IS HE TELLING THE TRUTH? Elvis Presley - In The Ghetto Reaction

[@ElvisRose_]

A few other artist turned this song down because they considered it too political but that's precisely why Elvis chose the song. You hit the nail on the head with your comments about Elvis still being relevant to this day and that he's the kind of artist whose impacted generations. Elvis was about love and respect... that's a timeless message.

[@dawnbailey910]

Mac Davis wrote and recorded this song! He gave it to Elvis to record! Mac also wrote Memories Don't cry, Daddy abd Little less conversation For Elvis

[@williamh.2982]

Mac Davis was a good writer. Elvis manager didn't want him to record this song, but he did. Its sad 50+ years later this song still ring true.. Come everyone help when you can..

[@mikesba]

Elvis himself was born into poverty. His family was one of only a few whites in predominantly black communities. He sang Gospel in the local black Baptist Church. He learned that helping people in need became one of his goals. Elvis and the Black Community is a great video of his career.

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4vPaJRrmNVpqJY

[@louierivera7512]

“The ghetto doesn’t have a color” Well said 👍🏻👍🏻

[@depper]

Elvis jumped at the chance to sing this song after Sammy Davis Jr. turned it down. Mac Davis, a great song writer (and singer in his own right) wrote it. Race riots were happening on the streets so this was a very dangerous time to record any music about social justice, social awareness, poverty and violence in American ghettos. Through death threats that followed him throughout his life, Elvis performed the music he wanted to do. To fill his platform with these type of songs were more than ballzy as hell. He was revolutionary and evolutionary and he did more than most to really change things for the black community and all minorities in very big ways. He was really a rebel throughout his life. And that reality got lost in the Vegas years (even though even then he was fighting social issues such has ensuring his black backup singers could enter venues with him through the same doors and be treated in the same was as him. He outright refused to play the Astrodome when they asked him to "leave the black girls home". He said if they don't come then I DON'T COME. Elvis won the argument and then drove the Sweet Inspirations around the entire field of the stadium in an open convertible so everyone can see them together. Elvis was a game changer -- Period.

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

Thanks for sharing! Here is our reaction to Elvis & The Black Community kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4vPaJRrmNVpqJY

[@aboardnow66]

I read that Sammy Davis Jr. turned down the song not because he didn’t agree with the message, but because he thought he couldn’t do it justice, since he came from an affluent background. He recommended to Mac Davis that he should present it to Elvis because he knew that Elvis grew up in the kind of crushing poverty described in the song, even though Elvis grew up in the country rather that a city ghetto, his family was “dirt poor.”

[@eroccha]

@@aboardnow66 He grew up in both. Born in Tupelo moved to Memphis at 13.

[@depper]

Elvis was different, and his perspective was different than 99% of the white people of his day. Elvis grew up in the poorest parts of the South during the Great Depression and Segregation. And he understood the lowest depths of poverty. Only 4 white families on his block, he lived and played with black children while living in a 2 room shotgun house (shack) with a porch, without electricity. How poor was Elvis? Jesse Garon Presley was born about 30 minutes before Elvis. Sadly, he was still born. The Presleys were so poor that they couldn't afford a coffin, so Jesse had to be buried in a shoebox. He was laid to rest in Priceville Memorial Gardens in Tupelo. Elvis hit a bad chord with many elders in white America because he was singing and dancing like black kids did in the streets, and those portions in white America especially down south, still considered black people beneath them, including their musical performers. It was all happening while the civil rights uprising was just beginning. Elvis clearly understood this from the very beginning as he grew up playing and praying in a black community, in black churches. He truly understood, and he listened to the ministers of the day, and he wanted harmony and could not understand why people were racist---- and decided to start bringing people together through rock and roll and gospel music, which would soon find a very white and black audience. ELVIS BROKE THROUGH.

[@got2loveme1974]

I saw that same biography it's really good his childhood best friend told the director who did the new Elvis movie and it shows it in the movie trailer also I cannot wait till June for the movie to come out

[@vickybrackin7483]

THIS SONG still holds true today!!

