Hound Dog
Big Mama Thornton
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You ain't nothing but a hound dog Been snoopin' 'round the door You ain't nothing but a hound dog Been snoopin' 'round my door You can wag your tail But I ain't gonna feed you no more You told me you was high-class But I could see through that Yes, you told me you was high-class But I could see through that And daddy, I know You ain't no real cool cat You ain't nothing but a hound dog Been snoopin' 'round the door You're just an old hound dog Been snoopin' 'round my door You can wag your tail But I ain't gonna feed you no more, oh play it on Sam, oh! Aw, listen to that there old hound dog Oh, play it, it s'all right in here Oh, listen to that there old hound dog holler Oh, play it boy, play it Oh, you make me feel good Oh, do the mess around right now, yeah Now wag your tail Oh, get it now Oh, get it now, get it, get it, get it Oh, go, holler boy You made me feel so blue You made me weep and moan You made me feel so blue Well you made me weep and moan 'Cause you ain't looking for a woman All you lookin' is for a home You ain't nothing but a hound dog Quit snoopin' 'round the door You ain't nothing but a hound dog Quit snoopin' 'round my door You can wag your tail But I ain't gonna feed you no more, oh!
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Original Artist: Big Mama ThorntonBig Mama Thornton, a blues singer and songwriter, was the original artist of the song "Hound Dog". The song was written for her by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, two 19-year-old songwriters.
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Song Release Date: 1952"Hound Dog" was recorded and released by Big Mama Thornton in 1952. The song was a tremendous hit, climbing to number one on the R&B charts in 1953.
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New Lyrics and Arrangement: Rufus ThomasRufus Thomas, known for cultivating Memphis' soul, created a rendition of "Hound Dog" with new lyrics and arrangement. Thomas was a popular R&B singer in the 1950s and 1960s known for his funky and soulful tunes.
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Bestseller Record: Elvis Presley CoverWhile the song was already popular, it gained worldwide recognition in 1956 when Elvis Presley covered it. This version became one of the best-selling singles of all time, with Presley's rendition notably different from Thornton's blues version.
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Court Case: PlagiarismA court case ensued after the release of Elvis Presley's version of the song. Big Mama Thornton and her record company sued Presley for plagiarizing the original version of "Hound Dog". Despite the controversy, the case was settled out of court.
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Song Class: Blues and R&BThe song "Hound Dog", particularly Big Mama Thornton's version, is a classic of the blues genre. In contrast, Rufus Thomas' version demonstrates considerable rhythm and blues elements in its new arrangement.
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Recognition: Rock and Roll Hall of FameIn 2010, Big Mama Thornton's "Hound Dog" was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and Grammy Hall of Fame. The song is also included in the list of Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Lyrics Influence: Female EmpowermentBig Mama Thornton's rendition of "Hound Dog" is praised as presenting a strong, independent woman who does not need a man, particularly one who behaves badly. This reflected a powerful message on female empowerment during a time when women were fighting for equal rights.
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Rufus Thomas Review: Low Critical AcclaimUnlike the original version and Elvis Presley's cover, Rufus Thomas' version of "Hound Dog" did not receive widespread critical acclaim. Critics reportedly felt his version lacked the raw emotion and gritty power of the original.
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Song Legacy: Transformation in Music“Hound Dog” has been covered around 250 times, making it one of the most covered songs in the history of recorded music. The song's trajectory from a 1952 rhythm and blues original to its many different revisions speaks to the remarkable transformations in American music during the mid-20th century.
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"Hound Dog Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 8 Jun 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/1345293/Big+Mama+Thornton/Hound+Dog>.
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