In The Ghetto - Digitally Remastered - February 1992 Lyrics
Elvis Presley
Lyrics
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
The young man breaks the rules
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
And his mama cries
Song & Lyrics Facts
Elvis Presley's "In The Ghetto" was released on February 1992 as part of the digitally remastered album, Elvis: 30 #1 Hits. Written by Mac Davis and originally recorded in 1969, this song has been viewed as a social commentary on poverty and its effects.
It peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and became one of Presley’s signature songs. The lyrics tell the story of a young boy growing up in the ghetto who is eventually killed due to his environment. The backing band for the original recording included Glen D. Hardin, James Burton, Jerry Scheff, John Wilkinson and Ronnie Tutt. This classic song continues to be covered by many artists today.