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Baby, What You Want Me to Do

Rating:
4.4 / 5

Words & Music: Jimmy Reed

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 do

You 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

Recordingdate: 1968/06/27 6 P.M., first released on: Elvis NBC TV Special (album)

Musicians

Musicians who contributed to the first recording of Baby, What You Want Me to Do:

(guitar)
(guitar)
(guitar)
(vocals)
(percussion)
(tambourine)

Availability

Find available albums with Baby, What You Want Me to Do.

Jerome wrote on June 16, 2008
always loved his version, although as a child I thought 'We're goin' up, we're goin' down' meant something else..
My boy, my boy wrote on October 10, 2008
I love the 1969 version at the International hotel !
JLpResLey wrote on October 10, 2008
Well, a great song for Elvis. One of the songs that is best remembered from that TV Special, although I thought it was done too many times on that shows. I don´t know what you think, but honestly I prefer the home recording of the song, I think that version is fantastic.
old shep wrote on October 10, 2008
A song that I have always liked and one that I have numerous versions of. I like Elvis singing it but The Everly Brothers did a really good smooth version in the 60s
Natha wrote on October 10, 2008
One of those jam session recording that turned out a nice live in-between, just to relax and sort of get ready for the next explosion. That is why it was played so often during the NBC TV Special. I like it very much as it has some informal feel that makes you sort of part of the fun they had back then.
JimmyCool wrote on October 10, 2008
I like this song... My two favourite versions are the stand-up (June 29th) and the Las Vegas (August '69) versions.
Ruthie wrote on October 11, 2008
I love it. And who cares what it may mean? Just go with it!
Monster wrote on November 15, 2010
I always felt it was performed too many times on the 68 Special until I read that it was his fall back song for when he couldn't think of anything to say so it's shows a nice extra human element to the shows. But I love the vegas version with the full band. Great.
Dazman wrote on November 16, 2010
Ahhh yes! the comeback song! (Burbank '68 & Vegas '69). This is my favorite 2-verse blues jam along with 'Stranger In My Own Home Town'. The unique thing about 'Baby...' is that it's multi-faceted. The July 29 '68 stand-up version rocks like no other with its full backing and its marathon 94 sec. instrumental lead-in. Yet I can still get my teeth into the loose and raw energy of the informal sit-down versions. For the Vegas '69 multi-tracks the version from the 'Platinum' box rocks along the best. But it's the Aug 3 D/S that's my sentimental favorite. This raw and early version in which James and Jerry play some cool & catchy fills proves that Elvis didn't need the backing of the Sweets which made this simple blues gem too caberet like. I Cant believe that the stand-up version from the '68 Comeback didn't make the final cut on both TV or album. It took BMG both 36 (2006 Special Edition)and 30 years (1998 - 'Memories' CD) respectively for it to be officially released.
ElvisSacramento wrote on October 26, 2012
This is such a brilliant, catchy and fun blues song and Elvis' renditions of it are all tremendous. I'll never get tired of hearing this song.
Gorse wrote on December 18, 2012
A musical interlude it may have been, but the song had plenty of drive and a happy go lucky feel about it, making it a joy to listen on every occasion..
Great Dane wrote on December 18, 2012
Love this song. My favorite version is the one first released on "A Legendary Performer vol. 2" 4 stars.
sugartummy wrote on February 24, 2013
You hardly can go wrong with a song like this. He did several versions of this one, all good.
Lou A wrote on June 23, 2014
This is a classic. The spontaneity of the 68 sit down versions make them the best versions . (Does anyone else here like the version where Elvis is playing his J 200 acoustic and Scotty is on electric?). The stand up versions and 69 Vegas versions are also great.
ntass1 wrote on January 09, 2017
love it .i wish more had a chance to hear it radio or on new album.love elvis 68 special stand up version playing guitar. teasing the audience.
JerryNodak wrote on January 23, 2019
Great jam type tune. Love the '68 versions. Would have been interesting if he had gotten around to recording studio version. 4 stars.
Milky White Way wrote on May 24, 2021
I heard it said somewhere that this song is about a guitar, as if the guitar is singing. But what ever, I love the way Elvis plays and sings it. He feels it. So do I, especially the stand up shows and 69 live versions. Mmmm baby!
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