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Quiz about Anatomy of a Song In The Ghetto

Anatomy of a Song: "In The Ghetto" Quiz

Just how much do you know about Elvis Presley's classic "In The Ghetto"? Pit yourself against 10 questions about the song and/or associated facts. Song #15 in the 'Anatomy' series.

A multiple-choice quiz by FussBudget. Estimated time: 2 mins.

Author
FussBudget

Time
2 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
207,592

Updated
Feb 18 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Easy

Avg Score
9 / 10

Plays
5338

Awards
Top 5% quiz!

Last 3 plays: Guest 203 (6/10), Guest 96 (9/10), Guest 172 (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In which city is this sad tale set? Hint

Punxsutawney

New York

Los Angeles

Chicago

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. What gender is the child that is the subject of the song? Hint

Male

Not stated

Female

Hermaphrodite

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. "And his mama cries
'Cause if there's one thing that she don't need
It's ______"

It's what? What is it that mama really doesn't need? Hint

Those hippies next door smokin' tumbleweed

Another potent batch of big daddy's seed

Another little hungry mouth to feed

A social worker come 'round doin' good deeds

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. What season is the song most likely set in? Hint

Summer

Autumn

Spring

Winter

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. "A poor little baby child is born" sings Elvis. At what time of day is the child born? Hint

Morning

Night

Afternoon

Dinner time

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. By what means does the young man in the song obtain the car? Hint

He steals it

He rents it

He buys it

He borrows it

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Which of the following is not mentioned in the song? Hint

Angry

Hungry

Runny nose

Drugs

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. How many of the young man's brothers and sisters get mentioned in the song? Hint

One

Zero

Two

Three

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. "Then one night in desperation
A young man breaks away"

Which of the following crimes are NOT committed in the next two lines of the song? Hint

Steals a car

Shoots a cop

Tries to run

Buys a gun

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. In the very last verse, "As her young man dies", what event occurs which infers a possible repeat of the song's 'birth to premature death' theme? Hint

Another car is stolen

A murder occurs

Police fire tear gas

Another child is born

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 14 2024 : Guest 203: 6/10
Dec 11 2024 : Guest 96: 9/10
Dec 07 2024 : Guest 172: 10/10
Dec 05 2024 : Guest 31: 9/10
Nov 24 2024 : Guest 63: 10/10
Nov 19 2024 : Guest 174: 8/10
Nov 16 2024 : Guest 47: 10/10
Nov 13 2024 : Guest 137: 7/10
Nov 08 2024 : Guest 120: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In which city is this sad tale set?

Answer: Chicago

"As the snow flies
On a cold and gray Chicago morn'
A poor little baby child is born
In the ghetto"

According to www.songfacts.com: "This ("In The Ghetto") is about poverty. It was the first song Elvis recorded with a socially-conscious message. He was reluctant to do it for that reason, but knew it would be a hit".

2. What gender is the child that is the subject of the song?

Answer: Male

"Well the world turns
and a hungry little boy with a runny nose
plays in the street as the cold wind blows"

3. "And his mama cries 'Cause if there's one thing that she don't need It's ______" It's what? What is it that mama really doesn't need?

Answer: Another little hungry mouth to feed

"And his mama cries
'Cause if there's one thing that she don't need
It's another little hungry mouth to feed"

4. What season is the song most likely set in?

Answer: Winter

Whilst the season is not specifically stated, the presence of snow best suggests winter, even in Chicago!

"As the snow flies
On a cold and gray Chicago morn"

5. "A poor little baby child is born" sings Elvis. At what time of day is the child born?

Answer: Morning

"On a cold and gray Chicago morn'
A poor little baby child is born"

Good thing he was not born at dinner time. There would be lots more hungry mouths to feed!

6. By what means does the young man in the song obtain the car?

Answer: He steals it

Oh, oh. Problems coming up:

"He buys a gun, steals a car
tries to run, but he don't get far"

7. Which of the following is not mentioned in the song?

Answer: Drugs

Drugs do not get mentioned. As for the other choices:

"He'll grow to be an angry young man some day"

"A hungry little boy with a runny nose"

8. How many of the young man's brothers and sisters get mentioned in the song?

Answer: Zero

There is no specific mention of any siblings during the song. However, there is a definite inference that he has some:

"And his mama cries
'Cause if there's one thing that she don't need
It's another hungry mouth to feed"

But none of them make it into the lyrics.

9. "Then one night in desperation A young man breaks away" Which of the following crimes are NOT committed in the next two lines of the song?

Answer: Shoots a cop

"Then one night in desperation
A young man breaks away
He buys a gun, steals a car
Tries to run, but he don't get far"

Whilst it can't be proven that the young man didn't buy the gun legally, the tone of the verse suggests otherwise.

10. In the very last verse, "As her young man dies", what event occurs which infers a possible repeat of the song's 'birth to premature death' theme?

Answer: Another child is born

"As her young man dies,
On a cold and gray Chicago morn'
Another little baby child is born
In the ghetto"

According to www.songfacts.com: "Mac Davis wrote this as "In The Ghetto (The Vicious Circle)". RCA Records got Davis' permission to drop the subtitle before presenting it to Elvis".

Mac Davis is perhaps best known for his 70s hit "Hard To Be Humble". "In The Ghetto" presents somewhat of a contrast!

Source: Author FussBudget

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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Related Quizzes

This quiz is part of series Anatomy of a Song - Part 3:

This is part 3 of a collection of all of my "Anatomy of a Song" quizzes. They were the originals, much imitated since. I guess I should take that as a compliment!

  1. Anatomy of a Song: "Ernie (Fastest Milkman)" Average
  2. Anatomy of a Song: "Sylvia's Mother" Average
  3. Anatomy of a Song: "Cat's In The Cradle" Average
  4. Anatomy of a Song: "In The Ghetto" Easier
  5. Anatomy of a Song: "Lola" Easier

Referenced Topics

Music World Elvis Presley Elvis Songs Chicago Chicago

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