Introduction
“Don’t Be Cruel,” penned by Otis Blackwell in 1955, became one of Elvis Presley’s most iconic hits. Blackwell, a Brooklyn-born R&B singer and songwriter, sold the song’s publishing rights to Shalimar Music for $25 on Christmas Eve of that year. Initially, the song was offered to the Four Tunes, a rhythm and blues group recording for RCA Records, but they declined. When Elvis heard Blackwell’s demo, he was captivated and agreed to record it, provided he received co-writing credit—a common practice at the time to boost royalties and airplay.
Elvis recorded “Don’t Be Cruel” on July 2, 1956, at RCA’s New York City studios. The session featured his regular bandmates: Scotty Moore on guitar, Bill Black on bass, D.J. Fontana on drums, and Shorty Long on piano, with backing vocals by the Jordanaires. To achieve the distinctive drum sound, Fontana used mallets on Elvis’s guitar case. After 28 takes, they captured the master version.
Released on July 13, 1956, with “Hound Dog” as the B-side, the single became a monumental success. “Don’t Be Cruel” topped Billboard’s Top 100 chart for seven weeks, also reaching number one on the Country and R&B charts—a testament to its cross-genre appeal. By the end of 1956, it had sold over four million copies, making it one of Elvis’s best-selling singles.
Elvis’s performances of “Don’t Be Cruel” on “The Ed Sullivan Show” further cemented its popularity. He appeared on the show three times: September 9, 1956; October 28, 1956; and January 6, 1957. During these appearances, he delivered dynamic renditions of the song, contributing to its enduring legacy.
Over the years, “Don’t Be Cruel” has been covered by numerous artists, including Cheap Trick, whose 1988 rendition reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s enduring appeal underscores its significance in rock and roll history, showcasing Elvis Presley’s influence and the songwriting prowess of Otis Blackwell.