The Story Behind the Song 'In the Ghetto' by Elvis Presley. Mac Davis - a singer, songwriter and actor wrote the song and other classics for Elvis Presley before becoming a multitalented star in his own right.
The ghetto has only gotten larger, there is an even bigger gap between the haves and the have-nots. The ghetto now is worse, it's homeless camps with hundreds of people sometimes who can't afford the smallest apartment due to the greed of landlords.
@@LazyIRanch Thank you. Here in Scotland we have many homeless people too. However, we have accommodation for most people in night shelters. But many homeless do not want to go there. Race and poverty are in many ways, the two most pressing issues of our time.
Equal Opportunity Offender Shame on you for behaving like this. I understand that you dislike the song intensely but there is no need for violence or killing.
Yep! I always wondered what happened to him. I used to like his show he had, his movies, too. But I saw him on TV, New Year's Eve, Times Square New York singing a song, I think called I'm Back, so I assume that meant he was making a comeback. Then I didn't hear anything else about him. Now, I never watched much TV after I was 15, so if he was on TV, I could have easily miss him.
As much as I love Elvis, I think Mac captured it even better. His version is a bit slower and, to me, more meaningful. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ll8BBZCNoqk.html
When Elvis sang that song, it was a hit because that was Elvis! Elvis was born in the ghetto. Lived in the Ghetto. Then moved to government project housing which actually back then was still in many areas considered the ghetto but was a step up from where he was born .
What made it timeless, was the tone, artistry, soul depth and diversity of elvis. Mac NEVER could have recorded the masterpiece that elvis did. Very few artists in history, could improve upon the lyrics of another. Ray charles, frank SINATRA, Ella Fitzgerald, elvis presley, etc...etc... were those extremely rare iconic artists who had that ability.
I met Mac Davis back in 1978 when I was a 17-year-old busboy at my hometown country club in Henderson, KY. He and his band had just entered our club's "19th Hole" bar after a round of golf and some of the local members swarmed around their table making small talk. Mr. Davis politely excused himself from the group and walked up to the bar where I stood in my ugly yellow-gold busboy jacket, keeping vigil for members' needs for water or butter. I'll never forget it. Mr. Davis ordered his drink from the bartender and then turned to me with a nod and warm smile and asked how my day was going. Somehow, I managed to reply and summoned the courage to ask if he had a good round of golf. He nodded and (I believe) he said something along the lines of "Yes, sir. Pretty fair." ~ Now, this was 40 years ago and I will NEVER forget the warmth and generosity of this huge celebrity. I now live in Texas and am personal friends with 3 different international female singing stars and I have repeated this story to each of them, citing Mac Davis as a shining example of celebrity generosity. And I would just like to say that, if you're reading this, Mr. Davis, THANK YOU for the warmth and kindness you once showed a zit-faced 17-year-old busboy! "He" has never forgotten and will remember to his dying day. Now that I think about it, I believe it was actually 1977, right before "North Dallas Forty" was released. And I was 16, not 17 as I first mentioned. 🤔
Thank you for sharing this! I've heard a few stories about his generous, warm nature and especially regarding his humor and wonderful laugh. I worked in Los Angeles (late ''80s - mid '90s) I had the great fortune to meet so many talented and really wonderful people!!
Every since I was old enough to own my feelings and understand the stories behind a song, this is one that I cry over everytime I hear it. I grew up in the ghettos of Chicago. I've witnessed murder and the bloody streets the next day. I've seen a mother running up our street screaming and crying and just grieving like I've never seen since. That street was the 5300 block of Hermitage Avenue. I was born in 1965 at Cook County Hospital, this song still sends me back to smells, sounds and events like it was just yesterday.
Mac’s right - dead silence every time I sang this song on stage. I received hundreds of standing ovations over the years of my entertainment career. Thank you Mr. Davis - now I’m reaching back to help those stuck in the vicious circle of trauma, abuse, and neglect. Thanks for your inspiration!
I just heard that he passed. I'm so sad. I have loved Elvis since I was 7 yrs old, im 55 now. And I used to watch Mac Davis's show with my Mom I thought he was so handsome. Had a huge crush on him and Elvis lol. what a huge talent. 😢❤
@@jerryw6699 " I Believe In Music", "Baby, Don't Get Hooked On Me", "Watching Scotty Grow", "Stop And Smell The Roses", "It's Hard To Be Humble", "Memories" ( recorded by Elvis Presley ), "One Hell Of A Woman".
