Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family when he was 13 years old. His music career began there in 1954, recording at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African American music to a wider audience. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was a pioneer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. In 1955, drummer D. J. Fontana joined to complete the lineup of Presley's classic quartet and RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage the singer for more than two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", was released in January 1956 and became a number one hit in the United States. With a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records, he became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, made him enormously popular—and controversial.
In November 1956, Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender. Drafted into military service in 1958, Presley relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. He held few concerts however, and guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. In 1968, following a seven-year break from live performances, he returned to the stage in the acclaimed television comeback special Elvis, which led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of highly profitable tours. In 1973, Presley gave the first concert by a solo artist to be broadcast around the world, Aloha from Hawaii. Years of prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health, and he died suddenly in 1977 at his Graceland estate, just 42 years of age.
Presley is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century. Commercially successful in many genres, including pop, country, blues, and gospel, he is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music. He won three competitive Grammys, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.
What'd I Say
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come and love your daddy all night long
All right, hey, hey, all right now
See the girl with the diamond ring
She knows how to shake that thing
All right, hey, hey, Mmm, all right now
Make me feel so good, make me feel so good right now
Make me feel so good, make me feel so good right now
Make me feel so good, make me feel so good
Mmm, see the girl with the red dress on
She can do the dog all night long
All right, hmm what'd I say, tell me what'd I say
Tell me what'd I say, tell me what'd I say right now
Tell me what'd I say, tell me what'd I say right now
Tell me what'd I say, tell me what'd I say
Ahhh, Ohh, Ahhh, Ohh, Ahhh, Ohh, Ohh
It's all right, It's all right right now
Baby, it's all right, Baby, it's all right right now
Baby, it's all right, Oh yeah!
Baby shake that thing, baby shake that thing right now
Baby shake that thing, baby shake that thing right now
Baby shake that thing, well I feel all right
The lyrics of Elvis Presley's song What'd I Say are relatively straightforward, describing a man's desire for a woman and calling her to come and love him all night long. He praises her dancing abilities, specifically mentioning a girl with a diamond ring and one wearing a red dress. The chorus repeats the phrase "Tell me what'd I say" multiple times, followed by "It's all right" and "Baby shake that thing."
While the lyrics can be interpreted as a simple dance song with sexual undertones, many have suggested deeper meanings behind the song. Some believe it reflects the racial tensions of the time, as the song originally written and performed by Ray Charles, a Black artist. The call and response style of the lyrics may also reflect the history of African American gospel music. Additionally, some have pointed out the potential double meaning behind "tell me what'd I say," suggesting it could be read as a sarcastic comment about the state of society or the singer's own feelings of confusion or frustration.
Overall, the lyrics to What'd I Say are open to interpretation, but they certainly reflect Elvis's energetic and passionate performance style. The repeated phrases and catchy beat create a sense of urgency and excitement, inviting listeners to dance and sing along. The song has become a classic rock and roll hit, exemplifying Elvis's iconic status and influence on popular music.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong
My love for you is pure, so please don't do anything that would affect it.
Come and love your daddy all night long
I want you to stay with me and shower me with your love throughout the night and beyond.
All right, hey, hey, all right now
I'm feeling happy and excited, so let's continue having a good time together.
See the girl with the diamond ring
I'm admiring a girl with a diamond ring, who catches my attention with her appearance.
She knows how to shake that thing
She is a great dancer and knows how to move her body in a way that excites me.
All right, hey, hey, Mmm, all right now
I'm still feeling great, energized and in the moment, so let's keep it going.
Ahhh, Ohh, Ahhh, Ohh, Ahhh, Ohh, Ohh
This represents the excitement and energy I am currently experiencing.
Make me feel so good, make me feel so good right now
I'm having fun and I want this to continue, I'm looking for more excitement and happiness.
Mmm, see the girl with the red dress on
Another girl catches my eye, she's wearing a red dress and looks stunning.
She can do the dog all night long
She is a great dancer and can move to the beat of the music all night long.
All right, hmm what'd I say, tell me what'd I say
I'm feeling confused, perhaps overwhelmed by the situation, and asking for clarity.
Tell me what'd I say, tell me what'd I say right now
I'm repeating my request for someone to provide me with understanding or guidance.
It's all right, It's all right right now
Everything is okay and there is no need to worry at the moment.
Baby, it's all right, Baby, it's all right right now
I'm addressing someone, assuring them that there is no reason to be concerned and that everything is alright.
Baby shake that thing, baby shake that thing right now
I am requesting that someone dances with me, encouraging them to show off their moves.
Baby shake that thing, baby shake that thing right now
I'm urging someone to keep dancing with me.
Baby shake that thing, well I feel all right
The dancing and the excitement are making me feel great.
Lyrics © Tratore, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ray Charles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lana hodges
The very best always. That’s the King we were so privileged to hear and see.
Helge Valama
Very good version! Best Elvis, one!
elvisleeboy
His voice is more apt for this than it was on the Viva Las Vegas version.
Richie rich
Love it!