[@kennethmohamed2897]

Elvis changed our culture (taught us how to speak, dance, dress, sing, love, etc.) he "IMPACTED" billions 👏

[@sheliaspringer7389]

One thing that you can say about ELVIS...HE was never afraid of controversary!!! If he believed in the message, he would sing about it!!! Many people, including many black artist, turned this song down, including Sammy Davis, Jr. They did not want the flack! He wasn't afraid of it! When they put you in jail because of your songs...well, that says it ALL!!! The message was more important to him, than what executives thought about him! We need some NEW ARTIST, with an ELVIS BACKBONE, in today's society! WONDERFULLY IMPACTFUL SONG; BEAUTIFUL SONG sung by the KING OF ROCK and ROLL himself!!! Thank you for reacting to this!!! Great job, guys!

[@irishmac7700]

“Do we simply turn our heads and look the other way?” Nope, I adopted a baby girl when she was 8 months old. I’m sooooo much better off for doing so. Love y’all!

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

❤❤ You are amazing! Thanks for loving us!

[@carriemichelle322]

ELVIS PRESLEY...KING of KINDNESS... little documentary under 7 minutes

[@Wastelander1972]

“You never stood in that man's shoes Or saw things through his eyes Or stood and watched with helpless hands While the heart inside you dies So help your brother along the way No matter where he starts For the same God that made you made him too These men with broken hearts”

[@shirleycarr5387]

The song was written by Mac Davis. Elvis s manager did not want him to record this song. But Elvis thought it was a message to sing about. This was I believe 1969.

[@carolinemcclure3173]

I'm happy you noticed the ghettos have no color. I wish everyone could see like Elvis. He was trying to tell us. Over 50 years ago.

[@LinkRocks]

Elvis was a real one. Even when he got rich and famous he never lost his caring spirit. He would give to a lot of people and treated people with respect no matter who they were or where they came from.

[@joannedungan8381]

There are great song writers, great singer song writers and people like Elvis who could arrange and interpret a song so you feel it to your bones. The later was Elvis's gift. That gift still lives on because he resonated with everyone

[@lindacosta5688]

Very true! The Ghetto has no color

[@susannekalejaiye4351]

Really appreciate the questions and points you raise. I was about 16 when this song first aired. It changed me, giving me insight beyond my "life". Hopefully I have carried those insights forward.

[@mattharack5976]

ELVIS is still the top singles selling artist of ALL-TIME!!!

[@chuckc7594]

If you enjoy the passion Elvis sings with, then you will absolutely love “What Now My Love”, but be sure it’s the Elvis Aloha from Hawaii the rehearsal show. It’s unbelievable.

[@lukekelly8387]

Watch Elvis sing if I can dream from His 68 comeback special.Also walk a mile in My shoes those songs also send a powerful message and it holds true to this day

[@garyzink1927]

I love your question, are we moving forward!?!. Great question, as a 67 year old retired teacher I've grown up through this era pondering that thought, but going forward or progressing as a civilization, I'd like to say yes, but I'm not sure. Bless you two for your reactions, peace from Northern Michigan! P.S. I do trust younger people like yourself to still lead us into our future!

[@joelbeck6600]

Elvis's back up singers .."The Sweet Inspirations". Including Cissy Houston , mother of Whitney .

[@alameas6358]

But she was only five weeks in 1969 with Elvis and the Sweets. This show is from 1970, so she wasn't there anymore.

[@lorisutton5267]

Love the reaction guys, Elvis grew up in the ghetto,, so he knew what it was like to go hungry, once he made it big, he never forgot where he came from and always said he wanted to send a message in his music. Would you react to Elvis singing Walk a mile in my shoes, you'll love it. Thanks for the great job reacting to Elvis. TCb 1935🤺🤺🤺🤺🤺⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡

[@stacie2695]

He LIVED in ghettos. He was indeed telling the truth. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@doveleboeuf6625]

His manager didn't want him to do this song either & he did it anyway!!!

