Nurturing Inner Growth: The Message of ‘Clean Up Your Own Backyard’ by Elvis Presley

Did You Know?

Elvis Presley, born in Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1935, rose to legendary status in the music industry. His influence extended far beyond the realm of rock and roll, as he was a versatile artist who effortlessly transitioned from genre to genre. “Clean Up Your Own Backyard” was one of his lesser-known gems, but it holds a special place in his discography.

The song, “Clean Up Your Own Backyard,” is a gentle yet compelling call to introspection and self-improvement. Elvis’s smooth vocals guide listeners on a journey of personal reflection, reminding them that before they can change the world, they must first “clean up” and improve their own lives. Released during a tumultuous period in history, the late ’60s, the song’s message was a reflection of the need for social change, echoing the sentiments of the time.

Beyond his musical career, Elvis was also a philanthropist and an actor. His charismatic performances on and off the stage made him a cultural icon. His generosity, especially towards charitable causes, is less widely known but equally significant.

To this day, “Clean Up Your Own Backyard” remains an inspiring anthem for those seeking personal growth, encouraging them to look within and make positive changes in their lives before tackling broader issues. Elvis’s legacy lives on through this soulful ballad, reminding us that nurturing inner growth is the first step towards making the world a better place.

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Lyrics: “Clean Up Your Own Backyard” by Elvis Presley

Back porch preacher preaching at me
Acting like he wrote the golden rules
Shaking his fist and speeching at me
Shouting from his soap box like a fool
Come Sunday morning he’s lying in bed
With his eye all red, with the wine in his head
Wishing he was dead when he oughta be
Heading for Sunday school
Clean up your own backyard
Oh don’t you hand me none of your lines
Clean up your own backyard
You tend to your business, I’ll tend to mine
Drugstore cowboy criticizing
Acting like he’s better than you and me
Standing on the sidewalk supervising
Telling everybody how they ought to be
Come closing time ‘most every night
He locks up tight and out go the lights
And he ducks out of sight and he cheats on his wife
With his employee
Clean up your own backyard
Oh don’t you hand me none of your lines
Clean up your own backyard
You tend to your business, I’ll tend to mine
Armchair quarterback’s always moanin’
Second guessing people all day long
Pushing, fooling and hanging on in
Always messing where they don’t belong
When you get right down to the nitty-gritty
Isn’t it a pity that in this big city
Not a one a’little bitty man’ll admit
He could have been a little bit wrong
Clean up your own backyard
Oh don’t you hand me, don’t you hand me none of your lines
Clean up your own backyard
You tend to your business, I’ll tend to mine
Clean up your own backyard
You tend to your business, I’ll tend to mine