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In The Ghetto Chords
On The Acoustic

Welcome to my In The Ghetto chords page you'll find the lyrics to this song, a free pdf chords and lyrics sheet along with tutorial demos and a link to purchase full lessons in .mp4 format.

In The Ghetto Chords
Lyrics, Demo, Tutorial

In the Ghetto was written by Mac Davis and was first released by Elvis in 1969. The song addresses the cycle of poverty and despair in urban neighbourhoods, specifically focusing on the life of a young boy growing up in the inner city.

"In the Ghetto" became a significant hit for Elvis and is considered one of his most socially conscious and emotionally impactful songs. The track features a blend of soul, pop, and gospel influences, with Elvis delivering a poignant and heartfelt performance.

The song was released as a single and reached the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It remains one of Elvis's signature songs and has been covered by various artists over the years.

"In the Ghetto" has had a lasting impact and continues to resonate with listeners due to its thought-provoking lyrics and Elvis's passionate delivery. It is often praised for its social commentary and stands as a testament to Elvis's ability to tackle meaningful subjects through his music.

In The Ghetto Chords

Drop D Tuning: No
Capo: No
Rhythm: use a down down up down up down up shuffle pattern - and a few chops in the rhythm
Picking: just a few arpeggio notes
Chords: Fmaj7. Cmaj7, Gsus, G, C, F, G6, Am, D, D7, Dm, Em

In The Ghetto Lyrics

As the snow flies
On a cold and gray Chicago mornin'
A poor little baby child is born
In the ghetto - (In the ghetto) --- And his mama cries

'Cause if there's one thing that she don't need
Is another hungry mouth to feed
In the ghetto - (In the ghetto)

People, don't you understand - the child needs a helping hand
Or he'll grow to be an angry young man some day
Take a look at you and me - are we too blind to see?
Do we simply turn our heads - and look the other way - While 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 -- STOP

In the ghetto - (In the ghetto) ----- And his mama cries ---- in the ghetto ---- in the ghetto

Chords & Lyrics

In The Ghetto Tips

The rhythm in the beginning of this song is a combo of downstrokes and arpeggio note picking as you move through the intro chords. Once the singing kicks in you'll play a down down up down up down up and repeat that pattern. Or you can simply play a down up down up pattern and that will still work.

This one has a bunch of chords and they include Cmaj7, Fmaj7, Gsus, G, C, F, D, D7, Am, Dm, Em and a G6.

There is no lead work to be concerned with in this song.

Some Little Known Facts About In The Ghetto

Mac Davis wrote "In the Ghetto" after watching a news report about a riot in a low-income area of Chicago. The song's poignant lyrics tell the story of a young boy growing up in poverty and ultimately meeting a tragic fate. Davis aimed to shed light on the cycle of poverty and its impact on disadvantaged communities.

Initially, Mac Davis's own version of "In the Ghetto" was rejected by RCA Records. It was his producer, Chips Moman, who recognized the potential of the song and suggested that Elvis Presley could make it a hit. Davis was hesitant at first but eventually agreed to give Elvis the song.

Elvis Presley was drawn to the social message of "In the Ghetto." He had been looking for songs that had a meaningful narrative, and the lyrics resonated with him. The song's story was something he felt strongly about, as he had grown up in humble beginnings himself.

The recording of "In the Ghetto" took place at American Sound Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, in January 1969. This studio was known for producing hits for artists like Neil Diamond and Dusty Springfield. The session resulted in a powerful and emotive rendition of the song.

The arrangement of Elvis's version of "In the Ghetto" included a strong vocal performance by Elvis and a simple but effective backing track. The arrangement highlighted the emotional depth of the song's lyrics and allowed Elvis's voice to shine.

"In the Ghetto" marked a significant return to chart success for Elvis Presley. The song reached the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. It became one of his signature songs of the late 1960s.

Elvis felt a personal connection to the song due to his own experiences growing up in a working-class family in Tupelo, Mississippi. This connection added an extra layer of authenticity to his performance.

"In the Ghetto" resonated with audiences around the world, and its themes of poverty and social injustice struck a chord in various cultures. The song's impact transcended Elvis's usual rock 'n' roll genre and demonstrated his ability to tackle more serious subjects.

Elvis Official Store