Introduction
“Clean Up Your Own Backyard” is a 1969 single by Elvis Presley, written by Mac Davis and Billy Strange. Recorded on October 23, 1968, at United Recorders in Hollywood, the song was released on June 17, 1969, and featured in the MGM film The Trouble with Girls (and How to Get into It) . Despite the film’s 1920s setting, the song includes modern references, such as “armchair quarterbacks,” which were anachronistic for the era
Musically, the track blends country and blues influences, showcasing Presley’s versatility. Upon release, it reached number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 21 on the UK Singles Chart . Although not included on a studio album at the time, it was later featured on the RCA Camden compilation Almost In Love
The song’s lyrics address hypocrisy, urging individuals to address their own faults before criticizing others. This theme resonated with audiences, contributing to its enduring appeal. In recognition of its popularity, the single was certified Gold by the RIAA in March 1992
“Clean Up Your Own Backyard” stands as a testament to Presley’s ability to tackle socially relevant themes through his music, reflecting the evolving landscape of American society in the late 1960s.
Video
Lyrics
“Clean Up Your Own Backyard”
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
Read more: Alan Jackson – You’ll Always Be My Baby (Written for Daughters’ Weddings)
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