Introduction:
“Find Out What’s Happening” is a song Elvis Presley recorded on July 22, 1973, during a productive session at Stax Studios in Memphis. Originally written by Jerry Crutchfield, the track was first popularized by the American band The Spinners in 1968. Elvis’s version of the song appears on his 1973 album Raised on Rock / For Ol’ Times Sake, which reflects a mix of rock and soul influences and showcases the King’s adaptability to various musical styles.
Presley’s recording sessions at Stax in July and December of 1973 were pivotal, as he worked with a host of talented musicians, including members of the renowned Memphis Horns, to create a sound that blended elements of soul, rock, and country. Despite challenges in his personal life, including his divorce from Priscilla Presley around that period, these sessions marked a time when Elvis sought to reconnect with his Southern roots, aiming for a more contemporary sound that resonated with the musical trends of the early 1970s.
“Find Out What’s Happening” stands out as a track that captures the spirit of the Stax sessions, showcasing Presley’s soulful vocal performance and a robust instrumental arrangement that gives the song a vibrant, upbeat quality. The album Raised on Rock / For Ol’ Times Sake might not have achieved the commercial success of Elvis’s earlier work, but it remains an important part of his discography, offering insight into his artistic versatility and his commitment to exploring new sounds even later in his career. Through tracks like “Find Out What’s Happening,” Elvis demonstrated his willingness to experiment and adapt, contributing to his enduring legacy as a transformative figure in music.
Video:
Lyrics:
“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 gone
Tell me what you’re gonna do?
You’d better make up your mind
It all depends on you
I’m leaving you behind
You’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)