A Brief History
On June 5, 1956, the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, introduced what would become his top selling hit, “Hound Dog,” on The Milton Berle Show, an early television favorite.
Digging Deeper
Elvis’s performance included exaggerated gyrations that drove the girls in the audience wild, and enraged parents and prudes across the country.
By this time Elvis had a number 1 hit with “Heartbreak Hotel” and was touring, continuing to draw animosity from the conservative media and prompting the Catholic Church (La Crosse, Wisconsin diocese) to contact J. Edgar Hoover of the FBI about Elvis being a threat to American security!
When Elvis appeared on The Steve Allen Show for his next television performance of the classic song, he performed it wearing a tuxedo and singing to a Basset Hound (real live one) wearing a top hat.
Actually, proving that you cannot go wrong by associating with a hound dog, the song sold 10 million records for Elvis and is ranked #19 by Rolling Stone among the greatest songs of all time. Elvis took this tune to the top of the US Pop, R&B, and Country charts, all at the same time. For 11 weeks “Hound Dog” ruled the pop charts, a record that lasted until 1992.
How much did the bored looking Basset Hound on the Steve Allen Show have to do with the song’s and Elvis’s success? It is hard to say, but we at History and Headlines believe probably a lot. Hound dogs, like our lovable Hush Puppies, are pack animals and take to people as part of their pack.
“Loyal as a hound dog” is a saying with some reason behind it. Basset hounds and Bloodhounds have the keenest noses of all the dogs, Greyhounds are the fastest dog, and Dachshunds are the bravest critter on the face of the earth (just ask one). Beagles are used to detect bombs and illegal substances, keeping us safe, and Snoopy, a Beagle, is probably the most famous dog in history.
Question for students (and subscribers): Various sources name different songs as Elvis Presley’s greatest hit, so do you think it was “Hound Dog” or some other classic? Let us know which ones you think should be considered his greatest hit in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Leiber, Jerry and Elvis Presley. Hound Dog. OnlineSheetMusic.com, 2009.
Leiber, Jerry and Mike Stoller. Hound Dog: The Leiber & Stoller Autobiography. Simon & Schuster, 2009.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2478 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=2478">92 Comments
So… Big Mama Thornton wrote this song years before Elvis stole the song and sang it on TV.
It is really funny that Elvis Presley sang this on tv to an actual hound dog. It must have been an entertaining surprise to fans of elvis and the show.
I never knew that Elvis sang to a dog on television. I also did not know Elvis was thought to be a threat to American’s security.
I never knew Elvis stole this song, very interesting.
Elvis was a very talented singer. The video of him singing to the hound dog is too cute!
I personally like “Heartbreak Hotel” over “Hound Dog,” and actually, Aretha Franklin was the first one to sing the song, Elvis just did a cover of it that became more famous.
I’m not the fan of these types of songs, however, I can tell those people are skilled especially back in 1956 which is very old and it was considered as great civilization.
I never knew he actually sang this to a dog, how funny!
Elvis’s “Hound Dog” cover is one of my favorite songs by him. It was funny to see him sing to an actual dog though.
As an avid dog lover, I think it is neat that Elvis sang to a basset hound.
I am fan of Elvis’s music and would have loved to see him live.
Funny how Elvis regularly sang the song, but once it was to the dog, he considered it the most ridiculous thing of his career.
I found it funny that he sang “Hound Dog” to an actual basset hound.
Hound dog is probably my favorite song by Elvis.
Its funny to think that this was such a hit from him and he considered it to be a joke
i think it was funny he actually sang with a real hound dog so cool
It is funny that at that time, Elvis was considered “immoral” by some groups, but very safe by today’s standards. Interesting that a real hound dog was involved in the titular song!
Just like rock and roll has progressed so has dancing and the way songs are presented. Elvis was seen as inappropriate but today things are much more accepted.
For being so well known and also for being his #1 hit, its amazing that he only ranks 19th on the sound board for greatest songs of all time.You’d think he’d be higher.
Elvis changed the music industry forever. He was truly one of the most influential member of the music community.
The history of Elvis is actually very interesting. Visit the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and you’ll learn a bunch more!
My mother was a huge Elvis fan. I spent many hours listening to Elvis’s music and watching televisions movies that he starred in. I do not believe that the Basset hound performance attributed much to the success of Hound Dog, but I love Basset hounds.
