Elvis Presley – Baby, What You Want Me To Do

Introduction:

“Baby, What You Want Me to Do” is a blues song written by Jimmy Reed, a renowned blues singer and harmonica player. It was first recorded by Reed in 1950 for the Vee-Jay label and released in 1951.

The song’s lyrics express the frustration and resignation of a man in a tumultuous relationship. The protagonist repeatedly asks his lover what she wants him to do, highlighting his confusion and willingness to please her, even if it means enduring an uncertain and potentially painful situation. The song’s repetitive structure and simple yet evocative lyrics have made it a popular choice for blues and rock and roll artists.

Over the years, “Baby, What You Want Me to Do” has been covered by numerous musicians, including Muddy Waters, The Rolling Stones, and Jimi Hendrix. It is considered a blues standard and has been inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame.

Elvis Presley’s version of the song, recorded for his 1968 NBC television special, “Elvis,” showcases his powerful vocals and stage presence. His rendition helped to introduce the song to a wider audience and solidified its place in popular music history.

Video:

https://youtu.be/9WpVwbYiwlI?si=VQuIYPPVAP4Nnz0j

Elvis Presley – Baby, What You Want Me To Do – Impromptu Jam ('68 Comeback Special) (https://youtu.be/9WpVwbYiwlI?si=VQuIYPPVAP4Nnz0j)

“He Froze on Stage”: The One Moment Elvis Presley Lost Control — and the Crowd Never Noticed

THE NIGHT COUNTRY MUSIC HELD ITS BREATH: Alan Jackson Walked Onstage… and Time Seemed to Stop. There were no blazing pyrotechnics, no theatrical farewell designed to soften the truth everyone in the room could feel. When Alan Jackson stepped into the light, it wasn’t the entrance of a star ending a tour—it felt like a man carrying decades of stories onto one last stretch of stage. The crowd roared, but beneath the cheers there was a fragile silence, the kind that comes when people realize a moment will never come again. Each song landed heavier than the last. The melodies were the same ones fans had carried through weddings, funerals, long drives, and quiet nights—but now every note felt like it was slipping through their fingers. You could see it in the faces in the audience: some smiling, some wiping tears, many simply standing still, as if afraid to blink and miss something sacred. What made the night unforgettable wasn’t the setlist or the performance—it was the unspoken understanding. This wasn’t a farewell tour in the usual sense. It felt more like standing at the edge of a long, winding road, watching the sun set behind it, knowing the journey mattered more than the ending. And when the lights dimmed, there was no grand goodbye. Just the echo of a voice that had carried generations, fading gently into the dark—leaving behind the haunting realization that some endings don’t announce themselves… they simply arrive, and leave your heart quieter than before.

HE DIDN’T ANNOUNCE A FAREWELL — JUNE 3, 1993 BECAME CONWAY TWITTY’S FINAL SONG BY ACCIDENT

A VOICE BEYOND THE SILENCE — JEFF COOK’S FINAL MESSAGE LEAVES MOURNERS IN TEARS. When Jeff Cook, the legendary “Keyboard Master” of Alabama, passed away at 73, those gathered to honor him expected silence, memories, and farewell. Instead, the unimaginable happened. As the service reached its most emotional moment, Cook’s unmistakable voice suddenly filled the church. A hidden recording, made quietly years before, played for the first time. Conversations stopped, hearts shattered, and for a haunting few minutes, it felt as if he had returned to say goodbye himself.