Portal:Elvis Presley/Selected article/5

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"Don't Be Cruel" is a song by Otis Blackwell that was recorded by Elvis Presley in 1956. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2004, it was listed number 197 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

"Don't Be Cruel" was originally the A-side of RCA single 47-6604, with "Hound Dog" on the B-side, although both sides became chart-toppers, RCA reissuing the single in later decades as double A-sided. The single was the first to top all three extant Billboard charts: pop, rhythm & blues, and country & western.

The single was recorded for RCA Victor by Elvis' regular band of Scotty Moore on lead guitar (with Elvis usually providing rhythm guitar), Bill Black on bass, D.J. Fontana on drums and backing vocals from the Jordanaires. Presley recorded this song on July 2, 1956 at RCA's New York City studio. The producing credit was given to RCA's Steve Sholes, however the studio recordings reveal that Elvis produced the songs in this session (as well as many others) himself, which is verified by band members. Presley selected the song and reworked the arrangement himself on piano.