[@stevedahlberg8680]

I really loved that reaction. Thank you guys for bringing attention to it. At one point the song got played on the radio so much I got tired of it but when you look at him do it live and how much the band is into it as well and how much diversity is in the band. He was putting a spotlight for white people I'm problems that they probably didn't want to hear a whole lot about at the time. And he's a courageous guy for that. Plus he's just so good at what he does he can deliver any message really. But this wasn't where he was doing his crazy dancing in the women were screaming, he was demanding that you pay attention to the message and it breaks my heart that it's still so relevant today. It's still so relevant today.

[@deniseperryman2814]

Elvis’s manger didn’t want Elvis to sing this song he said it was too political but Elvis sang it anyway This song was really close to Elvis because he was from the Ghetto so he knew exactly what he was singing about Mac Davis wrote the song sadly Mac past away last year Love from Denise in Yorkshire England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👑👑👑👍🙏🙏🙏😘

[@jennymagidson1925]

Elvis GOT this - the perpetuation, the cycle ...

[@samanthawylie893]

Elvis and we all really know poor doesn't have a color. If we don't help others, we're fixing for a very angry population. Got to love how music is generational and relevant, but it can bring more people together to make a difference if we can and want to. Great reaction!

[@robindehlinger4698]

Wonderful reaction. Elvis sang from the heart. His goal to have a singing career was to bring his family out of poverty, especially so his mother would never have to work so hard again. He never forgot his very humble beginnings.

[@tcbsince73]

When Lisa Marie was born, Nancy Sinatra phoned to congratulate him. She said, he was upset that other kids born that day would not have what his daughter would have. “He particularly talked about the black children.” Two years later he was handed this song.

[@markspangler5316]

Elvis was a ghetto kid from the projects in Memphis from the age of 12. Lauderdale Courts.

[@donnaselfon2969]

The Presley's don't look the other way..he was born into poverty and even after hid death his ex wife and daughter Lisa Marie have continued Presley place in Memphis that houses feeds and helps anyone who needs it for free..extraordinary man who will live forever....✌️

[@mzblue7214]

ELVIS forever!

[@tecra24]

People talk about fixing the environment but we can’t even fix ourselves

[@Wildlife_SA.]

Great choice! This man has a phenomenal voice to say the least... enjoyed your reaction. More Elvis please.. react to Just Pretend live in Las Vegas 1970. A masterpiece.. from South Africa. 👍⚡🙏🇿🇦

[@conniegeorge7441]

I don’t think anyone would of had the nerve to sing this song in 1969. Mac Davis wrote it! Elvis agreed to sing it. He was to famous to touch. It’s hard to believe not only is this same story being lived today we have streets of people who are homeless. Money an Security needs to go into Schools in these poor areas. The only way out is an Education. We can send what is it 120 Billion to Ukraine, but people in our Country can’t get an Education or a roof over their head. This song shreds me! I’m always surprised anyone can listen to this song an not tear up at least. It’s a crime against humanity

[@kiwimatt6891]

You guys rock - such a good reaction. Total respect - loved it 😍

[@neilkendrick4976]

you're good you two: you listened.

[@michellejackson6679]

My thing is.. this mans voice was amazing... and he tried to put a message out.. The King... wanted to change things. but no one listented... no one listneds now.. 45 yrs later.. how does it change.

[@brendapendlebury7333]

Elvis songs will always be relevant for today Elvis is genuine and is the world greatest of all times 👑 magnificent untouchable beautiful unique Elvis 👑👑

[@MAGIKMARTIAN9526]

When he was making his comeback after doing all those movies he was going to do the Houston Astrodome and they told him he could leave his girls home meaning the backup singers which were black he said well if they can't go I won't be there

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

😔

[@brianmccarthy8732]

Mac Davis is the artist/writer of this song. Elvis voice puts soul into the lyrics. Elvis was born in the white ghetto. Watch the new movie Elvis and it shows him as a young teen and how he grew up with soul and blues music. His voice and songs have touched millions of people over the last 65+ years. From country to gospel rock and blues. He is an original and NO one will ever be like him ever. Many artist impact a certain form of music. No one has touched people on all types of music young and old. Liberal or conservative. He had friends in all types of music and could sing any song he wanted. It’s a shame his manager ruined his life.

