverty, they dont play the victim card. They always give honest answers, and seem to be great ppl.
I love y’all so much .... the fact that you sat after this video and actually spoke to us and gave us an insight into your world ...... props to your Momma’s ...... we grew up very poor , my momma worked three jobs to support us 3 kids and take care of her parents .... we all lived in the same house on the wrong side poor side of the tracks ... Keep rocking guys !!!! We love you
That is a good mom. When are poor as a child but don't even realize you are poor. Great upbringing!
Elvis is one of the most recognized & famous people in music history, & no doubt, one of the most talented, however his heart & love for humanity, is his true legacy 💚💜💗💚💜 Please react to his song, If I can dream, I think you will enjoy that one as well......tells another story that is still relevant today......
Sad thing is the cycle of life he sang about continues to this day and if you live it it never leaves you
He was born very poor,no running water, Electric. There are Ghetto all over the world where poor people live, all colours black, white, yellow brown,red. I was poor but I didn't know we were poor because everyone was the same.
Elvis was the best friend i ever had in my life we met when i was a teenager he only wanted a real true friend that didn't want anything from him. We were friends for 10 yrs. up until his death he asked nothing of me and i asked nothing of him. Elvis didn't make friend easily because he knew people just wanted something from him. i will love and miss my friend always and forever ... Elvis was a flesh and blood man. He was not a super hero like most fans made him out to be Elvis knew he was dying for some time a few days before his death we had a short conversation. He said kiddo everything will be ok and i said no E. nothing will ever be ok again. That was the last day i saw my friend alive. The funeral was a blur and that day was one of the most heart breaking day of my life. I will love and miss Elvis forever. If anyone has the chance to visit you must go to Graceland you will not be disappointed. Regards from beautiful Canada.
Thanks for reacting to this song. This was a special song for Elvis. He grew up dirt poor in Mississippi in a one room shack. He didn't even have a pair of shoes till he was about 4. His family lived right next to black families. They often brought food to the Presely family or they would have gone hungry. He went to black churches and attained a life long love of gospel music.you should check that out. He actually got a grammy for his gospel. He did not see color in people. If people harrased his back up singers or musicians of color, you felt his rage! Check out his 68 comeback special tv show where he sings a tribute to MLK and his I have a dream speech. It's called "If I Could Dream" it was sung live shortly after MLKs assassination. He was reportedly devastated and very angry about it. You can hear the emotions in his voice. Make sure it's the one in the white suite. He never sang it again.
I was a young kid when Elvis died. Huge fan. My mom got me a lot of his albums. I then stumbled on how Mac Davis wrote this and other songs for Elvis. Turned into a huge Mac fan because of wanting to hear Mac version of this exact song. I would suggest listening to Macs version of “Memories”. This song gives me chills to this day.
How sad is it that this song is still relatable to this day? Elvis grew up in poverty, his father was in prison for 6 years so he and his mother lived in a shack - dirt poor - they depended on others for food. He grew up playing with all different races but mainly in the black community - he loved to go to the local church and sing gospel with the choir. Elvis himself was part Native American - he didn't see colour, he saw people. A true Gentleman who never forgot his roots. A rare, unique & truly special talent.
You NEED to check out to 'If I Can Dream' his MLK tribute performance - th-cam.com/video/u-pP_dCenJA/w-d-xo.html - Elvis was devastated by MLK's murder. People tried to stop him from performing the song because it was too 'controversial'. But he went ahead & PASSIONATELY performed it on his special just a few months after MLK's murder.
Thank you for sharing the details of your past. Breaking the cycle, the people who cared and helped you. Your dreams for your children & showing them the way. Bless you.
So true. I grew up poor with a dead dad, an underpaid nurse mom and five brothers and sisters. It was in the 1960s, so there was no government aid. The folks in the black neighborhood across the street were as poor or poorer. But it was also before the American family began breaking down. We all had good families and none of us knew we were poor.
Elvis did this in 1969. With the rise of the civil rights movement, Americans were seeing for the first time just how bad the poverty was in places like Harlem and Watts.
Elvis grew up in a ghetto. That s why he was so passionate about sending this message to everybody. He wanted a change !!
Elvis was born in the poorest side of Tupelo Mississippi. Then moved to a government housing project in Memphis Tennessee. His dad was put in prison for one year for writing a bad check for groceries. They went hungry lots of times. Y’all need to take a look at the video from Elvis’s 68 special called if I can dream. It’s in honor of Martin Luther King. Elvis cried when he found out Dr. King was assassinated. And right in his town of Memphis.
