Jenn: Music

“In the Ghetto” is a famous song sang by Elvis Presley in 1960’s. The term “ghetto” was popularly used in the late 60’s, with many poor neighbor everywhere. More and more people got “ghetto” as the time went by. When Elvis Presley was a young man, he lived in the period of the poverty in America. When he produced the song “In the Ghetto”, he already knew it would be a hit. Once he was certain that the song would be popular, he sang it to draw attention of the citizens to the poor neighbors. The lyrics contain a story of a little boy. A pregnant woman was thrown out in the ghetto, and no one was willing to help her. Then a little boy was born in the ghetto, while the mother was morning another hungry mouth to feed. As the baby grew in the misery, the boy grew to learn stealing, fighting and performing violent behaviors. He was angry at the world and at himself being born in it. The devastating story of the little boy ends on a street of the ghetto, as he killed himself with a gun he’d stolen.
“In the Ghetto” contains a socially conscious message. The song, with a story of a young boy who lived a heartbreaking life, was a hit as Elvis Presley had expected. For the first time, many people were informed with the serious reality of their neighbors. In the middle of the song, Elvis asks “don’t you know he [the little boy] would be an angry man someday,” warning the people to move before it is too late. The song ends with another baby being born in the ghetto. It leaves the space for the audience to think of what they should do from then on to improve the situation. By one powerfully popular singer, the message of poverty and its seriousness was sent to the mass.


"In The Ghetto by Elvis Presley Songfacts." Song Meanings at Songfacts. 7 Sep. 2008 http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=469.
"Elvis Presley In The Ghetto lyrics." LyricsFreak — ( A-Z Song Lyrics ). 7 Sep. 2008 http://www.lyricsfreak.com/e/elvis+presley/in+the+ghetto_20048735.html.
http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=zmVFnhO3A98