Story Behind the Song: 'In the Ghetto' by Elvis Presley
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2016
- 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.
Mac Davis was an incredible talent, he was song writer, a singer, an actor, and an all around entertainer.
Amen rip Mac
KK
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.
In The Ghetto was one of the best songs ever written, and the sad part, is it still fits in today's world we live in.
How right you are!
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.
The second title is “the viscous circle “. The last verse repeats itself no matter how many times it is played
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.
I still cry every time I hear this song, one of the greatest songs that was ever written and nobody could have sang it better than Elvis
Just saw your comment after posting my own. It has the same effect on me.
Same exact here. RIP Mac💖
As much as I love Elvis, I think Mac captured it even better. His version is a bit slower and, to me, more meaningful.
ua-cam.com/video/Ll8BBZCNoqk/v-deo.html
and memories ❤️
Me too!! Elvis' voice is so haunting in this song 😭
Every now and then a song writer comes along and writes a song that is timeless...Mac Davis is one of those writers.
Amen
I agree. And that’s not the only song he wrote for Elvis. Memories is another. It’s so beautiful!
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.
Love this song @ MAC DAVIS! And, of course.....ELVIS!!!🥰🥰
SINGER- ELVIS!! @ WRITER- MAC- MAC DAVIS- WRITER @ SINGER🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
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.
‘65 here too
Canada🇨🇦
That would be quite the experience Rosalyn
I can’t imagine
God truly bless you 💖👑
God bless. I'm 63 and this song touches me deeply. Love from Scotland.
Love this story! It’s great to hear the background of the songs Elvis sang and who wrote them!
okay boomer even same now candyman southwest chicago jimmy walker
@@6cocoa66candy66king6 what?
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. 😢❤
I used to crush on Mac Davis also😂😂😍😍😍😍😍
Me 3 crushing on Elvis and Mac... Chill bumps on my arms and spine..🎶❤️🎶
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. 🤔
Great story.
They actually invented the Internet to share stories like this.
Mac was overrated
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!!
no one cares
Mac Davis is one of the greatest songwriters, ever. too many have no idea how many great songs were actually written by him
so name them please? I don't know many, except some of them he sung with some success.
jerryw66 - You can ‘google’ them easily 😉
Gift of love! Delanie & Bonnie!!!
@@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".
@@jerryw6699, A little less conversation
A giant in music - Mac Davis - September 2020 RIP ...
Mac Davis has just passed away earlier this week may he rest in peace.
😢😢😢
Everytime I've been around lubbock I think of Mac Davis . Rest in peace 🙏 .
Noooo....such a wonderful man. God Bless You Mac. Thank you for the wonderful music and the fantastic memories. ❤️☮️🙏❤️
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."
Oh yeah!
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.
@@jimrichards1798 What a hoot!
@@drewby613 Must have been a thrill to meet the great Sonny Curtis!
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!
Mac makes it look easy to be humble... even though he's a genius.
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!
I meant really want to say.
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.
Geraldine Ekhator I Agree
Absolutely agree, Donny
@@TheWillD77 elvis was the greatest of all nowone will ever reach his level
@@fabricehaesendonck196 Absolutely agree
Mac Davis was a class act! RIP 9-29-2020!
I didn't know😢😢😢😢😍😍😍
I loved Mac. I had no idea. Thanks for posting. 😢
RIP Mac Davis. Will be sadly missed
Rest In Peace, Mac. You're gone, but not forgotten. In The Getto has been my favorite song, and will remain so for all time.
I can't add to these poignant comments about "In The Ghetto" and its writer Mac Davis.
Used to watch The Mac Davis Show in the 70's and he always seemed so genuine and likeable. A normal guy.
I did too and he still is just a down to earth person not too many around like that !!!
I did too! I loved those show's. Mac Davis, Jim Stafford, John Denver, Sonny & Cher ( lol )
@@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'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 !
Great comment! Thank you for sharing it. 👍☺️👏
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💞
"A Little Less Conversation" is my ALL TIME favorite Elvis song! Thank you, sir, for writing it!
10 alwmp2lflf
I truly miss this talented man his music still touches me
In the Ghetto, 🙏👍
This has always been One of My Favorite
Elvis Presley Songs,
Elvis Presley R.I.P. 🙏🌹
God Bless Rest His Soul
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.
I loved this song and noone could sing it but Elvis. Surprised that Mac Davis had written thus song.
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.
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.
I agree but I wish Elvis would have sung "ghetto" instead of "get-toe". :)
@@tomburton1037 Okay, haha, your point :)
MrRoztoc one of my favorites.
I was a hunk”n” hunk “n” Kinda kid myself.
Suspicious Minds was one of my favorites!🎶🎙
Those guys are a true story tellers, the Mac Davis’s the Gordon Lightfoot’s. Absolutely mesmerized you with a few simple chords and a hook as they say
Ken Desjarlais So glad you mentioned Gordon Lightfoot,glad you acknowledge his genius also.
Man... I got teary listening to 30 seconds of it. Mac Davis was a treasure. Great interview and story!
I would have loved to hear Elvis and Mac sing this song together
I always liked Mac Davis! and certainly loved his songs!
Loved the inerview and to hear Mac Davis telling his story of Elvis. Mac is a great song writer and singer too.
