Hon there's only ONE RACE CALLED THE HUMAN RACE SO STOP USING THERE TERMINOLOGY, who's THERE? The idiots who came up with that BS to put a wedge in between people dont fall into that. Your either from GOD or from the devil pick one and stick to that.
I think that in the crazy world we live in in 2024 that's just a natural assumption of a lot of people they would assume that ghetto he's talking about the black ghetto but ghetto's come in all cultures....
Elvis is talking about the cycle of poverty. Elvis was born into poverty his father went to prison when he was a child. This song was written by Mack Davis and Elvis chose to sing it because he felt it had an important message. thanks
Elvis didn't play race, as most of us raised up then didn't. People were just people. Not black not white. Just people. He loved people. All people. And tho Mac Davis wrote the song, living in poverty, Elvis witnessed this cycle by friends n family. And so you know, Elvis had " black" neighbors on either side when he was coming up. Watch Elvis and the black community to know him better please before you think you know him. He was a beautiful soul who loved everyone.
Mac Davis offered this song to Sammy Davis Jr. who turned it down saying, "In all authenticity, I can’t do this song because I never lived this way, but I will tell you who did: Elvis Presley."
CRAP!!! the true story is wtf is a white guy doing giving a black man a song to sing about the ghetto. wtf does a white guy know what it is lie to be black and be black and live in the ghetto, Sammy then said give it to that white boy Elvis.
WRONG!!!! The song was offered to Sammy, yes. Sammy said wtf is a white guy doing giving a black man song to sing about the ghetto? wtf does a white guy know what it is like to be black, and, be black and live in the ghetto? Sammy then said, give it to that white boy Elvis.
Elvis was raised in poverty. By singing this song he was trying to spread awareness of the cycle of poverty. Look into Elvis and the Black Community for a better understanding.
And even though Colonel Parker was taking him to the cleaners, he was still real generous he’d give you a ring up five people car. He gave so much money yet these people are still attacking us and calling and attacking poor people and looking for reparations from people that wasn’t even here anyway it’s sad stay for our worldthey ignore you know we we listen their music but they ignore our history
I think you missed the message entirely. The crucial lines are "Take a look at you and me, are we too blind to see? Do we simply turn our heads, and look the other way". The cycle continues because people pretend not to see, turn away and don't address the issues. Elvis was saying, listen up folks, we need to face up to this, take action and put an end to this recurring cycle.
What do you expect - he's from the perpetually offended generation He lacks the critical thinking skills to be able to understand something quickly but his first response is to try to find some reason to claim offense
OH THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THOSE WORDS, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO TELL PEOPLE TO GET THIS... AND AS HE BOWS HIS HEAD ( AS THE WORLD TURNS.. THERE'S NO SMILE ON HIS FACE..😢TELLING A PROMINENT RICH CROWD (LOTS OF ACTORS THERE TOO) SOME GET CONFUSED WHAT POOR AND THE HOOD MEANS TODAY BUT IT ENDS UP SAD.🕊 WHEN ENDS THE SONG WITH ARM GOING OUT WITH A AHHHYA HE'S LIKE ENOUGH OF IT.😢
Poverty has no racial boundaries. The song is about the cycle of poverty. Elvis and his family were dirt poor in his youth and lived in a poor predominately black neighborhood in Tupelo, MS. There were only four white families in this neighborhood and the Presleys were one of the four. No running water, outdoor toilet and his friends were mostly black kids! His father spent jail time for passing bad checks trying to put food on their table. It was during the great depression and there were no jobs to be had.
@MetalHead-ks9zq that was my first impression of his ignorance and confusion. But hopefully he can see past that and accept that poverty is poverty no matter your ethnicity
@@MetalHead-ks9zq Why are you complaining? Did you watch the entire video? I don't think you did. He sorted the song out and your whining makes you look like an ass.
