Elvis Presley

Lyrics

[Chorus]
You ain't nothin' but a hound dog
Cryin' all the time
You ain't nothin' but a hound dog
Cryin' all the time
Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit
And you ain't no friend of mine

[Verse]
When they said you was high classed
Well, that was just a lie
Yeah, they said you was high classed
Well, that was just a lie
Yeah, you ain't never caught a rabbit
And you ain't no friend of mine

[Chorus]
You ain't nothin' but a hound dog
Cryin' all the time
You ain't nothin' but a hound dog
Cryin' all the time
Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit
And you ain't no friend of mine

[Bridge]
Ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh
[Verse]
When they said you was high classed
Well, that was just a lie
Yeah, they said you was high classed
Well, that was just a lie
Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit
And you ain't no friend of mine

[Bridge]
Ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh

[Verse]
When they said you was high classed
Well, that was just a lie
You know, they said you was high classed
Well, that was just a lie
Yeah, you ain't never caught a rabbit
And you ain't no friend of mine

[Chorus]
You ain't nothin' but a hound dog
Cryin' all the time
You ain't nothin' but a hound dog
Cryin' all the time
Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit
You ain't no friend of mine

If there is one song that is synonymous with rock and roll music like peanut butter with jelly, it's "Hound Dog" by Elvis Presley. The tune, which has been played countless times over the decades since its release in 1956, has become an iconic rock and roll classic that still resonates with people of all ages today.

Understandably, many people might assume that "Hound Dog" is just one of many songs that Elvis performed. However, the song has an interesting and rich history that is worth exploring.

About Hound Dog

As mentioned in the prompt, "Hound Dog" was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and was originally recorded by Big Mama Thornton in 1952. The tune was produced by Johnny Otis and released by Peacock Records as a single. The song was a hit for Thornton, and it stayed at the top of the Billboard R&B charts for seven weeks.

Leiber has claimed that he and Stoller wrote the tune in only twelve minutes. He has said that the lyrics were inspired by an African American game that he used to play as a child. The game involved clapping and slapping various parts of the body while singing a chant. The tunes would change with the region and players often made up their lyrics. The following lines, for instance, are derived from the southern version of the game:

You ain't nothin' but a hound dog Cryin' all the time You ain't nothin' but a hound dog Cryin' all the time Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit And you ain't no friend of mine.

The lyrics speak about a person who is nothing more than a hound dog, a phrase that refers to someone who is lazy and unambitious, full of self-pity and is likely to run away when faced with challenges. However, the original lyrics were aimed at a specific person, such as the one who had made Leiber and Stoller's lives miserable. The LA Times quoted Leiber in an interview as saying that "“We were saying, ‘You ain’t nothin’ but a motherf***ing dog,’ but it got cleaned up."

It was the rendition by Elvis that truly made "Hound Dog" unforgettable. The song appears on his third album, Elvis Presley, which was released in 1956. The King's spirited take on the tune quickly made the song a hit, becoming one of his most popular songs of all time and earning a spot on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.

Elvis recorded "Hound Dog" at a time when the civil rights movement was gaining momentum in the United States. As such, the tune was often interpreted as a message of rebellion and defiance against the established order.

Interestingly, Elvis's version of "Hound Dog" differed from Thornton's version in several ways. For one, Elvis's version was faster and featured an upbeat rhythm that prompted people to dance. It was also more polished than Thornton's raw and edgy version. Elvis and his band had worked on the song over several months, and they had refined the song to suit their tastes and preferences.

"Hound Dog" became an instant classic. Elvis performed the song numerous times throughout his career, and it became one of the songs that defined his persona as a rock and roll legend. Fans of Elvis Presley can still hear his version of "Hound Dog" played on the radio or on other mediums. The song remains as fresh and vibrant today as it did more than six decades ago.

Conclusion

"Hound Dog" is more than just a song; it is a piece of history. Its catchy tune and memorable lyrics have made it an iconic rock and roll classic that has stood the test of time. Elvis's version of the tune may have catapulted the song into the rock and roll hall of fame, but the tune's roots lie in the original recording by Big Mama Thornton. Both versions are classics in their own right and are a testament to the rich and vibrant history of rock and roll music.

• Release Date: July 13, 1956
• Artist: Elvis Presley