When you look closely at a set of lyrics, it’s astounding how much a classic rock song can get misinterpreted. For example, the original version of Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” was about a gigolo. However, a band changed the lyrics to be about an actual dog and the rest is history. In addition, a famous television appearance might’ve made audiences think “Hound Dog” is about a canine.
The original version of Elvis Presley’s ‘Hound Dog’ was about a freeloader
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller co-wrote “Hound Dog,” which was first recorded by Big Mama Thornton. During a 2020 interview with Elvis Australia, Stoller discussed the evolution of the song’s lyrics. “Elvis knew Big Mama’s record, but Big Mama’s version of ‘Hound Dog’ was written for a woman,” he said. “And so Elvis couldn’t perform it that way.
“There was a group, Freddie Bell and the Bell Boys,...
The original version of Elvis Presley’s ‘Hound Dog’ was about a freeloader
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller co-wrote “Hound Dog,” which was first recorded by Big Mama Thornton. During a 2020 interview with Elvis Australia, Stoller discussed the evolution of the song’s lyrics. “Elvis knew Big Mama’s record, but Big Mama’s version of ‘Hound Dog’ was written for a woman,” he said. “And so Elvis couldn’t perform it that way.
“There was a group, Freddie Bell and the Bell Boys,...
- 9/19/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Elvis Presley‘s “Hound Dog” wasn’t originally by Elvis. The tune was written in 10 or 15 minutes. Subsequently, one of the writers of the song said it had to be performed in a specific way.
Elvis Presley’s ‘Hound Dog’ was by the same writers behind Ben E. King’s ‘Stand by Me’
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller were two of the most important pop songwriters ever, having penned classics like Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me” and The Drifters’ “On Broadway.” They also co-wrote “Hound Dog,” which was originally by Big Mama Thornton. During a 2022 interview with Variety, Stoller discussed how the original version of “Hound Dog” came together.
“[Producer] Johnny [Otis] said, ‘Are you familiar with Willie Mae Thornton?'” he recalled. “I said, no. He said, ‘Well, I gotta do a session with her, so you better get Jerry and come over to my place and listen to it,...
Elvis Presley’s ‘Hound Dog’ was by the same writers behind Ben E. King’s ‘Stand by Me’
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller were two of the most important pop songwriters ever, having penned classics like Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me” and The Drifters’ “On Broadway.” They also co-wrote “Hound Dog,” which was originally by Big Mama Thornton. During a 2022 interview with Variety, Stoller discussed how the original version of “Hound Dog” came together.
“[Producer] Johnny [Otis] said, ‘Are you familiar with Willie Mae Thornton?'” he recalled. “I said, no. He said, ‘Well, I gotta do a session with her, so you better get Jerry and come over to my place and listen to it,...
- 8/27/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Baz Luhrmann’s box-office-topping new movie Elvis does manage to show the powerhouse singer Big Mama Thornton (played by Shonka Dukureh) performing “Hound Dog,” a song she recorded in 1952, four years before Elvis Presley. But it leaves out two very significant players: songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who wrote “Hound Dog” as teenagers for Thornton, and went on to write “Jailhouse Rock,” “You’re So Square (I Don’t Care),” “Trouble,” and other hits for Presley himself.
Leiber died in 2011, but Stoller is thriving at age 89 — and he tells...
Leiber died in 2011, but Stoller is thriving at age 89 — and he tells...
- 6/30/2022
- by Brian Hiatt
- Rollingstone.com
What is it about the MTV VMAs? The annual award show is known to inspire unexpected antics from its attendees, and this year was no different. For example, in a crazy coincidence, both YouTube personality Tana Mongeau and singer H.E.R. walked down the red carpet casually wearing giant snakes. (It's worth noting the name of H.E.R.'s snake is Big Mama.)
This is a fairly tame stunt for Tana, whose following of nearly five million YouTube subscribers earned her a limited reality series with MTV about her wild 21st birthday, called Tana Turns 21. In the series finale, viewers were given an inside look at her recent Las Vegas wedding to fellow YouTube star Jake Paul.
Ahead, see photos of both stars slithering along the red carpet with their snakes.
Related: Not to Be Dramatic or Anything, but These VMAs Outfits Are the Definition of Fierce Fashion...
This is a fairly tame stunt for Tana, whose following of nearly five million YouTube subscribers earned her a limited reality series with MTV about her wild 21st birthday, called Tana Turns 21. In the series finale, viewers were given an inside look at her recent Las Vegas wedding to fellow YouTube star Jake Paul.
Ahead, see photos of both stars slithering along the red carpet with their snakes.
Related: Not to Be Dramatic or Anything, but These VMAs Outfits Are the Definition of Fierce Fashion...
- 8/27/2019
- by Kelsey Garcia
- Popsugar.com
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