Love this reaction....Thank you for doing this song, and for educating a lot of us who never were raised in the ghetto anywhere. Raising awareness for what others are going through is so important in today's day and age. Thank you guys!!!
1969 .. Mac Davis wrote this song and Elvis was the only artist to record it. Davis' lost a good friend and Elvis lived in the Ghettos of the south with his momma. He didn't forget where he came from.
Elvis grew up dirt poor in a one room shack. He knew about poverty until his talent changed his life
Love your Intelligence and good spirit and thougtful words about this Song. Learning here about US Society aswell. Merry Christmas.
Thank y’all be being on TH-cam and for being forthcoming with your history... we love you guys too!! 🤙🏼❤️
Elvis had a Cherokee American Indian great,great Grandma on his mother Gladys's side. There are b/w pics if her in her native dress if you Google. That's where he got those cheekbones. He grew up dirt poor in Tupelo. Most of his friends were black & he got his love of Gospel from attending their churches.
Great song written by the legendary Mac Davis who passed away this year a lot of people passed on the song. He never says whether the child is black or white Elvis was born in abject poverty dirt floors no electricity and he never forgot where he came from
The dirt floors thing is a myth.
Elvis presley was raise in the ghetto, in this song he wanted to give a message to the fortunate ones that we need to help the less unfortunate ones, theirs a lyric of the song that he sings and quote "ARE WE TO BLIND TO SEE OR DO WE JUST LOOK THE OTHER WAY" stating in other words are we just gonna let this happen or are we gonna give a helping hand, and for all that don't know elvis through out his whole career gave to the less unfortunate ones.
You've never heard this song? It's so beautiful and tragic at the same time. Also, Steph, it sounds like your mom is an amazing woman.
I Love you 2 like family 💞 Elvis will never be unseated as King , he broke down major Barriers. He was actually born in a shack in the Ghetto
Timeless..awesome performance.
His childhood home was literally a dirt floor. Owned no shoes for long time. He was very generous to all colors. He told shows he wouldn't play when they said his backup singers couldn't perform because they were black. Of course he won that battle. Btw I'm sure someone already said this but the lead backup singers in Cissy Houston....Whitney's mom.
No, none of the homes he lived in had dirt floors that's a myth.
Cissy Houston only sang with Elvis in August 1969 Las Vegas engagement. She was not in this video
@@RJsStudio131 It was for five weeks that summer.
@@timcarr6401 it was 4 weeks. July 31-August 28. 57 shows exactly 4 weeks
@@RJsStudio131 Well, if you know the exact dates, that settles it. But so many sources say five weeks.
Elvis was raised in poverty! He was also raised in the church & was a part of the black community. He does have gospel music as well. I don't know if anyone knows about some of the Indian Reservations....roads are dirt roads, no running water. If you want water, there is only one water pump for the whole reservation. The water gets delivered to that one spot. Electric, maybe you do, maybe you don't have. Many people living in a broke down home, trailer, etc... Anyways, that song is speaking the truth. Thank you for playing that song as many people unfortunately can relate.
I was born in 1958 and I love music.all kinds old school up to now. And the 50 up to the late 60 was the best because people actually sang a song they had talent.and the writers had depth and talent. No Punch ups and vocal enhancers.music and TALENT.
Elvis was poor af
Exactly. Many people don't know that...
Concise and true.
Elvis spoke the true reality of life!🙌🏼🙏❤
Elvis was down to earth sang in choir in church. Some of his best songs were gospel and won Grammys. He never mentioned race he was poor lived in a ghetto. His backup singers Sweet Inspirations were not allowed to sing at one of his performances he said if they dont I dont . That was Elvis. His voice, his character, background, being poor make him a good man and one of the greatest singers. Gone too soon.
Elvis was born dirt floor poor in Tupelo, Mississippi. As a child his family moved to the black section of Memphis.. there is a reason Elvis knew the Blues.. he lived it, and grew around it.
Happy New Year to the two of you. As many may have already stated Elvis was raised in the poorest part of the ghetto in a 2 room dirt floor shack in the Memphis area. He always had great love and respect for the black community and was a member of a black church for many years. His most cherished genre of music was Gospel and said having to choose between that and rock and roll he would have never sang R&R. The sad truth is he performed this over 50 years ago and haven't fixed this cycle. We send too much to other countries that should be going to our own people. Cool side note is that Elvis's blackout singers "The Sweet Inspirations" included on lady named Cissy Houston. Whitney's mother...
Mack Davis who was the song writer offered this song to Sammy Davis Jr. Sammy told Mack to give the song to Elvis because Elvis grew up in the Ghetto, whereas Sammy Davis did not.
