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See See Rider
Words & Music:
Trad., arranged by Elvis PresleyI said see, see, see rider
Oh, see what you have done
I said see, see, see rider
Oh, see what you have done
Oh girl, you made me love you
Now, now, now your lovin' man has gone
hear what I say
Well, I'm going away, baby
And I won't be back to fall
Well, I'm going away baby
And I won't be back to fall
And if I find me a good girl
I won't, I won't be back at all
Hear what I say, I said
See see rider,
Oh see what you have done
Yeah, yeah, yeah Recorded:
1970/02/18, first released on
On StageReactions
I love all versions of this song by Elvis, from 1970 right up to the end in 1977. The original blues versions are often boring, because they're slow.(like Ray Charles' version). Elvis isn't the first one who speeds up the song (Laverne Baker), but he makes it his song.
Difficult to rate this song as I have probably heard it too many times, and in many concerts was more of the same. The On Stage version taken separately was new and exciting to me so I will rate it 4 stars on that performance.
Elvis just simply does this song better than anyone else. 5 stars.
This is such a stellar, fun, iconic, electrifying and unique song and my favorite Elvis version of it is definitely the "On Stage" version. Elvis made the right decision by making this classic blues song his opening song for so very many of his 1970's concerts.
A great song! My favorite is the rehearsal version from Feb. 1970 that had been released for the first time on the "Platinum" box set back in 1997.
I like all the versions that were released on regular RCA releases during his lifetime (including "Elvis In Concert", which I realize was released shortly after his death). I like the fact that Elvis pretty much made this his standard opening number as many fans came to see Elvis based on the "Aloha" show. It would have been nice artistically if he had changed it up more often, but Elvis was again giving the fans at the time what they wanted. This song has become almost as identifiable with Elvis as "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel". My sister's inlaws (not the smartest bunch or the biggest Elvis fans) think the 2001 theme is actually the beginining of "See See Rider"!
It was a great opening song, regardless of his performance level, or what year. However, I think, he should have stayed with "Thats alright Mama" as his opening song, since this was his first record, and started it all for him and his fans. It worked well, at the Madison Square Garden concerts.
This is a great song and show opener! It is absolutely fantastic to hear Elvis perform this. The Elvis show was just the most innovative and exciting venture of the time in my opinion. After the Aloha From Hawaii show the pinnacle of this concept had been achieved and possibly the only thing that could have turned Elvis on again would have been a World tour. We know why that has not happened....
a great song and a great way to start his shows. Yes, it was rushed but it is understandable. Anyone that has ever been on stage performing in front of a crowd knows what happens to you when you are up there, with all the energy that is coming to you, and an Elvis show was always very energetic. And Elvis was a rock singer, so he should do fast songs. Elvis has often been criticized for rushing his songs, but on the other hand he was also criticized for abandoning faster rock songs, so it is hard to figure out what he should have done to completely please his audience. My favorite version is definitely the on tour version, it blows me away every time I hear it.
Fast or Slow, Great song! And fits perfectly after 2001 intro. Long Live The King!!
Was good for a while but like everything else in his live show, it got faster & rushed over time. Also, the opening song should have changed with every tour like Springsteen does to keep the show fresh & growing.
The moment that he made it slow during 70s' concert and shakes with the beat coming from the drums, is killing. it fits perfectly.
I'd say among top 50 of all songs he ever did. I love this song, great show opener. I agree that the On Stage version was the best. However listening to concert albums, with 2001 kicking it off and then going into the drum roll and See See Rider was a great way of starting the concerts. The reason why the opening songs often where rushed is cause he was nervous every time before going on stage. So he needed to get out some energy, cool down and getting real into it. That's why See See Rider was rushed. But so was That's All Right from TTWII and Blue Suede Shoes from '69.
Got tired of hearing it eventually. Best version probably the On Stage album. So many better songs Elvis could have started the concerts with.
Indeed, the "On Stage" version tops the others, though I kind of recall hearing an excellent rehearsal version somewhere, on some non-official release. I often wonder too why Elvis sped things up so much in later live versions. "Jailhouse Rock" and "What I'd Say" suffered the worst for this, but "See See Rider" also got much too fast. So stick with the "On Stage" version.
The On Stage LP is the best. Listen to the difference in that one. The one filmed in Elvis On Tour is good also. All others are run of the mill versions like he was doing it on auto-pilot. Would have been nice to have a studio version around 1969-70 dont you think?
The On Stage version is fantastic. Love the one we find in the import Madison release "Event nº 8" from Huston Astrodome 1974, since it does't have the orchestra (that was left out by Elvis in those shows) and we get a fantastic "Jam" sound.
The original blues versions of this song are much slower and better. Why did Elvis rush everything? The On Stage version is by far the best because its the slowest of all he did and he put more raw vocal power into it. I always thought Thats All Right Mama should have remained his opening song as it opened his career.
Don't care for nothing. I perfer the versions by various blues artists. It was to fast. Too bad because it's a good song.
See See Rider always very powerfull. I like the fast and the slow versions. Sung in a way only Elvis could.
After the really impressive 2001 theme followed by the powerful drums intro this turned into a stunning opening of the shows. A great song, performed with so much drive that it mostly set the evolving show. Listening to the ovational responses by the audience it befitted so well. Always love this song. I don't get tired of listening to it.
well, logic shows that certain key songs turn into a routine. As Letterman, Saturday Night Live, Leno or whoever have their theme, why shouldn't have Elvis his own. Having never seen the man live on stage, instinct says that the first drum rolls by Tutt surely where the acoustical signal for everyone's adrenalin to roll through ones body ;-) And if it comes to routine, the 68 shows defined what was to come for almost a decade, these shows molded the 70's repertorie in its basics. The four or five other songs he would add in between do not make a big diff'reence. But it wasn't the songs only in Presleys case, it was the whole rest he was surrounded with...
To me, I always go back to the original On Stage version when I want to hear this song! That's the "master" kill-version to me!
It was great to here Elvis' version of the old Ma Rainey blues classic, when I bought the On Stage record many years ago.But .. now I have grown to dislike it intensely having heard a thousand and one concert versions since that first hearing.
Available Alternate Versions