“In the Ghetto” (Elvis Presley)

Continuing, in a way, from last week’s theme of socially relevant songs, today’s classic song of the day is “In the Ghetto” by Elvis Presley. One of Elvis’ so-called comeback recordings, this single was released in April of 1969 and rose to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Cash Box Top 100. It also hit number-one in numerous countries, including Australia, Belgium, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and West Germany.

“In the Ghetto” was written by Mac Davis, who had later solo hits with “Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me,” “One Hell of a Woman,” and “Stop and Smell the Music.” He also wrote “Don’t Cry Daddy” and “A Little Less Conversation” for Elvis and “I Believe in Music” for a group called Gallery.

Elvis recorded “In the Ghetto” in January of 1969 at American Sound Studio in Memphis, during the same sessions he recorded “Suspicious Minds,” “Kentucky Rain,” and “Don’t Cry Daddy.” These were the King’s first recordings since his legendary 1968 Singer Presents … Elvis comeback TV special, and what I consider some of his very best tracks. These sessions and resulting singles revitalized Elvis’ career and established him as relevant with younger, more contemporary listeners.

Elvis’ Memphis sessions were produced by Memphis pro Chips Moman. Backing tracks were provided by the group of studio cats called the Memphis Boys—Reggie Young on guitar, Bobby Wood on piano, Bobby Emmons on organ, Tommy Cogbill and Mike Leach on bass, and Gene Chrisman on drums. Their backing gave these tracks a unique sound, different from what Elvis had achieved in the past. Elvis’ Memphis sessions also kicked off a series of “recorded in Memphis” albums by other white artists, including Dusty Springfield (Dusty in Memphis), Jackie DeShannon (Jackie), and Neil Diamond (Brother’s Love’s Traveling Salvation Show).

“In the Ghetto,” originally titled “The Vicious Circle,” is about the cycle of violence in a Chicago ghetto. A young woman gives birth to a baby boy who, when he grows up, gets a gun, steals a car, and gets shot dead by the police, as another young woman gives birth to another baby boy “in the ghetto.” The lyrics paint the picture:

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

It’s one hell of a song and Elvis sings the hell out of it. Powerful stuff and socially relevant for those and these times.

And here’s your daily bonus video of the day. It’s Mac Davis, the guy who wrote the song, singing “In the Ghetto.” It’s a damned good song no matter who sings it.