Introduction
Ah, “Baby, What You Want Me To Do.” Not just a song, but a smoldering rock and roll revival that ignited Elvis Presley’s career and redefined him for a new generation. To understand its electrifying impact, we have to rewind to 1968, a time when the King’s musical flame flickered. Hollywood movies and bubblegum pop dominated the airwaves, and Elvis, clad in jumpsuits, found himself adrift from his rock and roll roots.
Enter the ’68 Comeback Special. NBC, seeking to recapture Elvis’s magic, crafted a revolutionary television event. Gone were the glitzy costumes and staged theatrics. This was raw, stripped-down Elvis, backed by his tight-knit band in a dimly lit Los Angeles studio. And then came “Baby, What You Want Me To Do.”
Originally a bluesy gem by Jimmy Reed, Elvis transformed it into a pulsating rock and roll anthem. He stomped, he growled, he ripped into his guitar, channeling a primal energy that hadn’t been seen on stage for years. The iconic leather outfit, dripping with sweat under the hot studio lights, became a symbol of his reinvention.
But it wasn’t just Elvis’s performance that sent shockwaves. The song itself was a perfect storm of musical influences. The bluesy roots, the funky groove laid down by drummer Al Jackson, the gospel-tinged backing vocals – it was a potent cocktail that defied categorization. This wasn’t the squeaky-clean Elvis of the 60s. This was Elvis unleashed, a force of nature reminding everyone why he was the King.
The impact was immediate. “Baby, What You Want Me To Do” became a cultural touchstone, hailed as a musical and stylistic turning point. It revitalized Elvis’s career, sending him back to the top of the charts and proving his enduring relevance. More than just a song, it was a declaration – Elvis was back, and he was here to stay.
So buckle up, grab your dancing shoes, and let’s dive into the electrifying world of “Baby, What You Want Me To Do.” This ain’t your daddy’s Elvis. This is the King, reborn.
Video
Lyrics
We’re goin’ up, we’re goin’ down
We’re goin’ up, down down up
Any way you wanna let it roll
Yeah, yeah, yeah
You got me doin’ what you want me
Oh baby what you want me to doYou got me peepin’ you got me hidin’
You got me peep hide hide peep
Any way you wanna let it roll
Yeah yeah yeah
You got me doin’ what you want me
Baby what you want me to do