About the song
**”Hound Dog”** is a song that needs little introduction, especially to those who cherish the golden age of blues and early rock ‘n’ roll. Originally written by the legendary songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, this twelve-bar blues classic was first recorded by Big Mama Thornton in August 1952. The session took place in Los Angeles, and the resulting track was released in February 1953 by Peacock Records. What came next was a phenomenal success for Thornton, as “Hound Dog” became her only major hit, selling over 500,000 copies and spending a remarkable 14 weeks on the R&B charts, with seven of those weeks at number one.
Big Mama Thornton’s powerful voice and commanding presence on the track made it an instant classic, with her unique interpretation of the song giving it a rawness and authenticity that resonated deeply with audiences. Her version of “Hound Dog” is often hailed as a milestone in the evolution of rock and roll, particularly for the way it fused blues with emerging rock rhythms, setting the stage for what was to come. The track’s bold defiance and the tale of heartbreak, expressed through Thornton’s commanding vocal performance, made it a defining moment in the genre’s history.
“**Hound Dog**” has left an indelible mark on the music world, not only through its commercial success but also in how it influenced the development of rock ‘n’ roll. The song was later famously covered by Elvis Presley in 1956, but Thornton’s original remains a cornerstone of the genre. It was even recognized as one of the **Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll”**, earning a well-deserved place in music history. Additionally, the track was ranked at number 318 in **Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time** (2021) and inducted into the **Grammy Hall of Fame** in 2013.
For music enthusiasts, **”Hound Dog”** represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of American music, blending the blues roots of Thornton’s delivery with the burgeoning rock ‘n’ roll sound, and it remains a timeless anthem that continues to influence artists and listeners alike.
Video
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