Dude, just listen to this song and you will learn about the song. He is not singing to the black people. He himself was poor and raised in the ghetto. He knows how it feels to be born in the ghetto.
@@Imdevantewarner Elvis was born on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, in a 2 room shack of a house his dad built with money he borrowed from his boss. That's how dirt poor they were. He was one half of identical twins; the other boy - Jesse Garon - was stillborn. They were so poor, that Jesse Garon was buried in a shoebox in an unmarked grave. At Graceland they have a plaque with his name on it in his memory. Elvis always got along with the black community and learned a lot about music from his friends of color. Also, according to the one drop rule, Elvis would not be considered white, since he has Cherokee ancestors on both the Smith (his mother) and the Presley (his father) sides of the family. His paternal grandfather, Jesse Dunning Presley, was not happy that his two sons, Elvis' father Vernon and his brother Vester, married two sisters, Gladys and Clettes who were known to have Cherokee blood in their family tree. J.D. Presley was quite the racist a-hole, often drunk and a philandering husband to Minnie Mae (they were actually separated long before they finally divorced in 1954) who was always competing with his sons Vester and Vernon and who was known to abuse his kids when drunk. J.D. was publicly against race mixing and was in denial about the Cherokee blood in his own family tree. It was more publicly known that the Smith family had Native blood in their family tree, so when both his sons fell for 2 Smith sisters and Vernon, on top of that, was still a minor at 17 when he eloped with Gladys who was 4 years older than him, Jesse was totally pissed off. As a child, Elvis already had many friends in the black community at the time his family was one of 4 "white" families that lived in the predominantly black neighborhood The Hill, just across from Shake Rag. His childhood friend Sam Bell said that some of the (black) kids in that neighborhood had lighter skin than Elvis. One of Elvis' bodyguards once said that he thought it was a miracle Elvis got into Humes High School in Memphis, because it was "lily white". Elvis wanted to be more open about his Native ancestry, but his manager "colonel" Tom Parker (real name Andreas van Kuijk) was against it because he was afraid it might cost Elvis fans (and himself money). They did have Elvis play characters in his movies though where he had Native American blood (Flaming Star, G.I. Blues, Stay Away Joe). Once Elvis had his own (apprentice) job learning to be an electrician, he saved up his money and bought his clothes in the same style that many of his friends of color wore. He was called a (forgive me, just stating facts here) "n-lover" and got beaten up several times too. Later, when he was an established star, he would not perform at places where the members of color of his back-up band/orchestra weren't allowed.
@jayeginn5963 I have two tribes of Native American on both sides of my family. Most people aren't aware of the fact that long ago it was considered worse to be Native American than it was to be black, much worse!
Elvis himself was born & raised in poor neighborhoods in Tupelo, Mississippi & Memphis, Tennessee. These neighborhoods were primarily black but there were poor white families as well. Elvis grew up in mixed race communities in the 1930’s & 1940’s in these southern states. For more about Elvis, check out “Elvis Presley and the Black Community - that echo will never die”.
Yeah my family is from Houston, MS. Right down the road and more poor than Tupelo was. We had some logging jobs but not much else. Went from Houston, Mississippi to Houston, Texas, and much happier here.
Elvis was born into poverty. He was a twin that died and buried in a shoebox in an unmarked grave. He was 1 of 4 white families living in a predominantly black neighborhood in awful times of segregation. His neighbors helped his family and he was taught to be respectful and love all humans!! He didnt see color. He sang and attended black churches. He NEVER forgot where he came from and gave back till the day he died. He broke racial boundaries. Please research how influencial Elvis was during that time period. I subbed and cant wait to see more Elvis reactions. 68 Comeback Special in White Suit singing If I Can Dream.
