What did Elvis Presley want to achieve when releasing the song in the ghetto?

Answer 1

First, it should be noted that Elvis did not write this song-- well-respected pop and country entertainer Mac Davis wrote it. But Elvis was certainly a good person to sing it, given his history of recording songs that were influenced by his love of black music. 1968 and 1969 were good years for topical songs, and a number of songs about social issues made the top-40 charts. This one, with its lyrics about the cycle of poverty, may very well have resonated with Elvis. But on the other hand, his main goal was probably to have a hit. He had not had any big hits in a long while, and this song (and several others he recorded in the same time period) brought about a comeback for him, and a return to popularity at top-40 radio stations.