Introuction
“Hound Dog” is a 12-bar blues song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It was originally recorded by Big Mama Thornton in 1952, and her version topped the Billboard R&B charts for seven weeks. In 1956, Elvis Presley recorded his version of the song, which became a massive hit, reaching number one on the pop, country, and R&B charts. Presley’s version of “Hound Dog” is now considered one of the most iconic songs in rock and roll history.
Big Mama Thornton’s version of “Hound Dog” was a raw and powerful blues song with a strong female vocal performance. The song’s lyrics are about a woman who is tired of being mistreated by her man. She tells him that he is nothing but a “hound dog” who is always “snooping ’round her door.” Thornton’s version of the song was a hit with black audiences, but it did not achieve mainstream success.
Elvis Presley’s version of “Hound Dog” was a more upbeat and energetic rock and roll song. Presley’s vocals were more polished than Thornton’s, and the song’s instrumentation was more prominent. Presley also changed the lyrics of the song to make it more appealing to a white audience. For example, he changed the line “quit snoopin’ ’round my door” to “cryin’ all the time.” Presley’s version of “Hound Dog” was a massive hit with both black and white audiences, and it helped to make him a superstar.
“Hound Dog” has been recorded by many other artists over the years, but Presley’s version remains the most popular. The song has been praised for its catchy melody, its powerful vocals, and its timeless lyrics. “Hound Dog” is a true classic of rock and roll music.