Introduction
ELVIS PRESLEY – “BABY, WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO (ALTERNATE CUT)” (’68 COMEBACK SPECIAL): THE KING RECLAIMS HIS CROWN
There are moments in music history that feel electric — moments when time seems to pause, the lights dim, and an artist reminds the world exactly why they matter. One of those moments happened in 1968, when Elvis Presley took to a small, intimate stage in black leather and pure confidence to perform “Baby, What You Want Me To Do.” This wasn’t just a song — it was a resurrection.
Filmed for his now-legendary ’68 Comeback Special, this alternate cut of “Baby, What You Want Me To Do” captures Elvis at his most raw, soulful, and alive. The track itself, originally written and recorded by bluesman Jimmy Reed, was never meant to sound polished or pretty. It’s a song of frustration, desire, and resilience — built on a groove that sits somewhere between defiance and longing. And in Elvis’s hands, it became something even greater: a statement of survival.
By 1968, the world had changed. Rock ’n’ roll had evolved, and many had begun to see Elvis as a relic of the past — a movie star trapped in formulaic soundtracks, far from the wild energy that once made him a revolution. But that night, seated with his guitar, surrounded by friends and fans, the King of Rock and Roll reclaimed his throne. The sweat glistened, the laughter was real, and the music — that unmistakable blend of blues, gospel, and pure Southern grit — flowed like fire.
In this alternate cut, the magic feels even more spontaneous. You can hear Elvis push the tempo, play with the phrasing, and lose himself in the rhythm. His voice — smoky, rough, and utterly commanding — fills the space with a confidence that only comes from rediscovery. Each guitar lick snaps like a spark, the band tight but playful, feeding off his energy. It’s not a perfect performance — and that’s precisely why it’s unforgettable.
More than anything, this moment was about reconnection. Elvis wasn’t just performing for an audience; he was rediscovering himself — the young man from Tupelo who loved the blues, the gospel, the roots of American music. Watching him smile between verses, teasing the crowd, and pouring himself into every note, you can almost feel the weight of the years fall away.
When “Baby, What You Want Me To Do” kicks into gear, you can sense that something powerful has shifted — not just in Elvis’s career, but in his spirit. The King was back, not as a movie star or an icon, but as a musician.
This performance — particularly this alternate cut — stands as one of the purest examples of why Elvis Presley mattered then, and why he still matters now. It’s the sound of rebirth, of an artist shaking off the glitter and returning to the grit. Fifty years later, that leather-clad man on the small stage still burns with energy, humor, and heart.
In just a few minutes of blues and brilliance, Elvis Presley reminded the world that greatness doesn’t fade — it only waits for the right song to bring it roaring back.