Words & Music:
Ray Charles
Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong
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
Ahhh, Ohh, Ahhh, Ohh, Ahhh, Ohh, Ohh
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
Recordingdate: 1964/08/30, first released on: single (album)
Musicians
Musicians who contributed to the first recording of What'd I Say:
(guitar)
(guitar)
(guitar)
(bass)
(drums)
(piano)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(percussion)
(sax)
Availability
Find available albums with What'd I Say.
I like the frantic live version of '69, but the studio version a lot less. The later live versions stink.
yes, the 1969 live version is by far the best version Elvis ever did of this song.
The 1969 version is one of the best live versions Elvis ever made of any song! If the general public, and rock critics, really knew that version it would be easily placed among the 20 best guitars songs ever made. The guitar solo (some of them with over 4 minutes long), in a Zeppelin style, that we found in those versions are nothing but a pure moment of heaven on earth (James Burton, by then, was also a little God, like Clapton). And we have to ask: why this version was not released in the "In Person Album"? There is no later version of this song. Only sad parodies!
yeah baby, it's allright ;-) 69 versions are beyond par.
The single version is alright. Nothing special. I don't care for the live versions at all.
Another song when I first saw the title I was very excited. When I heard it, very let down. Studio version is too busy, too much going on and Elvis sung it without much soul and in too high a key. The live version is way too fast and is shouted instead of sung. You cant beat Ray Charles on this. One of the staples of rock/R&B. Bobby Darin & Jerry Lee also had good studio versions.
Another inconsequential song just meant to be kind of fun or something fun to dance to. I mean read the lyrics? Who could bother rating it or taking it seriously? Elvis, Ray, etc. all sound alike when it comes to this number. However, that doesn't mean it's not meant to enjoy.
I hope the FTD edition of 'In Person' includes all the great songs he covered during that awesome Vegas season: "What'd I Say", "Reconsider Baby", "Baby What You Want Me To Do", "Rubberneckin'". You could release a box set's worth of that stuff. As regards this song in particular, I love the single version. Yes it's busy, and outlandishly so! What a sax, what an organ, what a groove. Ah, August 1963, Hollywood, in the wee wee hours. You hear a roaring rock 'n' roll band having a whale of a time at Radio Recorders. I love the backing singers (The Jubilee Four and The Carol Lombard Quartet) just getting into it; one of them reminds me of Duffy (if she happened to find her way into an Elvis session). Such rich instrumentation and rhythm, not unlike Sam Cooke's "Shake"—both great dance songs. If Elvis' single version of "What'd I Say" is anything, it's value for money.
Yes the 1969 live version is something else, however although I slightly prefer the Jerry Lee Lewis version, I do enjoy the frantic output and excitement of the studio production.
I love the Viva Las Vegas version a lot, but the really fast live version is amazing. There is also a 45 seconds version from 1977 at a very frantic pace too, but clearly he ran out off steam fast then.
I actually like the original studio version. It was on the first Elvis LP I ever bought when I was 12. Gold Records Vol 4.
I can understand being a little let down with Elvis' studio/movie version of this song as Elvis is a bit restrained (for him would have liked to hear a vocal more in line with "Such A Night" on this one) and the female background singers threaten to destroy the listening pleasure. That said, I still like it and the scene in the movie where he "Ahhs" and Ohhhs" and Ann-Margaret moans her response is a fun, sexy scene. Comparing it to Ray Charles version is a bit silly as Ray's is rooted totally in the blues and Elvis' version has more of a polished pop-rock sound to it. Both versions have merits, I, of course, enjoy Elvis' version more because of his voice, but I understand those who cling to Charles' version. 4 stars.
I've always liked Elvis' studio version and Elvis' 1969 live versions of this classic Rock 'N' Roll song immensely. I despise all of Elvis' 1970's live versions of this song immensely. In my opinion, the best ever version of this song is by Ray Charles.
The studio version wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the female chorus in the background. Seems like they're straining in the bathroom and their voices kill the entire song. Ray Charles version is THE VERSION, period!
The mix on Gold Records Volume 4 actually sounds better than any other "studio" version of this song. Still, some of the live versions actually "rocks". As for a B-side of the single, I would have gone for C'mon Everybody c/w Viva Las Vegas which still remain a classic in my book!