In The Ghetto
Elvis Presley · Elvis 75-Good Rockin' Tonight [2009]
As the snow flies
On a cold and gray Chicago mornin'
A poor little baby child is born
In the ghetto
And his mama cries
because if there's one thing that she don't need
it's another hungry mouth to feed
In the ghetto
(In the ghetto)
People, don't you understand
this child needs a helping hand
or he'll grow to be an angry young man some day
now take a look at you and me,
are we too blind to see,
or do we simply turn our heads
and look the other way
Well the world turns
and a hungry little boy with a runny nose
plays in the street as the cold wind blows
In the ghetto
(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
(In the ghetto)
Then one night in desperation
the young man breaks away
He buys a gun, steals a car,
tries to run, but he don't get far
And his mama cries
As a crowd gathers 'round an angry young man
face down on the street with a gun in his hand
In the ghetto
(In the ghetto)
And as her young man dies, (In the ghetto)
on a cold and gray Chicago mornin',
another little baby child is born
In the ghetto
(In the ghetto)
And his mama cries
In the Ghetto
On a cold and gray Chicago mornin'
A poor little baby child is born
In the ghetto
And his mama cries
because if there's one thing that she don't need
it's another hungry mouth to feed
In the ghetto
(In the ghetto)
People, don't you understand
this child needs a helping hand
or he'll grow to be an angry young man some day
now take a look at you and me,
are we too blind to see,
or do we simply turn our heads
and look the other way
Well the world turns
and a hungry little boy with a runny nose
plays in the street as the cold wind blows
In the ghetto
(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
(In the ghetto)
Then one night in desperation
the young man breaks away
He buys a gun, steals a car,
tries to run, but he don't get far
And his mama cries
As a crowd gathers 'round an angry young man
face down on the street with a gun in his hand
In the ghetto
(In the ghetto)
And as her young man dies, (In the ghetto)
on a cold and gray Chicago mornin',
another little baby child is born
In the ghetto
(In the ghetto)
And his mama cries
In the Ghetto
In The Ghetto
Elvis Presley's "In The Ghetto" stands as a pivotal song in his rock and roll catalog, originally recorded in 1956 for Sun Records. The track showcases his raw vocal power and the band's driving rhythm, capturing the energy of the early rock era. While often associated with the broader narrative of his transition to pop and country, this recording highlights his roots in the blues and rhythm and blues traditions that defined his initial breakthrough. The song's enduring appeal lies in its authentic delivery and the way it cemented Presley's status as a pioneer of rock music, influencing generations of artists who followed.
