HMV POP 249 (45 rpm)
Track Listing:
Side 1:
1. Hound Dog
Side 2:
1. Don't Be Cruel (to a heart that's true)
Released: September 1956:
Sound Format: mono
UK Single No. (05)
Elvis recorded "Hound Dog" the A-side of this single the day after he sang it on the Steve Allen Show. The song was originally written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller for "Big Mama" Thornton. Elvis heard Freddie Bell & The Bellboys perform it while he was vacationing in Las Vegas. It was this version that Elvis adopted in the studio. During 1956, Elvis constantly cited "Don't Be Cruel" as his favourite song that he recorded so far. It was written by Otis Blackwell with Elvis acknowledged as a co-writer.
NOTE: This single was issued using the matrix number 7XAV, part of the EMI system.
Side 1: 7XAV 1471 Side 2: 7XAV 1472
POP 249 (78rpm)
(Sleeve Variation 1 - Front)
Type 1:
This sleeve was a pale yellow colour with red printing,
The HMV logo, located at the top-centre of the sleeve, contained a picture of a dog, 'Nipper' listening to a gramophone with the words "His Master's Voice" underneath, Under the logo it read: The Hallmark of Quality. (Both Sides)
Boxed instructions Both Sides stated that:
THIS RECORD MUST BE PLAYED AT 45 REVS. PER MINUTE
(left-centre) and
The use of "EMITEX" cleaning material (available from record dealers) will preserve this record and keep it free from dust. (right-centre)
"HIS MASTER'S VOICE" (Bold Red Capitals - Under Centre Hole)
(Both Sides)
(Sleeve Variation 1 - Rear)
Under "HIS MASTER'S VOICE" at the bottom of the sleeve, the following information could be found:
Distributing Organisation for Great Britain
THE GRAMOPHONE COMPANY LIMITED
RECORD DIVISION
8-11 GREAT CASTLE STREET, LONDON, W.1 (Left Side)
Export Distributing Organisation
E.M.I. INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
HAYES MIDDLESEX ENGLAND
Made and Printed in Great Britain (Right Side)
Note: Type 1:
This sleeve was a pale yellow colour with black printing, Not normally used for Elvis releases.
(Sleeve Variation 2 - Front)
Type 2:
This sleeve was a pale yellow colour with red printing,
This record has an optional centre. In its present form it can be played upon three speed record players or radiograms with a small centre spindle. (Top Left - Both Sides)
To play this 45 r.p.m. record on record players and radiograms with a large centre post remove the small centre disc of the record by pressing with the thumbs. (Top Right - Both Sides)
The HMV logo, located at the top-centre of the sleeve, contained a picture of a dog, 'Nipper' listening to a gramophone with the words "His Master's Voice" underneath, Under the logo it read: The Hallmark of Quality. (Both Sides)
Boxed instructions Both Sides stated that:
THIS RECORD MUST BE PLAYED AT 45 REVS. PER MINUTE
(left-centre) and
The use of "EMITEX" cleaning material (available from record dealers) will preserve this record and keep it free from dust. (right-centre)
"HIS MASTER'S VOICE" (Bold Red Capitals - Under Centre Hole)
(Both Sides)
(Sleeve Variation 2 - Rear)
Under "HIS MASTER'S VOICE" at the bottom of the sleeve, the following information could be found:
Distributing Organisation for Great Britain
THE GRAMOPHONE COMPANY LIMITED
RECORD DIVISION
8-11 GREAT CASTLE STREET, LONDON, W.1 (Left Side)