It's very easy to educate yourself, just forget your hatred and read and watch about Elvis and his life and you will have the answer, we can not be bothered to educate ignorant ppl that don't want to know the truth x p@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425when Elvis had his breakthrough in 56 white folks hated him. the parents wouldnt let kuds listen to him. they banned his records. tratened to put him to jail for moving on stage, feeling the mudic, sounding like a black mans voice ,for having negro s ways. by covering songs from black artists he made black artists known in the mainstream the white comunity . little Richard said by Elvis singing his dong it made him bigger and try harder. Elvis was friends with a lot of black musicians too like BBKi g, Sammy Davies Jr., James Brown. he was friends with Mohammed Ali.Elvis covered songs he liked and produced them. big band and backingvocals. gospelchoir and the sweet inspirations , all blackgirls, were his backing vocals. Whitney Houstons mum was in sweet inspirations. Elvis was told to leave the black girls home when he was going to play at the Astrofome, the biggest venue in the world at the time. he told them that if the girls cant come i wont be there and he demanded that they ll be driven into the arena in an convertible by a blonde lady. does that answer your question? TCB⚡️
Something that many people don't remark on is that the angry young man is a sympathetic figure in this song and society is blamed for the poverty that led to the young man's downward spiral and death. Even the turn towards crime is described as "desperation." It's a profound take on the situation and is way ahead of its time. Elvis was told not to record this song because of the racial tensions at that time in history. He grew up dirt poor and in a ghetto and decided to record it and perform it despite his team warning him it could be a career ender. It wasn't, of course. It just shows the kind of person Elvis was in that this song and its message meant something to him. You should watch the documentaries about Elvis such as "Elvis and the Black Community," "Elvis: A Kind Heart," and "200 Cadillacs." Once you learn more about him and how he treated people and how generous he was, you'll truly love him.
I'm relieved that by the end of the song you realised that the song was not necessarily about a black child, and that people of any ethnicity can be born poor and in the ghetto. I am however saddened at your initial assumption after only hearing a few lines. I suggest that people should keep an open mind, and consider all possibilities before going with the first negative thought they think of.
What an appropriate way to sum up this review. However, I think Devante may have intentionally played the villain at the beginning of this video with the sole purpose to drive his real point through ultimately in the end. He's got a complicated mind and I do mean that as a compliment.
Elvis grew up in a small town that most people considered "The Ghetto" So, he was aware of the problems that his black neighbors faced. In fact, A black man who lived near by taught him how to play a flat top guitar! He was no stranger to the Ghetto.
Elvis was born on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, in a 2 room shack of a house his dad built with money he borrowed from his boss. That's how dirt poor they were. He was one half of identical twins; the other boy - Jesse Garon - was stillborn. They were so poor, that Jesse Garon was buried in a shoebox in an unmarked grave. At Graceland they have a plaque with his name on it in his memory. Elvis always got along with the black community and learned a lot about music from his friends of color. Also, according to the one drop rule, Elvis would not be considered white, since he has Cherokee ancestors on both the Smith (his mother) and the Presley (his father) sides of the family. His paternal grandfather, Jesse Dunning Presley, was not happy that his two sons, Elvis' father Vernon and his brother Vester, married two sisters, Gladys and Clettes who were known to have Cherokee blood in their family tree. J.D. Presley was quite the racist a-hole, often drunk and a philandering husband to Minnie Mae (they were actually separated long before they finally divorced in 1954) who was always competing with his sons Vester and Vernon and who was known to abuse his kids when drunk. J.D. was publicly against race mixing and was in denial about the Cherokee blood in his own family tree. It was more publicly known that the Smith family had Native blood in their family tree, so when both his sons fell for 2 Smith sisters and Vernon, on top of that, was still a minor at 17 when he eloped with Gladys who was 4 years older than him, Jesse was totally pissed off. As a child, Elvis already had many friends in the black community at the time his family was one of 4 "white" families that lived in the predominantly black neighborhood The Hill, just across from Shake Rag. His childhood friend Sam Bell said that some of the (black) kids in that neighborhood had lighter skin than Elvis. One of Elvis' bodyguards once said that he thought it was a miracle Elvis got into Humes High School in Memphis, because it was "lily white". Elvis wanted to be more open about his Native ancestry, but his manager "colonel" Tom Parker (real name Andreas van Kuijk) was against it because he was afraid it might cost Elvis fans (and himself money). They did have Elvis play characters in his movies though where he had Native American blood (Flaming Star, G.I. Blues, Stay Away Joe). Once Elvis had his own (apprentice) job learning to be an electrician, he saved up his money and bought his clothes in the same style that many of his friends of color wore. He was called a (forgive me, just stating facts here) "n-lover" and got beaten up several times too. Later, when he was an established star, he would not perform at places where the members of color of his back-up band/orchestra weren't allowed.
