Introduction:
Elvis Presley’s “What Now, What Next, Where To”. Released in 1967, this ballad marked a turning point in the King’s career. While still undeniably Elvis, the song hinted at a shift in sound, a vulnerability that hadn’t been as prevalent in his earlier, rock and roll-driven hits.
Composed by the songwriting duo of Hal Blair and Dick Manning, “What Now, What Next, Where To” falls under the umbrella of blue-eyed soul. This subgenre, popularized by white singers like Presley and Ray Charles, incorporated elements of traditional soul music – its impassioned vocals, focus on heartbreak and yearning – with the melodic sensibilities of pop. The result was a sound that resonated deeply with a generation grappling with social change and the complexities of love and loss.
Produced by Felton Jarvis, a longtime collaborator of Presley’s, the song’s arrangement is deceptively simple. A gentle piano melody sets the stage, punctuated by the steady thrum of bass and the soft brush of drums. It’s Elvis’s voice, however, that takes center stage. Here, the raw power that defined his early years is tempered with a newfound maturity. He delivers the lyrics with a quiet desperation, each note imbued with the pain of a love lost.
The lyrics themselves are a poignant exploration of heartbreak’s aftermath. The singer, lost and adrift, grapples with the wreckage of a broken relationship. Lines like “Eternally I felt so sure who you’d be/Forever true, now everything I counted on/Has crumbled” paint a vivid picture of shattered dreams and the disorientation that follows. The title, a repeated refrain, becomes a desperate plea for direction, a cry into the void as the protagonist searches for meaning in a world that’s suddenly askew.
“What Now, What Next, Where To” wasn’t a chart-topping smash hit on the scale of Presley’s earlier releases. However, its impact transcended mere commercial success. The song resonated deeply with fans, particularly those who were themselves navigating the turbulent waters of young adulthood. It offered a voice to their anxieties and uncertainties, a reminder that even the King of Rock and Roll wasn’t immune to the pangs of heartache.
In retrospect, “What Now, What Next, Where To” stands as a bridge between eras in Presley’s career. It marked a move away from the pure rock and roll of his early days and hinted at the more introspective and soulful direction he would pursue in the coming years. It’s a testament to his enduring legacy that even a ballad like this, a departure from his signature sound, could capture the hearts of millions and solidify his position as a cultural icon.