I used to work at concerts and have met some music legends. BB King, however, was the person who left the biggest impression. You have to keep it on a professional level and not bother the artists but he approached me and thanked me for the concert afterwards!
I personally knew someone who was with Elvis coming back from Mississippi and they saw an elderly black man and wife in a raggity broke down truck Elvis stopped brought them to the car dealership bought them a new truck and then went back and loaded the fire wood into it for them
@@lisamariepagliei3945 Agree. Elvis gave away so much money that when he died he had nothing like what people expected, because he'd steadily given away nearly all that he'd earned to those in need.
Notice not once was color mentioned in this song. It’s about the plight of people living in poverty, under adverse circumstances and how it can destroy lives, something Elvis personally experienced. Respect to him for bringing this to light a long ass time ago.
What I love about Elvis is that he never saw color. He didn't care if you were red, white, black, or purple!! This song is an anthem for the world even today!!
Nancy Sinatra got it to Elvis without going through the Colonel. The Colonel wanted a writing credit for Elvis and Mac didn't want to do it. He knew Nancy and was lamenting the situation. She called Elvis from a payphone, on the spot.
And sammy was one cool guy im 55 white sammy was pure cool and not prejudice i tell people all the time music brings blacks and whites together i would have love to have seen elvis and lionel richie sing together and lionel write a song for elvis to sing this would have blown us away.
I truly LOVE what Elvis said at the end of the actual recording “So help your brother along the way no matter where he starts, for the same God that made you, made him too, these men with broken hearts❣️”
He grew up in poverty but he never forgot his roots. He became a super star but he never forgot his roots. He didn't have to do this song but he did it! Respect!
He didn't write this song. He preformed it well but Mac Davis wrote this. He's from Lubbock Texas, my hometown. Went to same high school as buddy Holy. Please give props to Mac for this song.
Elvis was color blind, religion blind, nationality blind, etc. Just another human being. He did not let fame go to his head. He helped many people and most of them he did not even know. He did that due to the fact he lived the poor life as a child and enjoyed being able to give people some joy if he could. When he gave, it was from the heart and never wanted any recognition for it.
When I was younger my nan had a corner shop and I was watching the till one day when a young woman came in and took a loaf of bread and a bag of sugar and then snuck out without paying. I went round the back and told my nan and she described the girl to me. I said yeah, sounds like her. She sat me down and said "honey some people have got to do things they are ashamed of to get by sometimes, things they wouldn't normally do. I know her and she's a good girl. I can guarantee at some point in the next few weeks the exact amount that stuff totaled will turn up on the counter. The funny thing is if she asked I would give it to her, but she's too proud to ask and I won't embarrass her by offering. We have to be kind. Some people aren't as lucky as us." I'll never forget it.
Little back round. Elvis was born in 1935. His parents were so poor they didn't even register on the poverty level. They were well below it. So he grew up in this kind of neighborhood. It's because he went to church at a mostly black church (1935 Memphis, Tennessee). He sang in the choir and grew up hearing jazz, blues, gospel and country. He mixed it all together and made Rock and Roll. He was a really good man to everyone.
Kudos to Elvis for shining a light 50 years ago to poverty..he was born into devastating poverty..it was a step up when they moved into the projects. He never forgot his humble beginnings..love him 👍✌
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 I don’t want to argue. But, I truly want to know the difference. When Elvis Presley moved to the projects of Memphis lots of people living there. Including black folks. No disrespect, I truly want to know.
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 Black racism isn't any different then white racism 😒 An empty stomach doesn't know skin color, a broken heart doesn't know skin color, a broken home doesn't know skin color. Luke 6:45 45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
@12th Man, tell that to the 3 million that didn’t have healthcare. And I never said the incoming Vice President was Black, she’s just not the same shade as your boy Pence, which is 3 shades lighter than porcelain.
@@jv-ep2tc no, but close- he did get his drivers license suspended around 1986 or 87 and I seen he had a speeding ticket in 2009. He divorced my mom when I was 20; not a fan of that but it didnt impact me. Thank you for your concern though.