This is one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite artists of all time. He is still so relevant today after over a half a century. Elvis grew up in poverty with his mama. His access to music growing up was sought out by him in black churches. He was a huge advocate for the black community, but he understood from his own experience that "the ghetto" can exist in all cultural backgrounds. He was a true success story who never forgot where he came from.
Many people have commented that this song is about the cycle of poverty, and that's true as far as it goes. But this song is much deeper than that. This song is about the sense of hopelessness and despair that can descend on those who are born into generations of poverty. Mama is crying because she has no hope that he can have any better life than she and generations of her family have had.
I'm Puerto Rican and grew up in the ghetto. This song describes things I saw. The ghetto isn't just Blacks or Latinos it's all of us who grew up in that kind of poverty.
Elvis was born in the ghetto and his musical influences were all from the ghetto. This song is not racist or even about race. Elvis is one of the greatest musical influences in rock n roll history! Love Elvis!
Another thing that you should watch is Elvis and his 1968 comeback special in Las Vegas it's live and it will give you an honest look into what kind of a performer he was, why people loved him so much, how much love he had for his fans and his band and his backup singers.... He goes from one song to the next to the next to the next and when he's done he leaves it all out there on the floor He's awesome😊❤
Elvis never forgot where he came from and could relate to this song. His father spent time in Parchment Prison when Elvis was very young. Elvis was the King of Kindness and humanity and we love him as much for that as for his talent and beauty. ❤❤❤
Elvis grew up dirt poor in one room, Shack with no running water and no electricity. Primarily black neighborhood. His friends which were black considered Elvis the poorest of the poor in the neighborhood. The Presley’s were was so poor that they buried his stillborn twin brother in a shoebox
@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 here we go again you obviously don't like Elvis but you're always on the channels ....just let people enjoy the greatest ever Elvis
He is talking about social injustice and that we should do something about it and not just turn your head and pretend that's not there. Elvis was such a versatile singer and could sing any genre of music, and that is why he is the KING ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Mac Davis can be looked up He had hits in the late '60s early '70s... And you can also look him up on RU-vid there is an interview or two on RU-vid about him talking about that song and his friendship and relationship with Elvis. The song was written about a friend of his growing up so it was actually written about a real person...
Elvis was born into a poor family and spent a lot of time in the poor part of Memphis, Tennessee! He stayed humble regardless of how popular he became!
I was a teenager when this song came out. I didn’t know what a ghetto was, and it raised my awareness. Not much, way back then, yet it moved a compassion within me that I didn’t totally understand until I got deep into my “work.”
Elvis was originally born and grew up in a ghetto in Tupelo Mississippi before his folks moved to Memphis where he was ridiculed by his peers at school for the way he dressed because growing up in that very poor neighbourhood majority of his neighbours and friends were black and he learnt their type of music which he later on adapted to rock ‘n’ roll. Best true story about him, his back up singers were all black ladies of which one of them happened to be Whitney Houston’s mother, Cissy Houston. He was due to do a gig at a casino in Las Vegas and the casino told him that they wouldn’t allow his backup singers on stage because they were black and Elvis told the casino if that was the case then he wouldn’t perform there. The casino then told him that they could perform with him but they had to go through the kitchen entrance and once again Elvis told them where they could go and said that if they did not walk through the front door with him and the rest of the band, then he wouldn’t play. The casino finally allowed it and Elvis went on to do one of the best shows he ever did. You can actually google it. Awesome video bro.
