Today’s song is “Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley. He released it with “Don’t Be Cruel,” and it was the only single to have both sides hit the #1 spot on the charts in the US. 

Fun Facts:

• Big Mama Thornton recorded the original “Hound Dog” at Peacock Records on August 13, 1952, and released it in February 1953.
• The original Big Mama Thornton’s version of the hit song sold over 500,000 copies, while Elvis’ version sold over 10 million copies.
• Mama Thornton’s version of “Hound Dog” was No.1 for seven weeks, but it spent fourteen weeks on the R&B Charts.
• “Hound Dog” has more than 250 different recordings since its release.
• Elvis’ version of “Hound Dog” was No.1 on the US R&B, Pop, and Country charts. On the Pop charts, it was at the top for 11 weeks, a record that remained unbroken for 36 years.
• Elvis’s version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1988. 
• Elvis Presley’s unique performance style earned him much success, but it also granted him initial controversy in the reasonably conservative era.
• Elvis was super generous; once in Miami, he tipped his limo driver with the actual limousine. In addition, he would also buy vehicles for his employees as well as random people. And he would make random guest appearances at charities.
• The Guinness World Records recognizes Elvis Presley as the best-selling solo artist worldwide, with up to 500 million record sales.
• Elvis had an extreme phobia of germs (Germophobia), which made him determined to avoid contact with other people’s germs. Sometimes, he would bring his silverware to other people’s homes or restaurants. And he only drank from near the cup’s handle, believing that no one could’ve possibly touched that area.
• Did you know that Elvis Presley had an identical twin, Jesse Garon? Tragically, he was stillborn, and the family buried him near their home the next day.

 

Lyrics 

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

Well, 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

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

Well, 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

Well, they said you was high-classed

Well, that was just a lie

Ya know 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

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

You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog