Hound Dog / Don't Be Cruel

by Elvis Presley

Hound Dog / Don't Be Cruel cover art
  • Type: Single
  • Released: 13 July 1956
  • Label: RCA Victor
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 4:18
  • Community rating: 4.31/5 from 4 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

One of the most successful double A-side singles in history, capturing Elvis Presley's transition from regional rockabilly star to global icon. 'Don't Be Cruel' features a bouncy, pop-oriented rhythm heavily augmented by the Jordanaires' backing vocals, which Presley arranged himself. The flip side, a blistering cover of Big Mama Thornton's 'Hound Dog', famously sparked national outrage due to Presley's suggestive hip gyrations during television performances.

Genres

Descriptors: melodic, classic, groundbreaking, bluesy, raucous

Tracklist

  1. Hound Dog (2:15)
  2. Don't Be Cruel (2:03)

Credits

  • Elvis Presley - primary artist
  • Leiber & Stoller - written-by
  • Otis Blackwell - written-by

More from Elvis Presley: full discography