If you take all opportunities away, because a society doesn't offer decent access to education, healthcare and such like, young people end up in this nightmare circle of life. It's going to be worse for POCs, but it's the system that needs to be broken for everyone. Elvis grew up dirt poor, so this is a very genuine song pointing out an untenable situation that remains unaddressed to this day.
Elvis was by far the best entertainer I have ever seen in my lifetime. He was from the ghetto. This song was Martin Luther and Kennedy inspired. He helped many black singers get credit for their music.
He is singing about the cycle of people and poverty in the Ghetto...Elvis was raised in a black community in Mississippi, he also grew up in the black church singing gospel...
I was born and raised in Chicago my whole life and every single word he sings so beautifully is truth...sad but true and it's even more sad today because we are suppose to be more aware today than the 60's..but the ghetto is ever growing ..Chicago is basically one big ghetto now.
This song happened as a reaction to Martin Luther King shooting. He felt these were lives that the king was trying to save.❤ His was on his way back to performing, but MLK happened, like many artist, he had to dedicate or react.😢 His manager hated it, but Elvis didn't care.😊
I know there been many comments posted but this young man missed the point and intentions of the song. Elvis understood poverty, better than those who misinterpret this song. He lived in abject poverty and lived with, was friends with and fought for his POC friends.
It's sad how people assume this and that about this song and Elvis when they don't even know him yet. I blame Chuck D from public enemy for putting misinformation and disrespect out to Elvis.
GOOD POINTS✨️I DON'T THINK PEOPLE CAN REALLY GET IT IN THE UNITED STATES THERE ARE ALL KIND OF PEOPLE HURTING.. MY MOM WAS BORN IN THE SOUTH WAY UP IN THE HILLS .HER MOM DEAF AND HAD FOUR GIRLS .AND HER DAD TOOK OFF.. MY MOM WALKED FIVE MILES TO SCHOOL AND TAKEN OUT TO WORK ON THE FARM TO BE ABLE TO EAT. SHE WAS BORN 1933.. AND SHE WAS POOR WHITE GIRL THAT HAD EIGHT KIDS.. SHE MARRIED SAME MAN TWICE AND DIVORCE HIM TWICE. WE HAD NO FOOD STAMPS THEN MY MOM PUT HERSELF THRU SCHOOL BECAME RN. AND DIED AT 68YRS. OLD ... WE ARE WHITE AND POOR. SO WE NEED TO OPEN OUR HEARTS AND STOP COMPARING WE ARE ALL HURTING IN SOME WAY. TAKE CARE💞
Elvis Presley's "IF I CAN DREAM" From his 68 Comeback Special, ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-u-pP_dCenJA.htmlsi=8lxL-UbDFgk7A_ycx this was Elvis's Heartfelt and Powerful Tribute to Dr Martin Luther King Jr, after his Assasination in Memphis Tennessee where Elvis Lived. It is Based on the message of MLK's "I Have A Dream" Speech, and was written for him with this in mind. It also honored the Memory of Robert F Kennedy, who was also Assasinated during the same time period. This was a Turbulent Time in America, 🇺🇸 with the Civil Rights Movement, Protests and Riots against Vietnam War and it seemed as if the Country was being torn apart and Elvis wanted to bring a Message of Hope and Unity to the Nation. "If I Can Dream" is at it's heart, a Civil Rights Song.
Elvis lived in the ghetto himself in Tupelo and when his family moved to the city of Memphis. His dad and uncle spent 2 years in the pen for adding and extra 0 to their paychecks. This may or may not be about black people, but it's meant for people to look around and help people out rather than looking down on them.