Export Distributing Organisation
E.M.I. INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
HAYES MIDDLESEX ENGLAND
Made and Printed in Great Britain (Right Side)
(Thanks to Paul Alner For The Information)
(Sleeve Variation 3 - Front)
Type 3:
This sleeve was a pale brown colour with red printing,
This record has an optional centre. In its present form it can be played upon three speed record players or radiograms with a small centre spindle. (Top Left - Both Sides)
To play this 45 r.p.m. record on record players and radiograms with a large centre post remove the small centre disc of the record by pressing with the thumbs. (Top Right - Both Sides)
The HMV logo, located at the top-centre of the sleeve, contained a picture of a dog, 'Nipper' listening to a gramophone with the words "His Master's Voice" underneath, Under the logo it read: The Hallmark of Quality. (Both Sides)
Boxed instructions stated that:
THIS RECORD MUST BE PLAYED AT 45 REVS. PER MINUTE
(left-centre) and
WHEN NECESSARY CLEAN RECORD WITH A SLIGHTLY MOIST CLOTH (right-centre)
"HIS MASTER'S VOICE" (Bold Red Capitals - Under Centre Hole)
(Both Sides)
THE GRAMOPHONE COMPANY LTD. HAYES. MIDDLESEX. ENGLAND (Bottom of Sleeve)
(Sleeve Variation 3 - Rear)
Boxed instructions stated that:
THIS RECORD MUST BE PLAYED AT 45 REVS. PER MINUTE
(left-centre) and
THE WORLD'S GREATEST ARTISTES RECORD FOR "HIS MASTER'S VOICE" (right-centre)
Under "HIS MASTER'S VOICE" at the bottom of the sleeve, the following information could be found:
COPYRIGHT SUBSISTS IN H.M.V. RECORDS. ANY UNAUTHORISED BROADCASTING, LIVE PERFORMANCE OR RE-RECORDING OF SUCH RECORDS IN ANY MANNER WHATSOEVER WILL CONSTITUTE AN INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT AND IS FORBIDDEN. APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE GRAMAPHONE CO. LTD., HAYES, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND.
(Sleeve Variation 4 - Front)
Type 3:
This sleeve was red & white with white printing,
"HIS MASTER'S VOICE" (Bold White Capitals)
For The Tops in Pops
(Top Centre - Both Sides)
Boxed instructions stated that:
THIS RECORD MUST BE PLAYED AT 45 R. P. M. (left-centre - Both Sides)
The use of "EMITEX" cleaning material (available from record dealers) will preserve this record and keep it free from dust. (right-centre - Both Sides)
Main Graphic: Illustrations of people dancing (Both Sides)
The HMV logo, located at the bottom-centre of the sleeve, contained a picture of a dog, 'Nipper' listening to a gramophone with the words "His Master's Voice"
REGD. TRADE MARK OF THE GRAMOPHONE Co. LTD. (Below The HMV Logo)
THE GRAMOPHONE COMPANY LTD. HAYES. MIDDLESEX. ENGLAND
Made and Printed in Great Britain (Bottom of Sleeve)
(Sleeve Variation 4 - Rear)
This sleeve was red & white with white printing,
"HIS MASTER'S VOICE" (Bold White Capitals)
For The Tops in Pops
(Top Centre - Both Sides)
Boxed instructions stated that:
THIS RECORD MUST BE PLAYED AT 45 R. P. M. (left-centre - Both Sides)
The use of "EMITEX" cleaning material (available from record dealers) will preserve this record and keep it free from dust. (right-centre - Both Sides)
Main Graphic: Illustrations of people dancing (Both Sides)
The HMV logo, located at the bottom-left of the sleeve, contained a picture of a dog, 'Nipper' listening to a gramophone with the words "His Master's Voice"