[@theapavlou3030]

I know I'm 2 years late to this, but you know he's telling the truth. You can hear it in his voice. Ghetto is poverty, not ethnicity. Please check his roots, his gospel influences, and his friends

[@timgray3790]

Elvis grew up in the ghetto. He gave away every penny he had to people from ghetto near Graceland. The true story of his life never gets told.

[@michele6740]

Music, Society, Politics: History. We can educate ourselves to start. Chicago 60’s Homelessness - Redlining. Blockbusting. Subdivisions, Lenders, Sellers, etc Discrimination prior to Fair Housing Act 1968

[@DanoSeer]

Beautiful with the orchestra and strings.

[@ksgtrpkr]

Elvis loved everyone and was especially caring about poor folks no matter their skin color. Elvis grew up in the ghetto of Tupelo and then Memphis.

[@daveyjones6465]

Great reaction you are absolutely right the ghetto has no colour 💕👍🏻

[@otisroseboro5613]

R.I.P To The King Of Rock n' Roll Elvis Presley, Still Miss You Always 😢 & Happy Birthday

[@petehanuszak4318]

Elvis Grew Up Poor In Tupelo Mississippi. Lived In A 2 Room Shack His Father Built. Sang In Black Churches. Never Forgot We’re He Came From.He Loved Everyone. Didn’t See Color. Check Out ELVIS AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY. His Manager Didn’t Want Him To Record This Song, But He Did. He Knew What It Was Like Being Poor. Check Out The 1968 Comeback Special. Song IF I CAN DREAM. Dedicated To MLKj. Elvis Sang Over 800 Songs. Won 3 Grammys In Gospel Music. He Could Sing R.B.Rock,Pop, Country And Gospel. Elvis Passed Away On Aug 16 1977. He was 42 Years Old. Thanks.

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4vPaJRrmNVpqJY

[@cathyhetzel5944]

You are absolutely correct! There are no stories in music!!!

[@robbansa]

Great reaction, wish you react to Elvis singing If I Can Dream from his Comeback Special in 1968, pick the one where he wears a white suit. The song is a tribute to Martin Luther King who was killed a couple of months before in Elvis hometown Memphis.

[@got2loveme1974]

I don't know if y'all have yet but all of my favorite people that I watch reactions to have done the reaction to Elvis Presley and the black community part 1 and part 2 and I strongly suggest y'all do a reaction to it it's amazing it's sad it's crazy but it definitely gives you a better good look at Elvis from the people who was around him at the time

[@michaelgarza2619]

Elvis grew up in the ghetto

[@virginiabeaver2823]

He grew up in the ghettos of Tupalo, Mississippi. He knew what it was like for those who lived in the ghetto.

[@shirleycarr5387]

Could u react to how great thou art by elvis presley 1972.

[@tom56ism]

The song lyrics back during the period when I grew up was about many issues in cold hard facts, whether it was race relations, the Vietnam war, assassinations, riots, love, relationships, sadness, you name it. You could understand the lyrics and it brought out the emotions in the singer. If you think this Elvis song was emotional about a sad issue, try listening to Elvis singing if I can dream in honor of MLK whose assassination hurt Elvis deeply and it comes out in his singing. The music today does not compare.

[@donstand2195]

I love the way he emphasis the word Ghetto the ghetto is not a black community is a poor community and people from the ghetto embraces each other more than people who have a little money

[@Joyce-Barker]

Elvis In Memphis is a great cd/LP. Great songs also.myself remember when radio did not play anything but ballads and big bands yes am old but I got to see the changes…Elvis fan since he was on illegal radio station in the UK

[@pauletteraspberry2923]

It was amazing for someone to stand up about things that were considered taboo.he was brave and really cared about injustices.

[@litotulabing8217]

GOD give him a perfect face and very voice.

[@mort4928]

It was great you mentioned that ghetto can be any race. Its interesting that this version edits out his black back up singers that he refused to perform without. Whitney Houston's mother was o e of the main backup singers.

