Elvis Presley – “Baby, What You Want Me to Do”: A Raw and Bluesy Highlight from the ’68 Comeback Special
Originally written and recorded by Jimmy Reed in 1959, “Baby, What You Want Me to Do” took on a whole new life when Elvis Presley performed it during his legendary ’68 Comeback Special. Though the song was never released as a studio single by Elvis, his informal, jam-session-style performance of it became one of the most beloved and electrifying moments of the special—and a defining example of Elvis reconnecting with his roots.
The track is a blues standard, built on a simple, repetitive structure and a laid-back groove. The lyrics express frustration and confusion in a relationship, captured with the line: “You got me runnin’, you got me hidin’, you got me run, hide, hide, run, anyway you want me.” It’s the kind of song that thrives on feel and emotion rather than complexity—and Elvis delivers it with swagger, soul, and sincerity.
In the ’68 Comeback Special, aired on NBC, Elvis sat on a small stage surrounded by close friends and former bandmates, including guitarist Scotty Moore and drummer D.J. Fontana. Dressed in black leather and exuding confidence, Elvis led an impromptu jam session that felt more like a smoky club than a TV studio. His version of “Baby, What You Want Me to Do” was gritty, playful, and alive with spontaneity.
Musically, the performance is tight and unpolished in the best way possible. Elvis handles both rhythm guitar and vocals, sliding into the blues groove naturally, and trading smiles and jokes with his band. His voice—soulful and slightly rough—perfectly suits the raw, emotional tone of the song. It’s a side of Elvis that fans hadn’t seen in years: not the movie star, not the pop idol, but the real musician, completely at ease and in control.
This rendition of “Baby, What You Want Me to Do” became a fan favorite not just because of the song itself, but because of what it represented: a return to form. The ’68 special was a musical rebirth for Elvis, and performances like this reminded the world that beneath all the glamour and fame was a man who loved to play, loved the blues, and knew how to command a room with nothing more than a guitar and his voice.
Today, the performance stands as a defining moment in Elvis’s career—a pure, unfiltered glimpse of the artist reconnecting with the roots of rock and roll. “Baby, What You Want Me to Do” wasn’t just a song in that special; it was a statement. Elvis was back—and he was better than ever.
Video
Lyrics
We’re goin’ up, we’re goin’ down
We’re goin’ up, down down up
Any way you want to let it roll
Yeah, yeah, yeah
You got me doin’ what you want me
Oh baby what you want me to do
You got me peepin’ you got me hidin’
You got me peep hide hide peep
Any way you want to let it roll
Yeah yeah yeah
You got me doin what you want me
Baby what you want me to do
Great Songs