Elvis Presley - In The Ghetto (REACTION) 

Mac Davis wrote this song about a childhood friend. He originally offered Sammy Davis jr. to record it. Sammy turned it down because he said he never lived that lifestyle. But he said to Davis “you know who did” Elvis and he could relate growing up dirt poor, and living in housing projects!

Elvis grew up dirt poor in Mississippi ..... then his dad moved them to Memphis into the Lauderdale Courts Housing projects as they where called back in the 50’s

*Elvis came from the Ghetto to becoming one of the most recognized and loved people on Earth.*

Whitney Huston's mother, Cissy Huston was one of Elvis Presley's backup singers called "The Sweet Inspirations". Cissy Huston later had a stellar career as a gospel singer.

Elvis grew up in a shack in Mississippi. He knew all about poverty until his talent changed his life.

This song was released in 1969 when racial tensions in America were at a high point and because of the song's very sensitive subject matter Elvis's manager told him not to record it because it would be a "flop" and seriously damage Elvis's career. But Elvis knew he had to do it and the song became an international hit reaching #3 in the U.S & Denmark, #2 in Canada, United Kingdom & Switzerland, #1 in Australia, #1 Ireland, #1 Belgium, #1 West Germany, #1 Sweden, #1 Spain, #1 Norway, #1 New Zealand, #6 Austria. Let's be thankful Elvis didn't take his manager's advice!

This song makes me cry every time. This song is from the 60s, and it is still the sad truth today. There needs to be a change. Elvis had a beautiful voice and heart.

He grew up in the projects of Memphis and attended a black church. His mother shared her faith with her son and Elvis had a heart for soul and gospel music. It colored his experience in his professional life. Poverty was his roots and he never forgot his beginnings. The black music industry embraced him with open arms due to his genuine passion for those of color. All colors.

There’s a lot more to Elvis than most people realize. Don’t stop now. He was a gift from God.

Elvis grew up very poor in Tupelo. He often hung around the poor black community of Tupelo. Elvis loved everyone and was very generous to everyone in every walk of life. Watch Elvis and the black community It’s an excellent watch

His twin died a birth.also took heat from both sides for this song.he wanted to show love to all.he is magical

Mac Davis (the man that wrote this song) had an African American friend. All the troubles his friend was going through inspired Mac to write this song. Elvis got a hold of it, and the rest is history. Another song Mac wrote for Elvis was "Don't Cry Daddy", about a man having to raise his children alone after his wife runs out on him. That's another good song to listen to. Thanks for viewing The King. I know somewhere he is looking down and smiling at you both.

You would absolutely love Elvis' "American Trilogy"

What is bad, it is still true today. And you notice he doesn't refer to any color.

The song is Timeless highlighting a cycle that sadly continues to this day.

Elvis grew up in poverty and never forgot his roots. I recommend the video Elvis And The Black Community. It will answer a lot of your questions.

is song made my eyes drop tears when I was a kid and still does. Elvis is still King!

This a powerful song .

My man Elvis beautiful inside and out

Elvis grew up in poverty his manager didn't want him to do this song but he did because he felt he should be sung it was meant for all the ghettos it was going to be called The Vicious circle at first he sang this in 1969 sad to think still relevant today Elvis a beautiful man and great talent thank you both safe 😷✌

This was 1969 or 1970 - he himself was born in a poor town in Mississippi. He had a twin sister that died at birth - his mother died when he was in the military. I hope you will also listen to his live performance in 1968 in tribute to MLK - his live Official Song "If I Can Dream" ---- that one lady that you see in the background is Cecily Tyson.

Elvis Presley grew up in Tupelo Mississippi on the wrong side of the tracks. As he roamed the streets he would see our great uncles singing rhythm and blues on the porch. That's where he received his influence on music

enjoy the king!!!!!

Elvis grew up dirt poor, his music was influenced by what he saw. He never saw colour, just people. At that time, this was a brave song for him to put out.

