Elvis Presley and “Hound Dog”: The Birth of a Rock ‘n’ Roll Classic
In 1956, the Sands Casino in Las Vegas was witness to a pivotal moment in music history. Elvis Presley and his band first encountered the song “Hound Dog” here, a track that would go on to become one of the most iconic hits in rock ‘n’ roll history. This introduction to “Hound Dog” was serendipitous, yet it marked the beginning of a new era in music.
Presley’s initial stint in Las Vegas, from April 23 through May 6, 1956, at the Venus Room of the New Frontier Hotel and Casino, was not without its challenges. Despite being billed as an “extra added attraction” alongside the Freddy Martin Orchestra and comedian Shecky Greene, audience dissatisfaction and low attendance led to his booking being cut short to just one week. However, this setback would soon be overshadowed by a musical discovery that would change everything.
At the time, Freddie Bell and the Bellboys were the resident act at the Silver Queen Bar in the Sands, and “Hound Dog” was a staple of their performances. Their burlesque reworking of the song captivated Presley. According to various sources, Elvis was immediately hooked after hearing their version and returned multiple times to learn the chords and lyrics. This new, energetic rendition of “Hound Dog” was a far cry from its original blues version by Big Mama Thornton, which Presley was also familiar with.
Presley’s guitarist, Scotty Moore, and drummer, D. J. Fontana, later confirmed that Elvis borrowed heavily from the Bellboys’ version after seeing them perform live. By the time Presley began incorporating “Hound Dog” into his live performances at the New Frontier Hotel, it had taken on a life of its own. Far from the hard-driving song it would eventually become, his early renditions were slower and had an almost burlesque feel, heavily influenced by the Bellboys’ style.
The transformation of “Hound Dog” continued rapidly. Just weeks after seeing Bell and the Bellboys, Elvis made the song his closing number at Ellis Auditorium in Memphis on May 15, 1956, during the Memphis Cotton Festival. The performance was a hit, and the song quickly became a staple of his concerts, generating frenzied reactions from audiences and contributing to his rising fame.
Despite initially drawing from the Bellboys’ arrangement, Presley’s version of “Hound Dog” evolved. His performance on the Steve Allen Tonight Show, where he was forced to sing to a basset hound while dressed in tails, was a turning point. His recorded version, driven by his frustration from that night and featuring Scotty Moore’s innovative guitar work, became a definitive rock ‘n’ roll anthem. Over time, Presley also incorporated elements from Thornton’s original version, blending various influences into his unique style.
Music historians often debate the origins and influences of Presley’s “Hound Dog.” While some argue that Presley’s version overshadowed Thornton’s original, others contend that each version has its own distinct merit. Presley himself appreciated Thornton’s recording, and his rendition, while transformative, was a testament to the song’s powerful roots in rhythm and blues.
Larry Birnbaum described Elvis Presley’s rendition of “Hound Dog” as “an emblem of the rock ‘n’ roll revolution.” This transformation from a blues standard to a rock ‘n’ roll classic exemplifies the genre’s dynamic evolution and Presley’s pivotal role in shaping modern music. As George Plasketes noted, for many listeners, Presley’s version was not a cover but an entirely new creation, a testament to his ability to reimagine and redefine musical boundaries.
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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