Elvis grew up in extreme poverty, in a shack in Tupelo. All his friends were black. His lifelong love of gospel ( he did a gospel album) came from attending their churches. His great great grandma on his Mom Glady's side was Cherokee, Native American Indian. She was called Morning Dove. There are b/w pics of her in her native dress online. His fathers ancestry has been traced to Ireland & Germany.
Elvis lived life in the Ghetto when he was young.. his Daddy was in prison for writing bad checks.. his mother depended on the church to help her raise her child. If you listen to documentaries about Elvis when he was young..he grew up with black friends.. they called him EP. With this song..written by Mac Davis... he was just trying to bring some light to this situation that has still not changed.. unfortunately. Thank you for realizing Elvis or Mac Davis never said black.. its a Poor Child born in the Ghetto.. no race.. All races can be born in the ghetto, or in the hills and never have great opportunities..
Mama's crying because she can't afford to feed another child. Elvis was born into extreme poverty in the ghetto of Tupelo, Mississippi. His twin brother was stillborn and buried in a shoebox in an unmarked grave. He lived in a two-room small house. No running water, shared outhouse out back. They moved to Memphis when Elvis was 13-14 and lived in public housing there. He never forgot where he came from and was grateful for what he had. He was also very generous. Watch Elvis and the Black Community, a 2-part short documentary that details some of his adult life.
I read a book about Elvis and he was so poor, from the Southern US , he didn’t have shoes to wear to school . He lived in a Ghetto himself. Your analysis of the song in the end was so spot on, exactly what Elvis was saying.
Hi! I saw your comment and got interested in knowing what book you read? I have June Juanico’s, Anita’s and Jerry Schillings books. But I’d love to get into one that goes significantly deeper into his childhood. The bullying he endured was horrid. I’ve read up on his upbringing here and there, but haven’t come across the mention of him lacking shoes. Could I ask for recommendations?
This song is as relevant today as it was back when it was written, its not about race its about the cycle of poverty. The ghetto can be any poverty stricken area all around the world as the children born into it very often find no way out of the poverty, Many turn to crime to survive, sad facts of society. Powerful song.
Elvis was born in 1935 during the great depression and raised in poverty. Lived in Government housing until he became famous. He got his family out of a terrible situation.
After this particular song, I think it’s very important that you watch Elvis and the black community. You’ll learn a lot and then move on from there with other Elvis reactions.
Col Parker didn’t want Elvis to record this song he thought it would ruin his image and career and Elvis tough shit I’m doing it because it has a powerful message. 0:03
this isn't the first time you reacted to this you reacted to it 4yrs ago maybe you should go watch your first reaction to it because its the complete opposite of this whereas you clearly missed the message in this one **the vicious cycle of poverty** and how elvis was using his platform to bring awareness and challenge people to make a difference & help out in your first reaction you seemed to have somewhat of an understanding
He came out with this song in 1969, he was singing about the conditions in Chicago and people living in poverty and it is sad to think that it is 2024 and nothing has changed in Chicago but gotten worse there and across the land in our urban cities. Time for a change in leadership.