Loved the article. I was a big fan of Elvis. Loved his dance moves in his younger years. Very innovative for his time.
One of my favorite moments in American History. Such an iconic moment in time.
Elvis’ song Hound Dog is known across all age groups. It will always be a classic and is a part of American history. This song and Elvis’ dancing were even discussed in the movie Forrest Gump because of its great historical significance.
My grandma has told me about this. She always talked about how people went nuts over him and how some called his music “the devils” music. I wonder what they would think of today’s music. It amazes me how much is accepted now.
My parents were big Elvis fans so I have heard a lot of Elvis and I’m familiar with the song.
The song, “Heartbreak Hotel,” gets thrown under the bus considering “Hounding,” came right after it and was such a hit. One of my grandfathers was a big Elvis fan.
I always remember this iconic seen from Forest gump. what an interesting take on history but Elvis was such a revolutionary hit with the tv becoming readily available.
My grandmother would always tell me about when this happened. It is interesting to learn more about it.
My brother has a Greyhound and I can definitely attest to the fact that they are the fastest dog. His dog, Cap, can run circles around my German Shepherd and Labradoodle.
I loved this song as a kid. It really did make the girls go crazy back then. I was able to learn a little more in a Love song class this past summer. Very interesting.
Elvis is just overall a legend in the history of Rock n Roll. I have alway loved reading about him and the records that he has made with his songs.
I still love this song and I had no idea he sang it with an actual hound dog on television. This also shows how tv has affected us and entertainers’ careers over the years.
My grandmother and I have always had a thing for Elvis! It’s so cool how his songs can interest such a range of age groups, what a legendary man.
Elvis is a name that many people know or have at least heard of him. I mean he is the King of Rock and Roll. My family have always enjoyed his music, and have even went to where he lived during one of our many vacations. On occasion I have watched some of his movies when my dad has them on.
Elvis is a great musician in the world. He was even famous in China. My parents like many his songs.
Elvis is so well-known and even my grandmother heard about him in China.
Elvis Presley left such a huge impact on the music industry. There is literally a line of work out there as an Elvis impersonators.
I still believe Elvis Presley was thief.
Great song, from one of musics finest artist.
Elvis made a huge impact on the musical industry, it was really cool to see his legacy when we visited Graceland last summer.
Elvis had so much talent. Many of his songs are still taught and listened to by children today.
Elvis had a lot of talent, but I am not really all the familiar of his music.
Elvis was also the inspiration for my play i wrote in 3rd grade, in which Elvis and a Monkey switch bodies. Appropriately titled “Melvis”
I love that his songs were the top R&B, Pop, and Country charts.
Elvis was an awesome musician. He really just sings the way he is feeling and there was no stopping him. He was the Hound Dog!
As a DJ Elvis is always a popular hit. I ca not imagine being present for the release of hit artists like Elvis and The Beatles.
good music back then
Elvis was such an entertainer! Definitely a sound that continues to be heard worldwide!
I just love seeing random people dressed up as Elvis in the most random of places. I even saw someone randomly dressed up at Niagara Falls.
I have owned many bassets and this video accurately displays them, except this one inst able to lay down.
Elvis set the stage for raunchy dancing
Its really weird why he had to sing with a dog.
While “Hound Dog” was probably his most recognized hit, it was “That’s alright mama” that started it all for Elvis.
My grandmother used to talk about the first time she saw Elvis, on the “Ed Sullivan Show.” She was SHOCKED at his lewd behavior. I cannot imagine what she would think about musical acts today!
Elvis was my Grandmother’s favorite as well. She played many of his records when I went to visit. I remember trying to singing and trying to copy his voice as a little kid.
I think it is the cutest thing when older women go crazy for Elvis! It seems to me that anything you associate with Elvis is going to create a hype and a best seller.
Elvis is one of those people that everyone will always remember. My grandma also loved Elvis and would talk about his music and how great he was.
He was a great musician and a true icon in history forever.
Of course, Hound Dog was Elvis Presley’s greatest song, just simply because it really shook the rock and roll phase in American History. Suspicious Minds is my favorite.
Hound Dog is probably the first song that comes to mind when talking about Elvis. There are a lot of visuals that come to mind when you hear about Elvis, the shoes, the clothes, cars, women, and his popularity. Another song that stick in my head is Blue Suede Shoes. Glad those are not popular today.