@@jv-ep2tc I have issues because Vernon Presley forged a check 50 years before I was born? It is the height of idiocy that a person cant state a fact without being implicated in that fact. Elvis's father spent 3 years in prison wether I bring it up or not. Perhaps if its not spoken of, the event will be erased from the sands of time. Do you assign malice to the recital of all historical facts or just those you find inconvenient? I'm guessing the latter...but thats just a guess, not an 83 year old fact, so dont scorn me over it.
When I first heard this in 1969, I cried like a baby. Mac Davis wrote this for Elvis. I was 17 and not looking forward to my eighteenth birthday. Vietnam was raging and tearing the soul and the fabric of America apart. I was brought up in the projects, and I have seen this song play out more than once. Poverty breeds a sense of hopelessness which then turns to anger. I was almost beaten to death when I was six years old by a thirteen-year-old boy. He knocked out all my teeth and kicked me in the dirt like I was less than a human being.. Ya'll we have to love one another. Thank you for a great song that needs to hit the charts again today. I did go into the army and watched Vietnam tear our nation apart, and its soul is still wounded. This is your boy in Tennessee trying to spread the love of Jesus Christ. If we all lived for him and loved one another, hatred would stop, and there would be no crime.
WIW what a story so sorry for you as a kid terrible horrible scums to do that as a little boy m, but now your stronger I hope you've moved on from your past man for real 🙏
Brings tears to my eyes. It makes me so angry when I hear it said that Elvis appropriated Black music. Elvis was simply putting together the sounds of the people around him in his life. He was born literally dirt poor and moving into the projects was an improvement for his family. He had a beautiful, caring heart and cared about all people.
I really like Elvis and I don’t think he entirely plagiarized from Black artists but the fact remains a Black artist performing music like him would never have been as successful, due to racism. Jackie Wilson is a good example (he was arguably an even better and more talented version of Elvis, and Elvis admired him a lot and took style elements from him. They were actually sort of friends.) I think Elvis was aware of that and unlike some people nowadays (cough cough K-Pop groups) he addressed it and addressed the impact of Black artists on his music.
@@SmartStart24 Could it just simply be that there are 85% more white people and having access to a MUCH LARGER audience, which was mostly made up of screaming high school girls, by the way....may have had something to do with it, and it wasn't about racism AT ALL? (gasp.....I know, such a crazy assertion).
@SmartStart24 Elvis not only admired Jackie Wilson, when Jackie was in a coma in the hospital for years, Elvis had flowers sent to his room every week and candy to the nurses who took care of him
Elvis grew up in the ghetto he lived an watched that life an the best thing about that wonderful man is he never forgot where he came from that's why he always gave back he had a heart of gold thank you for sharing
Elvis did not write this song. Elvis grew up in Tupelo, Mississippi. He grew up poor, but he did not grow up in a ghetto like what he is singing about. The song was written by the late Texan Mac Davis. He had never seen a real ghetto. He wrote it about the area of Lubbock, Texas where his friend Smitty lived. Everyone assumed Smitty was black. But no one knows for sure. Then what he read about (problems) in the real ghettos and projects.
@@shaywestlake9709 Elvis grew up in the poor of the poorest in his time an day that is considered ghetto an i never said Elvis wrote this song but he did understand the meaning to the song but either way he was trying to bringing awareness to a problem that still exist today
@@carlajohnson9182 I was just trying to say, yes Elvis grew up super poor, there is no doubt about that. But where he grew up was not a ghetto. A ghetto is in a big city where people live in apartments or projects they set aside for them. It is usually for minorities. I was just going by the definition which is: Ghetto- a part of a city, especially a slum area, occupied by a minority group or groups. Everything else we agree on.
Mac Davis wrote this in the 60’s....the song says we need to pay attention of the cycle and try and HELP stop the cycle......Elvis sang this when know one wanted to sing this....controversial song back in the 60’s....he stuck his neck out when his manager and RCA label did not want him to do it! Thank you for your honest reaction! I’m sure you knew Elvis was very poor growing up...he knew what it was like!
