Spinners, The - Ghetto Child Lyrics

Real shit cuz

This finely crafted song certainly delivers a important message that we as a people should not condemn our kind. The "HOOD" has problems, however, many great people are there. The enemy is there, also. Never forget the outside folks who don't know about the "HOOD" but consistently criticize our neighborhood and they never visit there. Folks persecute us to garner votes or support from a hateful political base. That is the enemy who wants to divide us from each other. So "GHETTO Child" is a important song beautifully rendered from "The Spinners". Remember, our greatest assets or our children are a vital link to the future.

This song reminds me of a poor childhood that I'm glad to have experienced. Now I know why I used to sing this song as a young child back in Southwest Georgia. Things have changed now, life is good, and I am no longer a ghetto child. Songs inspire, heal, and encourage a little ghetto child like me to get through those hard times. We need songs like this today to encourage our youth. Thanks for posting.

This entire album is pure bliss and this song is off the wall perfect.Takes me right back to high school all over again.Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs pressed this LP on vinyl and it is sound to die for.

Takes me back to the a very happy but sad time in my life... So many mixed memories of that time

Great memories dancing to this amazing song when I was 17

Who is still listening in 2019?

I can't recall who or what brought me here, but however, I offer my sincere thanks to the source. It sounds a lot like the story of my life growing up!

This was a hit in my family home. It played EVERY time the stereo was on. Which was every day.

who's listening in 2019

I got this from my grandma

She has great taste. God bless her.

Still such an emotive song then and now

When I was seventeen
I ran away from home
And from everything
I had ever known

I was sick and tired
Living in a town
Filled with narrow minds
And hate

They used to laugh at me
The children called me names
I would ran and hide
Feelin' so ashamed

Just for being born
I was just a boy
Punished for a crime
That was not mine

Life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child
Oh baby, life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child
No one tried to understand
Papa did the best a man could do

A child reality
Is paid for by his folks
Fancy fairy tales
Are born and sold by those

Who can well afford
Time to make believe
Childhood dreams can still come true
Uh, huh- huh- huh

So I've been wandering
Traveling all around
Guess it ain't my style
To live in just one town

Still I'll never know
Why a child is blamed
Ridiculed and shamed
We're all the same

Life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child
I'm a witness that life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child, yeah

Ooh, ooh, yeah
Life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child child

Oh, baby
Life ain't so easy
Yeah, hey, hey
When you're a ghetto child
Life can be rough
Life ain't so easy
The going gets tough
When you're a ghetto child
Yeah, but remember

Oh baby, life ain't so easy
Things gotta change
When you're a ghetto child
Things gotta change, gotta change, yeah, yeah!
Life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child
Whoa, oh, oh, whoa, I'm a ghetto boy

So Beautiful...💕💕💕

Rubberband Man...big hit in Australia in 1977 ; I2 yo me loved it ! BIG soul fan !

Yes this reminds me of my teenage years, of course a masterpiece!

This is a slept on classic by this legendary group!! It paints a vivid picture of a child's life in the inner city.

This was one of the first two 45s I bought. The other was “Temptation Eyes” by the Grass Roots.

True song for real I am Asiatic black man from Asia not Africa that is a made-up word just like America made up. Communication understanding love respect the only way our people can live a long time with the love no stress we can live in finesse

Love this song

First heard this song as a young girl.  It truly struck a cord in me, and definitely made me think about how circumstances shape our lives.

Amazing that this song barely reached the top 20, if that. What a masterpiece.

Still I'll never know why a child is blamed ridiculed and shamed, we're all the same.

One of all time favorite bands

He was a power house

He was talented

He was unique

LEGENDS

DETROIT spinners with that Philly sound

Thank you Thom Bell and Linda Creed. Also MFSB

Sweet Philly Soul

Boy Phillipe Wynne vocals......Pure Soul.....and the Adlibs after the bridge....Simply remarkable.......Detroit Spinners babe

The Spinners were so classical or what?

Brilliant

Such a powerful song about inequality and strength. The Spinners were simply magic. Beautiful memories of my teenage years growing up listening to music from the US that had soul. Thank you The Spinners for your contribution.

