In The Ghetto
Nick Cave · Other Songs - Nick Cave
On a cold and grey Chicago morn
A poor little baby child is born in the ghetto
And his mama cries
Cause there's one thing that she don't need
Is another little hungry mouth to feed in the ghetto
Oh people don't you understand
This child needs a helping hand
He's gonna grow to be an angry young man some day
Take a look at you and me
Are we that blind to see?
Do we simply turn our heads and look the other way?
And the world turns
And the hungry little boy with the runny nose
Plays in the streets as the cold wind blows in the ghetto
And his hunger burns
So he starts to roam the streets at night
And he learns how to steal and he learns how to fight in the ghetto
Then one night in desperation
The young man breaks away
He buys a gun and steals a car
He tries to run but he don't get far
And his mama cries
A crowd gathers round an angry young man
Face down in the street with a gun in his hand in the ghetto
Oh people don't you understand
This child needs a helping hand
He's gonna grow to be an angry young man some day
Take a look at you and me
Are we that blind to see?
Do we simply turn our heads and look the other way?
And as her young man dies
On a cold and grey Chicago morn
Another little baby child is born in the ghetto
In The Ghetto
Nick Cave's "In The Ghetto" stands as a stark, evocative piece within his broader catalogue of socially conscious work. Recorded during the mid-1980s, the track exemplifies the raw, unpolished aesthetic that defined Cave's early solo output, often characterized by his distinctive baritone and a minimalist arrangement that prioritizes lyrical weight over production gloss. The song delves into themes of urban decay and systemic neglect, utilizing sparse instrumentation to create an atmosphere of desolation that mirrors the subject matter. As part of the broader New Wave and Gothic rock movement of the era, the recording captures a specific moment in Cave's evolution, moving away from the theatricality of his earlier projects toward a more grounded, narrative-driven approach. Its enduring presence in his discography highlights his commitment to exploring the darker undercurrents of contemporary life through his music.