Very deep song. The original name of the song was "The Vicious Circle", And to think it's 52 years old this year. That's 3 to 4 lifetimes for a lot of teens born and raised in the ghetto. Elvis was born into a poor family, when he was 3 years old his dad was sentenced to prison for 3 years for forging a $4 check.

Just an FYI Whitney Houston's mom was one of the backup singers.

I am a baby boomer born in 1955 and grew up loving Elvis Presley. I grew up in a small rural town in Kansas, married my best friend and out of my race... He would have never listened to Elvis sing .. In my own mind I've always been a Michael Jackson fan ever since the Jackson 5 came out and an avid Elvis fan. I have always thought and still do think that had both of these men lived longer either one of them could have brought the country together with just their music and their inner beauty.... But I believe what the minister said about Elvis and his singing talent; God knew he could use him and his voice!!❤

Elvis was crowned the King of Rock for a reason 😁😎

when elvis heard that dr king was assassinated he cried then he made a song in tribute to dr king but a lot of people was angry but elvis gave the bird to them and just start to sing live if i can dream

I suggest watching "Elvis and the Black Community part 1" its a real interesting watch

People from the hood said That boy really from the hood. They lived in a 2 room dirt floor shack on the outskirtsof Memphis. So yes he knows the struggles. He always stayed close to the black community and was a longtime member of a black church and in the choir. He once said if forced to choose between gospel or rock and roll he would choose gospel. His Lady's that were back up singers included Cissy Houston. Whitney's mother... The video "Elvis and the Black Community" tells a sad but great story.

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

Mac Davis wrote this song for someone else who didn’t want it so Elvis recorded it and it became a huge hit.

"If I Can Dream" is Elvis's tribute to MLK. A must to react to.

Elvis vocal range ..between 4 and 5 octaves.He had perfect pitch.A photographic memory.He knew thousands of songs by heart.He is the king of passion.He had number 1 records in pop, rhythm blues, country, rock, gospel and opera like...He is the biggest selling artist of all times..more than 2 billion sold.Nobody will catch him ever.Only performer in all 4 halls of fame.Voted entertainer of 20th century. Was the top movie star in Hollywood. Known for his tremendous humanity, generosity, kindness, Everyone who met him said he was the most wonderful and gorgeous man they ever met.People such as his costar Susanna Leigh said his male beauty was breath taking and that no movie or picture ever did him justice. Elvis served his country honorably during the height of his career.Nobody has ever come close to the viewership when he performed in the first concert ever given via satellite .It was seen by 1.2 billion people in 40 countries when the population was close to 3 billion. He is and was popular with every age group and race..not just teenagers and not just by adults alone.He was and is reveared as if he were a military hero.All presidents then loved him.He had access to them..Republican and Democrat.He was awarded the Medal of Freedom 3 years ago.If there is anyone world recognized just by the single name or his profile, it is the wondrous, magically talented Elvis Presley. He is icon to the world. Every woman desired him and ever man wanted to be him.Still today. The famous Barry Gibbs of the Bee Gees said every artist today would love to be Elvis Presley.Bruce Springsteen trespassed his home trying to meet him.The Beatles sat gaga eyed, mesmerized at his feet. MJ kept a picture of him by his bed.The famous opera singer Pavoratti said Elvis can sing like me but I can't sing like Elvis. The great Mohammed Ali said Elvis was the greatest singer of all times.There will never be anyone to match the king of music, Elvis Presley..769 recordings, 1700 concerts, 31 movies 4,200,000 miles traveled on tour..hardest worker He deserved all his successes. The echo will never die.

Elvis was my first concert in 1972 he is an amazing man taken from us way to early ....

I have always been a Elvis fan!! Thank you!! Do a reaction to "Elvis and the black community" it gives you a real look at who Elvis was and what he faced when he became popular in the 1950s. A awesome man and entertainer that is truly missed. ❤️❤️❤️

Mac Davis wrote this and several other songs for Elvis. The alternate title for this song is "The Vicious Circle."