I remember buying "In the Ghetto" as a 45 record. Played it over & over. Never knew Mac Davis wrote 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.
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.🙏❤🙏
Love Mac Davis! Not only a great talent but a wonderful person by all accounts.
Thank you Mr. Davis, for stopping by and sharing your beautiful music with us. RIP!
MacDavis wrote a timeless piece, still so relevant today. What a beautiful song.
So true! And, how sad that it is still relevant today!
This song has always made me cry. I can see it in my head...the whole circle...
I grew up in Chicago I never knew this story, Kentucky Rain is also Great in the summer time great memories!!! Mac Davis
One of the most relevant and lyrically beautiful and tragic songs...thank you.
RIP Mac Davis we've lost such a great song writer and will be sorely missed!
What a really sweet guy! Love the way he tells the story!
What a great story. I remember that song.
I enjoyed that very much Mr. Davis...thank you and you are greatly missed
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
Wow, I didn't know Mac also wrote Memories and Don't Cry, Daddy.
In the Ghetto is an all-time classic.
Thank you gentleman for this story. The importance of this song for many will not go away.
Great poetry combined with a sad yet beautiful melody. The vicious circle premise brilliantly expressed.
Damn, that's really his song. Breaths and exposes a fuller existence into it than Elvis did (God bless him).
Ah both great, just don't let todays "artists" get ahold of this song....it would get destroyed....🎶🎶
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! ♥️♥️
I didn't know Mac Davis wrote this song, thankyou for sharing his amazing story on writing...in the geddo
MAC IS SO HUMBLE. HUGE FAN HERE. ONE OF MY INSPIRATIONS TO BE A SINGER.
Absolutely amazing. Mac is an American treasure.
I loved Mac Davis, LOVE HIS VOICE, HIS songs, and his beautiful blue eyes. So happy to see this interview.
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.
Mac, Thanks so much for writing such an important song. God bless you.
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.
Loop
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That much talent and that much sincere humility in the same person! That’s Mac Davis all the way! What a talent!
That song makes me tear up every time I hear it. It is so touching!
I'd love to hear him play!!! An amazing storyteller and singer! If I hear "in the ghetto" I'm still gonna cry. All these years later!
Did you not watch the video? He played.
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.
FABULOUS TO HEAR THIS INTERVIEW!!!
I remember back in the 70's my mom had the album, and i about wore it out! Always an Elvis fan! R.I.P. Mac Davis
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!
Everything we heari and learn is Great about Elvis and Mas
This song came out in 1969 couldn’t be more prevalent today...
I knew Mac Davis was a song writer but had no I idea he wrote all the songs he mentioned
Very cool. An honor to hear the song writer for In The Ghetto play it on his guitar
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.
Thanks for writing "In The Ghetto' Mr. Davis. I was born in Lubbock 1941, moved to San Francisco 1956. I enjoyged all your music.
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!!
This is one of my absolute favourite songs and it was a pleasure to hear the story behind it.
Love Mac Davis!!! So sorry we lost him in 2020.
Enjoyed this story.
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 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
i was born in 1971 and i grew up on Mac Davis's music. he was a true legend!
RIP Mac
Thanks. Very moving lyrics!
A powerful, beautiful song, one of my all time favorites, always get choked up when I hear it. Especially when it is Elvis singing it. Mac has a great voice as well, if he kept singing, I would've been choked up again.
Thank you for your talent. Elvis' records are interwoven throughout my life. In the Ghetto, one of his very BEST.
The New Elvis Movie end with this song.. Brought tears to my Eye's and I'm 61 years old.. The song has allot of my life..
Love Mac Davis & his Songs just Beautiful 🎶
Just let The King Sing it His Way. The Best. 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶💞💞💞💞💞🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲❤️❤️❤️
I CRY WHEN I HEAR THIS SONG ITS GREAT SONG. ELVIS WAS THE KING. STILL IS KING. HE WAS REALLY DEEP ARTIST AND SINGER
Wow,mac davis sounds like elvis singing in the ghetto!! Always liked mac,& his singing!!
Mac Davis seemed like a great person. under rated song writer
R.I.P Mac I loved he's music. A great guy.🙏
loved this whole interview thought they were both endearing and so real
I have met mac on a few occasions ..... everything is spot on in this video .... a great person .
I have been a huge fan of Mac since the early 70's. What a talented man. And I remember all the girls were crazy over his looks and appearance.
I love “A little less conversation”. Didn’t know he wrote it.
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. 🎸🎶🎙🎧
Mac Davis you are a great singer songwriter/ actor. I loved your music. In the Ghetto sung by Elvis is one of my favorite songs. Don't cry Daddy is another one.
Just incredible beautiful words.
Thank you sir
Love the stories behind songs.
I luv that song, thank you for creating it. Luv luv luv it. Rest in peace Mac DAvis.
Amazing!!! The songs are awesome and The King of Rock n Roll sure was the icing on the cake!
Nice to see Mac everyone knew him in the 70s and In the ghetto is my favorite Elvis song.
Rest in peace and we all got to stop and smell the Rose's life is a flash !
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 love these songwriter interviews. Thanks for posting!
What a great story. RIP Mac, you we're one of a kind.
One of the best songs ever written
That is an amazing story. Love Elvis.