Elvis is speaking from the experience of growing up in the ghetto in Tupelo Ms, a shot gun house , no electricity or running water , his friends were the other kids in the ghetto and it' has nothing to do with the color of anyone's skin, Elvis was a dreamer and a searcher even as a young boy in the ghetto , always telling his friends that he was going to do this or that , so his mama and Daddy wouldn't have to work so hard , He never forgot where he came from or the struggles of All the people and if you really want to see what he is saying , There is a video from his childhood friends, right before he passed. And his name is Sam Bell , yes , he is a black man and that is where Elvis got his influence from , he would go to the black churches and sing with the Choir as a young boy , there's a video of that, called Elvis and the black community part One and two , it will show you the truth about The Greatest Entertainer Voice Charisma Charm and Looks of a man who never judged anyone regardless of who they were or if they were the janitor, he learned early in life the fact that you should treat others the way you want to be treated and he never stopped doing just that , Elvis is a Priceless Gift from God and he just keeps on giving and touching the he hearts of billions of fans around the World to this say v, almost 47 years after he left us , He always said you never walked in that man's shoes or saw things thru his eyes , so help your brother along the way, the same God the made you made him too . Check in on the ELVIS journey and you will see a man of True honor and respect. TCB 1935
I see from your comment stream that mostly everybody has made a comment on anything that I would have to say because I'm a baby boomer born in 1955 and I love Elvis I still do I have albums that I listen to all the time... I think it would be wise for you and your early search stage to start out before you listen to even a lot of his music start out with Elvis and the black community and that echo will never die part one and two... It will give you a very good start on how Elvis started out and how he got treated and some of what made him the man that he was until he died all too young in 1977. I'm so glad that a lot lot of young black content creators that I follow are really impressed with Elvis once they learn about him for themselves and cut out all the racism and all the bigotry and just listen to the man and stories about him listen to his music learn about him for yourself you'll have a greater appreciation for Elvis the man... Once you start searching RU-vid for him you'll get so much stuff on him that you will be an expert on him by the time you get done looking at everything. Also look up the Memphis Mafia they were the closest to him and his closest friends. You should critique the version of In the ghetto that his daughter Lisa Marie interjected herself into before she passed and of course after he passed and put it together it's really nice... Also, Elvis's first love was gospel music That's why he used to sneak into the black churches in Mississippi as a kid... He does an awesome job with gospel music... The long black limousine of Elvis singing but it was of his funeral procession is amazing just to show you how much love there was for Elvis Presley as a human being as much as a singer....
Dude, here's what I think..... he isn't downing anyone but upiddy people looking down on this young man. They have no idea about the world he grew up in, and he sings, " people don't you understand the child needs a helping hand, for if not, he will grow to be an angry young man someday". This song touched a lot of people. I don't know is that a bad thing
Elvis grew up in very poor circumstances in a shack in an area of Memphis that was predominantly black, which isn't the point if this sing, but it's where he got a lot of love for his music by going to the black churches and living the music. I don't think he would've been who he was without that influence. Bur he can speak to this, because he lived what he is singing about.
Elvis was a big part of my upbringing. As a white female, I identified with this song even though I wasn't a boy or from Chicago. My family was poor. I grew up in the bad section of St. Louis. My older sister ended up face down in the streets with cops surrounding her, weapons drawn. I never saw this song as race related. I saw it more as being poor and the struggles that us poor folks went through. When Elvis decided to sing a song, he could sing it like he was telling a story. People see what they want to see. They create their own visuals from it.
No more hating eachother or blaming....the damn devil, the enemy knows how to toy with our emotions and knows we react on emotions. DO NOT CHANGE....COMPASSION, FORGIVENESS. IT is here, the hour is here and we must unite and fight the darkness.
Elvis knows exactly what he's singing about. He himself was born in the ghetto. Elvis had a twin brother but was stillborn. They were at the bottom of society and were as poor as you could get before he became one of the world's best singers. Elvis Aaron Presley born January 8, 1935 in Tupelo in Mississippi, Elvis had a rather difficult childhood with his parents, they were quite poor and had to move a lot and he was teased at school. . The mother lost the house when the father went to jail after forging a check. When Elvis was 13, the family moved to Memphis. You should probably check him out a bit more before you say anything. Elvis and the black community. There you have artists like Al Green Littler Richard cissy and Whitney Houston where they have to say about Elvis
Mac Davis wrote the song about childhood friends. Elvis was born and raised in the ghetto of Tupelo, MS. He never forgot his roots. The song purposely does not give a race. The working title of the song was The Vicious Circle.
"A child needs a helping hand,OR he;s going to be an angry young man some day" Elvis was saying, we as a society can stop this. That was 1970. It takes a village to raise a child. Here we are 55 years later, and the problem is still not being addressed. "Do we simply turn our heads and look the other way?" Yes,we do.
