Introduction
The Raw Electricity of a King Reborn: Elvis Presley – Baby, What You Want Me To Do (’68 Comeback Special)
Among the many unforgettable moments from Elvis Presley’s landmark 1968 Comeback Special, few capture his raw essence better than Elvis Presley – Baby, What You Want Me To Do (’68 Comeback Special). This performance, set during the intimate “sit-down” sessions, strips away the glitz and spectacle that often surrounded Elvis, leaving nothing but a man, his guitar, and an undeniable fire that proved the King of Rock ’n’ Roll was still very much alive.
Originally a blues standard popularized by Jimmy Reed, “Baby, What You Want Me To Do” was not the kind of polished hit one would typically associate with Elvis’s chart-topping catalog. Instead, it was gritty, improvisational, and drenched in the spirit of rhythm and blues that had inspired his earliest recordings. By choosing this number, Elvis reminded his audience—and perhaps himself—where his roots truly lay. It was a return to the unfiltered energy of his youth, the kind of music that had first made him dangerous, exciting, and revolutionary.
In this setting, the performance feels spontaneous and unguarded. Elvis, dressed in black leather, sits surrounded by friends, musicians, and a small audience. There is laughter between verses, a looseness to the delivery, and yet beneath it all, a simmering intensity. His voice is rich and commanding, alternately playful and passionate, while his guitar strumming adds a rugged edge. It doesn’t feel like a rehearsed television special—it feels like being invited into a private jam session where the stakes are nothing more than making music for the sheer joy of it.
For older listeners, Elvis Presley – Baby, What You Want Me To Do (’68 Comeback Special) carries a special resonance. It demonstrates that even after years of Hollywood roles and commercial obligations, Elvis had not lost his soul as a performer. This was not the polished movie star; this was the young man from Memphis who had once rattled the world with a new sound. The performance is a bridge between eras, showing that his artistry was not confined to the past but alive in the present moment.
Looking back, the song has become one of the defining highlights of the Comeback Special. It was unscripted, unpolished, and all the more powerful for it. In that performance, Elvis did not just reclaim his throne—he reconnected with his roots, reminding the world that rock ’n’ roll’s greatest strength has always been its authenticity.
Ultimately, Elvis Presley – Baby, What You Want Me To Do (’68 Comeback Special) is more than a cover song. It is a declaration of identity, proof that beneath the fame and myth, Elvis was still a musician at heart—restless, passionate, and utterly magnetic.