Thoroughly enjoyed this interview, hearing Mac's backstory of In The Ghetto, and hearing him play & sing. Such a fantastic song, just one of many he wrote for Elvis. I don't believe Mac ever got enough credit for those wonderful songs.
Yeah I don't think songwriters get the butt what's the word I'm looking for any fame or acclimation I mean sure they make money but to them and their heart it doesn't mean anything cuz I write songs too and you want someone to know you wrote it forget the money so anyway I thought Mac Davis is one of the best songwriters as well as he had that TV show that I watched every week and he's just one year older than me so anyway well I take that back he's he's more than that because his interview is what several years ago 5 years ago maybe all right so he's about five or six years old I'm crazy I'm thinking out loud on my phone in here anyway just wanted I guess make my voice known
I couldnt have said it better.Remember he was way big in the 70s.I get the impression he was a real big hearted guy too.I agree he wasnt recognized enough.A lot of people dont realize the star Mac was except us oldtimers.RIP Mac
Hey Karen King.You are just tell ing it like it is.Thats what this is for.Letting people vent for what they really want to day.And me for one enjoy reading peoples texts.Anyway u Rock!
Can’t imagine my life without that song. Simply one of the best ever written and only Elvis could sing it so perfectly. Mac Davis wrote so many great songs. What a gift.
Equal Opportunity Offender Why you sound extremely immature. I suggest that you quit acting this way. You are not being nice to other people nor showing niceness to yourself either.
Being from the same town of Lubbock,Texas we were always proud of Mac Davis. I always got chills when the backup singers sang the last part of "In the ghetto."
Hearing his accent, I was wondering whether he was from that area. I spent a few years in Levelland at "the college" (SPC) as they called it, in their country/bluegrass program. LOVED it down there. Got to meet Sonny Curtis in Meadow one time at the "musical" they had there. That was big stuff for me, I'll tell you.
I went to school with a guy whose dad had graduated from Lubbock High yrs earlier with Mac Davis. Mac had written in his annual something along the lines of: to a great guy who used to beat me up after school. But my friend’s dad always had to explain the comment was written by Mac Davis as Mac signed the remark, Elvis.
I'd like to say thanks to Mac Davis for having the guts for writing a song like The Ghetto ! It truly tells of life for a lot of people of yesterday an today ! And thanks to Elvis for recording it !
One of Elvis's most beautiful songs, the first time I heard it I had tears in my eyes. I have many black friends who I know had tough times growing up. Like Mac said you just see them as 'your buddies' its only when people get older the hatred starts in some - such a shame. We should ALL live in harmony and understanding - DONT look at the skin - look at the PERSON :) Thank you sir for writing such wonderful words.
Thank you for sharing this. It was just beautiful really appreciate it.Grew up with Elvis. Was born in Dayton,Ohio. Evis came their in June 1956. I was 9 years old. In fact he came to Dayton at least 4 times in his life span. The last was in June I believe 1977 right before he died. He was just an amazing person. I continue to be saddened over his untimely death. He was much to young. I do believe he would have went on to marry Ginger A. She was also an amazing beautiful young person,of a tender young age of 20 years old. People want to pass over her but she was with him in his last days. Elvis gave her the most beautiful engagement ring. Believe he was ready to settle down. He was just a little over 40 and believe men don't grow up until their 40. LOL! I am just thankful I grew up in the Elvis era and understood what was going on with him. I was there! TCB💞
Thanks for this story!! So sad that we don't give the songwriters their due on all the fantastic songs that are written. Had no idea Mac Davis wrote that song! May he rest in peace.
You know I'm I'm nobody in the music world but I do write my gospel or Christian songs not necessarily southern gospel but I knew exactly what Mac Davis said when he said once you get a certain part of it and you know that's going to be probably the gist of the song the song writes itself I've written so many in 5 or 10 minutes is unbelievable I had no idea till I was 49 years old that I even had that talent and really I don't give myself the credit I give the Lord the the credit but I was the instrument that he used in fact I was thinking about singing one of my songs in church I think we're having a special couple weeks so I think I might anyway I just wanted to add a little comment to what you had said God bless take care of yourself
@@karenking5357 Ever heard of punctuation? It helps an otherwise meaningful statement look like it was made by an intelligent, cogent person, not by an illiterate, foolish moron. Try it someday.