REGD. TRADE MARK OF THE GRAMOPHONE Co. LTD. underneath,
E.M.I. RECORDS LIMITED
(CONTROLLED BY ELECTRIC AND MUSICAL INDUSTRIES LIMITED)
HAYES. MIDDLESEX. ENGLAND
Made and Printed in Great Britain (Bottom of Sleeve)
(Sleeve Variation 5 - Front)
Type 5:
This sleeve was red & white with white printing,
Identical To Variation 4 Except for White Tabs in Top Corners
(Sleeve Variation 5 - Rear)
This sleeve was red & white with white printing,
Identical To Variation 4 Except for White Tabs in Top Corners
(Test Pressing/Factory Sample/Demo/Promo)
(Factory Sample - Side 1)
(Factory Sample - Side 2)
(Purple Label, HMV Logo, Gold Lettering, Knockout Centre)
(Variation 1 - Side 1)
(Purple Label)
HIS MASTER'S VOICE (Gold Lettering)
(Knockout Centre)
(1956 Pressing)
(Mono)
(Variation 1 - Side 2)
(Serrated Edge)
ABERBACH
MECOLICO
NCB
(Between Lines On Left - Both Sides)
(Thanks to Andy Honeywell for the images)
(Purple Label, HMV Logo, Gold Lettering, Knockout Centre)
(Variation 2 - Side 1)
(Purple Label)
HIS MASTER'S VOICE (Gold Lettering)
(Knockout Centre)
(1956 Pressing)
(Mono)
E. H. MORRIS
(Between Lines On Left)
(Variation 2 - Side 2)
(Serrated Edge)
ABERBACH
MECOLICO
NCB
(Between Lines On Left)
(Thanks to Andy Honeywell for the images)
(Purple Label, HMV Logo, Gold Lettering, Knockout Centre)
(Variation 3 - Side 1)
(Purple Label)
HIS MASTER'S VOICE (Gold Lettering)
(Knockout Centre)
(1956 Pressing)
(Mono)
BIEM
E. H. MORRIS
(Between Lines On Left)
(Variation 3 - Side 2)
(Serrated Edge)
ABERBACH
MECOLICO
NCB
(Between Lines On Left)
(Thanks to Andy Honeywell for the images)
(Purple Label, HMV Logo, Gold Lettering, Knockout Centre)
(Variation 4 - Side 1)
(Purple Label)
HIS MASTER'S VOICE (Gold Lettering)
(Knockout Centre)
(1956 Pressing)
(Mono)
E. H. MORRIS
BIEM
(Between Lines On Left)
(Variation 4 - Side 2)
(Serrated Edge)
ABERBACH
MECOLICO
NCB
(Between Lines On Left)
(Thanks to Andy Honeywell for the images)
(Purple Label, HMV Logo, Gold Lettering, Jigsaw Centre)
(Variation 5 - Side 1)
(Purple Label)
HIS MASTER'S VOICE (Gold Lettering)
(Jigsaw Centre)
(1956 Pressing)
(Mono)
(Variation 5 - Side 2)
(Serrated Edge)
ABERBACH
MECOLICO
NCB
(Between Lines On Left - Both Sides)
(Thanks to Andy Honeywell for the images)
(Purple Label, HMV Logo, Silver Lettering, Knockout Centre)
(Variation 6 - Side 1)
(Purple Label)
HIS MASTER'S VOICE (Silver Lettering)
(Knockout Centre)
(1957/58 Pressing)
(Mono)
E. H. MORRIS
B.I.E.M.
(Between Lines On Left)
(Variation 6 - Side 2)
(Serrated Edge)
ABERBACH
MECOLICO
NCB
(Between Lines On Left)
(Thanks to Andy Honeywell for the images)
UK Chart Information:
This single entered the UK charts on September 27, 1956, peaking at no. 2.
Chart Run: (23 Weeks)
27/09/1956 - 13
04/10/1956 - 05
11/10/1956 - 04
18/10/1956 - 03
25/10/1956 - 03
01/11/1956 - 02
08/11/1956 - 02
15/11/1956 - 02
22/11/1956 - 03
29/11/1956 - 03
06/12/1956 - 06
13/12/1956 - 05
20/12/1956 - 09
27/12/1956 - 11
03/01/1957 - 16
10/01/1957 - 08
17/01/1956 - 08
24/01/1957 - 10
31/01/1957 - 10
07/02/1957 - 11
14/02/1957 - 10
21/02/1957 - 16
28/02/1957 - 22
Information: www.officialcharts.com
Recording Information:
Hound Dog
(July 2, 1956: RCA Studios, New York)
Don't Be Cruel
(July 2, 1956: RCA Studios, New York)