Hound dog was a great hit but I prefer love me which was a number one hit in 1956.
I didn’t realize that the catholic church had actually targeted Elvis Presley and tried to convince the federal government that he was a threat to national security. That incident just goes to show how much of an impact Elvis Presley made on our society. Truly a great artist that will be missed. Such a shame that we lost him to a heart attack at only 42.
Music has always had a impact when a artist comes out with something never heard before. Look at Rap in the 1980’s and how people tried to censored them, but look at it now it on every radio station. Elvis was a great performer and music artist.
Parents during the 1950’s would think Elvis Presley as an angel compared to the musicians of today. Elvis hip-shaking has nothing on the Red Hot Chili Peppers sock over the private region.
Music has impacted peoples live over and over. I remember hearing about him first performing hound dog. My mother was a big Elvis fan and had all his records.
Elvis Presley is a rock and roll legend and I grew up listening to his music. Hound dog is a classic that will live on forever. The music video included in this passage was very cool to watch.
It is interesting to read the reasoning behind Elvis choosing the “hound dog” as the dog that he wrote this monumental hit about!
The history behind Hound dog is interesting. I do think Hound Dog was his best hit!
This song changed the world of music. I think a lot people think of this from the movie Forest Gump.
My Grandmother instilled a love for Elvis in my soul. When I think of the very first rock and roll era, I think of the King, Elvis. I find it kind of funny that he ruffled so many feathers with his “dancing”.
A great guy for sure. Only wish I could have been born during this time.
I have never been a big Elvis fan, but him appearing on the Milton Berle Show, and others was really the first music videos to ever appear on television. You can say that it was their version of MTV, and seemed to have changed the course of television forever.
Elvis most definitely left a life long impact on the world. Nearly 40 years since his death and he is still labeled the “king of rock and roll”. I find it funny that there was such an up roar about is dancing moves. Especially when you look at what “dance” moves are happening now.
Elvis was definitely before my time, my mother and grandmother loved his music. He had a great impact on music as well as his music made a huge impact on millions of people.
Elvis is one of my mother in laws favorite men/singers of all time. She has all his records and often goes to watch impersonators perform.
Elvis Presley is a legend. His music really challenged the music industry in that time. I love how his style enraged parents and prudes across the country, not to mention the Catholic Church (The Catholic Church oftentimes falls on the wrong side of history – and I’m Catholic!). From a modern-day perspective, I could not see how anyone could object to his musical performance. Nevertheless, Hound Dog was an incredible song.
Who doesn’t still listen to Elvis?! My kids are 7 and 3, we mimic his hip gyrations amongst other dances moves like the twist, mashed potatoes, lawn mower and washing machine!
Can you imagine the prudes that thought his dance moves were inappropriate watch a music video these days?? Yikes! Perhaps Miley Cyrus!? Ha!
My thoughts exactly! They would never know what to do if they saw what was on t.v!
I love that Elvis thought singing to a hound dog was the most ridiculous performance of his career, but turned out to be a big hit. Also, very interesting that the Catholic Church contacted the FBI because of Elvis. If only those people were alive to see the world today.
I wonder for how long Elvis will be regarded as the “king of rock and roll,” particularly as what is regarded as “rock” evolves from the simple form that he helped to pioneer. There is no questioning how big of an impact Elvis has had on music, and I don’t know that there will ever be another single musician who is as big of an icon as he was during his time.
Elvis was such a talented man and I think he set a tone for the Rock and Roll world. He was a awesome man that still today a lot of people mimic.
My grandma loved Elvis! I grew up listening to a lot of his music.
As many of my boyfriends family loves Elvis music i never really got into it due to not really caring for his type of music. I do know though he is still famous today and I am sure my newborn will even hear of him when she is older.
Such a talented man that was well before his time. My boss goes down to “Elvis Week” every year in Memphis!
He’s a legend of rock and roll, and we can say that his songs have an impact on the world
By your writings, you are profoundly biased when it comes to breed dogs. With that being said, Elvis aside, I did not know about hound dogs.
It’s hilarious that singing to a hound dog was the most ridiculous performance of his career, but turned out to be a big hit. Also, very interesting that the Catholic Church contacted the FBI because of Elvis.
Elvis has had such an impact on the music industry. The King!
Elvis is a legend, and this song is still known today.