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Hound Dog |
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Written by: Jerry Lieber, Mike Stoller Recorded: July 2, 1956, RCA Studios, New York Released master is take 31. Single:w/ "Don't Be Cruel", 47-6604, July 13, 1956 Also released as 78rpm, 20-6604, July 1956 Also re-released as Gold Standard Series, 447-0608, March 1959 Also w/ "Baby Let's Play House", PB-13875, August 1984 RIAA Certified: 4 x Multi-Platinum (as of 07/15/1999) Highest U.S. Charts Positions: #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 #1 on Cash Box Top 100 #1 on Country Juke Box chart #1 on Rhythm & Blues chart 1st LP release: Elvis Golden Records Vol 1 - April 1958 |
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If you're not already aware that Elvis had this big hit called "Hound Dog", then you probably need some basic Elvis 101, or maybe even Twentieth Century 101. Any way you look at it, you need some schoolin'... baby I'm not foolin'... (maybe Zeppelin 101 as an elective, too). Although it may have started as a half-joke that Elvis incorporated into his early live shows, Big Mama Thornton's R&B hit "Hound Dog" quickly became Elvis' show-stopping finale, and eventually became one of a handful of iconic songs that are forever identified with Elvis and with early Rock 'N' Roll! The perfect blend of humor and rock 'n' roll outrageousness, it summed up the power and the fun of early rock! It also doesn't hurt that it's a near-perfect performance of a funny, brash and absolutely rockin' tune! |
Other Spins(What did the critics and fans say?)"Hound Dog" is truly sensational, with a pull that packs as big a punch decades after it was recorded. This is the young rebel revealed, rooted deep in the blues soil. Presley's "Hound Dog" is the essence of rock 'n' roll. It is the pull of conflicting harmonies which give this song its aggressive quality; the song is in C major, the major chord of which (and on which Bill Black's bass line is based) is C, E and G. Presley erupts into the song with his never-to-be-forgotten opening in E flat. This sets up tremendous tension against the E natural in the bass, Presley spits the words with contempt. [The Jordanaires'] singing adds great impact. Later in the song they clap, against solid drumming and inspired guitar licks. Robert Matthew-Walker, Elvis Presley: A Study in Music, 1979 The song blew the rock & roll movement through the roof, becoming a lightning rod for critics of the music as well as a rallying cry for the nation's youth movement. - from the All-Music review of Hound Dog Check out other Elvis fans' opinions on the Elvis News page for Hound Dog Check out other opinions at Rate Your Music "Hound Dog" Links
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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 When they said you was high classed well, that was just a lie When they said you was high classed well, that was just a lie You ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine |
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