Meaning and Lyrics of In the Ghetto by Elvis Presley
Song Lyrics meaning of In the Ghetto by Elvis Presley
About Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was an American singer, musician, and actor, widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century. Born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, Presley’s career began in the mid-1950s, leading to his immense popularity and success in rock and roll music. Known as the “King of Rock and Roll,” Presley’s versatile voice and charismatic stage presence captured the hearts of millions of fans worldwide.
One example song of Elvis Presley is “In the Ghetto,” a powerful ballad released in 1969 that narrates the poignant story of a child born into poverty and the struggles faced in a disadvantaged environment. The song reflects Presley’s ability to convey deep emotions through his music and lyrics, showcasing his talent for storytelling and connecting with audiences on a personal level.
Meaning of In the Ghetto by Elvis Presley
“In the Ghetto” by Elvis Presley is a poignant narrative ballad that tells a heartbreaking story of poverty, struggle, and cycles of violence in a low-income urban neighborhood. The song paints a vivid picture of the harsh realities faced by individuals trapped in the cycle of poverty.
The lyrics describe the birth of a baby in a cold and gray Chicago morning, highlighting the stark contrast between new life and the harsh environment of the ghetto. The mother, already burdened by the challenges of poverty, is further distressed by the prospect of another mouth to feed in an environment where resources are scarce.
The bridge of the song acts as a call to action, urging people to recognize the plight of children in need and the impact of neglect on their future. It questions the societal indifference towards the suffering of those in the ghetto and calls for empathy and action to prevent the escalation of despair and anger in the younger generation.
As the song progresses, it follows the life of a young boy growing up in the ghetto, facing hunger, cold, and the temptation of crime as a means of survival. The lyrics poignantly illustrate the boy’s descent into a life of crime, reflecting the desperation and lack of opportunities that often lead individuals down destructive paths.
The climax of the song comes with the tragic fate of the young man, who, in a moment of desperation, turns to violence, only to meet a tragic end as his mother weeps over the loss of her child. The song closes with a somber reminder of the cyclical nature of life in the ghetto, as another baby is born into the same harsh reality.
Overall, “In the Ghetto” serves as a powerful commentary on the systemic issues of poverty, neglect, and violence that plague marginalized communities. Through vivid storytelling and emotional lyrics, Elvis Presley’s rendition of the song captures the harsh realities faced by those trapped in the cycle of poverty and highlights the urgent need for compassion, understanding, and action to break the cycle and create a better future for the generations to come.
The lyrics describe the birth of a baby in a cold and gray Chicago morning, highlighting the stark contrast between new life and the harsh environment of the ghetto. The mother, already burdened by the challenges of poverty, is further distressed by the prospect of another mouth to feed in an environment where resources are scarce.
The bridge of the song acts as a call to action, urging people to recognize the plight of children in need and the impact of neglect on their future. It questions the societal indifference towards the suffering of those in the ghetto and calls for empathy and action to prevent the escalation of despair and anger in the younger generation.
As the song progresses, it follows the life of a young boy growing up in the ghetto, facing hunger, cold, and the temptation of crime as a means of survival. The lyrics poignantly illustrate the boy’s descent into a life of crime, reflecting the desperation and lack of opportunities that often lead individuals down destructive paths.
The climax of the song comes with the tragic fate of the young man, who, in a moment of desperation, turns to violence, only to meet a tragic end as his mother weeps over the loss of her child. The song closes with a somber reminder of the cyclical nature of life in the ghetto, as another baby is born into the same harsh reality.
Overall, “In the Ghetto” serves as a powerful commentary on the systemic issues of poverty, neglect, and violence that plague marginalized communities. Through vivid storytelling and emotional lyrics, Elvis Presley’s rendition of the song captures the harsh realities faced by those trapped in the cycle of poverty and highlights the urgent need for compassion, understanding, and action to break the cycle and create a better future for the generations to come.
Lyrics of In the Ghetto by Elvis Presley
Verse 1
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's another hungry mouth to feed
In the ghetto (In the ghetto)
Bridge
People, don't you understand
A 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?
Verse 2
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)
Bridge
Then one night in desperation
The young man breaks away
He buys a gun, he steals a car
Tries to run, but he don't get far
Verse 3
And his mama cries
As a crowd gathers 'round an angry young man
Facedown 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)
Outro
And his mama cries
In the ghetto (In the ghetto)
(In the ghetto)
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's another hungry mouth to feed
In the ghetto (In the ghetto)
Bridge
People, don't you understand
A 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?
Verse 2
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)
Bridge
Then one night in desperation
The young man breaks away
He buys a gun, he steals a car
Tries to run, but he don't get far
Verse 3
And his mama cries
As a crowd gathers 'round an angry young man
Facedown 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)
Outro
And his mama cries
In the ghetto (In the ghetto)
(In the ghetto)
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