I introduce my friend to ELVIS PRESLEY - IN THE GHETTO REACTION

[@sylviaclaudette8689]

Elvis was born and raised in extreme poverty on the ghetto in Mississippi. Noone wanted to sing this. Then Sammy Davis told them "Give it to Elvis, he'll sing it. He came from the ghetto".

[@RonSafreed]

Elvis was the only one to make this song popular & boy ole Sammy Davis was 100% right in 1968!!

[@RonSafreed]

This song came out in 1968 & it is said that the song was "too untouchable"!! Elvis took this song & the rest has been history!! One of the best songs that he sang!! Everything about this song is true about the ghetto!!

[@elainethomas9853]

Elvis got his inspiration from the black community. He grew up very poor. His best friends as a boy were black. He loved everyone as equals.

[@paulsullivan1650]

Elvis had every right to sing this song. He came from the ghetto!

[@MisterWondrous]

The songwriter, Mac Davis, was one of the most unassuming gentlemen in the industry. He was a friend of my first girlfriend's father. Ah to have Elvis sing one of your songs! And this may be his best. Always elicits a tear.

[@Mamamary1]

It's such an emotional song.

[@ketonesnotglucose4978]

Mac also wrote Memories and A little less conversation as well...

[@bella-xp7qd]

Mac was a very good singer too.

[@nathanwanner..44]

Elvis was a pioneer he wanted to bring the plight of African Americans into the light and it worked I heard this as a young white boy and cried my eyes out sooo powerful thank you Elvis

[@natashab3412]

Love all of Mac's songs 🎵 ❤

[@lizburke5945]

Elvis came from the Ghetto in Tupelo. His family were poor until he started performing.

[@dsusan17]

Elvis grew up dirt poor, rural dirt poor. Unfortunately places like Chicago, Philadelphia, L.A. and New York this song still rings true. Chicago has extremely violent weekends. Great reaction gentleman

[@907kat]

Unfortunately still true in rural poor areas like Appalachia as well. We still have a long way to go.

[@j.l.armendariz1483]

Elvis was born into Poverty in Mississippi, he didn’t write this Song but he Understood What life was In The Getto.🎼🎤🎸🤙🏽👍🏽😎☮️

[@RonSafreed]

It is said that no other singer would take up this song back in 1968, but Elvis did & the rest has been history since!! Elvis was the only one to do this to this song about the ghetto in America!!

[@vincegrassi6593]

The song If I Can Dream is another great song

[@ardentynekent2099]

Those drums at the end sound like a funeral dirge. Never noticed that before. Gorgeous.

[@evelynmabe7877]

Elvis grew up in the Ghetto, his best friend was Black, and they remained close through out Elvis's life!

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

Listen to him sing “If I Can Dream” he sang it right after Dr. King was killed. You can feel the pain Elvis felt. One of the most amazing performances I’ve ever seen.❤️

[@boosuedon]

Elvis on social commentary? "If I Can Dream" used to close his 1968 TV special. Specially written for that purpose, the writer, Earl Brown used parts of Dr. Martin Luther Kings "I have a dream" speech that he delivered in Washington DC in 1963 to great effect. The power of the lyric and the passion of Elvis' performance makes that very special!

[@timothysarris9742]

I’m 65. When I was 25-30 no black person ever liked Elvis till they found out he was probably the best singer/ entertainer that ever walked planet Earth!

[@mikegriffin104]

WHITNEY HOUSTON'S MOTHER was the background singer.

[@terrygarcia897]

The king can make you cry laugh smile sad happy. For some saved there life's. TX. Good night Graceland

[@janeblacket-darkroomdivaph5865]

Elvis grew up in the Tupelo ghettos, he lived this. he was a great story teller and advocate for equality

[@evef2787]

This song just breaks my heart...

[@andreamartino2328]

Listen to Elvis If I can dream!!! It’s about as good as it gets.

[@Machomannorway]

This song was released in 1969, and was a worldwide smash for Elvis

[@johnwingate8799]

Evidently there was some discussion behind the scenes as to who would sing this song.The great Sammy Davis,Jr suggested that Elvis do it because "he lived it"

[@knew3355]

“He sang it with reverence” is one of the most accurate ways to describe the delivery of this song that I’ve ever heard, I’ve never thought of that word for it but yes, it is spot on. It’s almost as if he was paying tribute to the countless mothers and sons this song portrays. Thank you both for your discussion.

[@SweetThing]

You could hear the emotion in Elvis's voice, because he had been raised poor. Mac Davis wrote "In the Ghetto" and he does a gr8 job of singing it as well. Elvis sang "Kentucky Rain" written by Eddie Rabbitt (RIP Eddie) and had a hit with it; you might want to check that one out as well.