@swishh55 🍀❣️ Ditto, swish! I didn't know Mac wrote "Don't Cry, Daddy" or "Memories" either! I looked up "Kentucky Rain" (thinking it might be Mac's, too, and found that Eddie Rabbit and one David Heard wrote that!) I, too, enjoyed Mac's show and remembered when he introduced "Hard to Be Humble," with that wide grin of his. Full of the Dickens and so much fun! Just the sort of guy Elvis must have loved having around. This was a great visit with a fantastic talent....a really nice guy.
Also the studio musicians do not get credit either. Reggie young is the guitarist who came up with the hook or riff for that song. He came up with the riff for suspicious minds, son of a preacher man, drift away, and hundreds more.
I love this song, surely hits home when you grew up in the projects in the 70's....Thank you Mr.Davis for writing this song...Elvis did do it justice i drop a tear everytime i hear it.... May you and Elvis rest in paradise until you are raised to glory.🙏❤🙏
I grew up on Mac Davis music, he was one of my mothers favorite singers. She also had a huge crush on him as well as Elvis. He was one of the greatest singer/song writers of his generation. RIP Mac Davis
To me "In the Ghetto" is Elvis' best song. I loved it as a kid and I still love that epic song. One of the few perfect songs; melody, lyrics, instruments and voice, but so sad though.
Mac was the kind of guy who'd hangout with anybody, treat everybody with respect and not be a jerk even when he got big. Just a good ol down home boy. We need more of em. RIP Mac.
@@dirtysanchez941 - The Good Ol' Days!!...I went back as if it was yesterday. Mac looks so good. He is such a genuine soul. You can tell with his sparkling eyes and beautiful warm smile!
I was a pre teen English boy when In the Ghetto hit No1 in the UK ,30 years later when I made my pilgrimage to visit Graceland and pay my respects to the King .And when a kind fellow American fan offered to take a photo of my wife and i together by one of the cars in the collection he told me how far he drove for his visit, my journey was 4500 miles ,and when I told him how In the ghetto was the song that opened my ears to music and my heart to politics his eyes filled with tears .But as already noted in the comments it was far more prophetic than we knew if not in the lyrics a vicious circle it was then and still is today .God bless America.
The song is amazing because it is the life story of many who lived and died and, many living now days. Is the life of young men that are being dragged by they poor childhood formation on a daily basis of their struggling adult lives. Mac was a great storyteller and Elvis was an amazing performer.
My Mom and Dad had both a jail ministry and traveled around to sing and play music at local churches. They would sing, "In The Getto" a lot for the church folk. Mom would sing it to me on occasion and would be moved to tears. It's certainly a powerful song.
In the ghetto such prophetic lyrics 💜 Mr. Davis sure aged well, I was just showing my youngest son YT clips of 1979 "North Dallas Forty" starring Mac Davis and Nick Nolte one of my all time favorites! ♥️♥️
What an amazing interview and story shared by one of the music greats...Mac Davis !!! So wonderful to learn about the back story of this historic Elvis song "In The Ghetto"...one of our favorites !!!
I cant listen to that song without crying and its been almost 50 years since i first heard it. My alltime fav song of all time..Great song, sad story..and it still goes on..it is a vicious circle!!
Grew up listening to Mac Davis! Love that man! So talented and classy! He looks a lot like my handsome Uncle who is the same age. Mac wrote great songs and I always knew he was the one who wrote them! He will be missed!
Those are both such beautiful songs, I got chills just hearing them mentioned. I'm going straight to Dady Please Don't Cry right after this. I already know how it's going to make me feel...but it is beautifully done.
I am so grateful to have found this. My dad was a Big Mac Davis fan and after watching this piece I realize why. He just seems like a wonderful man and a phenomenal songwriter and listen to his voice at 72 years old still the most amazing beautiful voice
Mac Davis...nothing short of absolutely great; whether writing phenomenally, his great singing voice, his interviews, etc, most of all a fine, fine human being. He and Elvis are my two favorites of all time for their various talents.
I love Elvis Presley and always have but I never knew Mac Davis wrote some of his music 🎶 Mac Davis was a good musician in his own right .. truly a great story .. thank you.
I just LOVE,LOVE stories like this. To hear where does a song come from and the songwriter behind such an incredible song. It's one of my favorite Elvis songs. 🎸🎶🎙🎧