Elvis was born in abject poverty so he knows exactly what he is singing and it was
his only way to try to get help for every one who had to live like that.
Elvis was dirt poor, and homeless at times. He loved black communities, was a huge advocate. People tried to stop him from releasing this song in 1969 and he's said, no people need to hear this. He also wrote a song for MLK.
This reaction was phenomenal, I’m so glad I stuck around to hear what you had to say Steph. Cheers!
He was a once in a generation talent and I was just a little kid when he passed away. However, his music was played a lot around the house growing up which is probably why I love his music. Please react to his other songs Don’t; One Night (With You); Love Me; You Don’t Know Me; Such a Night; Young and Beautiful; Don’t Leave Me Now; and I Want You, I Need You, I love You.
He had the onesies specifically designed for his karate moves on stage because he had of habit of tearing us pants so he had the ones he created so you could move around in them
Listen I'm white and raised my sisters soñ in a hard place, he ended up in jail but he got out and doing alright now, the best thing I learned was Street smarts so valuable I ran those streets after my Nephew I wasn't gonna lose him without a fight I made it through and my Nephew made it through so your right all kinds of people go through really hard times I thank God my Nephew is here and alive ty guys 👍🙏💙
Elvis' ghetto when he was young was Tupelo Mississippi his dad was a poor share cropper and he grew up dirt poor in a shotgun house. It was one of the first places where he learned to song gospel in the black and other churces, and he sang and recorded gos;el all his life with may awards and gold records for it.
i noticed how these 2 reached for a sip of their drinks at the same time when elvis said the child died, it struck a nerve.
Some facts: Elvis was born in Tupelo, Mississippi in a 1 room shack of a house his dad built with money he borrowed from his boss. That's how dirt poor they were. He was half of an identical twin; the other boy - Jesse Garon - was stillborn and buried in a shoebox (now at Graceland, there's a commemorative plaque for him near Elvis' grave). He always got along with the black community and learned a lot about music from his friends of color. The family moved to Memphis when Elvis was 13. Mac Davis wrote In the Ghetto, here's a clip where he talks about it th-cam.com/video/WGSnTfRJlCY/w-d-xo.html and more info on the song: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Ghetto
All great points. Appreciated you're thoughtful commentary & reaction.
This is one of the songs Elvis recorded that a lot of people slept on over the years. Nice to see people discussing this powerful message song on TH-cam reactions the last year or so. I agree about how the ghetto is not monolithic. ... It's not exactly the same everywhere, yet poverty is still poverty and the negative effects of that Vicious Cycle that Elvis sang about was real, and still is all these years later, unfortunatley.
One thing I always respected about Elvis recording this and doing it live in concert was he had some white folks didn't want him doing this song, or didn't want pushing this message.
- "Take a look at you and me...
Are we too blind to see?
Or do we simply turn our heads and look the other way?"
Message of song was a challenge for folks that maybe had their eyes closed and lack of awareness, to be willing to open their eyes to better understand.
Less-evolved, close-minded people back then didn't want message songs that challenged their conscience.
But unlike those folks, Elvis was extremely aware of what was going on out there and pushed and fought to hold his ground to record this song and push this message.
Glad he saw the importance in this message and chose to record it anyway.
Great reaction to powerful song!
Watching Elvis singing some of his songs live, he's always not too far from cracking up. But not with this song. Humility is easy and free, and he had it, and knew when to show it.
Elvis Presley was singing about the hardships he himself grew up with dirt poor in Mississippi, seeing his folks and others around them struggling. His dad went to prison trying to get paid properly for a hog he sold, (he changed the amount on the check) and he got caught and they tried to put him in prison for 3 years over a 10 dollar forgery. While he was locked up for almost a year, Elvis' mom ending up losing the 2 room shotgun cabin he was born in, just trying to make ends meet. That cabin didnt even after running water or electricity. Elvis knew deprivation and hardship and true it doesnt have to lead anyone into a illegal lifestyle, but reality is it sadly often does. They say his mom Gladys would bring her and her 3 year old son Elvis back from visiting his dad in prison and he remembered how broken she was. HIs own momma cried, and that fact gives the song its resonance and gravitas. His ability to entertain, with his voice, brought them out of the ghetto. Elvis helped everyone he could once he was famous, and was well known for his humbleness generousity and kindness even to strangers. He never forgot where he came from.
Elvis was born at home in the day when home births for the poor were an everyday thing. He had a twin brother that died at birth. His family was dirt poor. He wasn't always wealthy, and his wealth was used for Charity. A Ton of charity. Don't judge a book by it's cover. Blessings and gratitude to you both. We must all remember something else. Ghetto's are not just dark skinned. Every race has it's ghettos' 😭
Mac Davis was a genius song writer. This song speaks to the cycle of indifference in the Nation concerning poverty and violence.
