Elvis Presley based his version of the song on Freddie Bell and the Bellboys’ performance with amended lyrics which he attended in Las Vegas in 1956.
About This Song
“Hound Dog” is an iconic song by Elvis Presley and is one of his most well-known and energetic performances. The song was originally written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and was first recorded by rhythm and blues singer Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton in 1952.
However, it was Elvis Presley’s 1956 version of “Hound Dog” that catapulted the song to international fame and turned it into a rock and roll classic. The song was featured on Elvis’s self-titled debut album, and it became a massive hit, topping the charts and solidifying his status as a rock and roll superstar.
Elvis’s rendition of “Hound Dog” is characterized by its upbeat tempo, bluesy melody, and Elvis’s signature energetic vocals. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a man warning his partner that she is a no-good, unfaithful woman, comparing her to a “hound dog” who is always chasing after other men. It is a spirited and somewhat humorous song that perfectly showcased Elvis’s charisma and talent as a performer.
Some of the most recognizable lyrics from the song are:
“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”
Elvis’s electrifying performances of “Hound Dog” during his live shows further added to its popularity and impact. His dynamic stage presence and provocative dance moves, combined with the infectious energy of the song, solidified “Hound Dog” as one of the defining tracks of the early rock and roll era.
“Hound Dog” remains a classic and enduring example of Elvis Presley’s significant influence on the evolution of popular music, particularly in the realm of rock and roll. The song’s success also contributed to breaking down racial barriers, as Elvis’s version was embraced by a diverse audience, helping to bridge the gap between black rhythm and blues and white rock and roll audiences during a time of racial segregation in the United States.
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Lyric
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