Elvis Presley – Clean Up Your Own Backyard

Introduction:

Released in 1970, “Clean Up Your Own Backyard” by Elvis Presley is a gospel-tinged rock ballad that offered a message of personal responsibility and introspection. While not topping the charts like some of his earlier hits, the song holds a significant place in Presley’s career, reflecting a maturation in both his music and personal outlook.

Composed by Mac Davis and Billy Strange, “Clean Up Your Own Backyard” emerged during a transitional period for Presley. The late 1960s saw him move away from his rock and roll roots and delve deeper into genres like gospel and country. This shift was evident in his soundtrack work for films like Clambake (1967) and Speedway (1968), where “Clean Up Your Own Backyard” was originally intended for inclusion. The song eventually found its home on the soundtrack for the 1969 film The Trouble with Girls (and How to Get into It).

“Clean Up Your Own Backyard” stands out thematically from many of Presley’s earlier hits. Eschewing the themes of love and rebellion that dominated his early rock and roll years, the song delves into introspective territory. The lyrics encourage the listener to focus on improving themselves before criticizing the faults of others. Lines like “Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes” became a recognizable refrain, capturing the song’s core message of empathy and self-awareness.

“Clean Up Your Own Backyard” was not a major commercial success upon its release. However, it has gained recognition over time for its positive message and its place within Presley’s artistic evolution. The song serves as a reminder of Presley’s willingness to experiment and his capacity for growth as a musician. It stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of his music, with its message of self-reflection finding resonance across generations.

Video:

Lyrics:

… 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