What I think stands out about Elvis, is that in 1969 when this song was released, there were huge racial struggles in this country. Elvis was pressured to fire his back up singers, because they were black. This song he used as a protest against racism.
I think Elvis should be given a huge amount of credit for having the guts to stand up and sing this song in front of a white audience. He believed in God, in Jesus Christ, and he knew that God created all people equal.
I grew up dirt poor in the slums of Buffalo N.Y. with very few possessions, but an extremely loving large family that took care of each other!
That's more important than to be rich, but to be without love, understanding, comfort and compassion!
Merry Christmas 🌠
Elvis knew the ghetto very well. I've been in his Tupelo childhood home. Smaller than one of my bedrooms. Came from nothing.
The song was originally called Vicious Cycle I believe! Because it is a cycle that keeps happening. also you don't have to live in the ghetto to come from poverty, we were called Bridgeton River Rats because of where we came from and we were very poor, I didn't let that define me. I'm still very low income but I've been able to buy my own home and even save a little bit over the years, I'm 65 now and I think I deserve all that I have achieved!
My favorite couple on TH-cam! Love these 2! I swear before I die? I wanna meet you 2 and hang. I live in Kentucky so I can bring the shine or bourbon. Love me some Elvis! Elvis Presley was broke growing up.
Well this is such a difficult reaction to respond to because there's so much in it yeah I was conversation at the end was wonderful. It just hit so many points for me. Elvis was born poor and even when he started to get Richie always helped everybody else out it's just the way he was raised. So there is so much to be said oh my gosh and you guys hit on a lot of it but really it was the conversation afterwards that was so wonderful and right on point. It troubles me deeply but this song is still relevant today. I want to hang my head and cry
yall so cool!...keep this channel movin'! have a great week, and many blessings on you both! ;)
Subscribed. Loved your in-depth comments and willingness to share your experiences. Gonna check out more of your reactions and have a drink with Steph!
Elvis grew up in a Tupelo, Mississippi ghetto; Dad, Vern, was in jail for bad checks. He sang in church...Gospel was his first love...he sang "That's All Right, Mama" in 1954, when a teenager for his Mother's birthday, at Sun Records. He was a Spec 4 in the Army, got out in 2 years. Released "Heartbreak Hotel" in 1956 to a massive amount of controversy from religious groups because of his movements. He made a string of musical romance movies, that he didn't want to do. Finally got a decent script for "King Creole", his only b&w movie. He just wanted to make music. His singing career took a dip when his wife left him, and the Beatles arrived, his "Comeback Tour" helped immensely. When he sang "In the Ghetto", which his manager thought would kill his career, he fought to sing it, (it was written by Mac Davis about a childhood friend) and here we are...as relevent, and often played, today as it was in 1969, when it was released. Thank you for your great reaction.
Elvis was raised in the ghetto of Tupelo Mississippi then he lived in the projects in Memphis Tennessee- all before getting his first music contract in 1954.
This song was written by Mac Davis(RIP). He had a childhood friend that lived in the ghetto and Mac saw the circle of poverty. Watch "The Story Behind 'In the Ghetto' and Mac talks about the song and how he "gave" it to Elvis for his upcoming album. Nice review, by the way. I enjoy your reactions. :)
Elvis was born in the getto
Elvis was from Memphis Tn. You can’t beat that ghetto experience
I read a few comments but didn't go far because there are a lot of comments. I just wanted to add this: "In the Ghetto" (originally titled "The Vicious Circle") is a 1969 song recorded by Elvis Presley and written by Mac Davis. I knew the song was released in the late 60's. I heard it as a kid. I am Native American, and growing up on a reservation is just like growing up in a city ghetto so I felt this song as a child and it's MY favorite Elvis song.
Thanks for taking us back - I remember when that came out, very powerful song.
Born in the Bronx NY it was hard got outin1969 thank God for my mom my dad passed at 31sad
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Elvis lived in the ghetto of Tupelo Mississippi & Memphis Tennessee (Tupelo 1935-48) & (Memphis 1948-54) - all of that was "Pre-Fame" residence
Mac Davis wrote this song for Elvis because he knew Elvis grew up in what we would call a ghetto.... Davis always wanted to create a song about the tribulations of a child. Specifically, one who suffers the vicious cycle of getting into the wrong circle of people than dying and being replaced by someone new.
Long live the king. Happy new years my friends. TX
Yes Ma'am you do pray to live through it