The man was an angel on earth to many folks did yall know he and danny Thomas put together st.judes children's hospital so no family would ever have to pay for medical of any kind and Elvis created indeed employment agency just so no matter how low someone's education is they can still get a job lol check this out aunt Nash opened a church but she needed a piano lmbo he gave her a 15 million dollar baby grand piano lol so they got it to the church and it was like way to be to even fit in the church as it was a very small church lol so they went to a pawn shop and asked if they had a smaller piano that they could trade lmbo they gave the owner of the pawn shop the piano for a i think $500 organ lol they just swapped it out even steven lol true story my hand to god 😂
Brother, don't feel bad about choking or shedding tears to this song, you're not alone. This song gets me every time, there's just no escaping it. I remember me and my mother crying like babies on August 16 1977 when he passed and we watched Elvis last concert and I balled, though I was very young, I was a true Elvis fan and still am today, he was and still is the King.
He was a very loving accepting man but that acceptance actually made many people dislike him. Mostly whites who didn't like the idea of black and whites being equal. Check out "Elvis and the black community". A lot of white business owners banned his music. But he was easy to like and I think he did change some minds and some hearts. The world needs more like him.
@@cassandrahepp6445 Watch "The Inconvenient Truth Elvis waned people to know" on RU-vid ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-g_a7dQXilCo.html
My mom raised 8 kids and we were poor as dirt in North Idaho. This isn't just the Ghetto in Chicago. This is everywhere, white blacks and every one in between. We made it because we stuck together. We were taught integrity, honesty, hard work, kindness and godliness. And that's ONLY way to do it.
I second the idea that you should react to If I Can Dream (and wear that same t-shirt when you do). There are two versions from the 1968 comeback special - one with a white suit and one with a black leather suit. In my opinion, the white suit version is better as Elvis really pours his soul into that performance.
I too agree that you should check out, " If I can dream " it's a tribute song to martin luther king. . .The version where he is wearing the white suit is really touching.
Swaggy, I'm glad 52 years after this was recorded people are still appreciating what this song tried to bring attention to, people like you, the hardships of being raised in a tough environment. I salute you!
I heard this song when I was about 7, and I cried thinking how sad for a mama to cry about having a baby. Grew up in one of the poorest counties in Tennessee with a lot of white teenagers making wrong choices and ending up in jail or killed. Poverty can be a vicious cycle. Loved your reaction to the song.
This song gets me everytime, it came out in 1969... I was born in 57 and I distinctly remember when it came out I was a young teenager and listen to it on the radio. It broke my heart then and it still breaks my heart. You're right... things don't seem to change it just cycles on and on and that song is as relevant today as it was then. Elvis had a passion for what was right and he was always trying to help the underdog. He was a very religious person. After Martin Luther King was assassinated Elvis sang "If I Can Dream", if you haven't reviewed this video he sings his heart out, you need to watch the video from his 68 Comeback Special. It one of my favorites.
I came to Winnipeg, Canada as a young boy from India in September 1977. Elvis had just died the month before. I didn't know how to speak English, much less know western culture. When we got a TV, Elvis was all over with his shows and movies playing constantly. I have been listening to Elvis since. What a personality and incredible stage presence. Today, I'm a family doc, still living in Canada.
This song causes so many emotions in me and so many conversations in my head. So much to say and talk about. Life can be and is really painful for many of us, no matter our Race or Color. I wish we could open up a conversation, instead of all the hatred being spewed in today's world. I'm white , and I watched my dad give away my baby sister to a klansman because my mom tried to leave him because of his abuse . We all have pain. Your shirt says it all,,,,,we are all human❣
I can’t tell what someone else is thinking or feeling but I look at his audience, he sang in front of rich white people and sang “are we to blind to see” so for me this song is to make people think of how they can help and support communities who needs it or the circle will never end. I might be wrong, but I don’t think he sings it as a bad thing, more to make people aware and that change can and should be done, he has a voice and uses it to spread awareness. He grew up in poverty himself. I also think one of the back up singers are Whitney Houston’s mother? Have a great day!
Everytime i listen with Elvis singing this song it choked me and makes me cry. Its a sad song. He is the only one can give justice to this song.❤️❤️❤️❤️
Sorry but with his male beauty alone, his stage performance makes him the greatest performer.Just looking at him holds you spell bound.With his talent, instrument playing, vocals, dance, karate moves nobody will ever match him.He is the entertainer's entertainer
It was all a stunt. Did Elvis turn up to the funeral? Did Elvis march along side him for equality? Did Elvis use any form of media to speak about equality? NO!!! Elvis was all front, and you can thank the colonel for that. His house was less than 9 miles from where MLK was shot. What does that tell you about the people where Elvis lived.
