Don't Be Cruel

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For the Bobby Brown album, see Don't Be Cruel (album).

"Don't Be Cruel"

Single by Elvis Presley
Released	1956
Writer(s)	Otis Blackwell
Producer(s)	Steve Sholes (Elvis Presley)
Chart positions
1

"Don't Be Cruel" is a song by Otis Blackwell, which 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 B side of the "Hound Dog" single, although it became as popular as the A side song. The song 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 the studio recordings reveal that Elvis produced the songs in this session (as well as many others) himself, which is verified by the band members. Presley selected the song, reworked the arrangement himself on piano, and recorded eight takes of the song with the band (number 7 being the take released on the record) during one recording session following the thirty takes of "Hound Dog" (number 28 being released on the record)recorded that day. "Any Way You Want Me" was also recorded in that same session following "Don't Be Cruel". "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel" were released on July 13, 1956.

Elvis and the band performed the song during an appearance on the Ed Sullivan show on January 6th, 1957 where Elvis was only shown from the waist up due to Sullivan's concern about the effect of Elvis' gyrations while performing on the morality of America.

The song, listed as "Hound Dog/Don't Be Cruel" at the time of its release, hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week ending August 18, 1956, and remained in the pole position for 11 consecutive weeks, tying it with the 1950 Anton Karas hit The Third Man Theme and the 1951/52 Johnnie Ray hit Cry for the longest stay at number one by a single record until 1992's smash "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men.

Preceded by Hound Dog	Cash Box magazine best selling record chart #1 record September 15, 1956–October 20, 1956	Succeeded by Love Me Tender

Crossover pop/country artist Jody Miller recorded a version of the song on her successful 1970 "He's So Fine" album.

Cheap Trick did a cover version of "Don't Be Cruel" in 1988, which was a #4 hit in the United States.

The Residents did a cover of "Don't Be Cruel" as well in 1989. It was included on their album The King and Eye, and was released as a CD single in the United States and a 7-inch single in The Netherlands.