Reinna David ruffln tap shoes

it's been hard since we've been here born poor trying desperately to work hard to get a house to call your own and people call you out your name it is hard as it is in this world some people try to make it more harder for you but if there is a God God will see to it that your dreams will come true everybody on this Earth has a purpose

Timeless music it's reality and the Asiatic black people should not be poor we should be rich what all the hard labor reparations is it's due today we must come together change the way we think change the way we speak to one another give that person the same respect as you want that person to give you I am a good singer and I would love to bring this some back I also was best friends of Tupac Shakur rap name is the governor from Oakland California also I was Tupac's inspiration play your cards right by Alice Myers that's right world so hopefully I could tell my story cuz this is hundred percent authentic

Henry Fambrough, Philippé Wynne, and Bobby Smith -- lead vocals
Bobby Smith, Philippé Wynne, Pervis Jackson, Henry Fambrough and Billy Henderson -- background vocals
Linda Creed, the Sigma Sweethearts (Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson and Yvette Benton) -- additional background vocals

I always played this song when I was teenager, way back in the 70s

Has that Thom Bell-Linda Creed-Stylistics Philly Groove in it-and it tells a story about life in the ghetto

Phillipe Wynne, was a beast on the mike.

This is true

yes I can relate to that I am a ghetto child people used to laugh at me so I know exactly what the Spinners are talkin about a classic life ain't so easy when you're just a ghetto child so real

My anthem!!!!

I love this song. By far my favorite Spinners song.

Sweet Philly soul

Personnel:Songwriters:Linda Creed and Thom Bell.Lead Vocalists:Henry Fambrough,Philippé Wynne,and Bobby Smith.Background Vocals:Bobby Smith,Henry Fambrough,Philippe Wynne,Billy Henderson, and Pervis Jackson.Additional background vocals: Linda Creed,Barbara Ingram,Carla Benson,and Yvette Benton.Instrumentation:MFSB. Arranger,Conductor, and Record Producer:Thom Bell

how are these guys not in the so - called rock hall of fame ! it is so WRONG ! these guys were one of the BEST ever groups

I Love these cats ,there sound take me back to a very special time in my life . Love You Guys...

This blows me away everytime I hear it

supeng song

I HAD A BEST FRIEND IN SCHOOL IM WHITE HE WAS BLACK HE CAME FROM THE GHETTO IN NEW YORK HE WAS A FRIEND THAT WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR ME WE WERE ALWAYS TOGETHER BEFORE WE WERE TO GET OUT OF SCHOOL HE WENT TO SEE HIS BROTHER IN NEW YORK SADLY HE WAS KILLED IN A DRIVE BY SHOOTING I REALLY NEVER CRYED UNTILL THEN HE CAME FROM A BIG FAMILY HE MOTHER ASK ME TO DO THE  EULOGY AT THE END I FELL APART HE NEVER HAD A CHANCE IN LIFE THIS SONG MAKES ME TEAR UP I MISS MY FRIEND YOU NEVER GET OVER LOSEING A TRUE FRIEND NO MATTER WERE HE FROM COLOR OR FAITH YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY BROTHER  PEACE

Joseph Gillette 💜

Could never understand how Cameron then Wynn could leave the greatest soul group of all time.

Classic song

This makes me cry! I can picture this song in mind. One of my favorite Spinners songs. You gotta love em. Amen!!!

One of the best groups ever!!!

Life can be rough. The going gets tough!!!!! He’s a Ghetto boy! Sing Philippe!

What a masterpiece... I strongly recommend that you listen to the Ahmad Jamal's version, also called Ghetto Child

I was 8.

Sannggg the song!!!! Feeling this one in Gary, IN

its makes so much dam sense

My mom turned me on to the Spinners when I was a little girl R.I.H Happy Birthday MOM

ONE of the first Spinner songs I learned, it was my anthem at that time I was 6 years old!

I feel ya. It was my anthem at 15 in 1973,

anotherblastfromthepast

No words!!

love this and The Rubberband Man Out of Sight

The Spinners at their best with the late great Philippe Wynne on lead vocals

You do realize that Bobby Smith sings the lead vocal on the first 2/3 of each verse?

Actually it's Henry Famborough first, then Phillippe Wynne second, Bobby Smith only sings twice on this track, watch the live performance from 1973.

Its Henry Fambrough who actually did the lead vocals on this track

yeah I can't figure out either why it wasn't as big a hit any time they were on live TV back in the seventies this is one of the songs they play.

