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.
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Lyrics:
… Back porch preacher preaching at meActing like he wrote the golden rulesShaking his fist and speeching at meShouting from his soap box like a foolCome Sunday morning he’s lying in bedWith his eye all red, with the wine in his headWishing he was dead when he oughta beHeading for Sunday schoolClean up your own backyardOh don’t you hand me none of your linesClean up your own backyardYou tend to your business, I’ll tend to mineDrugstore cowboy criticizingActing like he’s better than you and meStanding on the sidewalk supervisingTelling everybody how they ought to beCome closing time ‘most every nightHe locks up tight and out go the lightsAnd he ducks out of sight and he cheats on his wifeWith his employeeClean up your own backyardOh don’t you hand me none of your linesClean up your own backyardYou tend to your business, I’ll tend to mineArmchair quarterback’s always moanin’Second guessing people all day longPushing, fooling and hanging on inAlways messing where they don’t belongWhen you get right down to the nitty-grittyIsn’t it a pity that in this big cityNot a one a’little bitty man’ll admitHe could have been a little bit wrongClean up your own backyardOh don’t you hand me, don’t you hand me none of your linesClean up your own backyardYou tend to your business, I’ll tend to mineClean up your own backyardYou tend to your business, I’ll tend to mine