[@wnsafford1854]

Cissy Houston was not in this vid (filmed Aug. 13, 1970, at the International, in Vegas). Cissy was with Elvis for just 5 weeks, ending Aug. 28, 1969 (1 week rehearsal & 4 weeks of shows). She had a solo contract & left the Sweet Inspirations to work on her solo career & spend more time home with her children. Of her brief time with Elvis, she said; “He was wonderful” “I loved him” “He was such a gentleman” & “so good looking, you didn’t even want to look nowhere else.”

[@johanley229]

This version is the studio version not the live , that's why the back up singers are not prevalent in the video!!!

[@johanley229]

@@wnsafford1854 very true x

[@0804reba]

Elvis lived in public housing in Memphis. He made a record for his mom's birthday. BAM!! A King is born.

[@stacymoore9836]

Elvis was born and raised in object poverty during the depression and when they moved to Memphis he and his parents moved low income apartment’s.

[@CenterPorchNP]

I have watched about a dozen reactions on this song. You guys are the first to hit on the question of being blind to situation or just turning away. I would like to know why that line caught you where it didn't others.

[@sherryarflin726]

This song is about the cycle of life, the struggles faced each day by thousands of families and especially our youth. Do we step in and try and make a change or “ just turn our heads and look the other way!” We have to make the right decisions. Life is to valuable not to.

[@gailcalderone5229]

The music of today is all about violence and I think with the kids of today listening to it may cause them to become violent... Back in the day music was mostly about love n respect...I feel music has a very big impact on all growing up ..

[@kjones8554]

Great comments to a moving song!

[@boosuedon]

"Poverty" knows no racial limits! The song is about the cycle poverty.

[@daveenglish2358]

'Hizzoner', Mayor Richard J. Daley banned "In The Ghetto" from being played in Chicago.

[@santaclaus2504]

If you love Elvis Presley he was known as the king of rock and roll had a one-of-a-kind voice well the queen of rock and roll has arrived she too has a one-of-a-kind voice check her out her name is Courtney hadwin her Golden Buzzer performance

[@davidmyers5916]

This song was written by (mostly) country singer-songwriter Mac Davis. Mac had some pop hits also back in the day. For another moving song try "Whoever Finds This I Love You."

[@richardwatson8714]

Kentucky loves you two 😇elvis didnt write not one song but he knew how to rearrange a song and turn it to gold . Mac davis the writer of this song died but he wrote a couple songs for elvis to sing , memories is another fine song Mac had a good tone to his voice listen to the song he wrote for his son called watching scotty grow . This song was a hit it became a bigger hit when he turned over to a singer by the name of bobby Goldsboro also listen to a song mac sings called Baby Dont Get hooked On Me this song is excellent. Thank y'all keep up the good work !

[@riverzala9186]

Most people are good. Black and white. We all children of God. They spent a lot of time separating us so we didn't know this goes on in the ghetto. It's about to change. We are awake.

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

🙏🏾❤

[@iggyg1370]

No mumble rap back in the day

[@lukekelly8387]

Elvis grew up in the Ghetto.He was the only White person at His School and His Parents were dirt poor.He lived through it all

[@kathifielder1110]

Luke Kelly: sorry to correct you, but even though Elvis lived in mixed neighborhoods in a time of segregation because of his family's poverty, he attended all white schools because that was the law back then. His childhood friend, Sam Bell, talks about it in an interview.

[@magnuslofgren2441]

Mac Davies wrote this song and Elvis made it a hit

[@robinswafford2275]

Ghetto is all colors. Poor hungry lonely children. God help us 🙏

[@cindyphifer970]

Elvis was dirt poor when he was a child

[@shandastockton1848]

He was raised in a ghetto. Dirt poor. One room shack. I never lived in the the ghetto but I taught for years in a dirt poor ghetto. A tough job but so rewarding. You can really make a difference if you have the right attitude and mindset. This reminds me of my students who fight for basic needs that many people take for granted. These kids have so much trauma on a daily basis. The question is important. I tell myself on my way to work that these kids see too much and suffer too much. During the short time I have them I can maybe spread some love and positivity. The police show up frequently. When they take kids away from their families they do it at school. They trust me and beg me to help them but my hands are tied. I will stay with them as long as I can. But it is so heartbreaking.