Mac Davis wrote it and decided the only person who could sing it was Elvis because he lived it❤️

My opinion one of his most powerful songs. You can tell it was personal to him. Think about it, he literally challenges people. Are we going to do something or turn away and ignore it.

It took a lot of courage for him to do a song like that in 1969 believe me I was around then - a great song by a great man. Yes he wanted to get the message out for sure. Please react to his 1968 song which was a tribute to MLK called "If I can Dream".

I grew up listening to Elvis and it has always been one of my favorites of his. It has always made me cry.

My favorite story about Elvis was something my grandfather told. One day Elvis was walking in Memphis and a boy was running down the street and literally ran into him. When Elvis asked what his rush was the kid said that he was late to meet his mom or something (can't remember). Elvis took off his watch and gave it to the kid saying that now he wouldn't be late again than went on his way. Later a cop showed up at Elvis's home to return the watch. Said the kids mom thought he had found it or stolen it. Elvis told the officer no, he had given it to the boy and asked him to return it to the kid then wrote a note to the mom telling her what had happened.

I've studied Elvis' life for years. He grew up in poverty in East Tupelo and lived in a Black community called "Shake Rag" for a time before moving to Memphis at 13 (where poverty continued). When he sings this song I believe he feels those lyrics at least a little bit. Elvis attended both White and Black churches as a child and was influenced by Gospel, R&B, Country/Bluegrass/Folk etc. and even genres like Opera. He believed Black music should be heard as did Sam and Dewey Phillips in Memphis. At that time in the South most radio stations were segregated which made it difficult for Black music to be exposed to the large record-buying audience, of which many were the upcoming "Baby Boomer" teenagers, a large percentage of the population. They were also watching the Ed Sullivan Show where Elvis purposely sang songs like Little Richard's "Tutti Frutti" and the hymn "Peace In The Valley" while knowing he'd get more hatred from the ones already calling him a "vulgar" promotor of "devil's music" and a "disgrace" to his religion.) That was upsetting to him as he was a firm Believer in God and in treating others with empathy. There are countless documented examples of his generosity and his genuine/sincere nature (before sadly his health issues took hold of him). Elvis "the man"...who he really was beyond the "image" was a very human man but an extraordinary one. He never claimed to be "King" or perfect for that matter but people placed him on that pedestal. He actually didn't believe people would even remember him after he died and here we are still watching him.

The king could do it all. He can do ballads and rip your heart out. Gives a different way to look at those in the ghetto and those outside.

Elvis's still telling right from back in the day.

Nancy Sinatra said in an interview that Elvis phoned her the day that his daughter was born. He told her that he felt bad for the kids born that day who would not have what his daughter would have. She said that he was particularly concerned about the black kids. That was 1967, two years later he was handed this song.

They warned him about singing this song and "If I Can Dream" (the Martin Luther King homage) because it could create controversy with the fans, etc. But he wanted to sing them and did both. Mac Davis was a good friend of Elvis and he just recently passed away.

(Elvis Presley if I can dream) it was a tribute to MLK 💯🔥

I think this was the best reaction that I've seen for this song! You spent much more time discussing it than is normally done. Great job!

ELVIS is THE KING , THE KING, THE KING !!!!!!

Yeah Elivis grew up in the ghetto in Memphis so he probably did see things like that happen I think you guys would enjoy some of his other songs like his tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. If I Can Dream.

Sadly still relevant over 50 years later. Shout out to songwriter Mac Davis. Great reaction guys.

You should check out the video called "Elvis & the Black Community." It's pieces of interviews with people who knew him & such, and it gives you a great sense of his character. ❤

And did you notice at the end of the song he picks it up and throws it in the audience's faces? Elvis The Man! Eternal!!!

The song has an amazing sound, just like you said. You want to sit and listen to the melody and the way Elvis sings, but I believe that is there to rope you into actually listening to the message in the lyrics. It is a phenomenal song on many levels.

