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SONG TITLE: HOUND DOG
PERFORMER: ELVIS PRESLEY
SONGWRITER: Leiber-Stoller
YEAR OF RELEASE:
COMMENTS: Elvis was sure feeling his oats in this time period from
"Heartbreak Hotel" to his army induction. Everything he touched
turned to gold, literally (commercially) and artistically. He had an
almost supernatural presence. It's almost like he was a Jesus, able to
work miracles.
Really this isn't the greatest song in the world. It's pretty good.
It has some good hooks, and a nice faux primitive lyrical metaphor for this
little kiss off. It is otherwise, however, a somewhat generic blues
melody, not the greatest these guys ever wrote.
It didn't quite require a miracle, but it is definitely Presley who put this
song on the list. This is also the ultimate answer to every asshole who
ever went off about Elvis supposedly ripping off black music. He took a
blues song, and made it rock and roll. Check out that simple but
undeniable burst of drums that ends the chorus. In terms of both emotional
and physical intensity, he took the original recording by some obscure old black
chick and absolutely ripped it to itty bitty freakin' shreds.
Sorry if I offend with the description of what's her name, but Elvis makes me
forget her name. And there's some African Americans who need to quit
disrespecting Elvis. He was never shitty with you. It's not much fun
when it comes back to ya, is it? "You ain't never caught a rabbit and
you ain't no friend of mine."
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