Kanye West and a good amount of research brought me here

I think this song is one of the best...I forces you to look deep in the heart of life...plus I love the music and their singing. Takes me back.

Gotta love gamble & huff production

This song =basically my life story (hits DEEP!!!)

dude ,that's the thing with the really great songs - you don't just listen to them , you actually Feel them deep down .

life aint so easy when your a ghetto chiilllld ayyyeeee this song brings tears to my eyes

GREAT Tune !!

this is THE tune

spinners was it, love them boys

i think phillip wynne could sing the phone book to me and i'd love it !!!!!

Debra Mallinson yes! His voice lives in these wonderful music forever!!!!

Remember this being played in Detroit WJLB John Edwards

ONE OF DETROITS BEST BUT NEVER REALLY APPRECIATED FOR THEIR TALENTS!! THE 70'S WERE THEIR DECADE..

I agree with you, sir! LOVE The Spinners so much and play them often. :)

ali m beautiful song, always loved in when i grew up in germany, but never fully understood it, now I live here in the US and I understand the song!

Nº 29 in USA Charts; Nº 7 in UK

LOVE the line"no one tried to understand, papa did the best he can to do!" It goes much deeper than male bashing or those who quit while trying! Miss Ya dad (my dad)! You may had done differently but did not know what you were not taught or not learned along the way! Love Ya always!

+kevin James I totally feel you bro! Our fathers had it much harder than we could imagine.

kevin James that’s why I won’t have children. It’s a hard job. My father was useless. He was around but he could have done better. Didn’t have experience with raising children.

I think that's precisely what I love about this song. Great observation.

No one tried to understand, Papa did the best a man could do, Life ain't so easy , when you're a Ghetto Child.

Elvis Costello said he based "Allison" on this song. I can hear it.

Eric Selje
I just learned that today!
I was about to post that fact but you beat me to it!
Music forever.

Life with your family is the best when you have been raised with that glue you dig

REAL VOCALS! MUSIC..........AAHHH

I tell you man this is such a beautiful song, brings tear to my eyes.

yes it does and its okay because you can hear his struggle in this song and you know good music when you hear it don't you? lols it does the same to me I have a child that is being bullied for the things she has no control of and when I listen to this it makes me cry and think of her!

One of my most favorite groups of all time..

Spinners will always be one of my favorite groups. My dad played all the great hits by the great groups. So I grew up with these hits in my soul. Songs and groups today can't touch Soul Music of old.

Mines too

If you have been1 you know what it feels like I'm like people are not aware that there were some people who have been in touch with a few in this life who know about that one thing that God has seen some that will not leave undocumented

I try to tell to my 26 year old peers....

Listen to the greatest song

I may be young but my father got me listening to music before it became garbage

Beautiful song. The Spinners. 'Nuff said

Masterpiece!

written by the great team of thom bell and the late linda creed.

Yes, Indeed,

They always remind me of my brother Junior.

Classy and timeless, especially when it came out in 1973. Life was NOT easy if you were a Ghetto Child. 
The Spinners put out the classiest songs. Thom Bell could arrange his butt off! And he did. All the songs on this album had that musical, rhythmic arrangement. This was what disco was during  the First Age of Disco (1970-1975), when we danced to this, Billy Preston (Outta Space), Earth Wind and Fire,  The Pointers Sister (Yes, You Can Can) the Tramps, Eddie Kenricks (Keep on Truckin') and the ever-present, ever beautiful voices of the glorious Spinners.

This is one of the Spinners' least well-known songs!  And it is a masterpiece!

Here in the Uk, I would say it was one of their best known

les joy allen, i hear u but what about living just a little, laughing just a little? smile, we have each other?

This was the second 45 I bought.

@bobbyp1954 totally agree bobby still play this on my soul nights..

i've heard quite a few Spinner songs, but I had never heard this one.  great tune!

I have this on my phone and it chills me right out when I feel down.

i like this song the spinners ghetto child in 1973 sign kevin lane

Good song listen to the lyrics,that is the difference between good music and the crap of modern music of today ......songs should uplift the listener.

Hit that vein with it folks! If you really wanna feel this, visit your local dope man and grab yourself a bag of delightful heroin, this is that purrrrrroooo!