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 why do you have ro be so hateful? Elvis lived the change he wanted to see. He treated his black performers like family. He treated EVERYONE with love and respect. If more people lived a more loving inclusive life the world would change. If you wanna march and protest have at it. I choose to BE the change i wanna see.
Like you said it's still happening today 51 years later so sad his manager didn't want him to do it but Elvis knew it needed to be done Sammy Davies Jr was asked to do it but he said Elvis would be perfect for Elvis grew up in poverty he says Chicago in the song but he meant it for all ghettos your T shirt is so right as well we are all human thank you be safe 😷✌👍
My mum was madly in love with Elvis an was devastated when he died I was 15 an didn't understand how much Elvis music can in pack on your life I do now I love a lot of his songs in the ghetto is one of my favorites
@@Tommysimonsen interesting view of such a longstanding issue. I never thought of our government as a tractor...yes I'm very aware of The Great Migration during WW I as well as the The WW ll second migration but a tractor was not the cause.
@@Tommysimonsen I'm not sure where you live but yes we are free to move anywhere without restriction. But I'll say this, I made no mention of buildings being the ghetto. As for the people who are stuck living in rundown neighborhoods, a majority of those people do want much better but a continuing cycle of ignoring them and the real problems they face is our own ignorance. Why are there BILLIONS of dollars in our Government's lasted bill going to outside countries for bullshit things? Answer that for me and tell me it's the people in the ghetto that are the problem when all that money could and should go towards helping OUR citizens.
I heard it on the news and called my mom at work. She told me to call my Aunt Mary. She grew up in Mississippi and her cousin had dated Elvis a couple of times. We were all shook up, so to speak.
I was with Mom when she found out, on the tennis court hearing the people in the next court talk about it. She broke down and made my dad take her home. I'll never forget.
He touched so many people around the globe and that is why we love and respect him for his many qualities not just for his talent but for his decency kindness and humanity. He will always be loved admired and terribly missed. Even after 43 years I still have hard time believing he is gone.
I remember I was 17, standing in our living room the tv was on and then they said there is a special report... Elvis Presley has died. 💔 my mom who loved him dearly ran in with tears in her eyes and we hugged and cried some more. I really believe his manager Tom Parker helped kill Elvis by working him to death and paying himself well.
The best evaluating of ths song I've seen yet....thank you...I am so happy Elvis is being recognized for his love of his fellow man & the pleght of the poor...
He was awesome . I always liked it and that was in the late 60's early 70 's . And like you said it's still happening to this day . Elvis was awesome person .
You have to do " Elvis and the black community that eco will never die". You will see how it was in the beginning of his career. I am sure it will surprise you!
Elvis is one of the most famous people in music history, & no doubt, one of the most talented, however his heart & love for humanity, is his legacy 💚💗💜 Please review his song, If I Can Dream, it is a beautiful tribute to MLK 💚💗💜
Elvis released this song 50yrs ago, and not much has changed. That cycle of neglect, poverty and destitution continues. By the way, love the shirt bro. 👍
Glad to see you recognized how it keeps going round and round. The original title of the song is "In The Ghetto (The Vicious Circle)". Written by Mac Davis.
Elvis crossed boundaries there.I could tell your first instinct was to be mad but when you thought about it and knew there was truth to it you got teared up from the compassion he sang with. That song should humble everyone.
I’m remember when this song was first released it made me cried. Since then I get a tear or two, watching your reaction I’m crying again. Your comment saying nothing has changed too true and heartbreaking.
@@olwynyoung6499I agree in part. the only difference is, and don't forget we are talking about those times not current. If you are black and poor it was a lot harder than if you are white and poor. People forget that we are talking about "then" not 'now".
There was another guy that reacted to this and his first response was to be offended. He wanted to know if Elvis was from the ghetto and if he wasn't, how dare he sing a song about it! The fact is, you don't need to be from it to see the issues that take place there. I'm glad that you can understand that because you've seen firsthand that it happens but not everyone from there ends up that way or makes that choice. Too many do unfortunately including many of my childhood friends. Elvis grew up dirt poor but the man that wrote it was Mac Davis and he didn't but one of his childhood friends that was black did and him being from the ghetto and what happened there was the inspiration for the song.