[@alameas6358]

He already did and after hearing he said that this song is one of his favorites now!

[@tammielongino7485]

Elvis was one of a kind. 🎶💕🎵

[@dianeessex300]

As a young child, Mac Davis had a friend who lived in the ghetto, and he didn't understand about the disparity between the lower and middle income neighborhoods and it had always bothered him, so he wrote the song to raise awareness.

[@carolejacobs2581]

Check out "If I can Dream", Elvis did it after the assassination of MLK and Robert Kennedy. Elvis cared deeply about all people.

[@timwhitnell7145]

This is one song that should be viewed with the video/concert footage because Elvis needs to be seen and heard.

[@keithryan3528]

A Elvis Fan and he's Never heard of if I can Dream and in The Ghetto?

[@cettys1524]

Elvis grew up so poor and hungry. He knew what it was like to be different . When poor, people treat you differently. No matter what color. I was "trailer trash." What happens? Some grow up with an understanding and empathy that one can say to another "I understand" Elvis understood. It is something I understand oh so well.

[@randallbundy108]

But this is a cover song for Elvis. Mack Davis wrote and recorded it himself

[@alameas6358]

@@randallbundy108 No it's no cover for Elvis. He didn't write it, that's correct. But he was the first who performed and released it.

[@randallbundy108]

@@alameas6358 not true

[@alameas6358]

@@randallbundy108 Who sang it first?

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

@@alameas6358 hope you are well nice to see you are setting the ill informed straight.

[@T1625-w7d]

Mac Davis wrote this song. He is from my hometown of Lubbock Tx. He passed not to long ago. RIP Mac. Like Mac said in Lubbock TX in my rear view mirror “when I die you can bury me in Lubbock Texas in my jeans.”

[@TheMkarr]

It's OK to feel Elvis. He sang from the soul. Can you imagine "The Sweet Sensations" trying to sing this without crying ?

[@jennyjorgensen9935]

Sweet inspirations.

[@tsc6454]

This wasWritten by Mac Davis. He was a great song writer as well as a singer

[@bgallagher8129]

Mac wrote the song in 1969. He initially wanted to call it "The Vicious Cycle" . Elvis sang it later that year. Elvis grew up poor, so the content was not something that he couldn't 't relate to. Another song that resonated with him, that he sang, was inspired by Martin Luther King's speech "I Have a Dream" That song is "If I Could Dream"

[@Mamamary1]

I cried when I first heard that song. My older brother played it for me when I was 14. I was at his apartment and he sat me down on his stairs and put this Elvis record on his turntable and as I heard the lyrics, tears stated flowing. It's a poignant song.

[@MrRizzo1961]

Great song written by Mac Davis originally called the vicious circle. Other songs Mac wrote: memories, Don't cry daddy,a little less conversation,✌️❤️

[@CaptainBakerJason]

The song was written by singer-songwriter Mac Davis and original titled “The ViciousCircle” was released by Elvis in ‘69 as “In the Ghetto”. Elvis was advised against this recording this song. He rejected management and the label and felt he must record this song. Sadly, still pertinent to everyone around the world who knows the cycle the ghetto perpetuates for those that remain, generation after generation.

[@tomhiggins875]

I loved the Mac Davis Show especially when he would take title suggestions from audience members and create a song on the spot.

[@naomiwarner7117]

Elvis was also born in the Ghetto of Tupelo Mississippi! That's why he related to this song, Mac couldn't get anyone but Elvis to record this song, it was too controversial at the time but, because of Elvis' own life from the time he was born until he was 13, before his father moving the family to Memphis for work, Elvis' only friends were colored folk and, he was always at their house or, they at his! Col. Parker told Elvis not to do this song at his concert in Vegas but, Elvis rebelled and did it anyway, because he related to this song in a big way!

[@shelleyjackson8793]

This song is sooo emotional 😭

[@salty-tomato]

He said "my tears dry themselves" classic😎

[@mikem957]

Many people don't know that Elvis recorded several songs between 1968-70 that dealt with social issues. If I Can Dream In The Ghetto Men With Broken Hearts (poem) Walk A Mile In My Shoes (live only) Only The Strong Survive Change Of Habit Clean Up Your Own Back Yard

[@Nicdangershouse.]

This song is still relevant about today's problems.

[@sharonbird2921]

Elvis grew up in the Ghetto, he grew up dirt poor 👍🐐

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

he grew up as a white boy in the ghetto not a black boy in the ghetto big difference!