Listen to Elvis singing IF I CAN DREAM in the 1968 Comeback Special in the white suit its a tribute to MLK. Elvis disturbed the the assassination of MLK wanted to sing this song to close the special even though his people and the show wanted him to close with Blue Christmas

Justin & Staci, super nice review..thank you. And STILL Chicago ain't fixed a thing apparently

He lived it. And he felt it was time to let everyone know how it's time for change for everyone. He was the man..

Good stuff, guys. Glad you liked it.

I'm from East Tennessee and the writer of this song, Mac Davis, was my first crush. This song was real and it meant something to our generation.

request Elvis 'if i can dream' 1968 from the comeback special white suit version

really appreciated your thoughtful analysis of the lyrics. Most reactors don't go this deep.

I think the song was written by Mac Davis. So I doubt he knew the subject of the song, more of a generalzation. But he did grow up into povety, and always had a soft spot for folks in those environments. He liked and chose the song enough to use his platform to educate the world about it. Even folks who don't know much about life in the ghetto, have at least a basic understanding after hearing this song. I liked the directness and simplicity of the song. I've listened to it thousands of times and it has always caused me to shed a tear. I like your your analysis of the song.

His manager the Colonel didn’t want him to sing this song and also he didn’t want him to sing If I Can Dream which was a tribute song to his friend Martin Luther King . The Colonel thought it was bad for his career . Let’s just say Elvis didn’t care he sang them and they are two songs that are so Relevant still today .

Elvis died in 1977. This song came out in 1969. He tried to bring awareness to ghetto life back in the day!! I was born in 1968 and I remember hearing this song as a child. It is powerful, even now in this day and age!! Reba McEntire & Darius Rucker did a cover, live and a loved it. Powerful message!!

This song is from the late 60's-early 70's. Elvis brought the average person to the knowledge that life is different in the inner city

Michele Melina, you are so spot on with your reply. God bless you for caring to know!

Elvis always said that evry person is a child of God, you are the best Singer ever, RIP Elvis

I appreciate the deep dive. You guys should do that more maybe? It's kinda fun learning about the song with ya.

He grew up in a very similar way as a child. He knew what it was to be hungry and he could relate to people that grew up that way.

You need to react to, if you haven't already, Elvis Presley's "If I Can Dream" .... Also "American Trilogy" Live from Honolulu. And "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "You Gave Me A Mountain"

Elvis grew up in the ghetto, but I think he fought his label to do this song because they didn't want him to since it was controversial, so I think he did want to get this message out because he felt strongly about it

The song was written by Mac Davis, but ELVIS brought it to life !!!

Finally, Elvis fan for life love from Virginia

I love the comments from so many great people that know and cares, so knowledgeable,,Elvis was amazing loving, had generous heart, mind!

I was born in 84 but grew up on his music because my mother and sister were big fans. Contrary to what people say he was an advocate for black people during the civil rights era. He was born in Tupelo, Mississippi in a very poor area (you can actually visit his birthplace still) and a lot of people don't know he is a twin, his brother died either at birth or not long after. He was raised listening to the old gospel hymns and blues. I hope you check out some of his other live performances, he was a natural born entertainer. I really love his live version of Trying To Get To You and also Suspicious Minds, his fun personality shines through!

Mac Davis, a good friend of Elvis', actually wrote the song. Elvis actually lived it in his early years

This song was written by Country music artist and writer Mac Davis. He wrote a lot of songs for several big performers. You aught to check out some of Mac’s music, especially “It’s Hard to Be Humble”. FUNNY 😂🤣😂🤣🥰‼️ Posted this before I saw the part of your reaction where you mention Mac Davis.

