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Hound Dog/Don't Be Cruel

HMV POP 249 (78 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)

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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.

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​NOTE: This single was issued using the matrix number G2WB, part of the RCA system.

G2 = 1956

Side 1: G2WB 5935     Side 2: G2WB 5936

POP 249 (45rpm)

(Sleeve Variation 1 - Front)

Type 1:

This sleeve was white with black printing.

 

"HIS MASTER'S VOICE" (Stamped Top Centre)

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Greatest Artists - Finest Recording (Under The Centre Hole)

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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" underneath, Under the logo.

78 R.P.M. RECORD (To The Right)

(Sleeve Variation 1 - Rear)

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"HIS MASTER'S VOICE"

records are great favourites

why not add these to your collection? (Stamped Top Centre)

 

(Various Artists Promoted Throughout the Sleeve)

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GIVE RECORD TOKENS ...

they solve all your gift problems (Under The Centre Hole)

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Distributing Organisation for Great Britain     

THE GRAMOPHONE COMPANY LIMITED          

                     RECORD DIVISION                            

8-11 GREAT CASTLE STREET, LONDON, W.1  (Left Side)    

 

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" underneath, Under the logo.   

Export Distributing Organisation

E.M.I.    INTERNATIONAL     LIMITED

 HAYES     MIDDLESEX     ENGLAND

Made and Printed in Great Britain (Right Side)

(Sleeve Variation 2 - Front)

Type 2:

This sleeve was red & white with white printing,

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"HIS MASTER'S VOICE" (Bold White Capitals)

For The Tops in Pops (Top Centre)

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Main Graphic: Illustrations of people dancing (Both Sides)

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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" underneath.

 

78 R.P.M RECORD (Either Side Of Logo)

(Sleeve Variation 2 - Rear)

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This sleeve was red & white with white printing,

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"His Master's Voice" (Bold Red Italics)

For The Tops in Pops (Top Centre)

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Main Body Text: Promoting of other HMV artists.

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Distributing Organisation for Great Britain

THE GRAMOPHONE COMPANY LIMITED

RECORD DIVISION

8-11 GREAT CASTLE STREET, LONDON, W.1 (Bottom Left of Sleeve)

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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" underneath.

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Export Distributing Organisation

E.M.I. INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

HAYES. MIDDLESEX. ENGLAND

Made and Printed in Great Britain (Bottom Right of Sleeve)

(Test Pressing/Factory Sample/Demo/Promo)

(Factory Sample - Side 1)

(White Label)

(Stamped H.M.V.)

78 R.P.M.

Double Sided "Hound Dog"

DEMONSTRATION SAMPLE

NOT FOR SALE (Both Sides)

(Solid Centre)

(1956 Pressing)

(Mono)

(Stamped Details)

(Factory Sample - Side 2)

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(Blue Label, HMV Logo, White Lettering, Solid Centre)

(Variation 1 - Side 1)

(Blue Label)

HIS MASTER'S VOICE (White Lettering)

(Solid Centre)
(1956 Pressing)
(Mono)

E. H. Morris
(Bottom of Label)

(Variation 1 - Side 2)

RT Tax Code

POP. 249

Aberbach, Mecolico, NCB
(Bottom of Label)

(Blue Label, HMV Logo, White Lettering, Solid Centre)

(Variation 2 - Side 1)

(Blue Label)

HIS MASTER'S VOICE (White Lettering)

(Solid Centre)
(1956 Pressing)
(Mono)

E. H. Morris
(Bottom of Label)

(Variation 2 - Side 2)

RT Tax Code

POP 249

Aberbach, Mecolico, NCB
(Bottom of Label)

(Blue Label, HMV Logo, White Lettering, Solid Centre)

(Variation 3 - Side 1)

(Blue Label)

HIS MASTER'S VOICE (White Lettering)

(Solid Centre)
(1956 Pressing)
(Mono)

E. H. Morris

B.I.E.M (Boxed)
(Bottom of Label)

(Variation 3 - Side 2)

RT Tax Code

POP. 249

Aberbach, Mecolico, NCB
(Bottom of Label)

(Blue Label, HMV Logo, White Lettering, Solid Centre)

(Variation 4 - Side 1)

(Blue Label)

HIS MASTER'S VOICE (White Lettering)

(Solid Centre)
(1956 Pressing)
(Mono)

(Variation 4 - Side 2)

RT Tax Code

POP 249

Aberbach, Mecolico, NCB
(Bottom of Label - Both Sides)

(Blue Label, HMV Logo, White Lettering, Solid Centre)

(LABEL COMBINATION)

(Side 1: Variation 1)

(LABEL COMBINATION)

(Side 2: Variation 2)

​UK Chart Information:

 

This single entered the UK charts on September 27, 1956, peaking at no. 2.

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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

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Information: www.officialcharts.com

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Recording Information:

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Hound Dog

(July 2, 1956: RCA Studios, New York)

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Don't Be Cruel

(July 2, 1956: RCA Studios, New York)

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Elvis UK Sheet Music

used by kind permission: (Thanks to Robert)

elvisechoesofthepast.com/

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ad2.jpg

Elvis UK HMV Single Promo Ad

used by kind permission: (Thanks to Paul Alner)

Ad.jpg

Elvis UK HMV Single Promo Ad

used by kind permission: (Thanks to Paul Alner)

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