Original version of Hound Dog was recorded August 13

CAIRO - 13 August 2017: Today marks the 65thanniversary of the original release for the iconic Rock and Roll song ‘Hound Dog.’

The song was originally sung by Willie Mae ‘Big Mama' Thornton in 1952, but the most famous version of the song is that of Elvis Presley that was released in 1956.



Although the original version showed tremendous success by topping the R&B charts at #1 for seven weeks and staying in the charts for a total of 14 weeks, the Presley’s cover became the new standard topping the tremendous success of the original song.
Presley’s version became the anthem of the mid 50s and 60s and was featured in various movies including Grease, Forrest Gump, Lilo & Stitch, A Few Good Men, Hound Dog, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and Nowhere Boy.

Freddie Bell and the Bellboys have also covered the song to appeal to their greater audience. Nonetheless, there are over 50 covers of the song by various artists such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Sha Na Na, Rock Odyssey, The Kool Kats, and many more, but never became as famous as the Rock and Roll sensation; Presley. The song’s debut at the famous Grease even gave it more fame.

The song went on to win many awards including its inauguration to Grammy’s Hall of Fame. The meaning of 'Hound Dog' is a black slang for a man who is with a woman for the sole purpose to take care of him and uses a dog as a metaphor to man. It is in a way empowering to women to avoid babysitting their boyfriends and husbands.

The song’s phenomenal success reflects how the message resonated with the audience.