You guys are great. See you next time👍

Thank you for the reaction and the deep dive. At first I was a bit worried before the song started. Soon after the song did start the eyebrow shot up I knew you were giving the song a chance. Thank you for that. I am sure most or all of your questions were answered below. I was a snot nosed kid when I first heard this and the story moved me even then. The part I saw you take note of was the lack of a helping hand. I do not recall that being discussed in the deep dive. Not only is Elvis bringing attention to the cycle, he is also I feel, calling people out. As was stated he was somewhat stern and was not putting on his usual type of performance. This, and If I can dream, Elvis was very serious about. Over the years it seems there has been much misinformation about Elvis. With folks actually listening and doing real research and spreading accurate information this might in time change. What I find both interesting and sad is Elvis in his short song has brought more awareness to poverty then all the mouth pieces and politicians then and since. Song can pass a message good or bad. Let's push the good messages/songs out so all can hear, learn and hopefully benefit. Peace be with you both.

I love watching you younger generations delve into our music. The music is better then. Elvis ALWAYS remember where he came from....in the Ghetto. He didn't write the song.

yes!! Elvis himself grew up in the ghetto. He and his mother were very poor, his dad went to prison during that time he grew up in the black community. He always attributed his music his sound was all due to going to the black church he fell in love with.

Really puts it into perspective, how long we as a society have been fighting this problem but not getting anywhere.

So glad y’all reacted to In The Ghetto. It always brings me to tears!!!

Elvis grew up in the Ghetto his parents had nothing they were dirt poor so Elvis new exactly how it felt to be brought up in the Ghetto and he never forget where he came from that’s why he was so generous to people he didn’t even know he was so giving and never asked for anything back Mac Davis who wrote this for Elvis’ recently past away Elvis always promised his mum he would buy her a big house one day and he did but she sadly died at the age of 46 and Elvis past away at the age of 42 and they both past away in the month of August I’ve missed him so much for nearly the past 44yrs it was just like yesterday when he past it still doesn’t seem true you had to be there to understand what we went through as fans great reaction from Denise in Yorkshire England 👑👑👑🙏💔

Hi Justin and Staci, I typically do not wade into such waters on social media, but this song is as relevant as it was when released. Until people open their eyes and hearts with true empathy, we are doomed for cycle to be repeated. There is a verse in a song by the Cranberries - Zombie that points out that is long as "its not me, Its not my family. In your head, in your head they are fighting" it points out they people will turn away from the violence and experiences of other people, as long as its not me. We should care about other people and do what we can do to create a better society. Once you see injustice, it is hard to un see it. If you decide to check out the song Zombie, I recommend the Bad Wolves version before the original. The original was a statement about the violence in Northern Ireland. Bad Wolves version takes it Global! Peace to you both!

Yez enjoyed your reaction,guys,,Look at Elvis history,you'd be surprised he grew up extremely poor,,great man lived all people,, when a kid, older sung in black churches,, Inspiured spirit soul, THANKS enjoyed your share!!

Elvis actually grew up in poor.

You hit the nail on head with your analysis. Love the extra diving into the subject. Sad that it still relates today, although I expect drugs are now a big part of the equation. One of my favourite songs

Actually, the some was written by Mac Davis who said "All I could think of was a vicious circle when I was writing about the ghetto"

Love your comments and facial expressions to a very toughing song!

Born in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1935 which was right in the middle of the great depression. He wasn't raised in the ghetto, but he knew what poor was.

Beautiful song.

Mac Davis that wrote In the Ghetto for Elvis also wrote another song that was a big hit called baby baby don't get hooked on me...😊 And stop and smell the Roses....

Elvis couldn't write songs but he described to song writers what he wanted to say and the musical sound he was going for. He didn't write songs, but the songs were near and dear to his heart. ❤

The king of rock n roll. Happy Easter to y'all. Stay well my friends

In the Ghetto was a song written by Mac Davis--and Elvis sung it.

You might be surprised to know, that song was written by a country singer , Mac Davis, based on his own childhood experiences with his young black friend who lived in a ghetto. Loved your video!! Keep up the good work!!😎👍👍

Respect to you both.