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: (March 1956 - April 1957)
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)
(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 HMV Single Promo Ad
used by kind permission: (Thanks to Paul Alner)
Elvis UK HMV Single Promo Ad
used by kind permission: (Thanks to Paul Alner)