ELVIS PRESLEY’S “BABY, WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO” (ALTERNATE CUT) RAW ENERGY FROM THE ’68 COMEBACK SPECIAL
When Elvis Presley returned to the stage in 1968, it wasn’t about spectacle it was about reclaiming his roots. The ’68 Comeback Special marked one of the most pivotal moments in his career, stripping away Hollywood polish and putting raw rhythm, blues, and rock & roll back at the center of his music.
Among the standout performances from this historic television event is “Baby, What You Want Me To Do” (Alternate Cut) a version that captures Elvis at his most spontaneous and electrifying.
Originally written by Jimmy Reed, the song thrives on groove and repetition. In this alternate cut, Elvis leans fully into that looseness. His voice is playful, commanding, and deeply connected to the band, trading lines with the musicians as the rhythm rises and falls. The lyrics “We’re going up, we’re going down” feel less scripted and more lived-in, reflecting the improvisational spirit of a live blues session.
What makes this version especially compelling is its intimacy. Elvis isn’t performing for an audience he’s performing with the music. You can hear him pushing, responding, and enjoying the freedom of the moment, reminding viewers why he was such a magnetic live performer.
The ’68 Comeback Special reintroduced Elvis Presley as a force in contemporary music, and “Baby, What You Want Me To Do” stands as a perfect example of that rebirth. It’s not polished. It’s not restrained. It’s Elvis reconnecting with the sound that started it all.
Decades later, this alternate cut remains a thrilling reminder of Elvis Presley’s instincts, confidence, and deep connection to rhythm and blues a moment when the King didn’t look back, only forward.