Elvis Presley’s “Find Out What’s Happening”. Now that’s a song that takes you back, doesn’t it? Released in 1973 on his album “Raised on Rock”, it finds the King in a particularly soulful mood. This wasn’t the pelvis-thrusting, rockabilly Elvis of the 50s. This was a more mature Presley, one who had weathered the changing musical landscape and the pressures of fame.
“Find Out What’s Happening” isn’t a flashy, attention-grabbing track. It’s a slow burner, a gospel-tinged ballad that simmers with a quiet intensity. The instrumentation is spare, relying heavily on a laid-back rhythm section and the occasional flourishes of piano and organ.
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But it’s Presley’s voice that truly takes center stage. Here, he isn’t belting out power ballads or crooning love songs. He’s a man searching, his voice imbued with a world-weary sincerity.
The lyrics themselves are cryptic, offering glimpses of societal unrest and a yearning for connection. Lines like “Is there somethin’ goin’ on I don’t know about?” and “Tell me, is the world fallin’ apart all around me?” hint at a growing unease with the times.
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This introspective mood was a departure for Presley, who often sang about heartbreak and youthful rebellion. Here, he grapples with a more existential question: what does it all mean?
However, “Find Out What’s Happening” isn’t simply a downbeat lament. There’s a flicker of hope that runs through the song. The gospel-influenced backing vocals, particularly the soaring harmonies of J.D. Sumner & The Stamps, offer a sense of spiritual solace.
Presley, too, injects a touch of optimism into his delivery. The final lines, “Maybe there’s somethin’ good gonna come out of it all,” suggest a tentative belief in a brighter future.
“Find Out What’s Happening” might not be one of Presley’s most celebrated songs, but it’s a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal point in his career. It showcases his remarkable vocal versatility and his willingness to explore new musical territory. It’s a song that rewards repeated listening, revealing its depth and complexity with each spin.
So, put on your headphones, crank up the volume, and let the King ask the questions that resonate across generations: “Find Out What’s Happening”.
“Find Out What’s Happening”
You know I mean what I say
Before I say farewell
I’ll give you just another dayYou’d better find out what’s happening
Find out what’s happening before long
If you don’t find out what’s happening
You’re gonna find out that I’m goneTell me what you’re gonna do?
You’d better make up your mind
It all depends on you
I’m leaving you behindYou’d better find out what’s happening
Find out what’s happening before long, no, no
If you don’t find out what’s happening
You’re gonna find out that I’m gone, gone, yeah
Baby, you know it’s true
We’ve been through thick and thin
But if you don’t come through
You won’t ever see me again
You’d better find out what’s happening
Find out what’s happening before long, oh Lord
If you don’t find out what’s happening
You’re gonna find out that I’m gone
You’d better find
(Find out what’s happening, find out what’s happening)
You better find out
(Find out what’s happening, find out what’s happening)
You better find out
(Find out what’s happening, find out what’s happening)
Oh Lord
(Find out what’s happening, find out what’s happening)
If you don’t, what’s happening
You’re gonna find out that I’m gone
(Find out what’s happening, find out what’s happening)
You’d better find
(Find out what’s happening, find out what’s happening)
You better find out
(Find out what’s happening)