He hope the other man who was offended was set straight by other posters. You don’t have to experience something to sing about it but Elvis sure did experience growing up in the ghetto.
That's right! Elvis tried to inspire many to step above their current bad situation regardless of race....but he did try very hard to assimilate many Blacks into his world to help in any way he could.
Written by Mac Davis - who died a few months ago - and the child was based on the son of his childhood friend Smitty. No race is mentioned within the song.
No race mentioned in the song, but it was inspired by a black boy Davis knew and in America, like it or not, "ghettos" have long been associated with people of colour. There are archive 1960s news reports on this platform reporting about various "ghettos" in mainly black neighborhoods. Probably explains why the likes of Bill Medley and Sammy Davis Jr passed on the song - it hits as hard today as it did back then.
@@Gooneress I think you are taking offense where none is necessary. I lived in a jewish ghetto. Mac recently said (Gilbert Gottfried podcast) that his childhood friend Smitty had a child who met that fate. Mac wanted Elvis to record the song but the Colonel wanted a writing credit. Mac's feelings about this particular song wouldn't let him give it up. Mac had a friendly relationship with Nancy Sinatra who was a friend of Elvis's and she made a call and it was done.
@@johnmcbarron7282 I'm not offended at all. It's obviously an interesting footnote that the victim's race isn't mentioned, but what a damning indictment that the presumption is generally that it is - and that the victim isn't white. That, to me, seems to be what so many take away from it - even possibly, the great singers who passed on it.
Love the comentary this man relates to his struggles Elvis struggled growing up he was inspired by gospel music and rythum and blues I can relate to this song as well great song with a powerful message great job host god bless you for sharing
You should react to Elvis singing If I Can Dream crom his '68 Comeback Special (the one were his wearing a white suit). He sang it as a tribute ro MLK & RFK after their assassinations.
Striking to hear that this song...written in 1969...seems so actual now. Elvis used his stature to make awareness of struggling African-American people. And it was not an act! You see the emotion in his whole stature. This made Elvis truely the KING. Not just another performer. I can't name a single performer today who can touch me like he could. Although I am not Afican-American I feel the pain he is describing.
Love Elvis..1967..I grew up South Side Chicago. Not in a Ghetto.But have a Great understanding.And I'm White. 11 yrs old on 24th and Kedzie. Lation, Gang Family life style.No telephone, No food,utilities turned off from time to time. Laundromat ,washer no dryer. I at 10yrs. Would dry and fold the cloths bring them back in the little stainless steel grocery cart. Choices ...A Family, Mother, Father and Three Brothers. Addiction..Father sat in the Tavern every single night.Beat the crap out of each other, week after week. Until he was finally arrested. I ran to a Restaurant the owner called the police.My Mother so afraid.begged for shelter,a Neighbor with 6 children took us under their wing. Her husband Cook County Jailer . Just walking distance from My previous address as the Napier's 25th Place.Steven and Judy Napier. My Mother left us with them. It seemed liked months. She returned,. We moved on. and and on. Last stop Auntie Rose ..Mother 35 died a passenger on a Motor Cycle April, Father 39 Died Heart Attach July the same year 1967. My brothers and I grew up hard. Yet, none of us grew up Criminals,Jail,Prison nor Drugs. The last 7yrs, of my life as a child were not a bed of Roses.You, know what, I took no crap from the outside World..Inside ..Yes I was an outsider. My two son couldn't wait to leave. Help those in need..A young man Bi-Polar youngest sons friend had no where to go. Son had already moved on. I accepted him into my home. Rule #1 no Drugs #2 10 O'clock door is locked.I'll be Dammed,he always called, I'm on my way, I won't won't be home. His whole Family was afraid of him. I do what I want, not here Buddy. My Husbands Bosses Son Patrick was Schizophrenic. Family was afraid of him. He would visit me. His leg would be shaking, irritated or unnerved, Pat you want a cup of Tea? Yes, always Thank You. stay a hr or so smoke a cigar..Pat, thanks for the visit..See I'm not afraid..I'm different. One parent is a million times better than None. Easy life ..Easy Money...No such thing..Risk takers..Thrill seekers...Flipping... Climb a flipping Sand Dune...Leave the Bull Shit in the Hood...