[@marlon-jl4ge]

Die Schule ist aus, zappa fan

[@spikebeans9563]

Elvis grew up in the ghettos, he experienced it in his younger life, I feel that helped him do this song so magnificently. Thanks. Great reaction Harris. Loved what your friend said about his tears can dry themselves. Epic.

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

he grew up as whit boy in the ghetto, not a black boy in the ghetto, big difference.

[@spikebeans9563]

Elvis didn't see color. And apparently the colored people he grew up with didn't see his color either. They gave Elvis the push he needed because they played his music on the radio when Caucasian radio stations would not play his music for awhile. Poverty doesn't see color either.

[@seanscanlon9067]

@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 Poor is poor regardless, cold is cold regardless and hunger is hunger regardless. And there are wealthy black people too, as well as white people living in poverty.

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

@@seanscanlon9067 spoken like a true white guy.

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

@@spikebeans9563 bullshit!!

[@patst1944]

“If I Can Dream”

[@sherrismith8337]

Yes, he absolutely recorded other socially idealized songs. His "If I Can Dream" is definitely one worth checking out.

[@lindawilliams2211]

Watch the '67 comeback live video . Even though he never looked better than in those black leathers, lol. So 😍 pretty. Watch the last song , " If I Can Dream " in his white suit. He sang that for Martin. He never got over Martin getting killed in Memphis. That song was filmed live,in one take. I think he was crying the end. I grew up about 3 miles from Graceland during this time. He was a wonderful man.

[@carlprince2866]

The great Mac Davis wrote this as he did many songs and he will always be missed.

[@terrygarcia897]

One day Mac Davis was driving through Chicago and that's why he wrote. Rip. Mac.

[@jmiddleton7961]

Elvis's grandma and my great grandma were cousins. I'm not sure what that makes me to Elvis but he was the best ever in my opinion. He had a string of hits 10 miles long. They over used and over exposed him. He was the first mega star. Nobody to this day has matched his fame. Even Michael Jackson idolized Elvis.

[@R.POWELL]

Good one !!! 👍 💗 ELVIS

[@1cajun59]

"My tears can dry themselves" has got to be the most succinct reply I've heard in awhile.

[@joanmatthews2570]

Such a moving song

[@dwhite849]

Elvis grew up in a very poor mixed neighborhood. First singing was in an AME Church - Black Church want to be blown away - If I can Dream will put you there

[@thecottagemouse2713]

We must not forget that the Ghetto is NOT only in America people. Women all over the world are experiencing this tragedy today. Remember that!

[@johnwaga3702]

You need to watch Elvis singing “If I Can Dream” which he sang shortly after MLK was assassinated.

[@ardentynekent2099]

Also, "If I Can Dream" is gorgeous, and a response to MLK's death. It was a terrible couple of years. I think Elvis captures it in the '68 Comeback Special".

[@SheenaRea]

Cool friend there Harri.... Love his words and perspective. Excellent and thought-provoking reaction, thank you so much. ❤❤

[@ianraymondback]

The mear thought that elvis could have actually been even bigger than he was is so ridiculous but actually true

[@lesterralphwiley]

He sang so many different types of songs and he did many Gospel songs. I'm an 8th-generation military brat I was a kid in the '50s and '60s in Detroit My parents were Well off "White" military Colonels and lived in many different parts of the world. Everywhere we went we always came back to Detroit after several months or a year or two. I saw the rage, hatred, and violence all over the world and in Detroit, it was the same. This song hits home even as a white kid because I had classmates and neighbors who could not be as friendly as we wanted to society and how badly minorities were treated all over the city and the country. I live just north of Detroit and I'm 66 years old. Four children have been shot in Detroit in the last week alone. Every day I hear on the news someone got killed last night in the city. Mothers get pregnant men take off denying it's their kid and the song says it all. 1968 - 2022. different days same disgusting lack of help for the poor and needy. I have been blessed in my life despite the sorrows I have known just because of my birth and skin color. All I can do is pray and try to treat people with respect and fairness.

[@TheCosmicGenius]

Yes, this was written by the late, great Mac Davis. You should react, perhaps, to some of his songs. Like, 'Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me', or, 'I Believe in Music', or, 'Hard to be Humble.

[@robertseymour2530]

It's life

[@robertseymour2530]

How old r. U

[@TheCosmicGenius]

@@robertseymour2530 old

[@johndalley1288]

Don't forget She's A Lady also.

