“The double-sided release that forever changed music history and crowned Elvis as a global phenomenon”
Introduction
In 1956, Elvis Presley was not just entering the music scene—he was transforming it forever. Among the milestones of that year, one stands out as legendary: the release of the single Hound Dog / Don’t Be Cruel. With these two songs on one record, the young man from Tupelo proved his unstoppable talent, marking a turning point in popular culture.
Released by RCA Victor, the single didn’t just top the charts—it stayed there for weeks, breaking records that seemed unreachable. Its impact was so powerful that it established Elvis as the ultimate symbol of youthful rebellion and the most influential artist of the decade.
Technical details of the single
- Title: Hound Dog / Don’t Be Cruel
- Artist: Elvis Presley
- Release date: July 13, 1956
- Label: RCA Victor
- Catalog number: 47-6604
- Format: 45 rpm single
- Genre: Rock and roll / Rhythm and blues
- Duration:
- Hound Dog: 2:15
- Don’t Be Cruel: 2:04
- Songwriters:
- Hound Dog: Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
- Don’t Be Cruel: Otis Blackwell
- Producer: Steve Sholes
- Recording studio: RCA Studios, New York
The story behind the songs
Hound Dog
Originally written by Leiber and Stoller for rhythm and blues singer Big Mama Thornton in 1952, Hound Dog was already a hit on the R&B circuit before Elvis transformed it. His faster, electrified version injected the irreverent energy that came to define rock and roll. The song became one of the biggest anthems of his career.
Don’t Be Cruel
Written by Otis Blackwell, one of rock and roll’s most prolific composers, Don’t Be Cruel showcased Elvis’s more melodic, romantic side. His vocal delivery—sensual and youthful—turned it into an instant classic, embodying the duality that made him unique: both rebellious and tender.
Chart impact and records
The single became an unprecedented phenomenon:
- Reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying there for 11 consecutive weeks, an all-time record at the time.
- Became the first single in history to have both sides reach #1, with Hound Dog and Don’t Be Cruel each topping the charts.
- Sold over 10 million copies worldwide, cementing its place as one of the best-selling singles in history.
This massive success not only confirmed Elvis as the leading figure of rock and roll but also popularized the concept of the “double A-side,” where both tracks could stand as hits in their own right.
Television performances and controversy
Elvis’s performance of Hound Dog on shows like The Milton Berle Show and The Ed Sullivan Show sparked both youth hysteria and adult outrage. His hip-shaking moves were considered scandalous for 1950s television, drawing criticism from parents, authorities, and the press.
But what some saw as excess, young audiences embraced as a symbol of freedom and rebellion. These performances elevated Elvis from music idol to unstoppable cultural phenomenon.
Anecdotes and trivia
- During the recording of Hound Dog, Elvis required over 30 takes to capture the perfect rhythm and raw energy.
- Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, the song’s writers, were initially skeptical of Elvis’s version but later admitted he had turned it into a universal classic.
- Don’t Be Cruel was Elvis’s favorite song from his own repertoire; he performed it more than 400 times in concert throughout his career.
- The single is often credited as one of the works that made rock and roll a truly global, mainstream genre.
Awards and recognition
- In 2004, Hound Dog was included in Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
- In 2002, the single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for its historical importance.
- The U.S. Library of Congress preserved the record in the National Recording Registry for its cultural significance.
Conclusion
Hound Dog / Don’t Be Cruel was more than a successful single—it was a musical and social revolution. With these two songs, Elvis Presley secured his crown as the King of Rock and Roll and paved the way for youth-driven music to become the cultural engine of a generation.
Reason to listen: Because it represents the birth of rock and roll at its purest—the wild energy of Hound Dog paired with the irresistible charm of Don’t Be Cruel, brought to life by Elvis Presley’s unmistakable voice.
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