[@jms1471]

If you haven't watched the "Echo will never die" watch it..

[@reid1boys]

You are so right about the stories told back then. It is clearly a reflection of the world these musicians are living in. IN the 60s young people were being forced to go fight in a war. They watched young man after young man come home in body bags for a war nobody in the US really understood. Civil rights was still being fought over, JFK, MLK and RFK were all shot dead.... musicians wrote songs that reflected all of those struggles they were living through. Todays kids?? bahahaha, their main struggle is ensuring their Iphone doesnt ever lose signal. Seriously.... We all wanted our children to have it easier than we did.... but damn, im seriously having doubts if that is a good thing. The simplest challenge for this young generation and they havent a clue how to work through the struggle. Thas why the music back then had messages. Go listen to CCR "Fortunate Son."

[@thomaspgreen6302]

This with Walk a mile in my shoes, he's doing a message in my opinion. "We loved Elvis, and Elvis loved us." (Shakerag receives its Mississippi Blues Trail Mark in Tupelo Mississippi @ 4:30) according to Sam Bell's interview Elvis grew up poor in a predominant black neighborhood of East Tupelo. I don't know if that or Lauderdale Courts and Beale street would be considered Ghetto. Sammy Davis Jnr also did a good take off of In the Ghetto. It's more of a jazzy spoken word.

[@otisroseboro5613]

Great Reaction Guy's

[@markphillips480]

I was born and raised in Chicago the girl is talking about is Cabrini Green which right now it’s gone there’s a setting for good times is so true so sad a lot of my friends my brothers that I grew up with either died got paralyzed at one up in prison honestly the government does not care God bless you God bless all your followers I lost to many friends family brothers partners to the game and the Ghetto for real

[@jennysheldon7633]

It was a time when white folk didn't really talk about it in songs, especially not in that time. Elvis did!!

[@conniegeorge7441]

Elvis was born into a poor family in Mississippi. An at 13 they moved to Memphis TN. His twin was still born, and his mother never got over an it effected Elvis. For all the fame, and money I don’t think he was ever truly happy. King of Rock & Roll born in a 2 bedroom shotgun house. He was very close to the black community, and there is a documentary out there on that relationship.

[@MariJeanMelissa]

Cissy Houston (Whitney's Mama) singing backup

[@MAGIKMARTIAN9526]

DUDE, YOU SHOULD WATCH ELVIS AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY. I THINK Y'ALL WILL BE SURPRISED

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4vPaJRrmNVpqJY

[@mikejurecka3958]

Love your channel!! Great beautiful reaction

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

Thank you for the love! We definitely thrive off of it! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikejurecka3958]

@@TheDemouchetsREACT got my subscription! thank you for taking the time to reply to my comment! Can’t wait to see more videos!

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

@@mikejurecka3958 ❤ Hope you have a great day!

[@mikejurecka3958]

@@TheDemouchetsREACT you guys as well 🙏🏻❤️

[@recipe1953]

Hi, you missed the very end

[@db90990]

Elvis lived in the poor housing projects of Memphis from 1948 to 1953

[@donnaowens3349]

It basically tells you the cycle of poverty continues unless someone helps change it.

[@flowrz448]

Elvis presley, glad to see yall reacting 2 him! AY btw, could you please react to Cris Aye h3llcat? luv his music

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

Be sure to turn on your post notification bell.

[@user-jy7nk7ug5t]

The Getto or poor poverty area of all race is very difficult for people to have hope. If your stomach burn from hunger you will eventually get angry about it and fight to survive. It's human nature. Unfortunately it's difficult to get out of poverty without a helping hand of others.

[@tapsa412]

❤❤❤🇫🇮

[@vonnietorraville1058]

Please play if that isn’t, love by Elvis thanks.Vonnie ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@theodoredodge]

I recommended you guys review this and you already have; my bad; another one? I would be interested in your take about the discussion with Travis Smiley (moderator), Luis Farahkan, Colonel West, Jessie Jackson and others especially when Farakhan got pretty excited.

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

Hmmm this already seems controversial. 😅

[@johnjarvis7248]

If there is one thing that knows no colour it's .....Poverty!!