[@patsirianni7984]

Elvis was raised around the poor black people and around the black church

[@rickrhoden1]

Very insightful and respectful commentary by you 2 reactors. Elvis did this song against the advice of his manager, who was not into serious, socially relevant content. Mac Davis wrote it and was a great songwriter; Davis was not from the ghetto, but he had some personal connection to someone who did have such an experience. Elvis, on the other hand, grew up in extreme poverty and could relate to this.

[@karenstrong8887]

Elvis grew up in a share croppers shack in a very poor black neighborhood. He was the only white kid in his Baptist Church so they put him in the Choir. He had a right to sing this song and his heart was in it. He recorded over 200 Gospel songs. He never saw colour, race or religion. The only one he loved more than his Mother was God. When his show sold out in Dallas they told him not to bring those 3 black women and just leave them at home. He told them he was okay with that and he would watch the show from home with them. Elvis made them put the ladies in a Cadillac and drive them around the arena in front of him. He was a good man and the only white man called a, the bad N word in the South where they smashed all of his records. He started fighting for equality in the 50’s when no one else was game to. Elvis was someone we can all love.

[@rebeccastarovich6079]

Only a masterfully written and performed song can grip a soul like that. Great reaction.

[@marybaillie8907]

One of Elvis's greatest performances of a song. The message in the song is so very sad. Sadly things really haven't changed. Just a beautiful song with a sad ending. Thanks Tevian and Harri. Great reaction. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[@randallbundy108]

Written by Mack Davis .. A cover song for Elvis

[@marybaillie8907]

@@randallbundy108 Yes I realize that. Thanks. 👍✌️🇨🇦

[@alameas6358]

@@randallbundy108 It was written by Mac Davis ( a great singer/songwriter) but it's no cover song for Elvis. He was the first who released this song in April 1969. He was the original performer, so everyone who released it later covered it.

[@bettydamnboop3030]

I had his vinyls and 8 tracks and this is my favorite song by Elvis 🥰

[@anitawright7169]

This a very sad song and Elvis sang it well. Love your reactions!

[@hillsboroughguy]

Great reaction - thank you for reacting to Elvis us fans greatly appreciate it.

[@elizabethandrus3848]

I love the two of you together! This is such a beautiful song.

[@nativepapi6818]

Hi brother, have you seen the new Elvis movie yet, if not you need to check it out it really shows how ruff Elvis had it in his early career.

[@bobleek6975]

Mac Davis wrote and recorded this song. Take a listen it is equally as good. Usually you can't beat the original. KEEP ROCKIN

[@janabraam7963]

Growing up in Detroit, you are right. It is a vicious circle. We moved away & got our kids out of there. It's like that in all low income, high crime areas. It's always the children who suffer. It's so sad. This song makes me cry. He sings it with such heart.

[@GlenMaderos]

Walk a mile in my shoes - it’s a live track from 1970. Another social commentary track. Will blow your minds. Keep up the good work guys 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@shaneeverett3026]

Elvis grew up in the ghetto, he grew up in poor part of town

[@wallflowerj6013]

Spread the word HARRY. U R AWESOME!!

[@paulfranklin4276]

I have a dream is a tribute to RFK and MLK after their deaths. There are several Elvis songs that have a social construct.

[@perthyren601]

You 2 are gold //Love from Sweden

[@sherrelwilson7354]

This song almost needs to be played without pause to first time listeners

[@marenehanson5526]

Have you seen the new Elvis movie. It’s wonderful. Such a tragic ending. I cried at the end. I was at Elvis’s last concert in Indianapolis. It was wonderful to see him but so obvious he was sick. The movie explains it. The ending shows the last concert.

[@thomastimlin1724]

Whitney Houston's mom is singing background vocals with 2 others, they were known as the Sweet Inspirations. Mac Davis, white, wrote this based on his experiences in Texas growng up where he knew African American kids who were l living just a couple blocks away

[@alameas6358]

Whitney's mom wasn't anymore in the group (The Sweet Inspirations) when this was filmed......this show is from 1970. The song is released in 1969. And Cissy Houston was only four weeks on stage with Elvis and the Sweets.

[@cindyphifer970]

My beautiful Elvis. You should check out Mac Davis song and recording of It's Hard To Be Humble. It's so funny

[@robinbeerman4726]

None else had the courage to sing about this in that day. They tried to censor him.

[@deboraadkins-smith2092]

You want to review where Elvis got his rock and roll from chevk out Rosetta Tharpe song didnt it rain children. Elvis was raised in a poor neighborhood. His twin died because his mother couldnt afford a doctor.

[@richardeidemiller6739]

You hit the nail on the head. They didn't allow him to be what he really was. Rare times ( like doing this song) he rebelled. I wish he would have done so more often. They took away his edge to create a squeaky clean version and in doing so took away alot of what made him so unique. Vicki

[@siouxsansue7690]

You both hit the nail on the head. Yes, it’s worse now, especially in the States.

[@gailhill1599]

You two are great! Really enjoy hearing your conversations! Very insightful.

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Another one that comes to mind along this line is the finale of his 1968 Comeback special, mostly a tribute to Dr Martin Luther King's after the assassination, if I can dream. They wanted him to do a Christmas song but he insisted on doing this one.

[@reid1boys]

I really appreciated the seriousness of this reaction. This was a legit reaction and discussion that this song deserves. Thank you Gentleman.

[@patswanson2870]

This song was written by Mac Davis who also had many hit songs of his own. You might want to listen to one of his humorous songs called It's Hard To Be Humble.

[@bigb6046]

They actually spliced together this song with Elvis's daughter Lisa Marie singing it to do a posthumous duet , it was pretty good.

[@sharonbird2921]

If I can dream by Elvis, check out Elvis Presley and the black community that Echo will never die 👍🐐

[@boosuedon]

PULEASE, if you have not listened to Elvis' "If I Can Dream", please, please do so! MLK was assassinated in late April 1968, Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in early June of 1968, just one and a half months after MLK. Elvis finished taping his 1968 Special on June 27th and the Special was aired December 3rd 1968. Tumultuous time in 1968! The black community was protesting for equal rights, some southern states were still practicing "segregation", the 25th amendment had yet to be ratified giving ALL persons the right to vote, Kings murder sparked riots in the streets and the streets were also filled with anti war protesters. President Johnson went on TV and said he would not seek or accept his party's bid for re-election. The Democratic Convention was in Chicago and the mayor there, Mayor Daily had told his police force to put down the demonstrations out side of the DNC Convention forcefully which looked like a battle zone! Bloodied protesters prompted chants; "The whole world is watching! The whole world is watching"! With all of this in mind I would ask you to listen to Elvis' passion as he sings this song. His manager, Tom Parker wanted Elvis to end the special with a Christmas song, "I'll be home for Christmas". Elvis is on record as saying; "I'll be damned if I'm going to finish this show with a damn Christmas song!" Standing up to Parker was not something Elvis did, but he did here! This song is as close to a political/social statement Elvis ever made!

[@750count]

Great song of course, and good to hear you guys talk about the performance and the meaning Your friend could have written for any of the classic country stars, with lines like, "My tears will dry themselves"

[@Lakeshore14]

Thanks for your reactions. In case you weren’t aware one of the Sweet Inspirations was Cissy Houston, mother of Whitney Houston.

[@alameas6358]

But she was only four weeks in 1969 with Elvis and the Sweet Inspirations. And unfortunately we can never see her.

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

@@alameas6358 mike calderon 1 day ago (edited) Written by Mac Davis who's a beloved song writer and performer who passed away recently. Mac Davis wrote great songs and also funny songs. Check out "Hard to be humble". Guaranteed to make you laugh! BTW, if you listen to the live version of this song, (which I personally think is better), you can hear Whitney Houston's mom as a backup singer. The performance of the backup singers performance were without a doubt angelic. As you would say, "Diamonds to your ears".

[@marlon-jl4ge]

Zappa fan, versuchst du jetzt nett zu sein? Hahahaha

[@BillYovino]

I'm not an Elvis fan but I've always loved this song.

[@alameas6358]

I'm a fan for over 45 years now and i hear something like that very often. I try to be objective (ok it's almost impossible as a fan). But even if you try, you can hardly escape the song, the lyrics and this warm deep voice. That's my explanation why non Elvis fans like this song.

[@dwhite849]

The last verse was the kicker it continues

[@slucas60]

Watch the Elvis movie... It explains a lot

[@1bigrowdy]

The song was originally offered to Sammy Davis Jr .and he passed on it

[@johndavidson5228]

Another winner of a reaction.

[@ianraymondback]

I'm a white English 53 year old elvis fan and with all the crap surrounding elvis and the he was racist i love seeing black people loving elvis

[@RonSafreed]

Elvis had not one racist bone in his body!! It is said that when he died the famous James Brown cried all day long on that fateful August 1977 day he died!!

[@denisemay6807]

When I was in the sixth grade I bought a little transistor radio from Long’s Drug store, and this was one of my favorite sings, along with Cracklin’ Rosie, Green-eyed Lady, and Sugar, Sugar!!

[@jeffdickens9556]

Elvis was raised in the ghetto of Mississippi